One of my spring rituals is to moan, groan and make everyone within a ten mile radius perfectly miserable as I get in the mood, find time for, and finally settle down to do my taxes.
If I would carve out a nanosecond of the hours I spend kvetching, I would be done in an afternoon. But no, I follow the same playbook each year which may be another definition for insanity. Here is my foolproof system for the dreaded tax day!
- Clean my house. I certainly can’t sit at my desk working on my taxes if there are dirty floors, unfolded laundry or a speck of dust high on a shelf.
- Get out of my pajamas…no slouching around doing taxes at the kitchen counter.
- Eat something. It is important to fortify myself for the daunting task ahead. Even though my office is just a few steps away from the kitchen, I do not want to chance fainting from hunger.
- Hydrate…I stand over the kitchen sink drinking water and then fill a water bottle to take to my office. Marathon work sessions require hydration!
- Tune into a tax preparation station on Pandora.
- Open the shades to let my neighbors see that I am up early working in my office. No slackers at this house!
- Make a fresh pot of coffee to ensure that I stay alert for the long haul.
- Give my dog Ginny a little extra attention to atone for not taking her for a walk. Plus, a dog biscuit to pacify her…for a while at least. She looks so wistful!
- Sharpen some pencils …I can do crosswords in ink but not taxes.
- Check the thermostat…don’t want to get too chilly or sleepy in a warm room.
- Go to the bathroom. While I’m there I may as well brush my teeth. And floss too.
- Gather my tax documents, some blank folders and sit down at my desk.
- Check my emails. Would not want to miss something important!
- Check my blog. I can’t neglect my blogging community!
- Silence my phone but first text my sons that I will be busy for awhile.
- Set the timer for 45 minutes to remind me to stop for lunch.
- Prepare a healthy lunch to get me through the afternoon. See #3.
- Spend the last hour of the afternoon getting the job done.
Finally, I reach that glorious moment, when all the pages are completed and the documents organized. I deliver them to my CPA and walk out of his office singing “Free at last. Free at last. Praise God almighty, I am free at last!”
Ginny is happy. I am delirious.
Congratulations!
LikeLike
Thanks! Nothing like getting that monkey off my back!
LikeLike
LOL! I am off for two weeks starting next Monday. I am planning on doing my taxes first so I can be done and enjoy the rest of my time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope my “system” helps. My friend Julia and I laughed when we discovered that we both procrastinate the same way. Good luck!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes your system is very familiar sounding but mine will entail coffee or tea breaks on the back patio waiting for birds to show up at my feeder.
LikeLike
Anything that “works”! Sounds pretty nice. It’s too rainy to sit on the patio in Portland these days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Did you finish your taxes??
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nope! I am really not myself this week. I did think about it today. If I am feeling organized tomorrow then I’ll do them. I cleaned the house today after I babysat the little neighbor dog since last Thursday, gave him back today. I love him but he is a dirty little guy!
LikeLike
Thinking is good! (*-*) Even though my part of my taxes are done, I always am a little nervous until my CPA finishes them. Hopefully, that will be this week. Then other projects are waiting their turn. It never ends!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, true, there is always something waiting for our attention! Life keeps moving right along, I haven’t figured out where the pause button is…
LikeLike
I forgot to say that I hope you are feeling OK. Lori
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I am feeling ok just working on getting over this funk I’m in. 🙂
LikeLike
My sis is a CPA and does mine every year and I have to get things to her as soon as possible so as not to annoy her when she gets really busy. Fear is a great motivator, so we’re done!
LikeLike
Lucky, lucky you! Do you think your sister would adopt me?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I could ask, but not till after April 15, because shes getting very tense already 😉
LikeLike
Awesome Lori! Congratulations…Did the Hallelujah chorus play along the fringes of your mind? You have the best go-to system ever:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed!! It was a religious moment.
LikeLike
Well done, good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things, [God] will make thine return swift. Your process sounds quite methodical and logical to me. Great writing, Lori! Just curious, what selections did Pandora offer for Tax Prep? 😉
LikeLike
Very funny…it was great music…not too taxing. (*-*)
LikeLike
You sound pretty organized and having a daily schedule helps to achieve work on time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, how are you? Yes, I have to stay organized or else chaos would reign.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, all good. Always happy to read your posts.
