Thursday, February 25, 2010

Death and Taxes

As Benjamin Franklin famously said




“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”


Taxes seem to be a yearly dread for me because 1) I am the one doing them or 2) If I decide to put them on my Hubby's plate (since I already pay and keep up with all our bills), I will have to then worry about them until they are done. And he will usually wait until the very last minute- literally running to the post office on April 15th. He is and will always be a procrastinator and I can't change that and I love him just the same. I don't normally mind doing our taxes, though the few years we had them done for free on base was very nice and looks better each year (man I miss living near a base =..(. It's just we frequently have irregular circumstances- for me I've had partial residencies in two different states- twice so far, unemployment income which was taxed on some of it and some tax exempt, miscellaneous income, and so it seems there's just always something new. Then of course there are always new tax deductions and credits which requires further research and reading...



For instance, the past two years we've received a VT Landlord's Certificate Form LC-142 in which I looked it over and had no clue what it was. Last year, Matthew was in charge of taxes so nothing happened to it, which didn't harm us really only our pockets. After some reading on the form it looks like if you are a Vermont resident who resides in your rental for 12 months and have a income below a certain amount that you can get a portion of your rent back. Sounded pretty nice to me. Then the process continues by first trying to find two other forms online (Vermont is not so popular on Google so you have to try and try), reading those forms, filling them out, asking questions to an IRS agent online, and voilĂ  it is finally finished. All in all, this headache of research and reading I suppose is worth the almost $600 we are getting back, well... fingers crossed.



So, dear taxes, just wanted to let you know I will be putting up a good fight each and every year, and I’ll become better and stronger. you just wait for next year. I'm sure you'll throw me some punches- new tax laws, new credits, new deductions, but watch out I've been kicking my butt in high gear at zumba so I'll be dancing circles around you! Oh and to the other certainty in life... I hope I don't see you for a very long time- I've got some more living to do and I've got to make it count!

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...


Saturday, February 20th, 2010



Outside my window...


The snow is barely there, I really think this is an odd winter, feels like spring is just around the corner.

 

I am thinking...


About what I need to do around the house, what to make for dinner, and when I am going to start reading.



I am thankful for...



Time at home, relationship with my Lord, family and friends, healthy and able body, mind, and spirit.


I am wearing...



Jeans, green striped sweater, socks, ring, earrings.


I am remembering...



nothing at the moment, which is fun.



I am going...



to read, clean up, maybe watch the olympics later tonight.


I am currently reading...


Pursuit of God, Good to Great in God's Eyes, How Women Help Men Find God, 100 Days of Prayer for Women, Fireproof Devotional, and all .



I am hoping...

To finish a book or two today and finish cleaning up before I leave for MN on Wednesday!


On my mind...



Looking for more jobs and thinking about future plans, possibly going back to school.


Noticing that...



Amelie is asleep and I need to organize all my Dvds.


Pondering these words...



~Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.~



From the kitchen...



Not much going on there, need to plan the meals for Matthew while I'm gone for the next week or so.


Around the house...  



I need to do a bit of cleaning here and there. Otherwise, I'm ready to have some company- any takers?


One of my favorite things~



Korean Melon Popsicles and Melon Hi-Chew candies. The popsicles are very creamy and are my favorite reward to mysel for working out!

From my picture journal...

Missing my sister. Only another month before she comes home. So proud of her!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Traveling Around the World



Did you ever have to read that book Around the World in 80 Days? I never did and I always thought it was about sailing around the world. (I now know it's just about traveling by ship, train, and other locomotives). But have you ever thought about traveling or sailing around the world? I know I have, but that might be because traveling is an interest of mine. I use to say that I'd fill up a passport before my 25th birthday. I haven't ever filled up a passport, but I have traveled to 3 other continents which include 13 countries. Two years ago I went to Africa, which was a dream come true and I'm already itching to return. And I also keep putting off a trip to Ireland/England that my husband and I have been planning and saving for, but maybe this year? We keep waiting until someone else joins us, we like spending time with each other, but we like the fellowship of family and friends even more. So anyone up for it??



