TAXES

Yesterday I FINALLY e-filed my tax returns. I can usually finish in less than 3 days, but this year I spent over 2 weeks searching, sorting, inputting, deleting, getting advice, re-inputting, etc., etc. This year was complicated by the purchase of our 2 farms--the Roosevelt Ranch in western Oklahoma and the Blevins Farm here in Sand Springs. I'm also phasing out my Arbonne business. I will keep my Consultant status in order to get my products at a discount and supply my family and friends with wholesale products, but I will no longer try to make time to pursue actual profit from the business. So that added to the nightmare of taxes. I was determined to do it all myself, so that I would have a better idea throughout 2008 of what was deductible, and what kind of records needed to be kept. I consider myself an organized person, but I really disappointed myself this year. The government makes it way too difficult for the average person to make sense of the infinite number of forms and schedules. It's a mind game. I wonder how many people that can't afford a CPA just give up and go the Short Form, losing out on money that they deserve. Anyway...I have big plans for the refund. More on that later.

Jeff's Birthday

Friday (the 22nd) was Jeff's birthday. As you can see, he was 4 years old. Jacob said, (holding up 4 fingers) "Uncle Jeff, you this many?" Jeff opened and closed his fists several times and said, "No, I'm this many." Jacob had a puzzled look...that was a lot of fingers. Then he proudly held up 3 fingers and said, "Ohhh. I'm this many." Glad we got that all straightened out. Actually Jeff is 28. I was too cheap to buy more candles. As you can tell, I was also too lazy to make a homemade cake. But...if you've read my previous "Tagged" blog, you know that I don't need an excuse to buy birthday cake. I did, however, make a home-cooked meal for him and Jeremy's family, a major feat since I've been up to my neck in taxes for the past 2 weeks.

Role Reversal

I've heard it said that at some point in our lives, roles will reverse and our parents will become like our children, and we will become as their parents. I just didn't realize how soon that would happen.

The last few days have not been great. Yesterday, in particular, was not a good day for me. I'll give you a few of the low points.

1. Something said at Small Group Sunday night that tied my stomach in knots.

2. Neal didn't call at his regular time Monday night. A sure sign that he was playing softball against my advice.

3. I ran out of propane AGAIN yesterday.
a. Thirty-five days ago I bought 300 gallons ($600.00) and bought another 300 gallons yesterday ($735.00). This can't be right.
b. I've called an insulation company to come today and check out the attic insulation.
c. The house fills with smoke when I burn wood in the fireplace. A chimney sweep is scheduled to come on Monday.

4. A harsh email from a fellow church member. (She called to apologize last night.)

5. My friend's brand new grandson was admitted to the hospital last night with severe jaundice.

6. After working on my taxes for a week, I'm still not finished and rather frustrated that the goverment makes it so difficult.

Oh, to have the attitude of Terry Rush on days like these.

So.....last night I called Jeff to see when he was planning to come home, and would he please stop at Braum's and pick me up a brownie fudge sundae (my ultimate comfort food). He asked why, and fighting the urge to say, "cause I'm your mom and I said so," I told him I'd had a bad day. In an eerily parental tone, he advised me that I really didn't want a brownie fudge sundae..."remember the pooch belly you're trying to get rid of?"...why didn't I just run a hot bath, light some candles and brew a cup of tea--with milk (Canadian-style), and talk to my "daddy" (a name he calls God when he wants to pour out his troubles to Him). Talk about turning the tables on me. Am I already in need of my children giving me advice?

Smith Memories

Here are a few memories of visits to Grandma and Grandpa Smith:


Getting a cold drink from the cistern with a metal dipper.


The outhouse. Scary in more ways than you can imagine.


Playing games with Grandma and Grandpa from the time I was old enough to talk. Hide the Thimble, Wahoo, and eventually graduating to Rummy, Scrabble, and Dominoes.


Spying a pane of glass in the yard and stomping it to bits. I don't know why. Blaming aforesaid destruction on one of the cousins. (Sorry Brad.)


