Tuesday, April 13, 2010

April 15 Tax Day











Someone once said, the only sure thing is Death and Taxes (excuse the grammar - but that is the way I remember it). On April 15, each of us in the good old U.S.of A. will be required to submit tax returns. Many of us will be paying taxes on that day. Here is some information on the origins of the IRS.


The roots of IRS go back to the Civil War when President Lincoln and Congress, in 1862, created the position of commissioner of Internal Revenue and enacted an income tax to pay war expenses. The income tax was repealed 10 years later. Congress revived the income tax in 1894, but the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional the following year.

In 1913, Wyoming ratified the 16th Amendment, providing the three-quarter majority of states necessary to amend the Constitution. The 16th Amendment gave Congress the authority to enact an income tax. That same year, the first Form 1040 appeared after Congress levied a 1 percent tax on net personal incomes above $3,000 with a 6 percent surtax on incomes of more than $500,000.

In 1918, during World War I, the top rate of the income tax rose to 77 percent to help finance the war effort. It dropped sharply in the post-war years, down to 24 percent in 1929, and rose again during the Depression. During World War II, Congress introduced payroll withholding and quarterly tax payments.
In the 50s, the agency was reorganized to replace a patronage system with career, professional employees. The Bureau of Internal Revenue name was changed to the Internal Revenue Service. Only the IRS commissioner and chief counsel are selected by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

The IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 prompted the most comprehensive reorganization and modernization of IRS in nearly half a century. The IRS reorganized itself to closely resemble the private sector model of organizing around customers with similar needs.

103 comments:

jan said...

Excuse all the written info. I did manage to post a picture. It took a lot of doing. I got to thinking that I don't remember much of American history and the roots of the IRS. So, ready or not, April 15 is only 2 days away.

John is doing well. He says if he moves his head from side to side or up and down too fast he gets dizzy - well, duh - so do I!

I had a margarita before dinner and it made me sort of sick. I just can't take the hard liquor. My stomach felt like it was burning. I took a zantac and that has helped. Us indians just can't take the fire water, I guess.

Carol said...

Great job Jan even though it isn't my favorite subject.

You scared me this morning. I thought it was April 15 and I haven't yet picked up my taxes from the CPA. They did call for me to do it, yesterday. I was so stressed after work that I forgot to do it.

Anonymous said...

The perfect time appropriate post Jan. Not a popular day, but one we must face head on (with our checkbook open).


"Americans all recognize certain dates. We know January 1, July 4, December 25, to name a few.

And then there's April 15: Tax Day.

It tells us a lot that Tax Day is so firmly ingrained in our national consciousness; but it's no surprise. Americans pay a lot of their hard-earned money to Uncle Sam every year. In fact, this year, Americans had to work until April 9 – Tax Freedom Day – just to earn enough to pay their federal, state, and local taxes, according to the nonpartisan Tax Foundation.

If Americans have to work more than three months just to pay their yearly taxes, that ought to be enough. But unless Congress acts, the lower tax rates that have been in place since 2001 will expire on December 31, triggering close to a $3 trillion tax increase over the next decade. The marriage penalty will reappear in full force. The child tax credit will be cut in half. Income-tax rates for all taxpayers (including small businesses) will increase, with the 10 percent rate on those in the lowest tax bracket alone set to increase by 50 percent. A family of four earning $40,000 a year would owe an additional $2,053 in taxes. These tax increases would only prolong the economic harm, adding to the strain already felt by families and business." Tax Day a reminder of what the U.S. spends

Coreen said...

Timely post Jan...and a gentle reminder of
the obligation many of us face at this time each year...

And to be sure, the entity that most everyone would not want chasing them is definitely the IRS....

Coreen said...

And for what it is worth...since April 15th
is Tax-day for many, this recent article about
those that pay federal income taxes, produced
a completely different conclusion of the same
set of facts...please draw your own conclusions...

'Nearly half of US households escape Federal Income tax"

In 2009, approx. 47% will pay no Federal Income taxes at all, either because their incomes were too low, or they qualified for enough credits, deductions, exemptions to eliminate their liability.

