I Can Breathe Now! The Taxes Are Done!

February 21, 2014

Good morning.  Tis a bit gray outside and we are expecting rain for today.  That figures!  We finally get a day around 52 F degrees, and it rains so we can't go out and  play.  Ah well, we will get out a bit because Pogo has an appointment at noon at the beauty salon.  On the way home from there, we will stop at Town Hall to get his new license. 

My big news for today???  I did good!  I had my appointment yesterday with the accountant to do my taxes, and when we finished he said that "I did good".   Phew!  What a relief that this is over and done with till next year.

Today I have some fun photos to share.  These were sent to me by a friend, and I thought you might enjoy them too.  Especially those of you with fur babies. 

The time crunch is on now.  There's just one week left to get everything in order so that I can go on vacation with a clear mind.  I think I'm okay.  I mainly just have to figure out what to pack and have all that ready.  My selfie mailer box is almost ready.  This will go to the post office the beginning of next week. 

Yesterday, I was busy from 7 a.m. till late last evening.  When Joe got home from work, he offered to watch Pogo so that I could do a bit of miscellaneous shopping.  Helen went with me, and I must say that we had a good time.  I got some new lounging pajamas and jersey tops, and I got several skeins of yarn for my crochet project. 

The bad news was that by the time I got done with supper and putting everything away, one of my ankles was quite swollen.  So, I sat in my lounge chair to put my feet up for a while, and I woke up around 2 a.m.  This, of course, means that I did not do my oxygen test.  This morning, I called the therapist to tell him I would do the test tonight.

Now it's time for me to get busy around here and get the laundry started.  So, till Sunday, Y'all have a wonderful day. 

Hugs, Edna B.

Wow! An Awesome Phenomena To Share With You

February 20, 2014

Good morning.  Gosh, I woke up to a wonderful surprise this morning.  It was only six o'clock and it was already daylight.  This gives me a little extra boost of energy.  And, the best part is that Spring is only thirty days away.  Woo Hoo!  If I had springy hind legs like a bunny, I'd by hopping around with excitement.

DIL Janet was here last evening, and we had ourselves a nice visit. She has been working extra hours each day so that her work won't fall behind too much while she is away in Florida.  She will be joining me there halfway through my vacation, while daughter Audrey and a friend will be driving down to spend the first week with Pogo and me.   It's going to be fun this year because we all enjoy photographing nature.

I have a lot to do today so this will be a short post.  However, I really do want to share a couple of awesome photos that my friend Maryann sent to me.   These are ice waves from the floor of Lake Huron, Michigan. 

 

 

Are these not awesome?  Can you imagine going out for a walk and seeing something like this in a huge local lake?  This wave phenomena occurs in Antarctica, but these frozen waves are in Michigan!!  Does that say something about how cold this winter has been?   Mother Nature is certainly amazing!

Now I really must get going here.  Pogo and I have to be in the car and on our way (errands) in less than an hour.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Woo Hoo!! A Mini Warm Wave!!

February 19, 2014

Good morning from sunny New England.  We are beginning a "mini warm wave" here with temps in the 40's F to 50.  It's only for a few days, but I am going to enjoy it.  Pogo and I might even venture out to the park to check out the ducks while it is warm.  Now that will definitely be nice!

Well, I'm down to the last day to make sure I have all my tax stuff in order because tomorrow I have to take it all to the accountant.  Phew!!  I am so glad to be at the end of this mess!  If only I could teach myself to be better organized about this stuff.  Ah well, they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks.  I'm the old dog, and I'm not into new tricks!!

I have some birthdays coming up that I have to prepare for so that I might be on time.  Hmmm, that might be a new trick for me!  So, now I'm making up a "To Do" list so that everything gets done.  I'm famous for my lists.  Usually I spend a lot of time making the list, then within a short time, it will go missing.  Somehow, I will manage to get all the things on the missing list done anyway. 

Yesterday, we got a bunch more snow.  Some forecasters said we would get 1 or 2 inches, others said we would get close to 5 inches.  The 1 to 2 inch guys must have been sampling that newly legal medical marijuana weed because we got closer to the 5 inches.  Before Joe came home two of the dwarfs went out and shoveled the whole driveway.

