It's been a little Hectic with Taxes, Birthdays and Traffic, Oh My!

So, my January is shaping up to be the busiest month I've had in a while. Let's see, I started off the month by volunteering my time at the VITA/TCE tax specialist program. It sounded like a great idea when I signed up and sounded even better when I realized I would get two weeks out of work to learn about specific tax policy that impacts my co-workers. I even convinced my work B.F.F. Kelly to join in with me because as long as you've got a buddy it can't be that bad right? Wrong. So the class was taught by actual IRS employee's, I'm talking about 18 plus years of service, but every time we would ask a question they would stare at us. It's not like they stared and then answered like we were idiots, they pretended like they never heard the question because they had no idea what the answer could possibly be. For anyone who is currently unemployed, I suggest checking out the internal revenue service because they obviously don't require much experience. After two weeks I have learned the difference between refundable and non-refundable credits, deductions, itemization's, IRS and additional taxes. I have also learned that my tax guy (yes, I have one and no he doesn't come from H&R block!) has been screwing me for years! The most important lesson I've learned is that everyone should take a tax class if you want to learn what you are entitled to otherwise the IRS is going to take you for everything you are worth. The classes were so bad I dreamed about taxes for 3 days in a row. Do you know how sad it is to crunch numbers in your sleep! I like to dream about things like David Beckham and a new purse not making sure someone has declared their interest on a CD by using a 1099INT form.Sigh.

To make matters worse, the whole entire week has been plague with temperatures in the teens. You know the kind of temperature that makes you tear up on contact. I called my friend back in California only to be told she was enjoying 80 degree days and had not only been to the beach twice but had accomplished a tan!!!!!!!! This girl was vampire white when I saw her last month and now she is a golden shade of brown. I woke up last week to a layer of frost on my car and ground which gave me flashbacks to my slip from last winter.

Traffic has been crazy the last few days due to the inauguration. I've camped out in my house for the last day for fear of getting stuck on the 495 for hours. On a happier note, I did get Tuesday off because of the perpetual parking lot that is the DC area freeway system.The future in-laws (The sane ones) came down for the weekend. That was awesome. They came bringing makeup xmas gifts that filled up my entire living room. They are so thoughtful it is insane. Chaz and I got all new winter running gear and Doc got a basket full of kitchen appliances. Destructo got a cache of awesome toys I have never before seen in my life.He has spent the past 2 day tinkering with his new play things. The future in-laws in return received authentic Harley Davidson pictures to hang on in their new downstairs bar. These people love Harley Davidson, so much so that every time they come down we spend the weekend visiting different Harley shops in the area (never the same, I hear its a big Harley thing). I thought I was slick this time because I worked on Friday and they came in on Thursday. They called while I was in class to ask about a spare key for the door so I assumed they were well on their way to a shop but when I walked in the door they were home and waiting for me to join them. Wamp Wamp!

I also had a chance to work on invites for Destructo's B-day. I found an awesome place in DC that entertains children from 1-5 years old which is great. Now all of my friends can bring their kids and not have to worry about them being bored. It's a little pricey but I love it. Let's face it, there's no way I would be able to entertain 15 kids for two hours! I'm a firm believer in paying someone who can. Besides its his first birthday so I have to. Which leads me to his awesome birthday card I made on snapfish. Maybe not that awesome, but anything with his face on it makes my heart swoon (I'm such a Mommy and yes I will excuse you while you gag!). So without further ado, may I present to you parts of Destructo's B-day Invite:

I know its way blurry. This isn't the actual card but a copy of the last draft I saved before ordering it. They turned out really awesome and now I just need to deliver them.Well I hope everyone else is having a great month and I promise to blog more diligently...Pinky Promise!