Recent tax cuts have been generous to wealthy
taxpayers, though less noticed were tax cuts for low & middle income families, which were
expanded with obama's massive economic recovery package.

The result is a tax system that exempts almost half the country from paying for programs that benefit everyone, from national defense, public safety, infrastructure, to education.

The vast majority of people who escape federal income taxes still pay other taxes, including federal payroll taxes that fund Social Security & Medicare, and excise taxes on gasoline, aviation, alcohol, cigarettes.

Many also pay state and/or local taxes on sales, income & property.

Nearly 1/2 of US households
pay federal income tax

Coreen said...

And for a completely differernt/opposite conclusion of the same statistics...

While Leonhardt, has a completely different
view of those that pay taxes, he does ask the question that no one any satisfactory answer for.

"How will we be able to close the huge looming gap between the taxes we are scheduled to pay and the services we are scheduled to receive?"

He even acknowledges that though taxes certainly have to rise more on the affluent than on other groups...doing so will not come
close to solving the long term budget problem....So my rhetorical question (where is the $$$ needed to fund everything going to come from)..Take a guess....more from those
that pay, regardless of how 'affluent' you may
be...and by the way...who defines 'affluent'...

Yes, 47% of household owe no taxes, look closer

Ivy Green said...

We have having a big religiously inspired battle in Alabama about bingo and other forms of gambling. The governor has appointed a task force headed by a "Bull Connor-type" person who has been talking loudly and self-righteously while leading police raids on bingo establishments, confiscating equipment, and throwing lots of employees out of work at a time when our economy is suffering the most. They claim it is about fighting corruption. I actually am only half paying attention to it, just whatever is broadcast before I can get to the channel-changer.

I do not gamble, but I am not opposed to it on moral grounds, and do not believe in taking away another's right to enjoy it. The only people it is a problem for are the ones who are addicted, but their problem cannot be solved by banning it for everyone else.

In addition, I see it as a form of taxation, perhaps the only one that is completely voluntary. Our silly state "leaders" are doing nothing more than chasing that revenue across the state line into Mississippi, or sending lottery ticket-buyers up to Tennessee.

jan said...

Dear friends, I posted this info just FYI. It would be ok with me to discuss something more interesting and frivolous.

jan said...

Anyone want to talk about who got kicked off DWTS last night or who might get kicked off Idol tonight?

Ivy Green said...

They have to eliminate two contestants from Idol tonight because they "saved" Mike last week. I didn't think he did all that great last night even though the judges praised his performance. The other person on the edge I think is Andrew who was second to last the previous week. It could be repeat of last week's results with neither one of them getting "saved" this week.

I am guessing there will be an Adam Lambert "guest-mentor" performance tonight. I didn't hear if they actualy anounced one 'cuz I got disrupted at the end of the show by the telephone.

Ivy Green said...

I always it heard it said our tax system is "voluntary" but it seems anything but that to me. I'm not even sure there's any logic to that notion except in "Wonderland."

Ivy Green said...

I had a friend who was an IRS agent. As a person, she was very personable and nice. It is such an ominous agency, but in reality it is just people doing their jobs. I wouldn't even have a problem with the idea of paying taxes if it was a fair system, and if the money didn't end up so frequently in the pockets of corrupt individuals for private gain.

Ivy Green said...

I want to weigh in with a general comment on my position that anyone here is entitled to keep any of their private information private, including their birthday. Celebrations are allowed to be personal. I spent time with a young woman who has always hated her birthday because her mother died that day when she was four, and she never wants to be reminded of that day. My own aunt lost her father on her 13th birthday. We cannot know people's reasons for anything, and it is not always necessarily our business regardless. Some of us come here to "escape reality."

jan said...

Ivy, I hear you and understand. It is personal information and some people may want that not shared here. I feel sad for the woman whose mother died on her birthday.

For me, I was tickled pink to have my birthday shared and celebrated. Again, thank you Carol and all others who shared and celebrated with me.

jan said...

