Psych, Part II

So much more to be said, but let me update my last entry. After receiving yet another letter providing a later date for a decision to be made about the second batch of documentation provided to the IRS, and then receiving a letter telling me that they have determined that my documentation is sufficient and a check will be forthcoming in 6 to 8 weeks (which would have put me into early July), I was blown away yesterday to actually receive and honest-to-goodness check from the IRS with my first time homebuyer's tax credit inside. With interest. Who knew that the IRS paid interest? Not me, but I'm not questioning it!

I deposited the check first thing this morning. Now for paying off the credit card on which I put my dining room furniture purchases last fall when I presumed a check would be in the mail any week now (ha!), and for finally putting shelves up in my master bedroom closet. I'm so excited to get that organized!

Psych

Psych, originally uploaded by kyredbutterfly.

So I bought the condo in August. It took me awhile to get my paperwork in order, but I filed for my first time homebuyer's tax credit on October 6th. I turned in everything the IRS asked for. And sighed when I read that it could take up to fourteen weeks to get my refund. Fourteen weeks doesn't sound long, but that's three and a half months. When you're spending money on a new place, that's more than long enough.

So I waited. And right on cue, the second week of February I got a large packet from the IRS in the mail. Sadly, not a check. Instead, a slew of additional paperwork that they now require. Apparently these additional documents are supposed to prevent fraud. Sigh.

So after a week of pouting I sent in the additional paperwork. And the next day some disgruntled man flew a plane into the building in Austin, Texas where EVERY SINGLE first time homebuyer's tax credit in the country is being processed. Now, this was a tragedy for those federal workers who were injured, and I felt for them. But I have to admit, my next thought was that I was probably never going to see that tax credit. At least, not before I got my tax return for last year's taxes.

All of this means I was pretty psyched when I saw this thin envelope from the IRS in the mail yesterday. Finally, my check! I was amazed that they were still processing claims this well, given what had happened, but I was excited.

I was wrong. No check. Just a confirmation letter, telling me they received my "correspondence." And really, I appreciate that, because with all that happened, I'm sure I was one of thousands who wondered if their paperwork was destroyed. So I understand why they sent the letter. And in it they tell me that I should receive a reply in the next 30 days. Of course, it was three weeks between when they got my documents and when they issued the reply letter.

If all goes "well," I should get my tax credit six months after I filed for it.

And so the wait goes on.

A little Starbucks love

A little Starbucks love, originally uploaded by kyredbutterfly.

I had a great experience this morning. I indulged myself and stopped to get a little something at Starbucks on my way to work, which I do about once a week. I used the drive-through, and when I pulled up to the window, the young woman there asked how I was and if I was heading to work. I said yes, and then she asked where I worked. I told her I worked in Frankfort, in the capitol building, and left it at that because I usually get glazed looks when I say that I work for the state legislature. But she asked me what I do, so I explained who I worked for and said that I mainly "draft legislation," which is a huge simplication, but again, I was going for simple.

Instead of politely nodding and moving on, she lit up, and explained that she grew up in Alabama and paged in the Alabama state legislature when she was a kid. Then, to top it off, as she handed me my drink she said, "Thanks for everything you do for us."

Wow. I'm a public servant, and usually we're not particularly appreciated. Most public conversations center around how lazy, well-paid (ha!) or lucky state employees are to have the health benefits they have. While I'm sometimes thanked by legislators, and my job is appreciated by those who know me well, I don't think I've ever been thanked by a stranger. It put a smile on my face, and I stammered out my own "Thank you" before driving off. Her thoughtfulness made my day

*******

Let's just ignore that I'm jumping back on here after a 4 month absence, okay? Thanks. It's been a busy 4 months; sorry I failed to share.

November is Finally Here

Sweet as honey, originally uploaded by kyredbutterfly.

I know we're actually more than half way through the month, but we've been experiencing warm, September-like days of late. It finally starting raining yesterday and it was chilly enough that I turned the heat on. All day I wished I had all the fireplace accessories I needed to use my fireplace, but it sat empty and cold. It did entice me to some online browsing to find fireplace grates, screens, and tools that I liked. I think I'll be heading back to Lowe's soon, since that seems to be the only place locally that has all of those things for something less than an arm and two legs.

But despite the chill, yesterday was a long-awaited day because my sectional sofa from Crate and Barrel finally arrived. Mom and I first saw the couch when we were on a Cincinnati scouting trip for my then-future condo. I was going to need furniture in a bad way once I moved in. But buying a couch wasn't on the agenda. I fell in love, however, and couldn't resist an offer that made it possible for me to have it. The delivery truck arrived early yesterday afternoon, and I must say that my productivity level went sadly downhill after they put the sofa in the living room. I had to test it out, right? Alas, no pictures, yet. However, all three occupants of the house definitely approve of the new addition!

