New Camera

Recently we bought a new camera. While I have pretty much no idea how to use all the fancy settings, it's been fun trying them all out. Following are some pictures we've taken, no rhyme or reason to them, just things that have been going on lately.

The Girl made some beautiful chocolate covered strawberries. They were perfect subjects...

Alex had some of his art shown at the annual art show....The Kid has a knack for Modern Art!

My first attempt at raspberry turnovers. They were not pretty and they weren't as good as my mothers but, not bad.






The Girl baked and decorated my birthday cake. Clearly, this is my all-time favorite birthday cake. Shocking, I know!


We had some trees cut back and the tree guys were like monkeys!


I hope to get out and take lots of pictures this summer. My plan is for us to spend time with Sandy andJimmy and pick their brains about the camera. Those 2 seem to have a LOT of knowledge and I think, if I play my cards right, they'll help us out.

Missing the Boat....

During Tax Hell there was a thing going around on FaceBook, 25 Random Things. Being knee-deep in Hell, I was unable to post MY 25 things. I thought I would put them up as blog post. Blog Worthy? Probably not. A prime example of the narcissist that these blogs turn us into? HELL YA.

25 Random Things About ME......

1. I once worked Security at Logan Airport
2. Pop Rocks freak me out.
3. I tend to give most people the benefit of the doubt.
4. My Mini-Cooper had a name. Cupcake. That seems ridiculous now. But it was cute then.
5. Harriet was the best dog ever.
6. The Girl is my Constant. (Lost fans will get that)
7. I could live on pizza. And sushi.
8. Starbucks over Dunkin Donuts.
9. I was home tutored for 2 years of High School.
10. Tax Hell might be crazy busy. And I think I like it!
11. I loathe winter and love summer.
12. I want to get RockBand for WII. But only for the drums.
13. I wish I had gone to cooking school when I was younger.
14. The things that are important to me are not "things"
15. I miss Lenore, I must call her!
16. My first job was at a store called, "Candy, Nuts and Books"...very descriptive.
17. Coke over Pepsi
18. My family is very close and somewhat crazy.
19. Not a fan of birds that talk.
20. I thought I was allergic to alcohol for over 20 years.
21. Topsfield Fair will always be special to me.
22. Some days I feel old.
23. My nephews and Niece are the best.
24. I have a love/hate thing going with my Blackberry.
25. I was 44 years old when I met the love of my life. Totally worth the wait.

This One's for Alison...

The Scene:

The Girl is playing on the computer and I am flipping around, watching tv....CNN is doing a piece on the Hubble Telescope.

CNN Anchor: The Hubble Telescope is in need of some very serious repairs.

Me: Your girl is lovely Hubbell.

The Girl(distracted and not really listening to me): What did you say?

Me: Nothing.

HERE'S TWINKIE!

I know it's been a long time since my last post. Tax Hell kicked my ass this year and I still don't have a camera. I have to fix that toot suite! We have a new addition to our extended family....TWINKIE! Brenda and family welcomed this bundle of joy 3 weeks ago and it's been a lot of fun having a dog around again. This is the best of both worlds, really. I get to play with the dog and I have none of the responsibility! The Girl is not a dog person but I think she likes Twinkie. It's impossible not to! Such a sweet little girl. She's a Golden-Doodle, part Golden retriever/part standard poodle. Quite a combo. The Girl thinks she's going to be a "horse". I think she's going to be a medium sized dog, probably 60-70 lbs. Judging by the size of her paws I think she'll easily hit 65lbs. Right now she's 15 lbs of sweet doggie. She's nine weeks old and just about house-broken. The whole Gharabegian clan are going to puppy-training class today, so that should be interesting.

Random things, in no particular order......

• Lucas figured out the Easter Bunny is a fraud. At the same time he was relieved that Santa Claus is real!
• The Girl and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary. Best 2 yrs of my life, no doubt.
• Had both families for Easter Dinner. And we all lived.
• From January to April 15th all I did was work. Literally. The Girl did EVERYTHING else..Laundry, cleaning, cooking, shopping. Everything! I could not have made it through such a tough time without her support. Don't know if I say it enough (or too much?!?) but she really rocks.
• Found a new sushi place, Oksana Sushi in Saugus. A little hole in the wall but the sushi is fantastic.
• Swine Flu pandemic? Great.
• Accidentally started watching In Treatment on HBO. Can't recommend it highly enough.
• Looking forward to having a vegetable garden this year. Also, the rabbit that lives in our back-yard is very excited about it too.

I said, They said......

I have had some interesting conversations with clients lately....here are a couple that seem funny NOW...while I was involved in them, not so funny.

First up, an older woman with bright red hair we'll call Lucy:

me: do you want to efile?
her: no, i don't believe in it. and my son said massachusetts is not accepting anything electronic
me: that's not true, exactly the opposite but, you don't want to so, fine, paper copy for you!
her: i don't BELIEVE in all that electronic internet crap. what's the point anyway?
me: so, paper copy for you then.

Second, is an older gentleman we'll call Bob:

me: i see you had some luck at the casino, do you want to take some losses against your winnings?
him: who is this again?
me: Your Accountant....i'm preparing your taxes
him: OH...you know, your father did my taxes YEARS AGO, i was his first client
****note****MANY OLD PEOPLE TELL ME THIS SAME THING EVERY YEAR. EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
me: yes, i know....so, do you have any losses to take against the winnings?
him: what?
me: did you lose anything gambling last year, losing lottery tickets...any gambling losses at all?
him: i remember you when you were a baby
me: yes, i know...(I HEAR THIS A LOT TOO)
him: so, i went to mohegan sun and i HIT the slots!
me: i see that....that's great. did u have any losses?
him: oh, i don't want to get into all that....lets just call it a loss and call it a day, ok?
me: it's not a "loss" though...you have winnings, they're taxable. if you want to use losses against the winnings, it will lower the tax you pay.
him: really?
me: yes
him: i think we better leave well enough alone. how's your father? can i talk to him?
me: he's retired....i'll tell him i spoke with you. thank you. you'll be called when the taxes are ready to be picked up. ok? thanks again, good bye
him: wait!!!!!
me: yes?
him: whatever i lost, i lost, i don't need to report it, do i?
me: not if you don't want to, no.
him: i don't any trouble. i like things simple. you know, mohegan didn't want to withhold any tax when i hit the slots!
me: ok, thanks again.....
him: you all set now? any more questions?
me: no, i have everything i need.
him: ok....i better go.
me: yes, me too. bye.

11 Degrees.....

I am just trying to keep this picture in my head. It helps to get through the 11 degree days....sorta. Tax hell has really heated up....I have many individual returns, corporations and partnerships to prepare. Most are in English, however, one "special" client gave me some of her information in French. I don't speak or read French. I understand it's the language of love but it's not the language of tax preparation! This client is an artist and she showed her work in China, France, Canada and Italy. The works that sold, that income is in various foreign currencies...so, FUN WITH FOREIGN CONVERSIONS! I know how delightful this all sounds and really, I'm such a nerd that I kind of enjoy it. A Tax Nerd, that is.
I am looking forward to spending time with The Girl this (every) weekend....had to get my ODE in!

Finally.....