A fabulous end to a busy week

My week started out just like any other. No big expectations from work- but my first FIT test on Thursday. I went ahead and requested the day off from work to study.

Then I showed up to work Wednesday. The power was not working. It was first expected to come on at 9am, then 12pm, then 4:30, and finally at midnight. Unfortunately we run payroll on Wednesday. This means that everyone left for the day except for me. Our payroll support crew at Corporate office was holding out for the slight chance that the electricity would come back on early. Have you ever sat at your desk with a flashlight and tried to entertain yourself? I actually got about 3 hours of studying in (with the sound of UPC and fire alarm beeping from all around). 5pm finally came, no electricity, and I finally got to go home.

It was a good thing I did get some studying done because I didn't get to take my Thursday off. I was at work processing payroll. Nevertheless, my test went okay. I did wake up Thursday night realizing that I had computed a tax calculation all wrong. I hate that!

So, then came Saturday. The kids are here which always makes things very enjoyable. We started out the day with an early morning soccer game. We then found a bmx motorcross arena in DeSoto. We plan to go there one evening soon and watch the race. It's just like the XGames!

After lunch at Panera, we arrived home and the kids were playing out front. Out of nowhere, kid #1 (who has made it very clear that she has no interest in riding a bike nor will she partake in any coaching) jumped on her little brother's bike and took off like a pro! It was the first time she's been able to balance, peddle, turn, stop. All of it- just like that! She was in just as much shock as we were! So of course we had to call her mom and grandma too. =0)

They took a little dip in the pool (freezing)! And then we headed back out on the bikes with kid #2 in tow. We had a great afternoon at the science center and to the park. We came home and made pizzas (have I mentioned that my husband is the best cook in the world?). Now my darling has taken his daughter on a date to Starbucks and I am here with my glass of wine.

A great ending to a hectic week!

I think my brother-in-law has crossed the line from avid exerciser to addict. He's taking baths now in ice.
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In other news, went to dinner last night. The restaurant shares a parking lot with a well known do-it-yourself home project supplier. So it wasn't too odd that there were a few 18 wheelers parked at the end of the parking lot.

Until we saw a lady appear from that area of the parking lot. She seemed to be talking to some other restaurant patrons as they were leaving.

At the same time we saw her, we saw a policeman pull up in an unmarked car. He also parked on an edge of the parking lot.

Back to the woman- we were discussing some possible scenarios regarding her presence. Was she a truck driver? Or a truck driver's woman? Or a truck driver's 'companion'?

As soon as the policeman arrived, she turned around and walked away. She spent a few minutes behind the trucks and again returned to bother more restaurant patrons. And as soon as she did- that policeman swooped in and told her to go!

And finally, (the whole point in me writing this) she walks to a Honda Accord parked at the end of the row and drove off. Her car was just as nice as mine! I wonder if she makes more money begging for change than I make at my job?

Some people think the government taxes everything:
"In addition to embezzlement of funds, courts have held that a kidnapper's ransom was taxable, along with profits from bookmaking, card playing, forgery, stealing, bank robbery, sale of narcotics, illegal sale of liquor, and bribes. "

But that's simply not true:
It is not required to list 'Free Parking' as income on your tax return. The govt lets you get away with that little 'fringe benefit' from work.

How is it that the oil change businesses get away with having such nasty waiting rooms?

I finally went to have my oil changed today. I don't go to the same place everytime. I used to go to a place in Mansfield. The waiting room had magazines that were at least three months old and the coffee pot stained brown. The good thing about this place was that it was quick and they had seating outside.

Today I went to a similar facility closer to my house- same company, different location. They didn't have outdoor seating. So as I sat inside reading the magazine I brought from home, I noticed this waiting room had a fancy-smancy coffee machine in it. A big draw! Not so much- still stained with coffee running down the front of it.

How do business owners operate like this? I tried to answer my own question and initially thought that they must all be male so they are not concerned with the particulars of a waiting room. But as I looked around, half of the people waiting in the room were female. So wouldn't it make sense to try to appeal to your market?

Maybe this isn't really an important issue- but I will say that my experience is that waiting rooms are gross at Oil Lube places. So in 3,000 miles (or so), I will continue my search for some outdoor seating.

My brain is so full of Federal Income Tax it may explode. And I still have 11 weeks to learn even more. And then it's all over. So much will change for 2007.

It's occurred to me that this may be my only opportunity to do tax returns.