My favorite day of the week, Update Day. The day I turn the blog over to you, where you talk about anything you want, tell me anything you want, ask questions of the posters here, ask questions of yours truly, update me on what is going on in your live, tell me about special events or projects you are involved in, pretty much post what ever you damn well please! Every week I offer an invitation to new posters and/or readers that haven't posted here to take a shot and post an introduction. That invitation is open any day but this is the day that gets the most hits and you could make the most new friends!
My update: work, eat, sleep.
Mom has been a real trooper and I know it is hard for her to be alone and not get out as much as when my schedule isn't so hectic. But it was her idea to not have me take her out so much until after April 15. It is the way she can help me and she is really doing it and doing it well. It does help. I am taking her to dinner tonight after work. An out of town client is in town and they love mom and want to spend time with her. So we are all going out for dinner and then I will discuss their taxes after dinner.
The only special events on my platter is April 15. And the firm dinner April 16.
Your turn! Tell me all your secrets! Vent! Share! Say Hi! Ask me anything!
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24 comments:
Not a lot to report again this week. But the new insurance for my mom is now active, and the new doctor came to see her and pronounced everything apparently fine. He gave us refill Rx's and will have a visiting service come to draw blood for routine tests, just to have a baseline and make sure nothing's wrong there. So that's good. He'll also look into getting her another hospital bed to replace the one that got picked up when she was kicked out of Hospice.
My assignment now is to find out if the pharmacy I like handles mom's new insurance. If not, I'll have to go to CVS or some other chain, I suppose. Not the end of the world, but annoying.
So the mom stuff is all good and my own stuff is as usual just a list of many things I really should do when I get time and inclination together. Dental problem still on hold. Next week is another local election, and I'll be working on it for 4 days, so not much else will get done until that's over.
Hi Bill, glad to hear that all is doing well with you and your mother.
Sounds like you have a lot of clients/friends who love to spend time with you and your mother, and I think that is something special.
Pat, I am also glad to hear that all is going better with all the details with your mother. Good luck on getting the bed soon and with no problems.
For me, its been a trying week. Only because the Shankster and I were both sick for 3 weeks with the crazy sinus/cold/bronchitis thingy and just when we thought we were ok, he is coming down with it again. He is immune to most antibiotics and the only one he can use sure messed with him this last time. So that with some other family issues, and since Tuesday I have been in pain with my stomach something awful.
Its hard to care for anyone when you are not up to par yourself!
Good news, Homie (my dad) is going on his annual golfing trip next week...only for 5 days, but we are looking forward to the time to just be ourselves.
But I am glad to get the break before having to once again take him on his annual doctor visits. We have already done one, which was his checkup from his stroke last year and all was fine on that, and only have 2 more scheduled. One I don't mind but the other I sure wish I had a brother to do it! haha
It is sure easier to take a mother to the doctor when you are a daughter. Gets kinda tricky when the daughter has to take the dad certain places. :)
Hope everyone else here had a great week! And once again thanks Bill, for letting me share.
Bill, so glad to hear Mom is being a trooper and understanding about your hectic schedule and all. And bless you for still making time to get her out once in a while. The fact your clients want to spend some time with her says a lot about your client relationships, you mom, you and your clients. I know you're counting the days until the 15th!
Pat, I'm so glad things are falling into place and the new doc looks to be a good one. I'll hope the new insurance works with your current pharmacy... sometimes it's the little things.
Dona, sorry to hear you guys have been down with the "bug." No wonder you've been a bit quiet. How great you and the Hubster are going to get a bit of a break while your dad enjoys his golf outing -- a bit of breathing space, before you start the doctor rounds. Good news on the check-up after the stroke.
A scattered but quiet week here. Even with Mom still in AZ, there seems to be lots of "mom stuff," beyond the mail and bills, like trying to keep the new mgr happy, despite Mom not being here to fill in forms and gathering info for Mom's 90th birthday "card shower" and renewing handicap placards (if I go to jail for forgery, can you guys kick in for bail?) and setting tenative doc app'ts and such. However, I do have more time to do "me" stuff and enjoyed lunch with former guitar instructor (am I insane to consider adding the ukulele to my toy list and learning curve?) and line dance and even did some creative cooking (generally, hate cooking). Two out of three were geat, one Himself refused to eat -- scratch recipes with carmalized onions off the list. We're supposed to have a decent weekend, weatherwise, so hope to get out and start on the much neglected landscape projects of the past four or five years. After finishing a ms on Monday, it's been a pretty laid back week (except for some really flaky editorial inquiries!) and a former client wants a second analysis, after rewriting to my critique suggestions, so it's back to work on Monday. Which is a good thing. I did make reservations at a beach-side state park for Memorial Day weekend, to attend a vow-renewal and reception for the son of a good friend of ours, so that's definitely a "look forward" event and weekend!
Hope the rest of you have something to look forward to soon -- sounds like Bill and Dona both do.
Hi Pat
Switching pharmacies is not only annoying it could be more time consumming if the new one is farther away.
