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I have my day cut out for me........

In 14 minutes, my grandkids are scheduled to come spend a couple of hours with me. That will be exciting. Love those hugs and kisses from those sweet kiddos!

I have one set of forms to print out for one client, a couple of clients to call to come pick up their stuff (and pay me!), and one return with issues that still need research before I can finish it. I would like to get all this done today.

I have been picking at creating an Easter kit all week. I do have a different kit that is going to go into the store next week, but obviously, an Easter kit isn't going to sell if I can't get it into the store by Easter! My CT ladies will be working with the other kit, but I'll be making the Easter kit available to them to scrap with. It would sure help if I could do that today or even early tomorrow......... However, I'm slogging along on the thing. It is a cute kit. I'm just so scattered with all the extra stuff I don't usually have to do that I've not been able to give it the attention it needs to get it finished up. I still have a few elements in mind for it and I haven't done the alphas yet. That would be the absolute minimum before I can hand things off to them. Yes, I do feel pressured about it, all of it!

I am feeling better today and I look less like a lopsided chipmunk. With this whole ear/sinus/teeth thing, my face has been swollen and sore. It is much less sore today. My gums were swollen and sore as well. I had no idea what Dr. God was gonna do about that. Obviously, the swelling needed to be drained somehow........ Well, late yesterday afternoon, a tiny fissure appeared in the gum and it has been draining since. So, that swelling is almost gone. I can chew again and bite down without pain and my ear no longer hurts. All in all, when the drainage stops, I think we can report total healing again.

I got basically nothing done in the house either yesterday or the day before. I have been SO busy. It needs work, lots of work, and I just can't get there, either because I am slammed with other things or because I am worn out because of the other things. I am not enjoying this one bit! There is much about this house I cannot fix without a fresh infusion of cash. However, I want to do what I can do and it is frustrating to me that I can't do anything or that I can't do much.

And that new collar for Parker? I "caught" the patio "wearing" it again this morning! Obviously, Punkin stripped if off of him again...........

 

New Release Day.........

I think one of the most beautiful sights a person can see just might be a bunch of cherry trees in bloom. I love how the trees are just covered in blossoms, pink ones, white ones and so on. I can't possibly do that sight justice, but I wanted to create a kit about cherry blossoms anyway.

This beautiful kit is on sale for 30% off during the introductory period and is jam packed with lots of elements and 3 color-coordinated alphas.

If you prefer, you can buy just the elements, just the papers, or just the alphas. They look like this:

Of course, the "separates"--elements, papers, and alphas--are on sale for 30% off right now as well.

And, of course, we have some gorgeous extras for you. Do you love stacked papers and beautiful clusters? Here are some ready-made to pretty up your layouts......

Aren't those gorgeous? They are on sale right now for $2.09 each for either the stacked papers or clusters.

Wonder how this kit looks when it's in use? Let me show you one beautiful layout created by SarahWhithers with this kit. Don't forget to check back during the week to see more samples!

Don't forget the beautiful facebook freebie. If you are a fan on HotFlashDesigns on FB, just go click on the "exclusive" button near the top right of the HotFlashDesigns Facebook page. If you are not yet a fan on facebook, all you need to do is "like" the page and then click that same "exclusive" button and the freebie is all yours. This week we have a gorgeous QuickPage made by Sara. You DON'T want to miss it!

Here's a link to the HotFlashDesigns fan page.

Also, you can sign up for my newsletter there on the right. I am giving a free kit to one newsletter subscriber each week. You could be the lucky one!

Now about that choke chain.......

What was it, Tuesday, when Parker got out and went exploring in the neighborhood? And before bedtime, he had a proper choke chain, with an ID tag, around his neck. The primary reason he didn't have a collar in the first place is that Punkin has chewed two of them off his neck. This is also the primary reason he got a choke chain--because Punkin chews regular collars right off his neck and choke chains are not chewable. Apparently, however, they are strippable. Here it is Friday morning and I have had to go find his choke chain in the yard twice and put it back on him. Like I have nothing else to do!

So, today was update the CT day and I started on that really early because I have several tax appointments today and won't have any extra time later.

Well, my face is still hurting and swollen and I've taken an entire z-pack. I'll start with mega doses of Vitamin C and see if that helps........

