Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Fading to Black
You may have noticed I'm slowly fading to black. I'm focused man. I'm so excited about TR arriving that I can barely contain myself. Mr A and I have extensive plans for what we want to do when our baby arrives. We want to kiss, hug, squeeze, and just spend time enjoying our blessing. Mr A is plotting some rough housing and football practice, he's really looking forward to the next ski eason with TR and has mentioned custom baby skies. We plan to take baby to the park and enjoy the sun, picnics, church, and just enjoy our lives with TR and the beginning of what we hope will be a good number of children.
It looks as if we'll have our first 6 figure gov't contract signed and possibly started before TR arrives so I'm looking forward to strapping TR into the baby sling and stopping by to have lunch with Mr A on the days he has to train folks. We went to the pre-bid meeting and the site had a very nice cafeteria and as we walked out the door I foresaw lunch for us when we got to be subs on the bid. Food is always heavy on my mind.
This project will allow for Mr A to work the project one day a week and he'll have time to work on other bids we'll recieve after that. The life we visioned and worked towards is happening for us. We are blessed.
I'm fading to black but I'll likely return once TR arrives and I have the hang of mommyhood and can change a diaper and feed a baby while mixing up dinner (I'll wash my hands)and settling a case. I have lofty goals.
Don't fret, there will be photos issued- once the baby is nice and chubby and not still in shock from leaving womb and entering the world. I may also post my childbirth experience- I'm planning natural and unmedicated. We'll see how that goes.
I'm still battling my blogging addiction. I may have to have Mr A change the password and hide it from me.
Later gators!
End of A Season
The tax season ended yesterday and for the first time since I started doing my own taxes I didn't request an extension and I filed on time.
I might be a bit like the shoemaker whose children lack shoes. I completed the taxes I had to do for others and we arrived at the post office at 4:59 with ours.
We were able to get 100% of the home office deduction and I was super excited about that. I've never taken it before, although I probably could have taken it in 2006. Maybe I should do another amendment. I really like this dual self-employed tax time thing but it was a bit confusing initially because our joint business was a 2007 start-up and my business was existing.
I had started doing our taxes as soon as our statements began arriving but then I puashed it to the side and didn't get back to it until Monday night. I didn't include all the deductions we are entitled to because I like to save things in case of an audit. Plus I understand when you do the home/office deduction you are more likely to get the audit.
Mr A had one of his years audited and when I was done with his various missed deductions he owed very little. Then I amended another of his returns adding additional deductions which got us a bigger refund and the money owed came out of that. Mr A had been going to the same tax guy for years and for some reason the man didn't add in his state refund to his schedule A and it appeared that he had understated income. I've told him to contact the guy because tax preparers have to have insurance to pay the penalties when they make those mistakes.
Anyway its nice to have everything all organized because when I do decide to do the stuff I have its readily available. And when the IRS comes knocking at my door I can make sure I end up with a bigger refund.
I might be a bit like the shoemaker whose children lack shoes. I completed the taxes I had to do for others and we arrived at the post office at 4:59 with ours.
We were able to get 100% of the home office deduction and I was super excited about that. I've never taken it before, although I probably could have taken it in 2006. Maybe I should do another amendment. I really like this dual self-employed tax time thing but it was a bit confusing initially because our joint business was a 2007 start-up and my business was existing.
I had started doing our taxes as soon as our statements began arriving but then I puashed it to the side and didn't get back to it until Monday night. I didn't include all the deductions we are entitled to because I like to save things in case of an audit. Plus I understand when you do the home/office deduction you are more likely to get the audit.
Mr A had one of his years audited and when I was done with his various missed deductions he owed very little. Then I amended another of his returns adding additional deductions which got us a bigger refund and the money owed came out of that. Mr A had been going to the same tax guy for years and for some reason the man didn't add in his state refund to his schedule A and it appeared that he had understated income. I've told him to contact the guy because tax preparers have to have insurance to pay the penalties when they make those mistakes.