LikeLike
Hi, I am glad all is well. Take care.
LikeLike
Oh Lori, what a good chuckle…I needed that, and I can relate. But, well done for getting it done, now Ginny can go for a walk 🙂
Have a good day 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Lynne,Thank goodness it’s only once a year. Ginny and I are making up for lost time. Have a great day. Lori
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure in the end it all seems worth it knowing that the government will be accountable and not waste a single penny of your hard-earned money.
LikeLiked by 1 person
In a perfect world! Thanks for reading and commenting.
LikeLike
I shared your tax prep humor on Facebook.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. It was fun to write. Have a great day! Lori
LikeLike
Great post. Wish I was that organized.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Don for reading and commenting. Have a great day.
LikeLike
You’re welcome.
LikeLike
I love your precision, but do I detect a little bit of “prevarication” until you actually put pen to paper??? 🙂
LikeLike
Ah, can’t fool you! It was a spoof in some ways as well as a blow by blow of how I finally get my taxes done. (*-*)
LikeLike
yes I like your “tongue in cheek” writing. Its amusing to read. I daresay you aren’t as fluffy as you suggest! Very sharp lady I would reckon…. ( as in intelligent rather than snappy”)
LikeLike
Keep it coming…you are making my day which is rainy and cold in Portland!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not sure if my original comment was lost or posted, but if lost what I said ( approximately!) was, likewise here in UK. Wet and very windy. Gales at the moment which as we live right on the coast plays havoc with my hair!
LikeLike
Your original came through…things do get lost in the ethernet. Just imagine these wonderful, insightful comments just floating around in space. If a tree falls in the forest….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Likewise here in England. We have heavy gales and rain, which as we live right on the coast is exciting but really plays havoc with the hairstyle!
LikeLike
Hi, Thanks goodness for hats! Your coastal home sounds very romantic like a novel with the heroine on the beach with her hair and clothes whipped by the wind. Fun to share thoughts with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
very French Lieutenants Woman…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful movie with Maryland Streep. Good morning from Portland!
LikeLike
I haven’t seen it in ages but its a great film isn’t it. Very atmospheric. I love where I live and its beautiful, even if the Beach is pebbles… but I think Portland is rather grand!
LikeLike
I love Portland. Today is gorgeous with sunny, cool weather. The movie is probably floating around somewhere for streaming or rent. (*-*)
LikeLiked by 1 person
How are you doing?
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was so funny 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you…a bit of humor helps me keep things in perspective. Cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love it! We’ve all got our methods. I like yours!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. It works for me. Now it’s time for fun things like movies! Cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved your expression in writing of both struggle and victory. Cheers! Now go smell the roses and enjoy the triumph of achievement. Blessings!
LikeLike
Ginny and I are enjoying long walks along with the rose…thank you!
LikeLike
Hi, there, thanks for visiting, commenting and following my blog!
I can definitely identify with gathering all that tax info; mine was delivered to the CPA last week. Such a relief!
LikeLike
It’s my pleasure to read your blog! Yes, I agree it’s good to move beyond tax time. Cheers, Lori
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s acts preparation station on Pandora ? I gotta check that out! Nice essay btw. If you can make reading about someone doing their taxes interesting, by golly you’ve accomplished something there! Well done.
LikeLike
Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. There’s not a tax prep station on Pandora but there should be! Cheers, Lori
LikeLike
Love it! “Free at last!” – HILARIOUS!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and sharing! Glad it made you smile.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You get it done in an hour!!?? That’s impressive. Great post
LikeLike
Yes, about hour as the information is in my computer and I have all the documents in one place. That’s the ironic part…it’s not that big of a deal. For some reason I hate doing it and procrastinate. Thanks for reading my post and sharing your thoughts. Happy Wednesday to you from Oregon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, believe me, I identify with that particular procrastination 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It must be part of our DNA.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s taken me years to perfect this version of procrastination!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am yet to see anyone in my life who is deliriously happy about taxes 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would think such person could be delirious! Thanks for reading & commenting. Happy Day from Oregon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure and yes they might be delirious from fever 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
True!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL “One of my spring rituals is to moan, groan and make everyone within a ten mile radius perfectly miserable as I get in the mood, find time for, and finally settle down to do my taxes.” that is one of the best intros I have read on WordPress. Dang I wish I had written that! 😉 Nicely done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Your positive words mean a lot to me!