Ivy, as for Idol tonight. I too think Andrew may be in trouble tonight. I love to hear Siobhan sing and think she is unique. I voted for her and Crystal last night. There are only 3 women left and 5 men. Although I don't wish the men ill, I hope there is gender equity tonight.

jan said...

Although I feel for the people who are gambling addicts, the lottery here in NM has been good for students who are college age. Most state seniors get lottary scholarships to the state universities. Unfortunately, they don't apply to the community colleges. One of my grandsons is going to the Univ on a lottary scholarship. It does not pay for all of his tuition and it does not pay for books, but it is a big help to his parents. He has not had to apply for loans. He works part-time for some of his expenses and his parents pay the rest.

Carol said...

Evening. That's great that the lottery there uses some of the money for student scholarships. There's a lot of gambling here but I don't know what good they do with it. Seems like our State wouldn't have such a budget chunch with all the gambling we have around here.

Ivy Green said...

Jan,
Wow, is that how Solar started calling us "pinks" because we're all so tickled pink? I was rosy about having my birthday celebrated here too, but I was appreciative it was left to me to disclose the day.

I had a reading yesterday that said, "Relationships are complicated because people are complicated. We each have our own ideas, values, and hopes, and they can't aways coincide with the desires of those we love. Disagreements can be healthy and enlightening if we view them as a way to develop and deepen our relationships. Kindness and respect for everyone concerned will go a long way toward making this possible."

Carol said...

I'm suffering a little empty nest syndrome today. Haven't seen baby, mama or papa. Haven't heard any begging sounds. Baby must have taken his virgin flight today, off into the wild blue yonder.

I did see a group of those Indigo Buntings around my feeder. They are beautiful...but they aren't baby V....

Ivy Green said...

I had a call from my bro (ostensibly to discuss upcoming Idol). But he had news to share that one of the reported China earthquake towns on the Tibetan border is where he spent time during his mission. He is hearing from his sources it's bad there...85% destroyed. Not even sure they can get rescue people there...feels very "personal" to him because there are no doubt people he associated with among the victims. So many devastating earthquakes recently. So sad.

Carol said...

That is very sad for him Ivy. Wonder if all these quakes have any significance?? Is it time for all of us to retire??

jan said...

Carol, Good to hear that maybe Baby V is off and flying on his own. I will miss hearing about him.

" Disagreements can be healthy and enlightening if we view them as a way to develop and deepen our relationships"

Ivy, I like this thought. I too think disagreements are important to express in a relationship.

jan said...

Ivy, How very sad for the people who live in China. I will have to check the news of the earthquake.

jan said...

Wow! so many earthquakes in a short period of time.

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
You saved him. You can take comfort in that. Now Nature is back on course.

Carol said...

Maybe he'll call sometimes or come for a visit.

Anonymous said...

Ivy, That reading you quoted is really nice. Thank you for sharing it with us. 'Course, your posts are always nice to read.

Carol, Sorry to hear about the empty nest, but I don't think they've gone far. They know they've got a good home there.

... and Jan, It's good to hear New Mexico does something so positive with the lottery money. How great for your grandson.

Anonymous said...

Larry King is getting another divorce (number 7 or 8, depending on who you read). The rumor is that it's because of infidelity, and I assumed it was her, since she's 26 years younger than him, and very attractive. But LOL, it's him, 76 yrs old! Supposedly with one of her relatives. MG, Men! Larry King Files for Divorce #8

... don't know if this is true, but I betcha it is: "Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren are finalizing a divorce, according to Entertainment Tonight's Kevin Frazier. The former SportsCenter anchor says in a web video that "the marriage is indeed over." Tiger Woods Divorce? Elin Nordegren Marriage 'OVER': Report

Anonymous said...

... see you guys in the morning.

Carol said...

I think it was pretty evident that Tiger's marriage was over a while back.

Wasn't there something rumored about LK and his wife's sister?

Maybe those men think the end is near and want to make the most of what time they have left.

Jan, Modern Family was a new one and another good one. Theme was how kids get to that age when they are embarrased by the attention from thier moms. Baby V was probably uncomfortable with all my watching him.

Went in to sign my income tax return today so they could file it electronically. The fortune I lost last year did net me a small income tax refund. I guess it will for the next 30 years or until death do us part.

jan said...

