Ignorant Historian

What, a new post on the Ignorant Historian? I must admit, I never thought that the tax season would swallow me whole as it has.  I had those three days of much-needed relaxation, and then I’ve had three crazy days of taxes…and it’s just the beginning.  Until April 15th, I’ll have little free computer time.   Not that it’s a BAD thing…I love what I’m doing and I still have time for other priorities, but unfortunately blogging seems far down that list.

I don’t WANT to quit this blog, but at this moment, I can’t think of what to say.  I prefer to hold to a if-you-don’t-have-anything-to-say-don’t-blog philosophy, but clearly this post goes against that idea.

I do have a couple ideas for meaningful posts rolling around in my head.  Hopefully, I’ll be able to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard, really) to share those posts with you in the next week(s).

Perhaps you could help me out, though…what would YOU want me to blog about?  I need some help to get back into a blogging mindset!

Thanks each and every one of you for taking the time to read this here blog.  Your comments have been encouraging even when I haven’t had the time to let you know that.

Oh my, this weekend was exactly what I needed after a crazy 3 months of travel, emotional highs and lows, sickness, and more work than I felt like I could handle at the time.

Start of the weekend: Friday was a good-busy day at work with an encouraging visit from a big boss and full of “snow day” excitement. That really doesn’t go away when you grow up, does it? Oh yeah, and did I mention, I got a raise? After work the day got better as I got to go HOME. As much as I love the people in my small group, I was craving time away from people.

Saturday we woke up to a blanket of snow, and the cold stuff still falling (actually, a lot of sleet later in the day). I do love snow…as long as it stays outside and I stay in. Still haven’t touched the stuff (though I’m going to have to make a run out to my car to get another can of Diet Dr Pepper this morning). Spent the day doing a little laundry and a lot of reading. Started The Help…so good!

Sunday church was cancelled and the city was just starting to wake up from the snow.  Five inches of snow may seem like nothing to others, but that’s a lot here in the South when we don’t have the capabilities to do much with it.  Another day of reading The Help, with a short break to watch Hairspray with the roommate.

And then today, the party continues.  Of course, I can’t quite neglect work like I have the last two days, but I really just need to make a few calls to cancel our appointments and handle any new emails/voice mails that come in.  All which can be handled here without leaving my comfy reading chair.

I will be going back to work tomorrow, possibly.  Though honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if they cancel school again (I don’t work in a school, but that’s how we determine if we’re open or closed for taxes).  Even if I have to go in to work, it’ll be at noon at our yet non-busy site.  Not bad!  When this is all over, I’ll be ready to be around people again.

Today’s a big day for our organization, as I’ll have over 20 volunteers under my oversight.  They’ll be stuffing packets for our tax clients county-wide, and a few long-term volunteers will start the new season of tax preparation.  We’re a non-profit, and much of what we do would not be possible without volunteers.  Their time is invaluable to us, because if they didn’t volunteer, it would cost us thousands of dollars more to run our programs, thousands we do not have.  Simply put: without volunteers, we wouldn’t offer the free services we do.

If you don’t regular volunteer, I encourage you to do so.  Though there are seasons of life where volunteering isn’t as practical, I think there is almost always something that you can do.  If you have kids, there are many ways you can get them involved as well.

As the volunteer organizer as our organization, I see both sides of the picture.  I know the value of the volunteer.  As a volunteer for other programs/events, I feel the joy that comes from helping others.  While I don’t think that joy should be the primary reason why we volunteer, I think that it is a wonderful bonus.

So thanks to those who give their time in the service of others.  Though you may not always feel appreciated, you are doing a good thing.

Photo by Eduardo Deboni

Thankful for people cutting me slack

Sorry to so abruptly drop off the blogosphere.  I rely on downtime to blog, but didn’t have ANY of that Wednesday or Thursday.  I’m actually looking forward to the tax season (starts Monday) so that things get LESS harried…or at least everything on my end will be set up, so it’ll just be keeping the wheels (volunteers) greased (feed with gratitude).

I’m actually really excited, but like last year, there isn’t a lot I can share on the blog.  We see some interesting characters for sure…but I’m afraid I’ll have to leave it at that.  I’m sure you can use your imagination!

So that’s enough ramblings for a Friday.  I do hope to keep up with blogging…know that I’m not planning on quitting, even if I’m not as bloggy as before!

I can’t believe how quickly the week went.  I was about to say my first full-week back went quickly, but I forgot that I’m off tomorrow (again).  Even after realizing that it was only 4 days, it still seems fast.

Tax season begins a week from tomorrow.  Eek.  Even though I’ve been preparing for it for months, there still is a lot that I have to do in the next week to get ready.  I’ve been working hard to find every (free! we’re a non-profit) way I can to promote this free service.  Sometimes I think it would be easier to sell if it was in fact something we were selling and not just giving away.