Anyway its nice to have everything all organized because when I do decide to do the stuff I have its readily available. And when the IRS comes knocking at my door I can make sure I end up with a bigger refund.
Monday, April 14, 2008
The Life and Times of C2A
On Saturday I set out with the plan to add more items to TR's registry. I spent a few hours doing this and had a great time. Then I sat down for lunch. I printed my list so Mr A could check it out. When we got home I had him look at things online. Sadly most of the items I registered for in store didn't have an online photo.
I noticed that a diaper bag I'd adored had "limited availabilty" and "out of stock." I looked at the reviews and all but one was great. I looked for the bag at various other online retailers and they all said "out of stock." I looked up the manufacturer and didn't find anything to alert me if the bag was going to be disco
ntinued.
We made the decision to buy it now. I didn't want to risk waiting and it being gone. I also wasn't willing to wait until we got the coupon to get the unfulfilled registry items to buy it. We were going to get it after our childbirth class on Sunday but I forgot and didn't want to go back out. So when we got it today the price had been cut. Joy!!
So today we got it and its great!
My bag is a bit different from the photo because it has a written story on the inside of the bag.
Childbirth class
Mr A and I are doing the Bradley Method. I'd link it but if you are interested there's always google. Bradley is also known as husband coached childbirth. We're going to ask our instructor to be the doula when the day arrives.
We had originally planned to do a childbirth class at the hospital but then I read that a lot of hospitals teach in line with the goals of the hospital- which is to manage labor usually with medication. I wanted the most unfiltered instruction so I located a semi-private instructor. She would have been private but another couple whose due date is a few days before ours also wanted to do it and she couldn't do us both, so she gave us a little discount to share the time. It's great fun.
It's nice to have a childbirth strategy. I'm feeling more confident about my Birth-Date.
More on the life and times of the A family to follow.....
I noticed that a diaper bag I'd adored had "limited availabilty" and "out of stock." I looked at the reviews and all but one was great. I looked for the bag at various other online retailers and they all said "out of stock." I looked up the manufacturer and didn't find anything to alert me if the bag was going to be disco
ntinued.
We made the decision to buy it now. I didn't want to risk waiting and it being gone. I also wasn't willing to wait until we got the coupon to get the unfulfilled registry items to buy it. We were going to get it after our childbirth class on Sunday but I forgot and didn't want to go back out. So when we got it today the price had been cut. Joy!!
So today we got it and its great!
My bag is a bit different from the photo because it has a written story on the inside of the bag.
Childbirth class
Mr A and I are doing the Bradley Method. I'd link it but if you are interested there's always google. Bradley is also known as husband coached childbirth. We're going to ask our instructor to be the doula when the day arrives.
We had originally planned to do a childbirth class at the hospital but then I read that a lot of hospitals teach in line with the goals of the hospital- which is to manage labor usually with medication. I wanted the most unfiltered instruction so I located a semi-private instructor. She would have been private but another couple whose due date is a few days before ours also wanted to do it and she couldn't do us both, so she gave us a little discount to share the time. It's great fun.
It's nice to have a childbirth strategy. I'm feeling more confident about my Birth-Date.
More on the life and times of the A family to follow.....
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Hollywood Hills
My gf (former business partner) and her boyfriend are in town, so we headed to Katsuya in Hollywood for dinner last night. We had great fun.
She called me last week to invite us and when she told me the restaurants she was considering and knowing her, I figured she'd pick the most expensive Japanese place in L.A. The place was a bit on the pricey side but very low price compared to the taste of the food. We will be going back. The waiter walked us through the most loved items and we took all of his advice.
I had to skip the raw food- in honor of TR- but the food I ate made me wish I was a multi-millionaire so I could eat myself sick. The chef is one of the top 5 sushi chef's in the world and that food made me know why they would rate them. I am still remembering the taste and texture of the baked crab handroll.
This was first time Mr A and my gf met. Whenever he used to come to my office she wouldn't be there, they were in Texas for our wedding, and they managed not to meet for all this time.