Fishing down at the river with cane poles. Watching Grandma scale the fish and wanting to get in on some of that action.


Listening to Grandpa play his guitar and sing.

Going into town (Erick) and shopping at the Dixie.


Christmas. Using Grandpa's socks for stockings. One of my presents always being fabric that I'm sure Grandma got on sale at the Dixie, because it was so weird. But Mom always managed to turn it into a great-looking dress.


Homemade chocolate malted milkshakes before bed.


Washing and drying the dishes after meals. Small, non-airconditioned kitchen, metal dishpan, changing wet tea towels at least once or twice during the chore. Fighting for the place nearest the breeze coming in through the window.


Getting into Grandma’s face powder and getting my only spanking from her (that I can remember).


Riding with Uncle Melvin in his “hot rod,” listening to “Big Bad John” on the radio and Linda threatening to tell Grandma that he was smoking a cigar and driving over the speed limit. Actually, I was enjoying the ride. Linda was always a tattletale.


Sleeping in the back bedroom, windows wide open to let in the breeze, and fearing that the coyotes I could hear in the distance could surely break through those flimsy screens.


Learning to drive on the country roads WAY before I was 16.

Atchley Memories

A fellow blogger has inspired me to write more about me. My childhood memories, highlights in my life, and places I've seen, want to see or see AGAIN. I'm starting with some childhood memories of visits with my Grandma and Grandpa Atchley. Here goes:

Placing the mattress in the living room floor for Linda (sister), Gayla (cousin) and I. Staying up late, jumping on the mattress, while Grandma sat in her chair and quietly looked on. This is the only time I ever remember her sitting down. Though occasionally she would get up to retrieve more of her homemade dill pickles and saltine crackers for our late night snack.

Digging in the dirt, with Grandma’s old spoons, making tiny houses and towns using our bare feet as molds.

Running up and down the dome-shaped cement cellar.

Swinging on the creaky front porch swing, singing the latest tunes we'd memorized from the radio.

Eating on TV trays, my sisters, cousins and I pretending we were long-lost friends who had met by chance and were catching up on our make-believe husbands and children--always including “the twins.” One of us would just say, "Hiiiiii" and the others would know that was our cue to start the games.

Walking down the dirt road to the creek bridge, picking up gourds and devil’s claws along the way.

Retreating to the storm cellar every time there was a cloud in the sky, (Grandma was terrified of tornadoes) usually wrapped in a quilt with a 7-Up nearby, because I always had tummy aches from the well water. (Or was it the dill pickles?)

Running around shoeless even though there was never a time that someone didn’t have to have a “goat-head” extracted from a bare foot.

Sitting on Grandpa’s lap and answering pointless questions, knowing there was a $5 bill in his bib overalls for a job well done.

Going to Sweetwater (the intersection of two highways) in the back of the pickup and drinking Dr. Pepper.

Lying in the bed of the pickup and looking at the enormous sky with countless stars shining brighter than anywhere else in the world.

Riding with Grandpa in his pickup to feed the cows. Windows rolled down, grasshoppers jumping in and clinging to my skin with their stickly little legs while I'm freaking out screaming bloody murder.

Noise. Large family, big talkers, lots of laughing, never quiet.

Another Jacob Story

Neal was home last weekend. On Saturday evening we went over to Jeremy and Trista's. Neal, being a good PaPa, had Jacob and Lauren in his lap reading them a book. All of a sudden Jacob shouted, (hands up in the air) "Hold on guys! I gotta pee-pee!" Off he ran to the bathroom. Immediately he came running back into the living room, and exclaimed, (hands out in front shoulder-width apart) "There's a big ol' t__d (hands gesturing like a traffic controller toward the bathroom) IN THE POTTY!"

Stay in Kemah

Here's a brief summary of the last few days in Kemah.

