Quarantine and chill and kindness chatty clubhouse: Jump in and join the conversation! All is welcome!

[flyingdumbo127]

Waving Good Morning from LA. Nice to see a few more early posts today Wishing all of you a Tigger-ific Tuesday!

 

[lynxstch]

Rain has stopped here. Temp is 68 and all the humidity is gone. Nice breeze blowing. Too wet to do anything outside, but I did wander around the garden to make sure everything was okay. The rain is really helping those plants, and it was keeping the cicada's quiet too. Nothing going on here. Watched a couple of shows, gathered trash for pick up tomorrow, and made my grocery list.
May take a nap this afternoon if hubby decides to watch another one of his boring shows, lol

 

[PollyannaMom]

I thought of this thread this morning. The news station around here has a "wake-up call" every morning, and today is was about some rescued ducklings!

Click here: Ducklings

(The link goes to WCVB. I typed the label to avoid the spinning problem the boards have been having lately.)
...

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Down to 63 here after 90 yesterday. And really steady rain all day. When the sun comes out the grass is going to shoot up.

DH and I are a little ticked off right now. **Vent ahead** We use an accountant for taxes because of DH's business. Have used this same CPA for years. We turn the info in usually about the end of February and get the taxes back in about a month. They do our personal and DH's business, and recently, DH's mother's. We turned in the info in late February, as usual. April 15 came and nothing but the deadline had been extended to May 17. So DH called in May and they said they had filed for an extension, reason given being COVID. As a side note, any time we went to the office, small - only 3 people, no one wore a mask. Apparently they all got COVID. So I called today to ask if they needed any other info or could we help in any way. We want this done and resolved. So the CPA called back and needed info for all three returns that would have been so much easier to have gotten months ago. It is apparent they have done nothing on the taxes. I sure hope we don't owe or there will be penalties because we have paid nothing. Needless to say, we will be looking for a new accountant for next year.

 

[sweetpeama]

Down to 63 here after 90 yesterday. And really steady rain all day. When the sun comes out the grass is going to shoot up.

DH and I are a little ticked off right now. **Vent ahead** We use an accountant for taxes because of DH's business. Have used this same CPA for years. We turn the info in usually about the end of February and get the taxes back in about a month. They do our personal and DH's business, and recently, DH's mother's. We turned in the info in late February, as usual. April 15 came and nothing but the deadline had been extended to May 17. So DH called in May and they said they had filed for an extension, reason given being COVID. As a side note, any time we went to the office, small - only 3 people, no one wore a mask. Apparently they all got COVID. So I called today to ask if they needed any other info or could we help in any way. We want this done and resolved. So the CPA called back and needed info for all three returns that would have been so much easier to have gotten months ago. It is apparent they have done nothing on the taxes. I sure hope we don't owe or there will be penalties because we have paid nothing. Needless to say, we will be looking for a new accountant for next year.

I found our tax accountant who we love by going to Dave Ramsey dot com and searching for an edorsed local tax provider. I love going out to do business at the Little Red Barn-their offices are in the shape of a little barn that is red hence the phase. They take the time to make sure that we understand where the numbers are gotten by going over everything with us as well as giving us advice on any changes we need to make in order to reduce the amount owed the next year or reduce the amount of an interest free loan we give the government.
When I took our tax information out this year back in early February they still had the cans of soda and bottles of water in the mini fridge and the cups for the bubble gum style machine filled with snack mix all free. The toys they normally have for customers with children had been put away though and the mooing cow cookie jar filled with snack size chocolate candies had been removed. I am guessing to keep the number of hands touching things to a minimium. We have been very happy customers of our tax accountants since 2008 and if we had to search for another one for what ever reason would do the same methode of going to the site I mentioned and looking for one of their providers. The providers listed have to agree to not just give good customer service but have to be willing to educate their customers on sound money practices like it is not a good idea to get a 3-4K refund and then go spend it on a brand new tv and entertainment system because we have money now even though you have no money in savings and can barely make your rent or house payment and utilities each month. (yes those show up on a number of parenting boards I am a member on every year around tax time usually by posters who have spent the past 6 months before going help me find money to pay my electrtic bill or my rent/mortgage).