Everyone got along great. I actually pick my friends quite well because whenever they meet each other they end up exchanging numbers and hanging out without me. I think I befriend the same type of people, friendly extroverts. I don't do well with shy folks- they require too much work and seem to add a spice of boring to the environment. I'm not as extroverted as most of my friends but I guess since they are outgoing and I'm laid back but open to different things, we work well in friendship.
As we were waiting for valet to bring their car around, we saw someone outside snapping photos. The restaurant looked like a place the folks from the Hills would go, but it was a Monday night so we were expecting it to be quiet. The place was packed.
So a very tiny black man walked in and we tried to figure out where we knew him. It was Hill Harper. That man must have to shop at the petite store. He had to be about 5'5. Then we saw some other black actor who Harper met up with, but we couldn't figure out what from, we concluded a commercial.
So then we spotted L.C. and Lo from the Hills, and some other folks sitting at a table right by the door. It was quite funny because they were texting as they set there. I guess they really do text all the time.
When we got in the car Mr A was raving about the sashimi which I couldn't try. I did try the onions that were on top of it, they were great. When TR moves out, we'll definitely be going back, so I can get the full experience.
My gf is staying very near where we live, so we have tentative plans for me to meet her at the Grove so she can share in the amazing experience that is American Girl Place. Mr A advised her bf not to go in there because it is no place for men. Mr A got as far as the hair salon for dolls and needed to exit. There were 2 extra floors he didn't get to see. He gave such a painful description to her bf that he refused to go too. That's fine though, that store is amazing and I love seeing the mommies with their little girls.
And to top off a lovely evening of fun, friendship and great food, my gf picked up the bill. All of the food came in pretty small portions and we had to share, so we had to order a bunch of it. The guys had a few drinks each and while I didn't see the bill, I have seen the menu and nothing we ordered was below $20.
We have plans to go out again while they are in town and this dinner will be on us.
We've been going out on couples events quite often. I'm enjoying it as much as possible because soon we won't be able to just get ourselves ready and hit the door, we'll have to arrange baby sitting and plan ahead.
She called me last week to invite us and when she told me the restaurants she was considering and knowing her, I figured she'd pick the most expensive Japanese place in L.A. The place was a bit on the pricey side but very low price compared to the taste of the food. We will be going back. The waiter walked us through the most loved items and we took all of his advice.
I had to skip the raw food- in honor of TR- but the food I ate made me wish I was a multi-millionaire so I could eat myself sick. The chef is one of the top 5 sushi chef's in the world and that food made me know why they would rate them. I am still remembering the taste and texture of the baked crab handroll.
This was first time Mr A and my gf met. Whenever he used to come to my office she wouldn't be there, they were in Texas for our wedding, and they managed not to meet for all this time.
Everyone got along great. I actually pick my friends quite well because whenever they meet each other they end up exchanging numbers and hanging out without me. I think I befriend the same type of people, friendly extroverts. I don't do well with shy folks- they require too much work and seem to add a spice of boring to the environment. I'm not as extroverted as most of my friends but I guess since they are outgoing and I'm laid back but open to different things, we work well in friendship.
As we were waiting for valet to bring their car around, we saw someone outside snapping photos. The restaurant looked like a place the folks from the Hills would go, but it was a Monday night so we were expecting it to be quiet. The place was packed.
So a very tiny black man walked in and we tried to figure out where we knew him. It was Hill Harper. That man must have to shop at the petite store. He had to be about 5'5. Then we saw some other black actor who Harper met up with, but we couldn't figure out what from, we concluded a commercial.
So then we spotted L.C. and Lo from the Hills, and some other folks sitting at a table right by the door. It was quite funny because they were texting as they set there. I guess they really do text all the time.
When we got in the car Mr A was raving about the sashimi which I couldn't try. I did try the onions that were on top of it, they were great. When TR moves out, we'll definitely be going back, so I can get the full experience.