• My flight from Tulsa was to leave at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening. Actual departure time was 8:20, putting me into Houston around 9:45--15 minutes past Neal's beddie-bye time.
• Since car rentals were sky-high at Hobby Airport (I assume due to International Finals Rodeo in town) Neal picked me up at the airport and we arrived at the RV Park about 10:30--1 hour past Neal's beddie-bye time.
• On Wednesday, Enterprise, true to their advertising, picked me up at the RV with a car from their Seabrook office for less than half the price of getting one at the airport.
• Wednesday evening I charcoaled pork chops for dinner. When they were done, the coals were still glowing, so I cooked the steaks in the fridge for a later date. Still great coals, so on went the polish sausage and a frozen hamburger patty. Got anything else, Neal? He refused to allow me to walk through the RV park asking for meat.
• Last night, Neal surprised me by coming home from work early, a dozen roses in hand. Even though we had steaks already cooked, he insisted we go out to eat. Fine with me, since he's still on a health foods kick and there's nothing "good" to be found in the trailer.
• The free time has allowed me to work on Income Tax Returns. Just a few details that I'll have to look up at home and I'll be ready to e-file.
• Began to design my 2007 Blog Book.
• Managed to get in two good workouts. Almost broke my nose on the bicep curl machine. Didn't know my own strength!

Tomorrow I'll head back home, where Jeff is minding the farm.

Tagged

I've been tagged by Jessica.

The Rules: Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog. Share 5 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog. or Share the 5 top places on your “want to see or want to see again” list. or Share 5 things you never pictured being in your future when your were 25 years old. Tag a minimum of 5, maximum of 10 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog. The tagees have a choice of which they want to do.

Five random facts about me:

1. I buy birthday cake when it's nobody's birthday. I just like birthday cake.

2. One of my pet peeves is the mispronunciation of words, i.e. similar (not sim-u-lar) and dangling prepositions (where's it at?). I have to bite my tongue to keep from correcting others' grammar and pronunciation.

3. I can't drive or walk past a Starbuck's without stopping for a Tall Skinny Decaf Latte.

4. I LOVE games. Board games, card games, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, charades, Game Shows, you name it--I'm in.

5. I cry every week during the weigh-in on The Biggest Loser.

I think all my other blogging friends have already been tagged.

Lauren's Visit

Lauren's been a bit under the weather this week, so instead of going to daycare on Wednesday, she came to see Nana. Even though I'm "retired" I seem to keep a very busy schedule and never have enough hours in the day. So it was kind of nice to be forced to slow down for an entire day and just spend time with my granddaughter. Fortunately, she was feeling better than the day before, so she wasn't fussy or clingy. I had never noticed how much she sings. One tune, in particular, seemed to be recurring. I'm sure she was singing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." I suppose diaper-changing time is the appointed time to recite "Pat-a-Cake" as she rolls her arms one over the other. Or maybe she's singing "The Wheels on the Bus" -- I'm just not sure yet. Like her brother, she loves books. Her favorites are "The Rainbow Fish" (which I think Great Grandpa Smith has memorized), "I Am A Monster," "Rudolph's Bright Christmas" (mostly just pressing the button to turn on the red nose light), and "Where's Elmo's Blanket." Speaking of blankets, she has three special blankies, one of which must be available at naptime and bedtime. They are all very soft, but her favorite part is the tags. Lauren rubs the tags between her fingers and thumb, which must be very soothing. The tags are already frayed and will soon be only shreds of satin.

Agony of De-feet

It's snowing today. Jeremy stayed home with the kids, since they both have colds and his truck doesn't manage well on slick streets. He called this morning to see if I wanted to come over and "hang out." So I did.

Trista and Jeremy had told me about Jacob walking through the living room with his toes bent under his feet, heels off the floor. Jeremy informed her that he could do that too! So he did. What a sight! The two of them walking on their "toe knuckles." Trista and I have both tried, but couldn't bear the pain.

Jeremy and Jacob both enjoy having foot massages--with a twist. They want you to bend their toes backward and then forward, under their feet. They also like their toes to be squeezed as hard as you can. Neal shares this unusual love of torture. He can probably walk on his toe knuckles as well. We'll have to see.