My mother commented the other day that it seems like it is just one thing after another with me. Yes! It is! If you don't think I'm tired of it.......... Satan is using me for a punching bag and has been for a LONG time. I don't like it much, but I guess that means he considers me a threat and that's a good thing.

I worked my butt off yesterday, primarily on tax and design. For a while there I had papers splattered all over my desk. But, I've at least pulled most of it together and it looks better. I sure can make a mess fast! And while I'm in the process, I lose things. Pick up the stamps, use them, mindlessly lay them down and lose them. Spend many long minutes digging for them the next time I need them. Pick up the stapler. Use it. Mindlessly set it down and have to look for it 30 seconds later. And so it goes! It's not fun. This is one of the reasons I always used to have Joe assemble printed returns for me. He was very methodical in what he did. Lord, if I omitted "methodical" from my wishlist for the characteristics of Guy Penrod, Sr, my dream guy, please add it now.........

Nothing, almost nothing got done in this house yesterday. I think I got the dirty dishes into the dishwasher. I printed and assembled tax returns by the bucket load and mailed some and ran to UPS to send some and so on. But the house got nothing. Honestly, there was nothing left......

So I have about 2 hours til the next client comes. I'll have to try to figure out what I can accomplish in those two hours.

In the meantime, let's do eye candy. Nancy did this page for a sketch challenge at ACOT. I saw the sketch first and thought it looked like a great design. So, you can imagine I really like Nancy's page too.

I love all the rounded corners on this layout. Nancy used one of our word arts for the page and that looks great here. I also was tickled that Nancy was the only one who thought to put the umbrella in the child's hand. Isn't it cute? You can leave Nancy some praise here.

YOU be BLESSED today. I've got bazillion things to do!

 

No points for productivity.........

so far. I DID get that printer all taped up and ready to go. I DID call Fedex and, praise be, they WILL pick up from the house. The info on the back of their shipping labels says they will only pick up from business locations which conflicts with what Epson's CSR told me. Happily, Epson's CSR was correct. So, bright and early tomorrow morning, that printer is out of here. I've even got it on the front porch. We've talked about how I'm dangerous in the mornings--I didn't want to be trying to move a two ton printer in that condition!

I sorted through what I've done on the Easter kit. I can crunch some more elements in there! What to do next? Haven't figured that out yet.........

And, I posted a new freebie on Facebook. Go to the HotFlashDesigns facebook page and "like" it. Then click on the "exclusive" tab to the right near the top. Let me show you what awaits you.......

Isn't that a gorgeous QuickPage, y'all? I've been keeping it open in my work bin for days, just looking at it, LOL! So, go collect your FREE quickpage at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/HotFlashDesigns/117807308235442

I just found something I've been wishing for, kind of. I have a lot of audio tapes and video tapes that are meaningful to me. I know that even as they sit on the shelf, they are deteriorating. Previously, I think you had to have a special machine to convert from audio tapes and video tapes to digital. However, I just read about this software that does it through your existing equipment and your computer! This program is called: Honestech VHS to DVD 5.0 Deluxe. It is available at Amazon.com and costs just under $49. Now if I only had $49 to invest........ Anyway, you can find it here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0040FT30O/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ldsdepression-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0040FT30O

Time to back up Gone With The Wind to DVD, folks!

Speaking of back-ups, the older of my two EHDs is not working right. THAT stinks. I just replaced an EHD a few months ago. This is a concern since the EHD that is not working properly is my working EHD. I wonder if you can open an EHD and blow out the dust????

Well, I have to go find something edible and get on with the day. Way too much hanging fire.....

It's gonna be a great day!

My face/ear/teeth/sinuses only hurt a little. Saints be praised! Today is day #6 of a 6 day regimen of antibiotics. Then I will amp up the Vitamin C.......

So, I unstaple a bunch of returns this morning and print 2 new pages for each and get them ready to go out the door. I did some research on another issue and finally put pencil to paper and did the computations and proved my client who owed $32,000 doesn't owe that much. But the computer still shows he owes (much less!), and I have to figure that out.......