My gf is staying very near where we live, so we have tentative plans for me to meet her at the Grove so she can share in the amazing experience that is American Girl Place. Mr A advised her bf not to go in there because it is no place for men. Mr A got as far as the hair salon for dolls and needed to exit. There were 2 extra floors he didn't get to see. He gave such a painful description to her bf that he refused to go too. That's fine though, that store is amazing and I love seeing the mommies with their little girls.
And to top off a lovely evening of fun, friendship and great food, my gf picked up the bill. All of the food came in pretty small portions and we had to share, so we had to order a bunch of it. The guys had a few drinks each and while I didn't see the bill, I have seen the menu and nothing we ordered was below $20.
We have plans to go out again while they are in town and this dinner will be on us.
We've been going out on couples events quite often. I'm enjoying it as much as possible because soon we won't be able to just get ourselves ready and hit the door, we'll have to arrange baby sitting and plan ahead.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Designing My Life
One day I was pondering how fortunate someone seemed. From the decor of her home to her professional accomplishments she just seems to be a success. I momentarily bemoaned the fact that that my life is not as neatly packaged as her life. Then I reminded myself that I'm in control of designing my life. I have my own talents that I'm fully capable of enhancing.
What happens in our lives for the most part isn't some fluke, its a matter of pursuit and being committed to being successful at what we are pursuing. Sometimes things happen but our response can have a greater impace than what actually occured.
Professional Design
I'm a procrastinator but I'm moving toward where I want to be. Last week I attended a professional meeting with people from various public and private agencies who have a part in the assisting ch children with special needs to access education. This panel is one of the resources I use to get my clients. A few people asked me if it was mandatory that I go. It wasn't mandatory but it made me realize that volunteering for professional enhancement is often seen as foreign. I think if you enjoy what you do, you look forward to that stuff. I sorta chuckled as I told them, no I just really want to get as familiar as I can with the details of what I do. I could continue getting clients and never attend a meeting.
I can build a business doing the minimum required but I want more than that. There is more to life and more to a career then going to a job to make money. I think careers offer a chance to stimulate and satisfy our mind. I enjoy what I do and there is nothing- except me-holding me back from doing it extremely well. The meeting was actually enjoyable. Then I think about The Wire and how that cop let the little boy down. I really don't want anyone relying on me and I not do my best for them.
I know what is possible for me and I'm excited to bring it to fruition.
Mr A and I are similiar in that while we want to obtain great financial resources, our primary focus isn't financial. We're trying to create a life where we can enjoy our professions, be stimulated and be of service to others.
I'm pleased that I realized during my moment of wistfulness that I'm in full control (with God's strength) of designing my life. Its all a matter of the effort I'm willing to put forth. Like everything my output is greatly deermined by my input.
Shopping for TR
After church, we did a little shopping for TR. I'm getting super anxious to meet my little passenger so I needed to do something to sooth the anticipation. I've even got my bag partially packed which includes a couple of newborn diapers in it. Mr A was a bit tortured by the shopping but he's a soldier so he endured, he also helped me stay as gender neutral as possible and tried to reign in my shopping. Momma also got an outfit- I can't have baby looking cute and momma looking blah.
I saw the cutest newborn girl outfits and told Mr A TR was going to be a girl. I felt such a draw to those outfits and I'm not having the same reaction towards boy clothes. So maybe TR will be a girl.
When we were talking about kids I told him our babies didn't need clothes and would be wearing onesies and diapers. Now here I am shopping for clothes that I know the baby will only be able to wear a few times before outgrowing them. I bought two of a couple of the outfits so TR could wear them at 0-3 months and 3-6 months.
Here are photos of what TR got this weekend.
I saw the cutest newborn girl outfits and told Mr A TR was going to be a girl. I felt such a draw to those outfits and I'm not having the same reaction towards boy clothes. So maybe TR will be a girl.
When we were talking about kids I told him our babies didn't need clothes and would be wearing onesies and diapers. Now here I am shopping for clothes that I know the baby will only be able to wear a few times before outgrowing them. I bought two of a couple of the outfits so TR could wear them at 0-3 months and 3-6 months.
Here are photos of what TR got this weekend.
