A Thank You Note to the IRS

Dear IRS,
Thank you for taking my money each month, keeping it safe, and returning it to me in a timely manner. I sincerely appreciate your help in my financial matters.
Love always,
Nem

I don't fully understand taxes, but I do understand that I like getting money! Sometimes it seems annoying that money is taken out of my paycheck, but when I really think about it, it's actually kind of helpful in the long run. It's like a tiny little mandatory savings account.

First of all, I'd rather have them take too much out than find out that I owe more money come tax time. Second of all, while it's not a huge refund, it still adds up over time. If I got that money each month, I'd more than likely blow it on something that I don't need. But, getting a chunk back at once is A) fun and B) helpful. Sure I'd love to take that check and by a new camera, hit up the GAP and Old Navy, and maybe even save a little. But instead of those tempting options, I put it towards my credit card debt. Combined with what I normally pay each month, my tax refund helped me pay off HALF of my remaining balance! I am so close to being debt free, I can hardly wait. Just three more payments, and I'm a free woman!

It's Official

Yes, I said it. It's official. I have a cold. I've been in denial for a while now. "It's a tiny cough," or, "I'm sure it's just sinuses." But I am here to state for the record that it's a full-blown, head-exploding, ear-ringing, fever-spiking, nose-running, mouth-breathing, cough-inducing, punch-me-in-the-face cold. DayQuil was helping for a few days, but now it seems like just a cruel trick. I have to swallow these horse pills and they hardly make a dent in my symptoms. NyQuil is my current best friend, but they frown upon using it while driving and teaching.

And you know what makes it even better? At least one student in every class and about 4 teachers have made a comment comparable to, "Wow...you look awful today." Really? Thanks, because I feel like a million bucks.

Today, in my 3rd hour class, my nose would not stop running. But it wasn't just a regular runny nose, it's the kind where your nose is stuffy, too, so you can't even sniffle. I was trying to read my class a quiz, but I had to stop so often to wipe my nose or blow it, that I resorted to stuffing kleenex in my nose (which I sort of predicted with my FB status today). I warned my kids that it was coming, they were fully supportive and only slightly mocking.

I have already declared tomorrow a sick day. I turned in my leave slip, I'm going to go home, hit up my old friend NyQuil and then I'm sleeping 'til Thursday.

Sweet Dreams

Although I haven't been sleeping well lately, I've been dreaming like crazy! This weekend, I had a dream that HBFB knelt down in the middle of Killabrew's to propose. He said all these sweet things with all our friends around, then realized that he had put only the ring in his pocket (not in the box, or something else that might keep it safe), and he had lost it during the evening. I then proceeded to cry...a lot. Then last night I had a dream that HBFB proposed on the bridge at WWU at Alumni Weekend because he thought that was where we first met (even though in reality we both know it isn't). Don't get me wrong, I'd take the ring anywhere, but it would be kind of sweet to propose at the place that brought us together :)

Speaking of Alumni Weekend, I can not even attempt to express in words how EXCITED I am!!! I feel so lucky to have the most amazing friends in the world, and this weekend is something I look forward to every year. I am counting down to another reunion of legends!!! I love you guys!