Crash of 2008

Though I could bemoan the plight of our economy, I'm actually writing about the crash of my hard drive last week. I've had repairs done before, and they've always been able to retrieve all my files, but alas, not this time. The only thing on my computer when I picked it up was the software it came with. I'm more thankful than ever for the internet, and the fact that some of my favorite pictures are stored on blogger and facebook. I do back up my photos on cds every year, but nothing had been saved since our move in May. My advice: BACKUP--BACKUP--BACKUP! Fortunately, I back up my financial files monthly, so I'm ready for tax preparation. Whew! Saturday evening I went to print Neal's boarding pass, and found I had to re-install the printer! What a hassle. Then I got an email from a fellow VBS committee member with an .xls file attached. Oh yeah....I'll have to re-install Excel. Erghh!

Side note: Did you know that if the temperature is too cold, propane will not rise and you can't grill outside? Found that out at 5:45 Saturday evening. Eight guests were waiting for 2" thick steaks at 6:00. Anyone prefer rare?

Weekend

So...Jeff and I had planned to go to Louisiana with a group from his church on Friday and Saturday, but canceled due to the water pipe bursting in his house. As it turns out, the Claims Adjuster can't meet with him until tomorrow, so we're disappointed about canceling, but it also allowed us to attend Jeremy's surprise 30th birthday party on Saturday night. Trista had invited some close friends and family to surprise Jeremy for dinner at In the Raw. Sushi is something I've carefully avoided all my life. There have been opportunities to try it, but I've always wimped out. The mere fact that Trista (who handed down her food phobias to our grandson, Jacob) likes it, was a huge factor in my brief surge of bravery. To emphasize the extent of my bravery (or should I say, temporary insanity) I allowed my not-afraid-to-try-anything niece, Morgan, to order for me. I have no clue what all I bombarded my digestive system with that night, but I managed not to gag or throw up in my napkin. However, In the Raw will not grace my list of favorite restaurants, and I can't imagine craving sushi anytime soon. The good news is that Jeremy was indeed surprised. It was fun celebrating with him and enjoying family and friends.

My birthday gift to Trista, whose birthday was on the 9th, was taking the kids to spend the night with me on Saturday night and keeping them until 4:30 Sunday afternoon. So, you know that in that length of time, there has to be some noteworthy conversations with Jacob. He likes to eat Yogurt Burst Cheerios for a snack, but he picks out the pink ones and leaves the plain. Lauren decided she wanted some, too, so as I poured a bowl for her he informed me that, "Sissy doesn't like the pink ones." Guess he thought I would take her pink ones and give them to him, but Nana's too savvy for that. Sunday after lunch at Mazzios (with the help of Uncle Jeff--I'm not Super-Nana) I put Lauren down for a nap and Jacob and I retreated to the game room to watch MicroCosmos, a non-animated video, chock full of upclose and personal encounters with every insect you can imagine. I put the movie in the VCR, then asked Jacob if he wanted to lay on the couch to watch the movie. His answer, "That's not a good idea, Nana." (Later, during the 2nd viewing of said movie, he did lay on the couch with me and immediately fell asleep, hence the reason for that NOT being a good idea.) As we played in the game room, he asked, "Where's Uncle Jeff?" Me: "In the house with Lauren, watching a football game." Jacob: "Does he gots he's eyes closed?" Me: "Probably." Jacob: "We better go check." My exercise ball is in the game room (not getting much use, I might add) and Jacob loves to play with and on it. He put it in a big box which kept it stabilized--pretty genius, I thought. Then he stood on it trying to keep his balance. I listened as he talked to himself...."better be ca'ful, better be ca'ful..(losing balance and almost falling) see...I told you."

Jeff and Lauren "watching the football game"

Cold Again!

I know, two posts in one night. What's the deal? I just had to devote a separate post to my firstborn on his birthday. In fact, I cooked dinner for him and his family tonight...well, half-cooked would be more accurate. Chicken Cacciatori (or Kitchen Chakatori as he likes to call it), Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread, and Pasta. Oops! When I put the water on for the pasta, none of my burners would light. Could I possibly be out of propane!!!!???? No way! Uh....way. Thankfully, today's temps reached around 60, I had already showered, and I have a space heater AND LOTS AND LOTS OF FIREWOOD. A frantic call to Chuck, the Propane Guy and assurance of delivery tomorrow. I feel very resiliant since the Great Ice Storm of 2007. One night without heat or hot water will be a piece of cake.