Carol, Modern Family was, as always, so funny. My favorite characters are still Manny and Cameron. I like Manny's mother too.

jan said...

No big surprises tonight on Idol. Andrew and Katie got the boot. John was unhappy that Katie is leaving. He said she has improved greatly since the beginning.

jan said...

Carol, I loved the scene of Cameron and his partner (why can't I remember his name?) in the garage pushing all the buttons trying to get out. Of the 3 couples, the least funny is the traditional couple with 3 kids.

jan said...

Chloe, thanks for posting the links. What really bothers me about all the women Tiger has been having sex with is that they are porn stars and other women who are having lots of sex with multiple partners. Did he not consider that he might be taking an STD home to his wife - What was he thinking? I think for her own health she should divorce him.

jan said...

Carol, congrats on a refund.

jan said...

Well, we now have 5 men and 2 women on Idol. Adam Lambert, the runner-up from last season, sang tonight. He is an amazing showman and entertainer. I think he is a combination of Elvis and Liberace.

jan said...

Good night

Carol said...

Jan, I like all the couples on the show, even the traditional one. Your right though, normal doesn't have the potential for humor that abby normal has( no disrespect intended). That's why I avoid being normal.

And look around Jan. We all love abby normal. People are starting to crave it. Seems the more abby normal the better. Think about it. It can make people a fortune also.

I caught Idol just as the girl was singing her farewell song. Got a few tears in for the day. Keeps the little ducts open. Flushes the system.

We all experience so many tear jerkers during the day, watching the news or at work, especially my work. Don't have time to stop and cry but then you get to watch a young girl get her heart yanked out of her chest, her dreams dashed and it's a perfect time to let it go.

Carol said...

I wonder if Tiger will enjoy his little romps as much, without having a sweet little wife at home to humiliate? I bet not.

Carol said...

I hope both Tiger and Larry realize what they are getting isn't love. It's just another service they have purchased. Maybe to them it is just as satisfying. It's likely that those super rich people never really get to know what true love is.

Carol said...

I couldn't get a comment, I wrote, to show up so I pulled up the Blog on another tab and it was there. It still won't show up on the first tab, even though I refreshed several times. Now explain that.

Carol said...

That Nike commercial where Tiger's dad is talking to him was so lame. I guess that was Nike's idea of a way to keep their little scoundrel. Do any of us really buy a product because one of those turkeys is endorsing it? If it works well and feels good we buy it.

Carol said...

Solar, you win the weekend weather award for this weekend. A little cool for my taste but probably great for you. Big sun for both Sat and Sun.

jan said...

Carol, abby normal does seem to sell better and attracts more audiences. I like all 3 families on Modern Family - but I suppose since Cameron and Manny are my fav characters - that may be why these 2 families are funnier to me.

jan said...

But look how much of an audience these 2 people - Andrew and Katie have been able to perform for. I like how they did it last night - just announced quickly who would not be coming back next week. My only gripe about the show is how they drag out who will be leaving.

jan said...

I like that Idol is doing some positive things for some kids in Africa. One of the most human moments on Idol last night was when they were showing Kara Dioguardia in Africa and this little boy came over to her and put his arm around her neck - she had a surprised look on her face and then she hugged him in a very sincere way and her face showed pure joy for a few minutes. I was surprised at her reaction - b/c she is beautiful and famous and everything that goes along with that - and her reaction to this little boy utterly surprised and delighted me.

Anonymous said...

Good morning.

Remembered that I never got around to listing some of the nutrient info. of banana's yet, and think this is an interesting site. The bottom of it has a list of all the nutrients in a banana (it's length surprised me).

Perfect Baby food
"Bananas are the best solid food to introduce to infants. A mashed ripe banana is an extremely simple and healthy baby food. Potassium, Fiber, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Selenium, Iron, Vitamins A, B2, B6, C, E, Niacin, Folate, and Pantothenic Acid. Furthermore, bananas are very easy to digest and rarely cause allergic reactions.