I'm glad the new insurance kicked in and the new doctor alreay saw your mom. Let us know about the blood tests. Did you like the doctor?
Bill
Hi Dona
I'm sorry you and your husband were down with the crud that was going around. Here we all got it and it took at least three weeks to get back to abnormal. Here they prescribed what is called a Z-pac. Two pills day one, then one pill the next five days. Is that one of the ones that your hubby can't take? I hope the pain in your stomach goes away and I hope you won't hesitate going to the doctor if it is stilling bothering you in a day.
Enjoy the five days of freedom! Laugh and have fun! I am looking forward to a report on how you are enjoying some time to yourself. FINALLY. You have derserved that for a long time.
This is the same client that Mom and I went to lunch with a few months ago. They mailed their taxes in. They spend the winter in Palm Springs and they were on their way back to Seattle so they stopped here to pickup the taxes and have dinner with us. They went back this morning. They don't really get along so they made me the executor of their estate. I was stunned when they did that.
Get Well our friend!
Hi DR
I was blessed with the best clients. It is really hard when they call and ask if I could just do their tax return. The heck with the non-compete! It is hard to say now. I even had one client tell me he would be willing to hire an attorney to sue to break the noncompete. I'm really not that good, the other accountants are probably better technically then I am. I am just better at responding to clients. All phone calls were returned promptly. All emails were answered quickly. I never missed a deadline in my thirty years in the business. The one thing I learned over time is what you produce on paper isn't near as important as how you respond to clients personally.
Sorry, Dr. I think once you become involved in an elderly parent's care there is always something to do even when they are located near you.
I would post bail for you anytime!
When does your mom turn 90?
Anything you add to learn something new is usually a good thing! Go for the ukulele!
Well, darn even if I didn't like it, if you made the effort to cook it I would have eaten it! Himself is so great in so many areas I will forgive him for this faux paus.
Bill
I'm here with my mother the day after her surgery (which went very well). The only problem is with her stubborn refusal to "recover." She still wants to do for me, cook for me, wait on me. I had to almost literally hit her on the head to make her sit down and let me wait in HER for a change.
I have spotty internet access, so I fade in and out, like an apparition.
Tomorrow I go home to review a show, and then return here again tomorrow night to take her to the doctor on Monday.
William,
just passing by to say "hello". You seem like one of lifes good guys... & I can always spare a moment for that.
Anyway, take care & best wishes, Shane.
You have the best of clients because you're not only the best at what you do, you care about people and they know it.
I suspect your right about the elder care never really ending, even if Mom's on the other side of the country at some point. Spent one morning going through all the notes from 4 years of doctor visits, trying to find reference to a slipped disc. Found it, back in late 2005. And thanks for the offer to post bail (g).
Mom turns 90 on May 12th and said all she ewants for her b-day is a "card party" like the one we did when she turned 80. We'll do notices in the papers in Juneau, Walnut and Bureau County, but I've got to go through her address book and see if I can identify the tupperware folks and send notes to them, as I sure don't have any emails.
Yes, Himself has enough redeeming qualities that turning away a meal on very rare occasions is forgivable. (After all, he was the one who had to scrounge in the freezer for food.) It was the carmalized onions -- if I'd scrapped those off, he'd have been fine, but they turn almost black, so he assumed it was all charred. Shrug.
Bev, Great news that surgery went well and your mom is doing fine. You may need to get a ruler (more subtle than a 2x4) to get her attention about who's caring for whom the few days or more.
Shane, welcome. Yes, Bill is definitely one of the good guys and the rest of the group here follow his example, as best we can. Come join us?
Dona, sorry you guys had the bug, and I hope it's completely gone for your lovely 5 days of freedom! I hear you on wishing you had a brother for a few male-only doc visits. Hang in there and consider yourself a medical professional. [g]
DR, remember what I learned in the online criminal law course I took: It's not forgery unless it's meant to defraud. So sign your mom's name with impunity as long as you're just helping her out. If my info is wrong, I shall contribute to your bail. If you'll contribute to mine.
Bill, the pharmacy thing is fine. My favorite small pharmacy is on the insurance's list, so that's good. I do like the new doc, and will report on the blood tests when I get results. Probably a couple of weeks, as it's only a routine check.
So funny about your client's wanting to sue to destroy the non-compete clause. I wouldn't go that far, and in fact your replacement Mark has been quite good about emailing me that he received my stuff and such. Besides, I still use you for questions, so I have the best of both worlds without suing anyone. If the non-compete goes away and you're looking for clients, of course I'll be back like a shot (no disrespect to the new guys, but we have a history).
Hi Bev
Your life is on the fast track lately with your grandbaby's birthday party and then your mom's surgery. I'm glad the surgery went well.
Your mom sounds a lot like mine! I love their spirit but hate how it frustrates us!
Bill
Hi Shane
Thanks for stopping by. Your are welcome here any time!
Lots of nice women her and it is nice to have a man post!
Best Wishes to you also!
Bill
Hi DR
I will say silent prayers for years of happiness ahead for your mom on May 12!
