It's Not Much But It's My Life

Or doesn’t want me to get remarried. I’m not sure which but I’ll show them. I don’t need their stinking money!

Wait! Yes, I do!

So basically, I decided I better write this down (since I don’t write anything down in here anymore…something I should change) because I won’t believe myself later.

I filed my taxes REALLY early this year since I knew the money received would be used for the wedding and I needed to get started on that ASAP. When I say REALLY early, I mean January 24th. Kirby also filed his taxes at the same time. Two weeks later Kirby’s refund appeared in the bank as expected. Yay! Mine did not. Boo! Days passed…no refund. Weeks passed…no refund. Finally, I couldn’t take being patient anymore and I called the IRS. After holding for around 30 minutes, I was finally told my refund was on hold and I would have to call the area of the IRS that handles that (Insolvencies or something). Like a good little sheep I dialed the number I was given and again waited on hold for around 30 minutes. The guy on the other end, when told what the issue was, simply said, “Hold please.” And I held…luckily it was only for a few minutes. He got back on the phone and informed me he had filled out the paperwork to release the refund and I should receive my refund in 2-3 weeks. When asked why it was held I was reminded of last year when I had to call the IRS because they kept refunding to me the payments the trustee was making on my behalf for my bankruptcy. Apparently, when they put a hold on your account for something like that, it holds EVERYTHING. Yay. That would have been nice to know a little earlier….anyway.

So, after 1 1/2 weeks I began checking my bank account on a daily basis only to be disappointed on a daily basis (that is NOT a great way to start any day). So, mid-week 3 I couldn’t take it any more and called the IRS again. After waiting on hold for a mere 10 minutes this time, I was told the check had mailed out 2 weeks earlier and should have arrived at my house 1 week earlier….wait! Mailed?? Did you say “mailed”??? But, but, but…I had requested a direct deposit. Oh, they can’ t direct deposit bankruptcy cases. What kind of crap is that?? Ok, fine. It was mailed. What the hell do I do now? Well, they can trace it….in a month! CRAP!!!

So, weeks past. I found other things to occupy my mind. As the end of the month inched nearer, I started researching when I could call back. And I was directed to the “Where’s My Refund?” page that earlier in this process was of NO HELP. I decided to do as the site I found instructed and tried my luck again. This time “Where’s My Refund?” proved itself useful. It told me that my refund check had been returned to the IRS as “Undeliverable”…yup, undeliverable. FOR CRAP’S SAKE!!! I called the IRS…waited on hold 30 minutes…to be told it was on hold (yes, this sounds very familiar) and to call the Insolvencies department. I called them…waited on hold 30 minutes…and was told the check was addressed correctly. There was nothing more they could do than to resend it (after verifying my address about 10 times). And they recommended I contact my Post Office and see if there is a problem there. Yay…another government agency.

So, I did. The Post Office could see nothing about my address that would have caused the check to be returned…except…well, my route hasn’t had a regular carrier for 2 month so people have just been subbing. Maybe the sub that day thought I lived in a duplex and it was missing an apartment number or something. WHO KNOWS! So he noted on my account that I was waiting for something from the IRS and NOT TO RETURN IT TO SENDER!!! *shakes her head* I’m not sure how my head hasn’t exploded yet. But thank goodness for my parents. Without them, I would be up a creek without a paddle. They have been nice enough to pay for the big things that needed to be bought ahead of time (dress and honeymoon). I just want to be able to pay them back and be able to finish buying stuff for the wedding…hopefully before the week before.

Spirit

You’re a Harmonizer. You’re ambitious and determined with impressive energy levels. When you decide that you want something, you put your mind to achieving it. Reliable and trustworthy, you seek harmony and balance in your life. You forge strong, long-lasting friendships, and your friends value your honesty and frank opinions. You tend to value routine and security. You know how to take the good with the bad. Your balanced attitude means life feels pretty good and you’re comfortable in your own skin. When it comes to improving things in your life, why would you say no to extra cash? It would be great to treat the family whenever you feel like it. The trick is to be disciplined about budgeting. If you stay on top of your finances, you’ll feel a lot more secure and probably save a bit too. Have you ever written a list of your positive features or asked your friends to do the same? It’s a great exercise, and it might just surprise you. As a Harmonizer, it’s important to learn to trust your intuition and to know that everything will work out for the best. Learn to say yes to new experiences from time to time. Your confidence and self-belief will continue to grow. Sometimes a challenge or a change of scene could be just what you need. For you, a loving relationship allows you to feeling like you can be yourself. You appreciate having a safe space away from the pressures of everyday life where you can truly switch off and relax.