 

[lynxstch]

The rain actually washed away all the humidity. It's 68 with a nice breeze,,and I just went for a walk. You can actually breath outside today, and the cicada's noise is getting quieter and quieter, finally ! Seems like that was along 5-6 weeks for them, but I guess if they only come out every 17 years,,they are entitled to their brief life span. lol. Dinner is going to be seafood salad over tossed salad, with fruit. Hubby's diet is going well..he's lost almost 7 lbs in 1 1/2 weeks! Have a nice dinner and evening everyone.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I just did one of those jobs no one else can tell I've done. I cleaned and organized my desk. There are still some piles but I know what's in them. I had slips of paper with passwords for new websites; got them organized. Even went through a drawer and found things, relocated things, and threw things away.

And I helped DH get some of the info together for his mother's taxes. He had to do the business stuff.

 

[lynxstch]

I just did one of those jobs no one else can tell I've done. I cleaned and organized my desk. There are still some piles but I know what's in them. I had slips of paper with passwords for new websites; got them organized. Even went through a drawer and found things, relocated things, and threw things away.

And I helped DH get some of the info together for his mother's taxes. He had to do the business stuff.

Isn't that always the way when you do a job like that? LOL! At least you and I know when we've done something like that. My hubby would never notice, he has no clue where anything is around here, and I think he likes it like that..it's easier to just make me get it.


It is going to be absolutely beautiful sleeping weather here tonite. Windows open 1/2 way, and 49 degrees heading into the morning!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Evening!

Love the duck story, PollyannaMom!

How awful, Carol Definitely find a new accountant!

What a nice accountant you have, Sweetpeama!

Lynn, anything that keeps the bugs quieter is good! Good for your DH!

 

[Kirby]

Needless to say, we will be looking for a new accountant for next year.

DH wants to look for another one for our business. The one we have didn't go to bat for us in dealing with a sales tax audit. They did nothing for us and yet we pay them too. The original accountant who began the company retired a couple of years ago and the current ones plus a new one that bought into the company don't give the customer service that we had become accustomed to. We need one closer to us anyway.

Hubby's diet is going well..he's lost almost 7 lbs in 1 1/2 weeks!

That's fabulous! I wish I could say the same.

I just did one of those jobs no one else can tell I've done. I cleaned and organized my desk.

I need to do the same to my personal desk. It's always messier than my business one.

It is going to be absolutely beautiful sleeping weather here tonite. Windows open 1/2 way, and 49 degrees heading into the morning!

Sounds heavenly!

The GK's had a great time at the Jurassic World: The Exhibition today. Saw all the important dinosaurs. They like to watch Camp Cretaceous on Netflix and Lil Joe loves the movie Jurassic World. The first Jurassic movie scares him, go figure .

DD made tacos for dinner and I got to take a cat nap while she was cooking.

 

[sweetpeama]

Starting to get the bills for the end of this month start of July coming in. So far utilities are not too bad with those being around 220 for electric, natural gas, internet, and 3 months of trash pick up. I can pay that one monthly but it's easier to just pay it quartery and not have to worry about it. Got the first of the 3 credit card bills in today. After taking the amount being paid each month and subtracting the current interest charged than dividing that into the balance I am coming up with that particular card will be paid off within 19 months making no changes. I plan to do the same with the others when they come in though one of those might be a bit harder since it is a variable interest rate hence sometimes the minimuim payment is higher than it was the previous month on a card that is not used.

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning all. Well they said it would be 50 overnite, but its 46 and I had to put a sweater on to go out and feed the cats, and take the trash down to the street, lol! Going to be 68 and perfect later.

Hopefully we can get grocery shopping and errands done before noon, so I can mow after we get home. Then tomorrow I need to weedwack and tie the tomato plants again as they are getting taller. Before it starts getting warmer again.

Have a lovely Wednesday morning,,enjoy the day!

 

[sweetpeama]