Design wise, I got a lot done yesterday. I am at that point where I think I am done with the Easter kit, but I have to sort things into files and look at the megabytes to see if I can stuff anymore in them, LOL. About halfway through, I wasn't too sure I liked this kit, but I do, I REALLY do! The more elements I created, the better I liked it, LOL. So, I will do that sorting and see what's left to add.......

Here at Tara.......

First I MUST figure out about this broken printer. If I have to take it to Fedex, I have to take it today. UGH. It weighs a ton. I do not look forward to carrying it all the way to the van.

I need to start in the office today. Still mucho dust in here to be dealt with.

I want to work on those shelves in the living room today. I know there are a bunch of things in there that need to be relocated or thrown away. I know I didn't put a lot of them there, but I get to clean 'em up, lucky me.......

Guest room--that under-the-bed storage box full of shorts and tee shirts awaits me.

Junk room--ironing........will I ever find that ironing board???? It's under all that stuff somewhere!

Hall bath--It still looks pristine in there, but I think I ought to run a damp cloth over the horizontal surfaces, just in case some dust has made it's way onto the countertop or the windowsill, etc.

Hall--I have laundry to dry, laundry to fold, and laundry to put away. I doubt I'll have the time, but if I do, there's a major spot on the carpet I'd like to tackle.

I am quite sure I won't get any further that this. I desperately need desk time. I sorted and stacked and paid bills and so on, but I still have a long way to go. All this printing is contributing to the mess because it generates some stuff that needs to be shredded and I don't necessarily carry every paper to the shred pile........

Oh, my..... I want a wife! You know, someone who will cook and clean and iron and do all this stuff for me!

Eyecandy? You betcha. This layout was created by Lori.

There are three things about this layout that I like. 1) She used it for an obviously sunshiney day even though the kit is about rainy days. It's really a versatile kit with a great color scheme (if I do say so myself!!!!!!). 2) She did a great job of showing off that frame. None of my other ladies used it, but frames like this are really popular in digital scrapbooking kits right now and my frames are always buried behind other stuff in the previews. 3) Those clusters......Love 'em! They add so much to the layout and are perfectly balanced. You can leave some love for Lori here.

I've got to get moving. YOU be BLESSED today!

 

 

I'm so glad my printer broke..........

The requirements for tax preparers changed this year. If you "file" more than 10 returns you need this special ID # and, of course, it costs money to get the special ID#. I had really thought I would not prepare tax returns this year and, so, did not get that special ID#. When I decided that because of financial needs, I was going to have to do tax returns again, I began the application process for the special ID#.

The IRS was supposed to send me certain materials right after I talked to them. However, those materials have still, to this day, not arrived. In theory, the application process is supposed to take no more than 45 days. However, it's about 70 days since I first contacted them.

So, what do I do? My clients have mostly been with me for years and years and years. Some have been with me since I started doing tax preparation 23 years ago. Many of my clients are elderly. Certainly, when I decide I'm done, I feel I owe them some sort of notice so they can check around and find someone they want to use, or in the alternative, I need to check around and find someone to recommend. I think I owe them that. They would certainly feel abandoned, and rightly so, if I did less.

So here I was, tax season had started, tax season was dragging on, and the IRS had not sent the necessary materials. I decided I would just not sign the returns I prepared. I consider it highly unlikely that I will do this again next year. So, for one year, I would just not sign more than 10. It's not like my practice numbers in the hundreds! With elderly clients dieing, younger clients moving away, and the crazy idea that having the "box" means you can do your own return correctly, my practice is quite small these days.

Tonight, while in the bathroom, where the acoustics are really good (I always hear from the Lord best in there, LOL--joking, but it's true.........), the good Lord weighed in. He pointed out to me that this is dishonest and, as a born-again Christian, I am not supposed to be dishonest. I went to bed thinking about this and feeling pretty darned bad. Not only was I in the process of being dishonest, I was asking certain clients to be dishonest if anyone asked who prepared their return......... BAD!

I felt so bad about it that I was considering returning the few checks I have in my possession for returns I promised to mail to my clients for which they insisted on paying me. It would have cost me over $500, but I wanted to do what's right and there's no problem with me not signing a return if I wasn't paid to prepare it. I would also have had to do all these returns which are waiting to be mailed for free, easily another $500.