Now if I can just get the dining room table and six chairs from Ikea set up and in place in time for Thanksgiving dinner at my place next week! The rest of the recently purchased furniture can wait awhile, but I think everyone would be very happy if there was someplace to eat.

Decadence

Decadence, originally uploaded by kyredbutterfly.

Last weekend I and 14 women near and dear to my heart descending on Pigeon Forge, TN for the annual shopping extravaganza. I'm not a huge fan of shopping, and the miles and miles of outlet malls outside of Gatlinburg try my need for peace and quiet, but every year is a fun time of hanging out with wonderful women. The older generation of mothers has been going for twenty-five years or more. The rule was that their daughters were only allowed to join in on the fun once they were fully employed (and able to pay their own way). This is my 11th year. Over the years we've adopted good friends to join us, and each year there are good stories to tell.

Things have changed over the years, but much stays the same. Some outlets have closed, while others (I'm talking to you, Five Oaks) have become ginormous. Cell phones have helped us have more freedom to do what we want while keeping in touch. We shop less, play more games in the hotel rooms. We definitely start our days later than in the past.

And we eat! There must be more pancake restaurants between Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg, than pretty much anywhere else in the world. For the past few years we haven't gone to any pancake places because the hotel we were staying in provided breakfast for free. This year we tried a condo, which was a wonderful change and allowed for more fun and games, and decided to enjoy a couple mornings of pancakes. The photo above is supposed to be my mom's favorite cherry crepes. But as you may be able to see, they aren't very crepe-like. They are really pancakes in disguise. She was disappointed.

The photo was taken with my iphone using the "ShakeIt" app. I love it! It's so worth the $.99 just to play with what looks like a good old polaroid picture.

Anyway, though the miles and miles of shopping tries my patience, I can't wait for the hilarity to ensue again next year.

Present Tense

My whole life I've been someone who focused on long-range goals. When I was a little girl I remember asking my mom when I could wear makeup, get my ears pierced, and date. I never argued for a different answer, I just wanted to be able to factor that into my internal timeline. I've always been pretty clear on what I wanted to accomplish in life. And to be honest, in almost every area, I've been blessed to get wherever I wanted to go, through the grace of God, my family, and a lot of hard work. This has felt particularly true recently:

• I finally own my own place. Check.
• I've achieved a position at work that I could easily stay in for the next 15 or more years, or until I retire. (Staffing for the state legislature is a very flat organization.) Check.
• I have family, friends and a city I love. I have no plans to move anywhere else. Check.

That's not to say that I don't wish for other things. I would love to be married to a best friend and I would love to have a child. These things may never happen, and I've made my peace with that, truly. I wish I was healthier and in better shape. That will always be a work in progress for me. And there are hobbies that I'd like to try, places I want to travel to. But...

Awhile ago my mother casually asked me, "What are you going to do with the rest of your life?" And while I've kidded her about asking me such a loaded question, the truth is that for maybe the first time in my life, I realize I don't have any huge goals lined up for the next 5 or 10 years. That certainly feels oddly foreign to me, the girl who has always had a future vision of her life. But the truth is, I find that I am content with simply trying to enjoy the here and now and allowing life's surprises to find me, rather than going out and striving for that next goal. I'm going to try to simply live in the present and leave the future for another day.

Just What the Doctor Ordered

So a few things have changed since July 27 (ahem). I packed, I moved, and I am slowly unpacking. I was so exhausted from the pre-move frenzy that I haven't forced myself to rush to get everything unpacked. And then I got distracted. Not long after the move my Mom went in for knee-replacement surgery. The surgery went fine, recovery not so much. Ten days after the original surgery they did a second surgery. Then she went back to the rehab facility. Finally, finally, just last Friday she was released to return home. Everything's going well now, but it's been a hectic three weeks that has left me getting home at 10 p.m. many nights. That wouldn't be so horrible if the alarm clock wasn't set for 5:15 a.m.

Friday night I joined two girlfriends for a little knitting and a lot of chatting. It was a great way to end the week. The rest of the weekend I spent holed up in my house. From Friday night through Sunday night, I didn't leave for one minute, and I loved it. I cooked chili, unpacked a bit, cleaned a bit, did a lot of laundry, and took care of a pet who was under the weather. I also watched football and read and knitted some more. It was just what I needed to recharge and refocus after several months of good but time-consuming distractions.