Tuesday

Did some EOY credit card transactions & did a complete yearly accounting for someone else. Just kept at it till it was done. Now the puzzles begin that need to be sorted before a tax return can be completed. 2 farms that are intertwined, but some transactions aren’t matching, etc etc. And there will be dire consequences if they are NOT completed by 11:59 Thursday night.

Went to the Courthouse for more tax statements and receipts, but alas, the puzzle is now worse than before. Guess things need to get worse before they get better.

Went to Edna’s visitiaion tonight at Center. Thot I would arrive there just as things were winding down at 8PM. There was still a long line & lots of people. Gary & Paul had a devotional later.

Saw Sharon, Emma June & Clayton. Good to see them all & brought back a lot of memories. Some better than others, but all these experiences help shape us into what God wants us to be. It was esp good to see Clayton who is planning to sing in a quartet at the funeral tomorrow with others from his Church…from Plevna, I think.

Had several cell phone calls come in. I am regretting releasing my cell phone number to certain ones, but it’s too late now. Ate a late night snack at Wendy’s with Josh & made a quik trip to WalMart for a certain item.

On a 2nd wind on searching out these tax puzzles, but must get to bed so I can be upright while attempting to park cars tomorrow at the funeral.

mikey

Monday

Received word that Harvey Edna passed away during the night. Back in the old days their home was my home away from home. Late 70’s & early 80’s. She prepared many meals for me & I always had enjoyable times in their home (where Brent Oatney’s are now), but in the old house that burned years ago. I will miss her, but am happy that she is relieved of her breathing difficulties. Funeral is Wed at 1PM.

Made a stop ar Roxbury Bank and filled up the car with gas, price inching up again at $2.279. Back home & did some tax maintenance things. Checking on efile acks, etc. Then it was off to Tampa to see some young farmers. Thanks to federal & state withholding they will NOT need to file by March 1st. That is a big relief.

Mark came by later & dropped off some statements & went over those. From now on it will mainly be home farm tax prep till Thurs. Lowell called and asked me to help with parking, so made some calls on that project.

Must get back to tax prep

mikey

Sunday

Went to Church & SS was on I Cor 16. We mainly stayed on the first 3 verses & was sort of a continuation of last Sunday’s sermon. David Y preached on Communion and told about some personal incidents in his life. That was meaningful. Glad to hear Loyal is improving with his health. Quite a sick young man recently at CBS.

Had a nice meal at Marvin’s. Thanks for the invitation Jordan!! Jordan’s birthday is April 19 and will be turning age 10. There is another lady I know who has the same birthday and will be turning age 100. Jordan gave me a picture to give her. She likes the picture Jordan!! Had lots of comments from visitors also!!

It was a rough day at the hospital today. Still the same 8 pts & 6 ER’s came in. One bed alarm was going off almost nonstop all evening and night and still no hint of sleep when I left at 3:30AM. I don’t know how we’re supposed to get our work done under such conditions. It seems sedation is a thing of the past and is avoided for the most part. Restraints are also a thing of the past (a good thing in my opinion). We just have to drop what we’re doing & run and catch them before they fall. Tonight, about every 3 to 5 minutes all 12 1/2 hours. Am I EVER glad to be home now.

mikey

Saturday

Happy Birthday Virgil!!! Age 18 today (Sunday).

Mailed several packages at the Salina Post Office today. Then ran a few errands and enjoyed watching the black storm clouds to the northeast on the way home. Had large hail north of Gypsum & a tornado by Florence. And with all this…a major blizzard in western KS & eastern CO. Paul & Eliz & family are snowbound today. Not disappointed that we don’t have the same conditions here tho.

8 pts at the hospital today and several ER’s & a major ER coming by EMS. Not good when people get hurt or sick, but fun to get acquainted with them or family members. Today was certainly no exception and made several new friends. Took a coworker home after work, so got to see some new scenery….in the dark. Had a nice call from Jacob who reports a good time at the zoo. Uhhh….he was there as a spectator. Also a nice call from Josh.

Guess it’s time for bed now

mikey

Friday

Awakened by a phone call turning in hours for payroll next week. That again already? Had a few extra things to calculate & got that all done. Then made calls to see who all needs to file as a farmer March 1st. Sounds like several of the young set want to make the farmer deadline. Wasn’t expecting so many would fall into this category. Lots of new late teen, early 20ish farmers. They should be fairly easy…I hope!

Then made my trip to Junction City to drop off tax papers with my client there. Shocked to see all the new housing going up on the west side of town. Townhouses and aparment buidlings springing up everywhere. Don’t hardly recognize it anymore. Linda O says 500 are leaving Fort Riley for Afghanistan today. And with that activity the Big Red One is still moving in. Lots of activity on the streets & people EVERYWHERE! The congestion reminded me of NYC in a strange sort of way.

