Taxing Birthday

HaPpY 43rd BiRtHdAy MiNdY

Was a up a few minutes ahead of 530am and already engaged in sit-ups when the coffee maker kicked into action. The sky was cloudy with a few flurries still dancing around. It was cold, too, a bone chilling 27 degrees. I finished sit-ups and push-ups then enjoyed coffee and internet until roughly 6am. I did a good job managing the clock and was done with meditation and stretching by 620am. I delivered Mindy’s coffee and wished her a happy birthday then headed back downstairs to ready for a run.

I was out the door at 629am where I stretched my hammies from the stoop before taking off. There was a chilly wind blowing seemingly from several directions. I warmed quickly though, and even started to sweat after the initial mile. I ran the full 4.1 mile track and was home sometime after 7am. I headed in to grab Mindy’s keys as well as Eiknarf’s leash and a grocery bag. Then, after starting the Pilot, I sat on the steps until Eiknarf joined me at the front door. We walked across the street where she fairly promptly took care of business.

I placed Mindy’s b-day card on the island before I left on my run. She opened it soon after I returned from walking the dog. I figured we’d give her our gift later that evening. I offered to take Mindy out to dinner but she countered that I simply pick-up Chipotle on the way home. Jacob would be at his initial soccer practice and Bella had gymnastics. It would’ve been a logistical nightmare going out to dinner. I agreed, but asked that she email me with the specifics of what she wanted from Chipotle. Mindy reminded the kids to bus home with Noah then headed off to work.

Once Mindy was gone, I asked the kids if they remembered to go shopping for a birthday gift, or if they made cards. No to both. I helped Bella get started on a custom made card and even gave her an example of a store bought just before heading up for a shower.

I was back downstairs and ready to go by 755am. Both kids were upstairs but Bella’s homemade birthday card was perched by mine on the island. I read it, and it was funny. She used the old age theme and even designed her own card logo on the back. Cute!  I could tell that she signed Jacob’s name too.

We headed out to the bus stop at 810a. I felt bad for Jacob having to face Kenny and Lillian so soon after Sunday evening’s awkward discussion. But he handled himself quite well. Good job, Jacob! The bus was early by a couple minutes. Eiknarf and I headed home where I powered down my laptop after a weekend of on-call. Glad it was over. Left for the office at 822am.

Quick drive into the office. Unlocked my office door at 835am and spent the first fifteen minutes stowing my lunch, filling my water pitcher, and logging on the network. I had a number of issues requiring my follow-up as well as some monthly report stuff to finalize. I spent some time chatting with my peer who was off on vacation all of the week prior. Glad he was back.

The day moved along briskly. I ate my packed lunch while working at my desk. I left for home around 540pm. Earlier that afternoon, Mindy sent an email detailing what she wanted from Chipotle. I stopped at the one at Mill Run. She and Jacob both wanted chicken burrito bowls with similar ingredients, but not exactly the same. Took a while to place my order along their assembly line. I ordered a barbacoa (shredded beef) burrito for myself. I asked for three bags of chips and two guacamoles, and two mild salsas as well. Two of the three employees were obviously new, as they had to ask the supervisor for direction a couple of times. No biggie.

Took the back way home from Mill Run winding south down Old Dublin Rd to Trabue. Arrived home just after 6pm. Went I lifted the main Chipotle bag from the passenger side floor board, grease poured out from the bottom of the bag and all over my leather seats and the floor board carpet. The entire bottom of the bag was tore open from the juice, too. Dammit!

I carried in the Chipotle bag along with my work back pack angry with the employees for the poor packaging. I grumbled as a sat the bags on the island then quickly grabbed two small towels form the laundry room wetting one before heading out to clean-up the inside of the Accord. Took a couple minutes to clean-up but it came up easier than I envisioned. Headed inside where I wished Mindy happy birthday again.

Mindy unpacked dinner, but unfortunately discovered that she forgot to add rice to the chicken burrito bowl ingredients email. Instead of eating it as it was, she promptly started making some rice at the stove. While the water boiled, she sat at the table enjoying chips, salsa, and guacamole while I enjoyed my burrito and while Bella and Makayla enjoyed plain hot dogs. 

Bella readied for gymnastics while I tidied up the kitchen. Mindy was just beginning to enjoy her burrito bowl as I was finishing up in the kitchen. I planned to do both the drop and pick-up so Mindy could relax. After all, it was her birthday. We left for gymnastics at 645pm. Makayla headed home as we headed out.

Back from the drop by 705pm. By then Jacob was home from soccer and was already enjoying his burrito bowl. I went immediately to my PC to see if I could figure out the fix for my tax issue. I quickly reviewed the Turbo Tax screens available to me to see if I might’ve overlooked something. After about 20 minutes I was satisfied that I didn’t and once again contacted Turbo Tax for some help, only this time I called to speak with a live person.

This time around I got someone that seemed well versed in their software and was also eager to help solve my issue. I was more than a little peeved when the first few things she recommended didn’t work. She didn’t give up or get flustered. Instead, she kept digging for answers, eventually opting to send via email a link so I could download the Turbo Tax Premium software directly to my hard drive. She said that version would allow me to enter the FICA overpayment directly to the 1040 form. She claimed once it was downloaded to my PC that I could import my previously completed form, which she coached me through saving to my desktop earlier.

That solution worked. Was able to download the software, import my completed 1040 form, and update line 69 with the FICA overpayment. What’s more, she assured me that I’d be able to e-file without being prompted to pay a 2^nd time. She was right. It recognized that I had already paid and securely signed. However, what it didn’t do was import my two completed state forms. We could’ve gone in and saved those to the desktop too, I suppose, but based on the programs behavior and the fact that the FICA issue wouldn’t impact the state returns in the least, I planned to e-file those ffrom the online version where I had already paid for the service. Told the agent that I’d call back if there were any further issues.

By the time I e-filed both the fed and two state returns, it was already time to pick-up Bella. I quickly grabbed my phone and keys and headed off to DCW. Bella was already preparing for her departure when I arrived. Perhaps Emily alerted Bella to the time. She’s not usually ready when I get there given that the actual class goes until 9pm. As she often does, Bella asked if we could stop at Wendy’s. No. I offered that she have a bowl of Krave instead.

As soon as we were home Mindy asked if she could open her b-day gift. Of course. I didn’t want to give it to her earlier without both kids there since it was supposed to be from all of us. She opened it, two new Pandora charms – one with a ‘J’ and the other with a ‘B’. She said she liked them but her body language said otherwise. I think she might’ve been expecting something more splashy!

After Mindy opened her gift, I headed back to my PC long enough to tie up the loose ends with our taxes, including printing off copies of all the forms and returns. That took no more than 10-15 minutes. It wasn’t even 9pm when Mindy surprisingly said she was heading up to bed. She looked sad.

Once I finished the taxes I headed up to see if Mindy was OK. She was reading but looked teary. Said she didn’t feel that her birthday was special, and that we didn’t bother to sing to her. I immediately called for Bella so we could sing happy birthday to her from our room. Bella asked Mindy why the long face.

Bella and I headed back downstairs together and sat on the sofa watching about 45 minutes of American Pickers. Bella suggested we organize another surprise party for her mom. Bella’s so thoughtful. She and I stayed up until 10p. I tucked her in then headed for bed. Tuesday was expected to be much more spring-like. Good night moon!