As of 12:01 AM local time we are on stage 2 fire restrictions which means that a combustion engine can not be operated off road between 1 PM and 1 AM with the exception of agriculture work to care for livestock, maintain fences, harvesting, and irregation of crops. Farmers and Ranchers are being asked to keep equipment well maintained along with using spark aresstor adaptors on all equipment and to carry firefighting equipment when doing agricultural work. Open fires are banned even in approved fire pits. We can have liquid petroleum gas fires provided there is an automatic shut off mechanism.
Also banned are fireworks unless granted a permit by the county sheriffs dept. There are 2 permits being granted one for at the fairgrounds in the larger town in the county and another for the one put on every year by the volunteer fire department of the 2nd largest town in the county. They even did one last year during covid by changing the location of the lighting off of the fireworks and not letting the word get out. The husband of a friend of mine who I worked with in both 4-H and homeschool activities though her kids have all graduated from high school is one of the volunteer fire department firefighters and he didn't even tell her where they were until they got there as they were able to watch from in their vehicle. It was that hush hush and on the need to know basis.
I have a feeling it is going to be a busy night on the 4th for the sheriffs dept though as there will still be plenty of the rules don't apply to me types lighting them off including it would not surprise me since I know darn well they have lighted off ones that are illegal in MT the neighbors across the way from me. They light a single one off and trust me I will be reporting them because I do not need to be worried that my house is going to be in danger of going up in smoke so they can have their fun. It wouldn't be too bad in a normal year if they just light them off for the 4th till 2-3 am but it's usually the 1st-5th that late and some years they start in even earlier. With this years calendar it would not have surprised me if they hadn't planned on starting in this Friday night and going until the 5th because who gives a rats behind about people who have to work the next day and just have a few days off they can take the next day off and sleep letting their employees run their businesses. Sore subject with us and the neighbor across the street from them who is an independent housing contractor in a solo business and thus this time of year works at least getting houses framed in so that when it is cold the inside work can continue. Or my husband who gets home while they are still going off and wants to go to bed after working a 9-12 hour shift depending on the day knowing that he is going to be working another one the next day including on the 4th (he will get double time for 8 hours and then time and a half for the remaineder of the shift) with the exception of Saturday though since he is on the fire team he can get called in to get the food pulled and loaded onto the trucks depending on how many they have show up. Ideally there is supposed to be 4 warehouse employees 3 which pull items from dry, cooler, and freezer respectively, one that loads the truck, along with a supervisor and then 1-2 drivers depending if the distance is far enough to need a team driving or an individual. There have been manytimes that it ends up being DH and a supervisor with sometimes one other person showing up to help. Sometimes the driver(s) are in right away and other times they don't show up until they are finishing loading or even after-not that the driver can do anything with helping load the trucks though they will exchange greetings.
I am debating if I should suggest to DH that he mention to the night warehouse manager to have cheese available for the 2nd paycheck in July date to serve with all the whine from the younger guys over how come some people like my DH make more money-um try showing up to work for starters and don't go on about how it's a holiday and you should have it off. You knew the nature of the business when you started and oh the guys who do get it off have this thing called seniority and they put in their time. Yes my DH has enough he could take it off but since we perfer to travel mainly in the early spring or fall to save money when we do travel with the exception of about every three years for reunion on his side (missed it in 2020 for obvious reasons, by the time it looked like this year was a possibility it was too late to plan anything and personally I would rather just skip it for 2022 and go back to the normal schedule in 2023 since if we had one in 2020 that is when the next one would be held. Reunion in the past has been Fri-Sun (he just didn't work the Friday night volunteer shift), Sun-Wed though he didn't see any sense in going to work for just Thurs so took the entire week off, and Mon-Thurs which he did work Sun and then Thurs and Fri shifts that week.
We figure with homeschooling we can take advantage of the lower prices in the off season and many places are open between the end of April and memorial day or after labor day till the first part of October and we can often have very comfortable weather for going to the Black Hills which is a place we like to travel as it is close enough we can get there in an easy drive for a day and then spend 2-3 days there and drive home. Tenatively planning on going on a Mon-Thurs so that 16 year old would only need to miss on day of work in late September though that may change depending on dates of the next thing.
I got a text from the fellow homeschooling mom who is the cordinator for Missoula Children's Theater for planning when we have a week in residency where the kids audition for their parts and then learn all the lines, musical numbers and coorgaphying for a production that we are going to be having MCT this fall and she will be sending out an email. We were looking into possibilities for a royalty free play so the kids could still do a production this year as it was looking like MCT was not going to work due to restrictions that we could not meet including a reduced cast so the cost would be higher per participant and most of the families having multiple children some as many as 5-9 in the production can't financially afford it. This will be so much easier. She did say that she didn't think it would work but they mailed her a contract and said are you interested. She has no idea why as normally we would have been off the list for this year or at least for the fall when we normally have ours by having not turned in a contract. We ended up texting back and forth about how there is only between 150 and 160 productions for the fall schedule which is typically Sept-Dec or Jan so far this year and normally it is at least 5 times that many by now. They are currently restricted to US and they can not send teams into Canada and while they do productions on military bases overseas the restrictions in those countries even though they would be on base could be too high right now to send actor/director teams to the bases at this time. I have not told 16 year old and am waiting till I get the email which hopefully will be soon.