LikeLike
No worries. You deserved them.
LikeLike
I have had a terrible day. So, your affirmation of my post helped to reverse the order of my personal universe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well that is some power. Will it give me the winning lottery numbers? 😉
LikeLike
Only if you share the loot!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am OK with that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
(*-*)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Still Another Writer's Blog.
LikeLike
What a great post. I still have three months to go here before our taxes need to be done.
LikeLike
Thank you. It was therapeutic to describe my finely honed procrastination routine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope it goes smoothly for you. Happy Thursday from Oregon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Same to you.
LikeLike
I love the line at the end😄😄 I can completely relate to the feeling of freedom after a strenuous routine. Ginny’s happiness must know no bounds either.😄😄😄 Thank you for the follow.I do agree that the blog community is a beautiful place to be and can’t be ignored😊😊
LikeLike
Thank you! It is a wonderful place to share and communicate with others around the world. Glad that you are part of my bigger world. Lori
LikeLiked by 1 person
I absolutely agree with you. The world is small when it comes to a huge literary platform as this. It’s unnerving and unbelievable to be a small part of true genius.
LikeLike
I have grown a bit as a writer, commentator and observer of life as a result of blogging. It is scary to hit “publish” but so far it has been rewarding.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am in awe of the works published here. It will always be nerve-wracking to hit publish but still a wholesome experience. I celebrate your spirit and of every blogger here who continue to impress me through their ardent desire to express.
LikeLike
Thank you. You are a wonderful addition to my life. (*-*)
LikeLike
Is there such a thing as a ‘I did my taxes’ party?? I think perhaps there should be!
This was hilarious and far too relatable!
LikeLike
What a great idea! I just may do that after 4/15. Thanks for reading and commenting.I look forward to reading your posts. Lori
LikeLike
LOL… Just knuckle down and get it done. 😉 That’s how my husband does it, while I’d rather “get all our ducks in a row” first…i.e. put off starting the task. This year he jumped on the computer at 7:30 a.m. and yes, I thought he’d gone completely bonkers. But by 9 a.m. we knew how much we were getting back from Uncle Sam. Yay!!
LikeLike
That’s wonderful. I will chain myself to my desk. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, you, too.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Roberta Pimentel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!!
LikeLike
Wow! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t mind paying taxes because I enjoy being part of a functioning society. That doesn’t mean that I think all taxes go to good purposes or that there isn’t a ton of waste. I do think, though, that there has to be an easier way to figure it all out and pay it. I really dislike the annual infliction of pain. Fortunately for me, my husband takes on most of the burden while I just keep track of our charitable contributions. Good for you for getting it done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Lori Greer in Portland and commented:
Another tax season has come and gone. The government has a pound of my flesh and I am finished until next year. I wish that I could say that this year went better. Alas, not really. I am a creature of habit. I have recorded last quarter’s tax information on my tax spreadsheet. That’s a good start! Now to record each month as the year goes by. If I do that, my taxes next year will be a breeze! Wish me luck!
LikeLike
Just think of all the fun you would miss if something like the Fair Tax ever became law. On the other hand, you could pay your taxes simply by shopping for toys for Ginny.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You thought i wouldn’t spot that this was a repost from last year (and the year before that???), didn’t you??
You’ll have to get up even earlier in the morning you do your taxes to get away with that one! 😉
Good luck this year.
love
LikeLiked by 1 person
So funny! I procrastinate, too, but this year was better. Why? Because I’m not working! Otherwise, it’d be another crazy, last minute scramble. I trust you’re breathing easier now, and enjoying Spring!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post! I really like your sense of humor. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person