I climbed out of bed and came out and did some research. Hallelujah! The updates from the IRS which have been my primary source of information neglected one VERY IMPORTANT thing. This whole mess applies only to preparers who "file" their clients returns. And "file" means either physically hand-carrying paper returns into the IRS offices or electronically filing them. I've never done either of those things in my life! I have never wanted to be responsible for timely filing a bunch of returns. What if I don't get one filed on time? No way, baby. I don't want that responsibility. I prepare the return and hand it to the client with mailing instructions. THEY "file" it. God be praised! I can sign the returns and not worry about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I can, in good conscience, keep the checks!!!!!!!

So what does that have to do with my broken printer? Well, if my printer had not broken, the tax returns currently stacked up on my desk, awaiting delivery to my clients would be long gone. Instead, they are all still here, save one. So, I will reprint one set of forms per client and I will be legal and honest and they will be legal and honest and God won't have to take the hit for having a kid who lies (or omits significant facts). One thing I frequently discuss with Him is that I don't want to be an embarrassment to Him. And, because of a broken printer, now I won't be!!!!!!!!

So, thank the Lord for broken printers. I plead the blood of Jesus over my finances at least twice a day--when I get up and when I go to bed (and sometimes in between). I guess that pays off!

Slow going........

This is my mid-day report (at 5PM, LOL). I have made progress, but not enough........

I did deal with most of the stuff that ended up left on the countertop after cleaning the kitchen shelves. I still have some decisions to make with some stuff. I also unloaded the dishwasher and have a couple of things soaking to go in there soon.

I attacked the dining room table. No, I didn't move any boxes. But I did have a considerable amount of mail that had landed there and needed to be dealt with and it's all processed now. Wood is visible!

I worked on that section of wall here in the office that was making me crazy. It is not good but it is better. Unfortunately, part of it is behind a big screen TV that I cannot move. I went at it sideways as best I could. It looks like I should go after it again, but not for a while. I seem to do okay when I am using the mop to scrub stuff the part of the wall that is up high, but the sideways thing helped mess up my back last time.

I've done some printing and stapling and sorting. Still more to go, but so happy to have made some progress in that area.

Next round I will work on some of the stuff on the desk. I have a mystery bill from the power company and I need to call and see if their customer service is open. If not, I'll just do the best I can with their confusing paperwork. The Gas Company and the Insurance Company are also looking for money. 

So, onward.......... Gotta run......

Only God........

can make talent like this:

http://www.godvine.com/Shy-Boy-and-his-Friend-Shock-the-Audience-with-The-Prayer-Unbelievable-1318.html

Coincidentally, the title of the song is "The Prayer"........

Gonna be a busy day.......

Printing, stapling, mailing.........I have a good bit of that to do. And, first thing I have to figure out this shipping the printer back thing. I think the Epson guy got it wrong when he said Fedex would pick up from the house........

Anyway, good morning. My mind is whirling already. My body is lagging behind. In fact, I just went to the kitchen to make my morning coffee and proved that I am not safe in the early mornings. I think there are about 5 steps to making my fabulous fake-out morning mocha frappucino. I fouled up 4 of the 5 steps. I spilled instant coffee on the counter top. Then while adding the chocolate, my measuring spoon hit the side of the blender and I spilled NesQuik on the counter top. Next was some sweet-n-low. I usually line 4 packets up, make one tear and dump them in the blender. I missed one and had to go back and handle it separately. Next step is to add the milk. I normally add around 20 oz. I think I overshot the mark by a good 4 ounces this morning. Putting the ice in there went okay. But, getting it "right" 20% of the time is not a real high score, LOL.......

My eyes are still watering and earlier I was blowing blood out of my nose. That, the blood, has stopped, praise God. My cheek seems to be less swollen, but it's still sore, probably from being swollen. I can probably chew on the the side that was infected now. My ear is hurting less and I think the fever is gone. I'm getting better, but it's been a process. I was hoping for a "suddenly" but I got one of those "go wash in the Jordan 7 times" healings. It's day #5 on a 6-pack of zithromax, the good old z-pack, from Mexico, of course.