Relationship

The foundations of a long-lasting bond lie in feeling at ease with one another. It’s important to keep things light and fresh. Laughing out loud together can really fill you with energy and renew your enthusiasm for life. As a Warm Heart, you’re very down-to-earth when it comes to love. It is often the simplest pleasures that bring the greatest joy. Your partner is probably one of your best friends in the world, and you believe in creating a home for your kids that feels very safe and secure. It’s all about strong foundations based on trust and understanding. You are a deeply loyal person, and you expect the same from your partner. A true relationship is about committing to share your life and leaning on each other in good times and bad.

Relationship tips:

So you’re a Warm Heart but what tips can we give for staying connected with your best friend and lover?

1. Keep the magic alive. Light hundreds of candles and spend a magical evening in your own beautiful candlelit cocoon…
2. Curl up on the couch with the Sunday papers and coffee. Nothing beats being able to spend your free time with your best friend and lover. You love it when you feel so close that you’re like two peas in a pod.
3. Do something different. Rent roller skates and wobble around the park hanging on to one another for balance!
4. Be yourself. Remember that your partner loves you for who you are, so don’t ever feel the need to put on an act.

Money

The way to your heart is through your stomach! While you’re happy to get creative in the kitchen, you’d love to be able to eat in amazing restaurants whenever the mood strikes. Having said that, it’s hard for you to pick one thing that you want most in life. In an ideal world, you’d have it all: kids, a good job, you name it. And you’re not afraid to work hard for it. This can mean that you’re stretched to the limits from time to time. It’s important that you get to follow your own ambitions or you’ll end up feeling frustrated. It’s always good to have some financial independence, so try to set aside a little cash to treat yourself.

Health

Unappealing as it may seem, it would be good to try to be a bit more active every day. You might be surprised at how much you’d actually enjoy regular exercise. It may sound hard to believe, but endorphins are better than chocolate if you just give them a chance! You may even find that you’re in a better mood more often. Start off with something that isn’t too intimidating, like climbing the stairs instead of taking the elevator. You might even consider signing up for a few personal training sessions in the gym so that you have a program that’s tailored just for you. You may need to think about making a few changes what you eat too. Maybe you could try making homemade versions of your favorite restaurant meals to reduce the sodium and fat content and eat healthier without compromising too much on taste.

Home

Ever stopped to dream about your perfect life, even for a bit? Thought so! In fact, your grounded nature suggests your dream life isn’t too far out of reach. You’re not fantasizing about exotic villas or huge mansions – you’d probably be more comfortable in a beautiful house in the suburbs. A nice neighborhood and friendly neighbors would go a long way for you.

Entertainment

You like to live life on the edge…of your chair. Laid-back and easy-going, you know how to kick back, put your feet up and watch the world go by or just chill in front of the TV and forget the world exists for a few hours. Life can be so hectic that it’s the perfect way to unwind. Don’t be afraid of granting yourself a little bit of downtime.

Style

You like to take things easy. Life’s busy enough without having to worry about getting dressed up every day. It’s about maximum comfort with a splash of style, so it’s hard to beat your favorite pair of jeans. But don’t forget how good it can feel to give yourself a makeover every now and then. It can work wonders for your self-esteem to refresh your wardrobe, spruce up your hair and put on a great dress. So make sure you schedule a shopping trip and pampering session every few months. You deserve it!

Travel

You’re open-minded and a positive thinker, so when you get the chance to go traveling, you love to head somewhere exotic and off the beaten track. For you, escapism is the ultimate in relaxation. It’s the perfect antidote to the stress of everyday life. You love the feel of the sun and sea on your skin, so your perfect vacation would definitely include a beach. Even better if it’s secluded and undiscovered by hordes of tourists!

We wanted to get married today…I mean, this was our geeky date of choice. I really wish we could have. It feels like we are never going to get there…Stupid money anyway. We still haven’t picked a date…that bothers me. I’m not happy that we can’t have the date we wanted. I’m not happy we can’t have the honeymoon we wanted. And being not happy about such trivial things makes me feel bad. I should just be happy that I found the love of my life and will be spending the rest of my life with him. What is it about weddings that makes people crazy?