Made my way home again & finished my 2 big farm MO tax returns. All packed and ready to mail priority tomorrow. Glad that job is done & it was actually fun. Trying to get my schedule lined out for the dreaded farmer deadline March 1st. Not quite in panic mode yet, but it’s not far off anymore. This is by far the most difficult deadline of all. Less than a week to go

Must run!

mikey

Thursday

Got to bed at 4:30AM sharp last night. Got started on 2 big farm tax returns from MO. As much as I dreaded these, it was kinda fun. Got a break from mountains of W-2’s, so there were no Fed ID numbers to check, recheck and make sure all the boxes are accounted for. W-2’s are easy, but they really do take a lot of time, esp when some people get 8 or 10 a year.

Went to Hutch for a 1PM tax stop and had a good chat there. Wanted to make a few more quick stops, but no one was home, so took off. Stopped at the Reno Co Courthouse & picked up reams of RE & PP tax receipts. I just can’t understand why a reputable govt agency can’t just mail these receipts to everyone. The other counties I work with do. Anyway, Fancy the clerk got a good workout, but was very cheerful and helpful. A sleepy ride home and seem to remember how much I dreaded these tax season trips to Hutch. Ohhh, the wasted time on the road!!

Finished up 2 more TF and got those delivered at Hillsboro & Durham. These were fun stops & all were big refunds. That always makes everyone smile!

About done for another day. Mom & Dad went to KC to see about a hotel banquet room for a reunion coming up. Think theyre about as tired as me.

Time for bed

mikey

Wednesday

Feeling much better today. Tried not to overdo, but did get more done than I was expecting. Again thankful there weren’t too many stressful phone calls. Another warm sunny day, so took a hike on the road for a breather while the printer was printing. That was refreshing.

Went to Church tonight via Buhler & picked up some more papers from Cuz Steve. Arlyn had the topic on ‘being in the world, but not of the world’. At least that’s what I remember of the title. Ryan had the opening tonight on fairly short notice. Did very well! Enojyed the scripture from Gen 1 as well as from John. Apprec the comment from Ryan that we should focus on Christ first and then this issue will be resolved (my paraphrase). Also excellent song leading by John. Guess it was young guys night A good evening. Appreciate all the support for Debbie. She is asking for prayer support & I KNOW Center is a praying Church. Praise God!

Yes, singer, my stomahc is feeling much better now. Thank u for praying. c u all later

mikey

Tuesday

Was rudely awakened at 6AM with stomach flu today. Things deteriorated rapidly. The details are much too frightening to report here. I did lose 8 pounds in about 2 hours tho. Did absolutely nothing productive today, just didn’t have the energy. Didn’t realize how tasty toast would be when I tried a slice tonight. So far so good.

Had a nice call from Jacob. What a joy algebra is. Was also pleased to see Matthew’s report on America’s Treatment of Indians. A very well written report, Matthew. Also another email from Jordan informing me of his dangerous activities of the day. Be careul young man!

Very glad for the above diversions. A long day and felt like a waste, but hopefully things will go better tomorrow

mikey

Monday

Had another early 11AM appt in Salina. Stopped to put fuel in the car. Nice to be able to do with without being so cold. Had a couple other quick stops in town & home & finsished 2 more tax returns. Left for MP at 4:30 & met 2 people at Arby’s. One just found out today she has cancer. Is planning to be scheduled for surgery in Wichita some time next week. And to top it all off she was just fired from her job at a nursing home in Great Bend. Rough times!

Then on to Newton for several stops, then hurried on to Hillsboro & finally to my last stop in rural Marion County. Very muddy in those parts.

A full day & got a lot done.

mikey

Sunday

Went to Church today & noticed that the old Big M has been completely leveled. I knew it was going to happen sometime, but it was still a surprise to see it gone. Now, on with new highway constrcution!

SS was on the last half of I Cor 15 & led by Joe Y. Still not sure what ‘baptized for the dead’ means, but lots of interesting possiblilties. Julian had the sermon on giving, tithing, offerings, etc. Found out one verse says we should give hilariously according to a literal greek interpretation. That was a new thot. I think it means cheerful, generous giving. Also heard examples of noncash giving which we should all consider.

Caleb told me about some recent EMS calls he was involved with. Fun to compare notes. Then had a delicious meal at Owen & Wanda Stutzmans. Those also there: Laverne, Rebecca, Craig, John & Anja Miller, Arlyn & Brenda & family & Vera & myself.

Heard about the 24 rose story from Vera. This encompasses a time span of over 40 years & is quite fascinating. Arlyn told me they are considering gardening & selling produce, similar to waht Harvey is doing. Then had my usual sleep session on the couch while the others talked away. Finally decided it was  time to go if I couldn’t be any more sociable than I was. This is a compliment to the cook as all good meals make me sleepy.

Then…..a very kind & generous gesture on Wanda’s part. She sent 2 plate fuls of food home with me when I said I do a lot of microwave meals. Don’t recall this happening before. Thank you very much!

Time for bed now & hope to be up and at it at midnight. A very good day!

mikey