Jeremy

Jeremy is 30 years old today. How could that be? Where's my little boy who won over every preschool and elementary teacher with his big blue eyes, played baseball for hours on end in the back yard with his baby brother, and plastered the underside of his bookcase headboard with boogars. I'll tell you where he is. He's being the best husband, father and provider that he can be. I couldn't be more proud of him. Happy Birthday, Jeremy!

...and the hits just keep on comin'

Jeff's house in Kansas City--Gladstone to be exact, is still sitting on the market. This is the last month that the realtor is under contract, and if it doesn't sell this month, he will have to do the unthinkable and "give it back" to the bank. My family, my small group, my prayer partners, my BSF group and several other individuals have been praying fervently for God to send buyers. Today, Jeff's realtor called to report that a water pipe had burst and the house was flooded. How much more can a man take? How much more can his mother take? I wanted to break down and have a good cry, but I was eating lunch with Janet when I got the call, and besides a brief tear-welling and crackly voice, I held it together. We had planned to immediately go to the gym, but Jeff needed me to go home and find the number for the insurance company, so we decided to meet back at the gym in an hour. Halfway home, and another call from Jeff--he happened to have the phone number in his wallet. I turned around and headed back, thinking I would be way early and could maybe sit in the parking lot and have a good cry before Janet arrived. But noooo. She beat me there and I had to again postpone my breakdown. Not that Janet isn't a friend I can cry with...but she's been a little on the edge lately, too, and I was afraid things would get out of control! The workout was therapeutic, especially since we're still learning how to adjust the new equipment--it kept my mind occupied. Sweating didn't hurt either. When I got home I knew I had two choices. I could either sit alone in the living room and bawl my eyes out, OR, I could go outside and scoop dog poop. I scooped.......and I prayed. (Is that irreverant?) I prayed that God would somehow turn this bad thing into something good. If you are not one of the ones I have enlisted to pray for this...consider yourself drafted. Let's see how God works in this situation.

Reflections of the Holidays

Heavy sigh!!! The Christmas holidays were jam-packed with family and fun. My Canadian family (Mom, Dad, Linda, Marcia) were here from Christmas Eve until New Years' Eve. With seven of us here, quarters were pretty cramped. I really missed my big house in Tulsa. But they were all troopers and made do with the limited accomodations. Lots of cooking...eating...Scrabble games...cooking...eating...Dominoes...cooking...eating...playing with the grandkids...cooking...eating...putting together the annual 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle...a trip to the Aquarium...and did I mention?...cooking and eating? I think I cooked more in the last week than I have in the past two years. I'm not by any means a Martha Stewart, but I actually found it to be enjoyable. Maybe because I was surrounded with people and had lots of help. Never had much of that when the boys were growing up. Maybe, too, because everyone seemed to enjoy eating what I cooked...another thing that was rare during son-rearing days. (Or maybe they just didn't see the importance of TELLING me that it was "good.")

Neal spent most of his "vacation" cleaning up from the ice storm. Cutting limbs, stacking wood, and burning brush. But he didn't seem to mind. I suppose he relished the time of solitude and retreat from the houseful of Smiths.

Now everyone's gone. The Christmas decorations are put away, and the house is clean again. I went to the gym today for my first workout of the year. New equipment--new routine--tomorrow I'll probably have new aches and pains.

Hope you all had a great holiday season. May God bless you abundantly in 2008.

Annual Santa Photo

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Christmas Program

We went to Jacob's Preschool Christmas Program last night. Jacob sang his little heart out and did all the motions, although he was usually a beat behind. We were very proud that he didn't pick his nose.

Lauren enjoyed herself, eating beef jerky and watching the kids.