I’m sure there is more I could write about, but I’m just not sure what to say. I’m tired and foggy…I just felt like I should say SOMETHING…I guess I have…

It’s what I’m in…and that’s all I have to say about it right now.

I Am A: Lawful Neutral Elf Wizard/Sorcerer (3rd/2nd Level)

Ability Scores:
Strength-10
Dexterity-10
Constitution-10
Intelligence-17
Wisdom-17
Charisma-13

Alignment:
Lawful Neutral A lawful neutral character acts as law, tradition, or a personal code directs him. Order and organization are paramount to him. He may believe in personal order and live by a code or standard, or he may believe in order for all and favor a strong, organized government. Lawful neutral is the best alignment you can be because it means you are reliable and honorable without being a zealot. However, lawful neutral can be a dangerous alignment because it seeks to eliminate all freedom, choice, and diversity in society.

Race:
Elves are known for their poetry, song, and magical arts, but when danger threatens they show great skill with weapons and strategy. Elves can live to be over 700 years old and, by human standards, are slow to make friends and enemies, and even slower to forget them. Elves are slim and stand 4.5 to 5.5 feet tall. They have no facial or body hair, prefer comfortable clothes, and possess unearthly grace. Many others races find them hauntingly beautiful.

Primary Class:
Wizards are arcane spellcasters who depend on intensive study to create their magic. To wizards, magic is not a talent but a difficult, rewarding art. When they are prepared for battle, wizards can use their spells to devastating effect. When caught by surprise, they are vulnerable. The wizard’s strength is her spells, everything else is secondary. She learns new spells as she experiments and grows in experience, and she can also learn them from other wizards. In addition, over time a wizard learns to manipulate her spells so they go farther, work better, or are improved in some other way. A wizard can call a familiar- a small, magical, animal companion that serves her. With a high Intelligence, wizards are capable of casting very high levels of spells.

Secondary Class:
Sorcerers are arcane spellcasters who manipulate magic energy with imagination and talent rather than studious discipline. They have no books, no mentors, no theories just raw power that they direct at will. Sorcerers know fewer spells than wizards do and acquire them more slowly, but they can cast individual spells more often and have no need to prepare their incantations ahead of time. Also unlike wizards, sorcerers cannot specialize in a school of magic. Since sorcerers gain their powers without undergoing the years of rigorous study that wizards go through, they have more time to learn fighting skills and are proficient with simple weapons. Charisma is very important for sorcerers; the higher their value in this ability, the higher the spell level they can cast.

Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus (e-mail)

Today’s lesson: I DO NOT like sausage biscuits.

Yesterday’s lesson: Do not add garlic salt to macaroni and cheese, no matter how tempting it is.

Due to packing and waking up early for the flight home, I didn’t have a chance to write about our day yesterday. We went to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. We thought it was WAY better than Disney. From the moment we walked into the park we were far more impressed and excited to be there. After stopping at the first store we saw to buy Katie some shorts (she didn’t wear any under her dress) we made a bee-line to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. As soon as we walked into the main part of the park the kids were instantly entranced by the Incredible Hulk coaster. Michael and the girls wanted to go on it so bad. But I said we were heading to the Harry Potter first since that was the reason we came in the first place.

We had to walk through Seuss Landing and The Lost Continent to get there. It was all very impressive!! The first thing we did at Harry Potter was send Michael on the Dragon Challenge (the girls were dying to go too but they were both too short). Michael was stoked that he got to go on a ride by himself. Sitting there watching the ride all I could say over and over again was how insane he was. It was one of those coasters where your feet hang and you flip upside down and all around. It was crazy!! He loved it! Then we all got Butter Beer. That was some yummy stuff. I need to look into making some. Next we went on Flight of the Hippogrith. I kept my eyes closed the whole time, luckily it was short. Michael and I sat out for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey…Bailey and Katie wished they would after they came out but Tommy and Kirby thought it was AWESOME!!! At the end of the day, Kirby thought it was the best ride of the day.

We headed to Seuss Landing for lunch. We ate at Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous…the food sucked but the building was neat and the kids were enthralled by the sparrows and blackbirds that had invaded the dining area. Then we got the kids Thing 1, Thing 2, Thing 3, and Thing 4 shirts. We went on The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride then we split up and Kirby took Michael to the Hulk roller coaster while I took the girls on the Caro-Seuss-el and If I Ran the Zoo.