Anyway, back to the subject of sailing and traveling, I wanted to share a blog that simply inspires me for a few reasons. 1) This blog is from a young woman named Abby who is 16. I admire anyone young who goes above and beyond mainly because when I was just 15 the Lord really impressed this verse on my heart "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." I think this young woman is setting her goals high in life and she's not letting anyone tell her that she can't fulfill her dream. 2) Abby is traveling. In fact, she is traveling around the WORLD. Yes. I highly advise people to travel if they have the means and opportunity. Seeing the world teaches us we are not alone, we are only one country, one of the many races, we speak only one language, there is SO much more out there. She is going to experience different cultures, meet people of other races who speak different languages, and see God's beautiful creation as she travels. Yes, these life lessons can not be found in a book. 3) Abby is attempting to be the world's youngest solo circumnavigator. This means she is SAILING around the world by herself! WOW. What responsibility, what an undertaking, what skill, what a dream! Check out Abby's Blog.



I have never sailed by myself, but I grew up with a best friend that loved sailing. Her parents owed a sailboat and I spent many weekends sailing with them. We only sailed down the St. John's river, but I remember all the things you constantly had to check, the terminology you had to know, the different things you needed to race around to do to put up the sail, take it down, dock, and take off; so I can't even imagine all the things she must have had to learn. I really have a lot of respect for her. She is keeping a blog of her travels and so I am following her adventure. She is sailing by herself. I still can't fully comprehend that. This young girl has given me another reason to keep dreaming, to think of the possibilities, to ponder about all those what ifs.. I may feel quite grown up at 24, but after this I'm starting to think this is really just the beginning of life... I can't wait to see what happens!



And remember these words of Mark Twain



~Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore.
Dream. Discover.~

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Triathlon update...


Today is exactly four weeks from when I joined the gym so I'd like to update you with what made me smile tonight. Now mind you I didn't start swimming right away and I had missed an entire week due to a 3 day trip to the Brigham and Women's hospital (details coming soon) and to two days with a sore throat and ickyness. But tonight after only being able to swim up to 12 laps = 300m, I swam 20 laps = 500m or a little over 1/4 mile!! I was so excited because I was hoping just to hit 16 laps by week 4 and I was a little scared because earlier this week I was only hitting 8 and 10.But then wow, YAY!! Working out is really paying off. I also need to say that tonight's efforts were after much encouragement from Matthew and although he's not there at most of my swim practices his encouragement to go and join me when he can is much appreciated. I enjoy swimming much more than I thought I would and besides concentrating on my stroke form it gives me time to just "swim and think". It's very peaceful in the water. I can't wait to see where I'll be in another four week. Countdown to Triathalon- 12 weeks 2 days... it'll be here before I know it.

On another fitness point, I'm really taking to this Latin inspired fitness class called Zumba. Check out their site and see if they have a class near you - ZUMBA. It's so much fun and it really makes you sweat. I mean I come out drenched after every class and I drink about 32 oz of water during the class. I love moving my feet to the music with the moves of salsa, merengue, cumbia, reggaeton, cha cha, samba, tango, & hints of flamenco, calypso, hip-hop and belly dancing. It feels great knowing I've burned hundreds of calories too. I'm taking classes three days a week and I can't wait for them to add another day of classes. At the least you will be burning calories and pick up some awesome new dance moves.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

A little late, but here's to Five years of Marriage

  
On January 29, 2005 I married my best friend, my lover, my soul mate, my earthly companion appointed by God, my rock, my teammate, my partner in crime, the one who loves me so deeply, brings me to laugh each day, and takes my hand when life gets tough. I love him more and more as each day passes. Here's just a couple pictures of us over the past five years.


Who says a woman can lift her man up?


First Marine Corps Birthday Ball as a married couple!


Pinning on Sergeant- so proud of him!


"ghost reenactment" aka we were taking down the chocolate fountain. Happy New Year 2007!


Reenlistment Ceremony- where I received a certificate of appreciation too!!


Our good friend Christopher Cole's commissioning!


Meeting Philip Licquia, son of proud parents Kelly & Mike!


Florida Beach is always where I want to be!


Tunbridge Fair has more cows than most farms.


Snowboarding for the first time (and I think last for me!)

Our first snowman.


Christmas 2007



Moss Glenn Falls in Stowe, VT


Silly Matthew is wearing a friend's wig.


Playing Guitar Hero at Bestbuy- one of matthew's favorite things to do.



Marine Corps Birthday Ball in 2008.



 A kiss on the lips to celebrate 2009- Melbourne Beach, FL.


Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL



 My mom, and us at the Van Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT.



 Us with Matthew's cousins at Jannette's Wedding.

 
Another part of the Moss Glenn Falls



At a friend's wedding-2009



Lastly- our whole family Matthew, Amelie, and me.