Let There Be Light

As I was leaving for church last night, I was met by Jeremy & Trista who were driving around trying to see signs of power being restored in our neck of the woods. They were sure I must have it since my pole light next to the garage was on. No such luck--it runs off the generator. Trista was in tears and I could see that see was dangerously close to slipping over the edge. But it did look promising...the neighbors across the road had just flipped on their Christmas lights, so I called Super Alan and he informed me that they, too, had their Christmas lights on...via generator. The neighbor just south of me (see what a farm girl I am? not left or right, but SOUTH) assured me that he would call me as soon as he had power. A few minutes into Bible study and my phone started vibrating. Sorry--I gotta take this! Yes, it was my neighbor who now had power and was certain that I did too!! Yippee!!!! By the time I returned home from church, Kenny and Super Alan had disconnected my generator and turned my main breaker on. Sigh!!!!!! What a relief. It was a good time to reflect on how dependent we are on the single invention of electricity. The word "power" has a whole new meaning. I felt very "power-less" during these last few days. But how insignificant that power is in comparison to the power of God. How dependent are we on His power? That's the focus of my devotional this morning. "Out of nothing came light...Out of light came day." Max Lucado

I praise your greatness, my God the King;
I will praise you forever and ever.
I will praise you every day;
I will praise you forever and ever.
The Lord is great and worthy of our praise;
no one can understand how great he is.
Psalm 145:1-3

Day 10

This is officially day TEN in the dark. Our Electric Coop is projecting restoration of power today. I'm on pins and needles. Although we have been without electricity and phone service for 10 days, it is actually only MY 3rd day. I returned from the balmy Galveston Bay area on Monday afternoon, in time for my brother-in-law and neighbor to hook up my brand-spankin-new Yamaha generator. Sooooo....I shouldn't complain. But I will. :-) The generator is a huge hassle. Being new, the oil had to be changed after the first 5 hours....10:00 p.m. to be exact. And every 20 hours thereafter. A tank of gas will last approximately 12 hours. Since I am somewhat (who am I kidding), since I am very mechanically challenged, this is no easy task. Lucky for me, I have my 27 year old son with me who is, can I say, a little less challenged in that area. (Mechanical Engineering was not on the list of requirements for his Art degree.) We...errr...he managed to get the oil changed and topped it off with gas before turning in for the night. We restarted the generator--nothin to it. But alas, no electricity in the house. Are you kidding me? I check the breakers, check the connection to the breaker panel, nothing seems amiss. Time to call my trusty neighbor, Alan. Super Alan to the rescue! After only a few minutes he discovered that the plug that attaches to the generator itself had come loose, duh! Next morning, Jeff and I fill it up with gas again and Jeff goes off to feed his dogs while I restart the generator. After about 15 pulls on the crank I thought my stinkin arm was gonna fall out of its socket. JEFFFFFFFF!!!!!! As Jeff walks up he looks at the machine and rolls his eyes as he flips the power switch to the ON position. "Mom, it has to be turned ON before it will start." Later that morning, I trudge off to "town" to fill up both of my 5-gallon gas cans. Not easy to lift those suckers into the back of the SUV, but I'm tough and manage quite nicely. But it's another thing to pick one of those full cans up and try to fill the tank without losing more gas than is finding it's mark. Speaking of Mark--Super Alan's son comes to my aid yesterday afternoon to refill the tank. This morning I'm determined to take care of this myself. My newest gas can has a nifty spout on it that remains closed until making contact with the rim of the gas tank. To my chagrin, the seal had either frozen and split over night, or I didn't re-attach it correctly when I filled it, but in any case, gas sloshed all over the top of the generator and I thought I'd never get the dad gum spout in the hole! As Jeff finishes feeding the dogs he saunters over to evaluate my performance and casually says, "I think the gas goes IN the tank, not ON the tank." Thanks for those words of wisdom, Jeff.

The generator seems to be doing a fine job running most of the house, but we are being very conservative so as not to trip any breakers. Therefore, at night we are still using the oil lamps and besides the refrigerator, we are only using one appliance at a time. In Trista's words, "I will cry tears of joy if our power is restored today!"