We all met back up by the Hulk coaster just as Michael was coming off…again, he is CRAZY! Again, he LOVED it but decided he was done with rides like that for the day. Finally, we all went on The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. It was probably the best ride I had been on all week. We finished the day with lots of shopping at the big souvenir shop.

When we got back the resort we let the kids swim for a bit then they went up to eat supper with Nicky, Kelly, Nana, and Fafa while Kirby and I went out for some all-you-can-eat crab legs. I was busy throwing a hissy because I was stressing about packing up that night for our early flight. After I finally calmed down, we had a good time and all was fine. We got everything packed and made it home…we will find out tomorrow or Tuesday if all our stuff made it too.

Today we went back to the Magic Kingdom. We bee-lined it to Splash Mountain and the kids and Nicky went on. They loved it!! Next we headed to Big Thunder Mountain and we all rode. It is official, I don’t like roller coasters. Next we split up, Nicky, Bailey, Katie, and Tommy headed for Space Mountain while Michael, Kirby, and I headed for Stitch’s Escape. We wandered around for a while after that while we waited for the others to get done and then we all headed to The Haunted Mansion. It was neat. Then it was time to head to Downtown Disney. We had a nice little adventure trying to figure out how to get there. We had to go to one of the Disney resorts to catch a bus. Once we got it all figured out, we headed out. We had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. I was really surprised how good the food was. We quickly ate our lunch and then headed off to Bippity Boppity Boo for the girls to be made into princesses. Several hours later we had gorgeous, thrilled daughters (and much less money). Then we were ready to head back to the resort. We had supper in Kirby’s parents’ room and then got to hear Katie cry for the remainder of the night about various things. Now it is time for me to wash the sunscreen off and get some sleep.

Today we went to Animal Kingdom and I went on my first roller coaster. Of course, I couldn’t be smart and do an easy coaster to start with…oh hell no, I had to go and do Exploring Everest. IT WAS FUCKING SCAREY!!!!!! It was also Bailey’s first coaster. She says she screamed on it too but I didn’t hear her over my own screaming apparently. She seemed completely unfazed to me. The others were in the coaster behind ours so I have no idea how much they screamed. That was the first thing we did this morning…what a way to start the day.

Next we headed over to the Dinosaur ride. It was a little freaky. The girls were a little scared. Okay, Katie was apparently a lot scared but Bailey was only a little scared.

Next we were off to see It’s Tough Being a Bug in the Tree of Life.

That was really neat. I enjoyed it a lot. The 4D effects were good! The wasp stings really did hurt.

Then we went and grabbed some Fast Passes for the Kilimanjaro Safaris (the standing line was 90 minutes at that point) and sat down for some lunch. While eating we were entertained by some African musicians who pulled Nicky out to dance.

After lunch Nicky, Katie, Tommy, and Michael all headed back to Exploring Everest while Kirby, Bailey and I headed to Rafiki’s Planet Watch via train.

We were hoping to get to pet some good animals but all we found were goats. The other animals there were some donkeys, a llama, a pig, and a cow but none of them were having anything to do with the petting fun. We decided that was lame and headed back down to meet up with everyone to go on the safari. The safari was really neat. I wish it would have been longer though.

After safari we all decided we were done for the day. We headed back to the main gate via Asia to pick up some Yeti’s for Tommy and Michael. By this point I had a headache the size of Canada and Kirby’s back felt like shit because I had forgotten to bring the ibuprofen today. All was better once we got back to the resort and got some meds in us. I passed out for a bit while supper was being cooked. I felt better when I got up.

After supper we ran to Wal-Mart to pick up some supplies and to try to find some princess dresses for the girls since they have appointments at Bippity Boppity Boo tomorrow. No luck with the dresses but we did find some cute dresses with the princesses on them. Tomorrow we are off to the Magic Kingdom and then to Downtown Disney for make-overs…well, the girls will get the make-overs.

I woke up with a headache this morning…just what I wanted on beach day. I was still in a bad mood from the night before plus my head hurt and I couldn’t calm myself down for anything. We finally got taken off for the beach by 10:30. We just barely hit McDonald’s in time for breakfast. We finally made it to Clearwater Beach by 12:30 or so. We had fun playing in the waves and with little clams.

Then my head started hurting bad again so I headed up to sit in beach chairs. The kids played until 3:30 then we packed up and headed back to the resort. After some baths and showers we went for a late supper. It was a rather uneventful day. Tomorrow we will attempt to take on Animal Kingdom and possibly some more Magic Kingdom so I better get to sleep.