Simply Amazing!

My rock and roll son.

Tuesday and Wednesday sweet son attended a rock and roll orchestra clinic featuring Mark Wood from Trans Siberian Orchestra. Mark Wood is a world renound string player...he plays an instrument he developed called a viper. It is a violin of sorts but electrified and strapped to his upper body so you don't have to hold it under your chin. He taught the kids techniques and some new songs. The clinic ended with a full on rock and roll concert. Austin played his electric viola (like a violin but plays lower).

They played songs like Eleanor Rigby, Toss the Feathers, Hoedown, ever popular Stairway to Heaven, We Will Rock You, Live and Let Die, and some stuff from ACDC that I can't remember the name of. Austin...and the 50 or so students played along and sounded GREAT!

Sweet son has excelled in so many things, but his interest fizzles out and I have to 'run' the activity. So when he said he wanted to play for the orchestra I told him that was great. But HE had to want it. I would support him...I would help him, but HE had to ask. To see him last night, playing...driven...I was SO proud. HE wanted it. And he did it on his own...which means more I think. Rock on dude!

All around update.

It has been a crazy time since I last posted.

We found a flyer for a house for sale. Went and looked at it and liked it, but then decided it was the smart thing to do to stay where we are for a bit longer. Pay of some debt, pay off the car, finish up some projects...yada yada yada. I know it is the smart decision, but so not fun.

We found out that we don't owe the IRS after all. We filed an extention because a new accountant/cpa is working on our taxes. And in the last few days it appears that we will get some (even a small amount is better than owing) money back. What a crazy ride it is. On that note...I now have to be queen book-keeper to keep us in line for future returns...oh the joy.

Our across the street neighbor has been having 'play dates' with our cat. Our cat we was once an outside cat, but because we spent $214 on him he mostly stays inside. Sometimes he darts out of the house and is 'allowed' to roam outside. Yesterday we found out that the neighbor then takes the cat inside her house and encourages her cat to play. Since this has been happening...we have a flea outbreak. So last night we dipped the cat. It was histerical to watch sweet hubby wrestle a cat in the sink.

We spent the weekend cleaning out the garage and garage apartment. We put some undesirable items at the curb for bulk trash pick up. The items were picked up by the neighborhood at large instead. Guess our junk is someone else's treasure.

The Tide Pen

Normally I would not eat spaghetti, lasagna or something like that in light colored clothing. It just begs for a disaster. However today it was the best option at lunch. I did get a tiny spot on my pants.

TADA...Tide pen to the rescue. It took the spot out and dried quickly...which was good no one wants a wet spot on their pants.

Death and Taxes

"The only thing in life you can count on are death and taxes." BOO-hiss.

I have NOT sent in my taxes. Usually I am quick to get them figured and sent it, and then I patiently (ok sometimes not) wait for my return. Not this year. One would think after getting married and combining two households we'd be expecting a good return. But no. We make too much money.

I know what you are thinking...how could you make too much money? On a monthly basis money is ok. On a tax return it is icky. The deductions I was accustom to getting (like the $1000 child tax credit) no longer apply cuz we make too much money. So fewer deductions...more taxable income. SO we owe money. Not just a smidge but a good chunk.

So the next thought is...we could work more to pay the tax bill. Overtime at work is an option for sweet hubby. But guess what? The more money we make...the more money we owe. So being dramatic, I thought about quitting my job. That would lower our taxes right?

Simpleton

I think I must be a simpleton.

Business is business. Cut throat, fast paced, dog-eat-dog. Right?

But then, everyday you go to work. Because you keep seeing these people you let your guard down. And finally you begin to think of them as friends. Friends being people who care for you, have your back, would sacrifice for you or at least the good of the team.

WRONG!

People don't care. They are orchestrating situations that benefit themselves. Whether it will keep them out of trouble. Get them in the spotlight for a job well done. OR they lie, cheat, and steal from you and then smile to your face.

I never expect any of this. Every time it happens I think 'you dummy, didn't you see this coming'. I can honestly answer, yes, I could have seen it. But I guess it is the Pollyanna in me that keeps hoping that it won't be the case.

sigh

A White Easter

I have lived in Texas my whole life. I have never seen a white Christmas. Or even any large amount of snow for that matter. But this year I had a white Easter.

We drove down to see sweet hubby's parents in what seemed to be a blizzard. I know you northern folks are laughing...but it was snowing hard! We had to stop and clear off the windshield wiper blades because they froze to the windshield. ANYWAY, we stopped and admired the bluebonnet covered hills and took photos. Funny to see bluebonnets and snow.

By the end of Sunday all of the snow was melted. Fun while it lasted. Hopefully it can be spring now.