What else, besides printing and Fedex, has to happen today? Well, I let the "school" habit slip there for a few weeks and I'm getting back into that so that will help start the day off right. I'll start that as soon as I can hold a pencil without being in danger of stabbing myself, LOL.

On the design side, I was supposed to send out a newsletter yesterday and I didn't so I will get on that today. I still have a ways to go on the Easter kit and I'm really under the gun on that. Deadline is pretty much tomorrow night. I'll make it, but.....it's going to require self discipline.

Around here.........

Well, there is a section of wall here in the office that is making me crazy so I am going to scrub that today. And, now that I've dusted and dusted and dusted and dusted in the living room and washed the entry way floor, I'm going back on the round robin thing. I HAD to get that room more presentable! While I've been endlessly operating the shredder, the house has fallen apart. I swear, there is just not enough of me to go around.

Kitchen--There are still random items, pulled from the shelves I worked on last week, sitting on my countertop and table. I picked at them last night while my pasta was cooking, and I made some headway. But I need to just get in there and get those taken care of. They either have to find a home or they have to go. I also need to run the dishwasher.

Dining Room--I have a box of books to move into the "junk room" for storage. I have two boxes waiting to be filled up with donation books. I want to see some wood on that table soon.

Office--Dusting. Always dusting. I will start with this computer desk and see how far I can go before the timer goes off.

Living room--I have some shelves that didn't get dusted yesterday. I'll tackle them today.

Guest room--I will grab myself by the nape of the neck and drag myself back in there and deal with that under-the-bed storage box of tee shirts and shorts I found. I think that was the straw that broke the camel's back when I was trying to do round robin before.

I can't see how I'm going to get any further than that today with everything else, but whatever I DO get done, it will be a help.

I need desk time. And my "project" for today will be taking the mop to that section of wall in here that is aggravating me. I just deleted e-mail #1800. GOT to chisel that number down. 

So, there it is, my day. Sounds exciting, n'cest pas? I'll bet you wish you could come play! I think tomorrow would be a good day--I am hoping to climb up on the credenza and take down the valances on the windows behind me and wash them. I can't take looking at them much longer!

Eye candy? Oh, yes, we have eyecandy.

There's that cute little guy again. Yes, Lori did this page. First, I think that photo is just priceless with this theme. Doesn't he look like he is bored silly with being in the house because of all the rain and just longing to go outside and play? Lori used a trick that was popular years ago with this photo called selective coloring. Do you notice how there's a slight hint of color in his hat while the rest of the photo is converted to black and white? I was reading on a blog just this week that this kind of post-processing is coming back in style. As to the page, I think Lori did a great job on this one. I really like the ribbons below the picture and that cluster of elements just rocks my socks! You can leave Lori some love here. I know she'd appreciate it!

Now to get going on my long-as-your-arm to do list. YOU be BLESSED today!

 

 

 

A bit more progress........

Well, I've done some more printing this afternoon. Stuff needs to get out in the mail.

I have been messing around with this printer that needs shipped. I am thinking the Epson guy was wrong when he said Fedex would come pick it up. Their shipping label only says they will pick up from "business locations". The worst of this is that I will undoubtedly have to get the bloody thing into the van. And it has to be done SOON, like tomorrow!

I have dusted and dusted and dusted in the living room. I discovered that Joe never moved the TV or the VCR or the DVD player after he finished scraping the styrofoam crap off the ceiling. I really can't move them. The TV is too heavy and the cords on the other two aren't long enough for me to take them off the shelf I shifted everything from side to side as best I could. The dust was horrible. Set me sneezing immediately. I got everything I could. I was even considering standing on the couch to get behind the air cleaner on the top of the TV cabinet but managed to do a decent job via bodily contortions. Now, of course, the living room needs vacuumed again to pick up all the bits of styrofoam that ended up on the floor in the dusting process.

The inside of the front door is several shades lighter. Unfortunately, I used Windex to clean it with and I can see where the WIndex ran that there will need to be much more scrubbing before I can declare them clean. I know it all gets a teeny bit better each time I do this stuff, but, honestly, I'm tired. I'm sick and tired of dirt and dust and dog hair.

I've had about all I can handle. I think I'm going to bed early and see what comes next whenever I wake up.