Our driveway is really large, but they got it all done before Joe got home.  What a nice surprise for Joe!   Our little birds were hungry and were coming to the feeder while the dwarfs were shoveling.  Here's one cute little wren who did not mind that people were around.  He was going to eat and that was all that mattered.

I've been watching the Jewelry TV channel all morning.  Gosh, some of the stuff is just gorgeous!  Some jewelry, though, is so over-designed.  But I love watching and seeing all the new gems and designs.   Aren't these gorgeous?  The first ring is Amethyst and White Topaz.  The second ring is Ember Flame Feldspar and Andalusite.   Jewels fit for royalty!

I just got a call that the oxygen test that I took the other night did not work.  There was no information on the tape at all.  Huh?  Now they want to bring the machine back and have me do the test over again.  Well, I have to get up early tomorrow, so the re-test will have to wait until tomorrow night.  I did not get very much sleep the night I took the last test.

Now I think I'll get busy here and try to get a few things accomplished.  Woo Hoo!  Another new trick for this old dog!!  lol.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay warm and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

 

 

This Is Definitely Taxachusetts!!

February 18, 2014

Good morning.  It's gray and cold outside, and we're just waiting for the next batch of snow to move in.  I'm just hoping that Mother Nature gets all this snow stuff out of her system before it's time for my flight to leave for Florida.  There's no fun in hanging around an airport for hours and hours with a tiny little dog who hasn't gone potty for several hours and has no potty patch near by. 

I would take him into a ladies' restroom and hold him over a sink, but he wouldn't understand what to do and would probably be scared silly.  I wonder why they don't have small potty patch areas built into each of the departure gates for travelling pets?

Today, I have an appointment at the nail salon, and then back to totaling figures for my taxes.  Groan, groan, I really do hate doing these taxes!!  I will say one positive thing though.  I have learned a lot about my property and I get to see in person how the government socks it to us!

A few days ago, my auto excise tax bill came in.  Wow!  Almost knocked me off my feet!!  It costs a small fortune for the privilege of parking in my own driveway.  My understanding is that this money is for keeping the roads in town in good repair.  I can't vouch for that, but I would think that the town could make more money by taxing the "out of towners" who drive through our town instead of charging us residents so much for having a car.

Enough babble!  I have a really interesting photo to share with you this morning.  While looking out my kitchen window a few days ago, I noticed that the rose tree was covered with little frozen drops of water.  What a pretty sight.

Another pretty item in the little garden just outside the windows was this pink and green metal snail decoration.  With all the snow, only the top of it was still visible.  It's good that I took this photo because we got more snow and now the whole thing is buried under the snow.

Sometime this afternoon, I will start packing my "mailer" box.  This is the box that I mail to myself in Florida.  It needs to be in the mail by the beginning of next week so that it will be there when I get there.  I also need to get all the bills in order and paid so that I can go away with a clear conscience.  Oh my, so much to do, so little time!

Well, that's all my news for today.  Till tomorrow, Y'all stay warm and have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

The Sun Is Big And Beautiful This Morning

February 17, 2014

Good morning.  Boy oh boy, the sun is shining oh so bright this morning!!  I did stop a couple of times on the way home to get a few photos of the sun peeking through trees.  I think it is so beautiful when it is shining through the tree branches. 

I also stopped to get a shot of the moon setting.  I would love to have gotten a photo of this moon last night, but the sky was overcast where I work.   But the morning moon is really a beautiful sight.  This one disappeared behind the trees just seconds after I got this shot.

Today I'm hoping  to watch some more of the couples skate dancing.  It is so beautiful to watch, one can lost in it.  Well, at least I do.  The other night, I watched "50 years of Sports Illustrated Cover Models" on TV.  It was really quite interesting.  I must say that 50 years later the earlier models still look great.  The 2014 issue comes out tomorrow, and has three lovelies on the cover.

Last night, after the Mrs was tucked into bed, I was able to work on my tax stuff a while.  I think all I have left to do is total the different columns up.   Oh wow, could I actually be nearing the end?   Gosh, I hope so.  My appointment with the accountant is this Thursday.  It would be so nice to give him all my figures, and have him say "good job!". 