Bill
Hi Pat
Most of my clients love Mark and he makes a real effort towards them. He is a great guy.
And you can email me questions any time!
And I like our history!
Bill
I agree with you about the important thing being responding to clients and explaining to them. As I have had to spend more time on management, I am no longer the best and most knowledgeable tax person in my office (and that KILLS me, but it is what it is). However, I do have people who come to me year after year because I do take the time to talk to them, and remember to ask about their kids, and what we talked about last year. They love that. For many of them, any first year could do their taxes. They value the relationship. And that, I am good at.
As far as what's going on in my life, I am living for April 16, as I know you are. In a weak moment, I let Joe and the kids get a new dog. He's adorable and I love him, but he's huge and wants to be indoors and play with the cat. The cat is most definitely NOT interested, and I am going to be working 14 hour days for the next 11 days. I need to get my head examined.
Hi Mary
Now if only I was 20 years younger we could build up a hell of a tax practive together!
A new dog! Way to go. I hope the cat will eventually come around and start playing with the dog.
I need to have my head examined also and I won't do this next year. They ask me to tell them iv I have to much work, I do, and then they say we don't have anyone else to give it to. So why ask in the first freaking place? And the other temp is sitting around doing nothing. Boggles the mine.
April 15 can't get her fast enough for me.
Bill
You have too much work to do, and there's another temp doing nothing? Hmm. That doesn't sound right.
Move up here, start a new company. I'll come work for you, and bring a couple of really good people with me. You can sit around and tell us what to do, and we'll own the city in two years! Heh.
Hi Bill,
First off, congrats on winning the Premio Dardos Award from Funny The World (http://www.funnytheworld.com/2009/Apr/01.htm). You've never mentioned it or put it on your blog so if you won't blow your own trumpet, I'll do it for you. :) C'mon everybody, big hand all round for Bill.
I think it's wonderful that your client and your mother get along so well. It's so rare that people from different circles, different aspects of what you do, actually hit it off.
I've had a good week, having taken the week off work. It's something I do every year, I take the week of my birthday off. It gives me some time for simple pleasures like going to the hairdressers, having a meal out, catching a movie. Even staying home is a treat. I get to watch all the prime time TV I otherwise miss out on because I work nights.
I did manage to get a long overdue haircut, but spent most of my time visiting Dad. He is doing a little better, but with that comes new issues to deal with. Now that he is more lucid, had time to think, he is bemoaning that he will never walk again, and that all this is God's punishment for his sins. And that he is now restricted to blender consistency food, is punishment because he was greedy before. So karma is a can of worms but I like to think of Parkinsons as biological and nor karmic. I'm just trying to tell him that in his late 80s, it's not like he can walk out of the hospital after a hip replacement and go for a hike. But he can regain some mobility, like walk to the toilet when he needs to. But he's not hearing me, he's just going on and on about being punished for his sins. He's not resenting it or anything, just sorry that mum has to bear the burden of caring for him. Seriously, I don't know what to do for him now.
Oh, Snug, big hugs! I'm glad you had the week off, but so sorry to hear about your dad deciding karma is guiding his life in a negative direction. I hadn't realized he had Parkinson's (was that discussed before I came on board or did I miss a paragraph). I hope you'lll be able to continue to encourage him, regarding regaining some mobility. Don't know what to tell you about the diet. A therapis once aid "perception is reality" and trying to change another's perception is nigh onto impossible, unless they decide to do so. I can hear your concern for your mom in your messages. All of you continue to be in my prayers.
Hi Mary
I guess the reason they won't give work to the temp is she isn't really very good, so it is a compliment that they give me so much work.
I've seriously thought about buying a Liberty Tax Franchise and put my local spin out and have you manage for half the profits. You wouldn't work as hard as you are now!
Bill
Hi Mary
I guess the reason they won't give work to the temp is she isn't really very good, so it is a compliment that they give me so much work.
I've seriously thought about buying a Liberty Tax Franchise and put my local spin out and have you manage for half the profits. You wouldn't work as hard as you are now!
Bill
Hi Snug
Bev has helped me build up a following her more than any living soul. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate her and her following. She is a friend to treasure that is for sure! I really appreciate her giving me the award.
Mom worked in my office for years. All my clients loved her. She was also the best help I had in all the years I was in business.
I'm thrilled that you took a week off and did some fun things. I bet you look stunning with your new haircut.
I'm glad your dad is doing better but not so thrilled with your dad's attitude it just puts to much pressure on your mom and yoruself. I wish he could see that.
Parkinsons is biological from all the things that I read about it.
All you can do for him if he believes it is Karma is just let him know you love him. Not much else you can do. And you can post here and vent any time. You don't have to wait for the update day.
Bill
OMG, no, not Liberty! Anything but that! We don't have the personality for the guerilla marketing they've unleashed on me this year. I wonder if H&R has any local franchises available?
Hi Mary
So you don't want to dress up in a Liberty costume?
Seriously, I think Block has to many rules, like requiring you to be opne seven days a week during tax season. I don't want to kill employees, just make them some money, and make their life easier!
Bill
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