Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Day 204

Good morning, family and friends!

Another day, another tax return. Yesterday was a long one—we didn’t leave until after the bank had closed. I’ve often wondered what would happen if we accidentally got locked in overnight. The conference room, where we work, is in the basement surrounded by concrete walls with no cell service. Not exactly a prime setting for an escape thriller. In ten years of doing this, not once has a bank employee checked to see if we actually made it out before locking up. If this were a movie, we’d probably stumble upon a vault full of cash and emerge as millionaires. In reality? We’d just be the folks who spent the night in a bank with nothing but tax forms, pencils, and calculators.

Speaking of unfortunate events, we’ve had two falls in the last two tax prep days. Thankfully, I was not among the fallen. But watching it happen is painful—especially when the ones taking the tumble are so frail. I always want to rush in and help, but let’s be honest, if I go down trying to assist, then we’ve just doubled the problem. Not exactly the kind of “windfall” we are going for.

Tax work also generates an obscene amount of paperwork—shocking, I know. The printer, is stationed on the opposite side of the room from where I sit. So, every time a client’s forms finish printing, I have to haul myself over there to retrieve them. My Apple watch was so impressed that it actually congratulated me this morning for closing my “move” ring. Progress! The “exercise” ring? Let’s just say that ship has sailed…it hasn’t move for months. I’ve made peace with it.

While I may not be exercising, I get to live vicariously through Nicole and Alex as they train for the Chicago Marathon. They’ve got a hefty bet going on who will finish first, with the proceeds going to charity. Nicole is ahead in training—she started months before Alex. But Alex has the advantage of longer legs… along with the disadvantage of having to carry more weight over 26.2 miles. I love their competitive spirit. I have no idea where they get it. Ahem.

After our long day, I made a much-needed stop at Sew Hop’d brewery for some beverages. Mark and Barb were there, as usual, and they picked up Cindy on the way—though she nearly forgot about our plans because she was too busy cleaning the house. Her delay actually worked in my favor since I was running 15 minutes behind, which forced Mark to slow-walk his first beer just so I could catch up. That’s real friendship.

We made it home by 6:30, at which point I collapsed onto the couch, officially out of commission for the night. Cindy, being the saint that she is, warmed up some dinner and joined me right where I had landed. Cooking hasn’t been much of a concern lately—thanks to the many generous people dropping off meals, we (Cindy) barely have to think about dinner plans. And when we do go out to eat, there’s usually enough leftovers for another night or two. I just can’t eat like I used to, so finishing a full meal in one sitting is a rare event.

For dessert, I’ve been steadily working through my stash of Do-si-dos, courtesy of Donna and others. A few weeks ago, I could polish off a sleeve in five minutes. Now, a single sleeve lasts me a couple of days. Too much of a good thing does lose its appeal over time. So I think I have cookie fatigue.

Hope you all have a great day!

Love you guys!❤️