Well, that's all my news for this morning.  It's time to play with Pogo for a while.  He's snuggled up next to me waiting for me to finish this post.  God bless him!  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay warm and have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Lots More Snow, Oh Goody!

February 16, 2014

Good morning.  Well, we got us another six or seven more inches of snow yesterday.  Oh joy, Oh joy!!  And there's even more coming in a couple of days.  Golly, I'll be so glad when Winter moves on and let's some Spring warmth in. 

Here are a few photos that I took yesterday while the snow was falling.  The birdies are my favorites.  I can watch them all day.

I took this next photo this morning through the storm door, hence the bluish tint. 

I promised a new photo of Pogo with his Valentine doggie.  As you can see, he's not really very impressed with it.  He gave it a good sniff, then knocked it down and walked away.  When you press on a certain spot on the little dog, it makes a kissing sound and says "I love you".   This scared Pogo and made him turn away.

My little lion king is in need of a good grooming.  I'll try to make him an appointment for later this week.  I also have to make him an appointment for his check up; and we have to pick up his new license.   I have already ordered his new flea and heartworm meds, along with a couple of new shirts.  Pretty soon, he'll be all set for Spring.

Joe is outdoors trying to clean up the yard with the snow blower.  It's really quite a job because a lot of the snow underneath the top layer is half frozen.  Plus, we have a huge driveway.  When he comes in, I'll see if he wants a nice hot breakfast.  Maybe some pancakes?  We'll see.

I've been having a few problems with Google/Blogger lately.  When I try to leave a comment on someone's blog, the comment keeps disappearing.  I retype it, but then when I click on the "publish" button, the whole comment disappears again.  Hmmm, is anyone else having this problem?    So, if you don't get a comment from me, wait a day or so and I'll try again.

Now I need to get busy here.  There's lots to do before we start packing our suitcase.  So till tomorrow, Y'all stay warm and have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Happy Valentine's Day

February 14, 2014

Well, it's another snowy gray day here in New England.  It only snowed a bit so far and stopped, but I'm sure it will be back before too long.  We have more snow coming tomorrow too.  Gosh, you just gotta love Mother Nature!!

Today is a day for lovers, or just anyone you want to say "I love you" to.  So this was my inspiration for today's Photoshop Friday challenge.  Here is the original image that Queen Jester posted for us to use, followed by my interpretation of the image.

 

Credits for elements used:  The bird is from Kyra's "Melodies d'antan kit.  The envelope and paper, and the heart trim is from Kyra's "Love Letters" kit.

 

Last night, I had to sleep with a little gadget stuck on my finger to measure my oxygen level through the night.  I don't think I slept much because I kept looking at the blinking numbers that kept registering.  I used to have an oxygen concentrator in case I needed some oxygen.  This test is to determine whether I am eligible to have a new one.  There are times when I really could use it.

 

Yesterday was a day of mixed weather.  First there was a lot of snow, then a lot of rain was mixed in with the snow, then it was back to just snow for a while.  Mid afternoon, it turned to rain again before turning back to snow.   Needless to say, it made quite a mess!!  Here are a few photos I took of the falling snow.

 

 

While I was looking out at the snow, I noticed a brave little squirrel walking along the pulley line that the bird feeders are on.  He was hungry and looking for a bit of lunch.  Here's a few photos of this little cutie.  Nani, I thought of you while I was watching this little fellow.

 

 

Now I have to bundle up the little oxygen gadget because someone is coming to pick it up in a little while.  Then I will give Pogo his Valentine present.  It's the cutest little red poodle that sings when you press its foot.  I'll have to take a photo to share tomorrow. 

 

Hopefully, any more snow will hold off until this evening so that Joe and I can go food shopping later this afternoon.  I'm getting low on doggie food and milk.  Maybe some snacks too.  Most of the time I just snack on Saltine crackers without the salt.  However, every now and then a real cookie would taste mighty good.

 

Enough of my babble.  I have lots to do these next couple of weeks before Pogo and I go on vacation.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay warm and have a fantabulous day.

 

Hugs, Edna B.