Once someone has come in and realized that there is no catch, they will come back and often bring several friends in, too.  Word of mouth was the primary reason we were able to double the amount of returns we did last year!  If you’re local (Wake County), and make less than $49,000 or know someone that does, please spread the word!  You can find all the information about the various sites throughout the county on our website.

Enough tax talk.  On the more immediate horizon, my good friend April is getting married Saturday.  I tried my dress on on Monday…I was having scary thoughts about it not fitting, and not realizing it until Saturday morning!  I think I’m all set to brave the snow as we drive down to Georgia…very thankful that the trace to 1 inch we’re expecting  is coming overnight (if at all) and not while I’m driving.  It’s also all interstate (from about 2 minutes from our door) and my roommate will be with me, so don’t worry (Mom, G. Zoe…I’m talking to you).

This is my first time as a bridesmaid, so that’s something new.  I just hope I don’t trip over my slightly-too-long dress in my high heels!

I thank God He’s given me food on my table in abundance.

I thank God that He’s given me family and friends who love me and show me more grace than I deserve.

I thank God for giving us quick travel that I may visit my family who’s over 1,000 miles away on this day.

I thank God for giving me not only a well-paying job in these times, but a job that I like.

I thank God for allowing me to be part of a church who, though not perfect, is seeking to grow together towards christlikeness.

Most of all, I thank God for giving His Son to save a wretch like me.

So happy Thanksgiving, and remember to thank God for the many blessings he’s given you…no matter how many or how few, they’re more than we deserve.

Photos by CarbonNYC, Julie McLeod,  aka Kath, me, Phillie Casablanca, and DrGBB

Really, that post title is for me.  Today’s another big day at work, part 2 of 3 of a big project, and the only one that I’ve dislike (like REALLY disliked).  I need to remind myself to take a deep breath, and no matter what happens, I get to walk away at the end of the day.  I’m thankful for a job that I can leave at the door.

For those of you who are the praying kind, I could use some prayer, primarily for my patience and perseverance.  When I don’t like something, I tend to shut down too fast rather than sticking it out.

Hope to talk to you again tomorrow, but I’ll be deep in work all day today!

After last year’s hit bathroom discussion (you may think I’m joking, but it was one of the most commented posts ever on my blog), I just had to bring you the sequel.

The following pictures are from my new office’s bathroom.  As you’ll see, it’s quite a bit brighter and smaller.

When I walked into the office with my phone in hand (yay for cameraphones…it makes my covert operation less obvious!), I about ran into a lady walking out.  I jumped, too…I don’t think I could be a character in any of the spy/thief movies I so enjoy!

So, as you walk into the bathroom, you see this large-ish anteroom.   It’s the size of a standard bedroom, and at least twice as big as the actual bathroom.  I’m not sure if this is how it was originally designed, but it doesn’t really make sense today.  There’s not even a chair or anything, so it’s really a useless room (not that I want to sit in the bathroom, anyway).

I had a hard time taken a picture of the whole bathroom just because it’s so small.  This was my best attempt.

And these are the sinks.  I never thought I’d say this, but they’re actually too short for me.  I can’t imagine what it’d be like if you were actually normal height (I’m only 5′3″).

And these are the lovely tile floors.  They just look so cold to me.

So, that’s the tour of the office bathroom.  It’s actually used more than the one at our old place, though this one only has 2 stalls versus 5.  The other day I actually had to wait for a toilet!

See the boxes waiting so patiently for a cabinet to go into?

As much as I wasn’t liking the task before me at work a few weeks ago, I’m loving what I’m doing right now.  Organizing, shopping, dreaming…right up my alley.  I’m afraid though, that this work move as zapped me of both time and energy to blog.  Give me a few days before I’m back on top of things!

Now that I’m in the new office, I’ve been able to see that the colors I picked out were fine, but I wish I had picked something a little lighter for the walls, since this building seems naturally a bit dark.  I hadn’t been inside this building before I picked out, so I was a bit handicapped.  Oh well…they certainly aren’t bad.

I’m still working on getting some non-florescent lighting into my office (yet another one of my pet peeves) since mine doesn’t have a window.  No, it does have a window, but the window is just out into the lobby (which I’m very glad to have…nothing can get past me without my knowing it).  I think having a lamp in here will help make the walls look more warm, rather than just dark.

My window to the world, I mean, lobby.

I think this is definitely the oldest building I’ve lived, worked, or schooled in (well, with the possible exception of a couple of buildings on OU’s campus I may have had a class or two in).  I’m guessing it was built in the 50s or 60s, but I don’t really know.  The bathroom tells it’s age the best, I’ll have to get a picture of that, too.  At least our suite looks pretty snazzy with it’s fresh coat of paint and new carpet.

So anyway, that’s what I’ve been up to when I’ve not been around here.  Hope to be back to my bloggy self soon!

What have you been up to?