 

[easyas123]

Good morning everyone, hope you are all well. I'm headed down to Salisbury, MD in a few minutes so thought I'd pop in before I hit the road. Luckily it's mid week, so shore traffic ought not to be to bad and I should be able to get down there and back by lunch-ish.

I'm not sure about everyone else's weather, but it is very nice here. Come this weekend the heat & humidity will build back in, and truthfully I kinda like the heat & humidity, too!

When the sun comes out the grass is going to shoot up.

I feel like I'm watching ours grow in front of my eyes!

It is going to be absolutely beautiful sleeping weather here tonite. Windows open 1/2 way, and 49 degrees heading into the morning!

I usually have the AC on at night because I get very hot, and already have insomnia and sleep better in the chilliness , but I did turn it all off this AM and opened up the entire house. Might try sleeping w/o this evening. I know my electric bill will thank me if I do turn it off

It wouldn't be too bad in a normal year if they just light them off for the 4th till 2-3 am but it's usually the 1st-5th that late and some years they start in even earlier

We can hear/see folks setting them off in the distance during July 4th weekends, as well as see a bit of neighboring towns lingering fireworks. Thankfully our dogs aren't to uptight over them. We are kinda used to the bangs in general being not to far from Aberdeen proving grounds (as the crow flies) and we are under the flight path of Dover Air Force Base and another one - not unusual to see a low flying C-5 or whatever the giant cargo type planes are called, and the warthog type planes flying in formation, and the occasional helicopter. But yeah, the 4th can sometimes be a bit much in how late folks set stuff off!

So - fun news, garden has produced the first zucchini, bell peppers & jalapenos! A slow start, but soon we will be overflowing in tomatoes and peppers! I better pick up some freezer bags soon!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Morning All

It's cool this morning so far. Over the weekend is supposed to heat up ☀I am sorry many of you are dealing with humidity. I admit to being so grateful that is not a constant out here.

Have some fun today and do something just for you

 

[lynxstch]

Finished our errands and grocery shopping and were home by noon. I put everything away after I scanned it into my NCP scanner (to get points for rewards), and made hubby some lunch. Just finished mowing the whole lawn..man was it shaggy looking, and I just mowed it 6 days ago! The cicida's numbers must be dwindling cause only 2 attacked the lawn mower, lol. I am too tired to weedwack now, so it will have to wait for tomorrow..when I also want to check the gutters and wash the car inside and out. Then I am taking Friday off! Might go down to the Farmers Market tomorrow too, to see what they have. Dinner is going to be chicken burgers, salad and fruit of some sort. Bought a lot of fruit today so hubby can make himself some smoothies for breakfast. Off to take a quick shower and cool down and relax.

 

[easyas123]

Good afternoon everyone -

I got back into the office and within 10 minutes got a call regarding a accident on one of our jobsites involving a sub. No one hurt, nothing damaged, but the powers that be (aka the head of safety for the entire 'big chicken' processing facility) saw the operator roll the loader, so I have some skull cracking and paperwork to do in the morning, not to mention plenty of time to spend behind the rendering facility which is a smell that defies description. Good times.

Welp, thankfully I've got yoga tonight! I think dinner will be grab whatever / leftovers since I won't even be home till 7:45ish. My husband is working over at one of the military bases near DC today, so no telling when he will be home. The dogs will be ticked off at us...they like routine!

Have a good evening everyone!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good afternoon from me, too

Another bright sign forward is that the library is now offering in person pick up of books! There is no longer a need for an online reservation to pick up books outside on a table. I so pray one day to be able to browse at the library like normal times again. Dad has also shared that some places such as the laundry mat no longer have masks required signs (yet he said most people inside were masked) I am truly praying to be able to go out safely a teeny bit before the end of the year

Lynn, I'm so glad the pesky bugs are dying down in number. Hope you are getting some rest.

Very thankful no one was hurt, Easyas! Sorry you have a hassle now. Enjoy your yoga class!

On a note: Hallmark Christmas in July starts this Friday on HM&M!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Good afternoon.

Beautiful day here. Mid 70s, low humidity, sunny. We took an 11 mile bike ride along the C&D canal. So many wildflowers, it was pretty.

On the way home, stopped at the library and got two books. We are allowed to browse now, which is nice.

Then a miracle. A mere 24 hours after I called the CPA and we got him the required info, he called to schedule an appointment Monday to finalize the taxes. Hallelujah!

Dinner tonight, taco salad.

 

[easyas123]

Then a miracle. A mere 24 hours after I called the CPA and we got him the required info, he called to schedule an appointment Monday to finalize the taxes. Hallelujah!