been a while.....

Yes, I am still around, and this post is to prove it. :-)

Nothing overly exciting been going on since my last post 3 weeks ago. Morgan and Cassie spent a week down in Florida at my mom's house. They had a great time, and really enjoyed themselves. They visited Universal Studios, and got a chance to see the Space Shuttle launch by just standing in my mother's driveway. Morgan has pictures up on her blog and Facebook pages.

Otherwise, Morgan and Cassie have been just doing "their thing", while I have been working, and that is much appreciated by me, when my mind is in "tax season" mode. This tax season has been a "bear", and I will really need to crank it up these last 3 1/2 weeks, with many nights going to 11pm or later. I have been conscious about not working past 9pm any night, so I will not burn myself out, but I did not anticipate so many new clients this year, so I am still a bit behind in my "to do" pile. It looks like I will go over the 300 count in terms of personal tax returns, which will be about a 15% increase. I feel truly blessed to be doing so well, and this "bump" will help me plan my workdays better next tax season. I caused this myself in February, where I probably should have worked a few more late nights. Oh well, it will all get done in time, and I am better prepared for the future years.

I do stop each Saturday at 3pm to get ready for Saturday evening church services, and then do not work on Sundays. I answer my e-mails, but I do not work on a tax return after 3pm on Saturday until I start again on Monday morning.

Did take some time out to celebrate my 43rd birthday this weekend. Had a nice dinner out on Friday evening, and went to see the Hurricanes play the Capitals on Saturday night. The Canes' are playing real well right now, and they came away with a 4-1 win.

Last week, we got the phone call from Wake Christian Academy that Cassie has a spot in their sixth grade class. We had been thinking, discussing, and praying about the situation for a while now. While our first choice was for Cassie to return to WCA, we had come to peace (somewhat ;-) ) with her going back to public school, if the WCA door was shut on us. Now we just need to finish the interview process, to finish off her application and acceptance. Cassie is excited to go back to WCA, although a little bummed about leaving her current school. This is mostly because she really likes the year-round schedule, and to tell you the truth, Morgan & I really like that schedule also. Easier for her to be off 3 or 4 weeks at a time, at different times of the year, instead of 10 weeks during summer.

That is pretty much what has been going on, so I'm done for now. Only have a little more time before I am back at the desk tomorrow morning. Hope all is going well with all of you, and I look forward to doing more writing next month after the 15th has passed by.

Until the next time.....

just busy.....

So, the weather people are saying we might get some snow in the area. I am hoping the track moves west a little so we only get a trace or so. Any real amount with the temperatures that are supposed to be here until Wednesday will mean the area will "shut down" for a couple of days. Cassie already has one make-up day, and they really don't need many more.

Yes, it has been a while since I have posted anything. All going well, just the normal "tax season busy". I am trying to get the personal things I need to do done during the week, and keep some "family time", so posting here does end up falling through the cracks. I lost some of that "family time" when I was too tired to stay up and watch Lost with Morgan, and was not happy about it, but that will unfortunately more these last 6 or so weeks.

I plan to spend some extra time in the office this week and then again next week while Morgan and Cassie are in Florida. It is the start of the month, meaning I have my normal business client work to handle, so I really need to be on top of my time these next two weeks. Hopefully by the time they come back the pile of "to do" will be very minimal.

Only real news was Cassie needing an ultra scan on Friday. She had been feeling some discomfort in her chest/breast area. The doctors thought it was just growing pains, but with both grandmothers having battled breast cancer, the doctor wanted to rule everything out. The test showed normal hormonal activity causing her discomfort. Basically, "growing pains". Of course we are glad and relieved that was the case.

We ended up going back to Hope Community Church last night. To me, it has been the best of those we have visited. Cassie enjoys her Sunday School class, and Morgan and I both enjoy Pastor Lee. The message seems to hit home more with us in practical ways, like we felt at CRB. I think we will keep attending here, and maybe if someone else gives us a recommendation, we could still visit others.

There are more birds and some squirrels hanging around the backyard. Have not seen any rabbits, opossum or raccoons in the backyard, but I am sure they are around. No deer either, but I have seen as many as eight of them together in the morning when I am walking in the back part of the subdivision. Already have two feeders, but I might need to pick up one more larger feeder to put in the yard.

Morgan is doing well, and starting to get more comfortable doing the broadcast from here. She likes being around her partners, so her adjustment is a little more difficult and takes more time. I know her body is feeling better by sleeping "normal" hours.

Morgan's work blog now is able to show when it is updated, like most other blogs. The station did a nice web makeover, and part of the upgrades lets you follow her blog easier.

The Hurricanes lost a terrible game last night, 5-3 to the Atlanta Thrashers. They blew two, 2 goal leads, and held that lead with 11 minutes to go in the game, and then collapsed. These are points that are going to haunt them at season's end. Very frustrating as a fan to watch them blow these opportunities.

Lots going on in Washington, DC, and none of it good. I actually hope that as things get worse (and they will, even if some of this "works"), that the people of this country wake up and realize that we can not spend our way out of this situation, and the debt that we have as a country. First the stimulus package, and now the budget are bloated with some much garbage (and some Republicans are also guilty, so yes they should also go) that I hope people will look closely at what is going on, and be ready to make a real "change" come 2010. Highly doubtful, but I can dream. Ugh!

That's it for now. Enjoy your week.

Until the next time.....