Tax time is quickly approaching and for most of us that is a good thing. Last year I posted our goals for our tax money, and I decided to check back today to see how we did with that list.

1. New tires for the cars. Check.

2. Pay off the truck. We have been working on this one all year, but finally made it happen last month. Yippee!

3. New or used lawn mower. Check.

4. Replace our 14 year old living room furniture. This has not happened yet, but it's the first thing on the list this year!

This is just another example of why I think list making is important. It helps keep me focused and on task. A mental list is just not quite good enough for me because I am forgetful. So, here's this years tax list.

1. Furniture-it's all picked out, on hold, and waiting for me. I'm so excited.

2. Car repair- it's still drivable, just needs some shocks.

3. Save money for Northwest trip-can't wait!!

4. Down payment on new vehicle??

and what ever is left, if any
5. pay towards debt

We'll see how far we get on this list, but at least it is written down and we have goals. Hopefully this will keep the money from slipping through our fingers.

I'm Baack

Okay, I am finally back. We have been very busy with company (totally enjoyed them btw) and then I got sick. It wasn't the deathly ill kind, it came on slow. At first I thought I was just being lazy and didn't want to do anything. I kept trying to push myself everyday, finally on the 4th night it got bad and I no longer felt like a wimp. I let myself recover after that with no guilt. Unfortunately I shared the germ with my family, so they are a little puny at present. I am not saying this to get sympathy, but I wanted to share some of my frustrations on being sick.

I am always cold, so it is no surprise that my normal body temp is around 97.5. I felt fevered for days, but couldn't get the thermometer to read over 98.5. It was very irritating until on the 5th day it finally went over 99. I obviously wasn't burning up and on my deathbed, because I had a small celebration. I know it's not true, but somehow my mind thinks that you're not sick unless you have a fever. Finally, I could claim sickness!

Another gripe about being sick is, I totally spoil my guys when they are sick. I am a mother, so of course I am always trying to feed them or get fluids down them. They are babies about it too, they want me right by them when they are sick. I run off to the store to get anything they MIGHT eat or a movie to occupy them. But when I'm sick, ha ha, totally different story. I didn't want to have to move, so I would put off going to get water to drink. No one offered to get me any that's for sure. If I did ask for something, I had to wait until they were in a good spot in their game to leave it, and even then they were a little put out. I know all of you mother's have experienced this and I honestly think it is unacceptable. I am actually quite mad talking about it even now.

On the day I was really sick, I was sleeping/watching a movie on the computer. When someone got home from church, he instantly took over the computer for the before mentioned game. URG. His excuse was that I was sleeping anyway, but you know how it is when you're sick.

I must admit that I haven't had the pity and sympathy for them this week, in their sicknesses that I normally do. I am very thankful though that I didn't have to go off to work everyday when I was sick, so I am still being a little nice to Dale. But he's going to hear about this for a while.