Bananas are part of the BRAT diet, a diet many physicians recommend for children recovering from gastrointestinal problems, particularly diarrhea.

Recent study found evidence that a higher consumption of bananas and apple juice from concentrate may protect against wheezing in children"
Bananas Health Benefits: dainty, food or medicine?

Anonymous said...

I was Glad to see that Elin was divorcing Tiger, but I should have probably been talking about Phil and Amy instead.

Inspired by his cancer-stricken wife, Phil Mickelson earned his third green jacket and his greatest victory ever

"Standing outside Butler Cabin, her lustrous blonde hair blowing in the twilight breeze, Amy was asked what the victory means for her embattled family. She sighed, took a deep breath and wiped away a tear. Words would not come. After another deep breath she summoned a radiant smile. "I'm going to go join my husband," Amy said, and then she floated up the stairs, into the victory party. http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/article/0,28136,1981959-0,00.html

Anonymous said...

I've been busy reading this morning, making it other than politics (which bores the ___ out of me lately) - and ran across this little blog story. It amazes me what people can endure, and then eventually turn it into a happy ending.

Do You Believe in Miracles?
"If you doubt miracles can happen, you need to meet Conner.

When I first saw the two-and-a-half year old at Easter Seals Capper Foundation, he was running from place to place around the room where he was about to have his occupational therapy session, moving from toy to toy, laughing and smiling. I would soon learn that, just a few months earlier, Conner wasn't walking at all and, in fact, spent much of his day napping, his body spent from the 30+ seizures he was having every day.

Conner was diagnosed with a condition where half of his brain didn't develop. When all other options failed, doctors suggested surgery that would basically disconnect that side of the brain. It seemed drastic, but it was a shot at giving Conner a more normal life.

His parents, Mark and Michelle, say life began over for Conner after surgery. Suddenly, he was noticing the world around him. Suddenly, he was interested in his toys. On Thanksgiving, Conner took his first steps. By Christmas, he was walking. Today, he's pretty much running!

The surgery left Conner weak on his left side. Therapists at Easter Seals Capper Foundation are working to help him gain use of his left hand and arm, and they're helping to improve his walking abilities. He's starting to babble - speech therapists at Capper are helping him begin to form sounds.

Mark says it's amazing to come home and have a little boy, who they thought might never walk, run to the door to greet him with a hug that may only be one arm right now, but is better than anything in the world.

Conner's story was featured at this year's Evening as a Child fundraising event. I've included it for you to see, as well.

Miracles happen every day. Conner is one of them." http://www.wibw.com/blogs/topdawg/90437744.html

jan said...

Chloe, thank you for telling us the story of Conner. What an amazing child and family. It does my heart good to hear stories such as this.

jan said...

I just came back from the social security office to turn in my papers to get the part B health care insurance. It was a distressing time. You go into the office and take a number. While I was waiting, they had a fire drill. When we went back in after the fire drill, they called numbers all around mine and didn't call my number. So I went up to 2 different windows and they would not talk to me. Finally, a man who was coordinating the process took my papers. I have been there before and it runs pretty smoothly. This was just one of those days that it was a bad day to go - and ultimately a bad experience.

jan said...

John told me twice I should have mailed the papers in, but I like to take them to be sure I have completed all the little boxes. Sure enough, there were a couple of places I had not filled in.

jan said...

Now I need some chocolate.

Anonymous said...

What an awful day Jan. The Soc. Sec. office is always a nightmare - worse than the DMV/DPS (or whatever it's called in diff. states). Hope the chocolate helped. :)

Well we made it through tax day. We mailed ours at the last minute, of course.

Carol said...

Congratulations Chloe. Did your Post Offices stay open late? Not one did here in our town. First year that that happened. Must be budget cuts. I guess our taxes aren't paying the bills. They spent too much on the banks and bankers and their bonuses.

Carol said...

Yes, that must have been a nightmare Jan. I also have a problem with filling out forms. I told you about the questionaire I filled out at the Shrink's that time I had an appointment. I missed the entire section that evaluated for attention deficit disorder. Not a good one to miss.

jan said...

You would think after all these years of teaching that I would do better at completing forms.

Interesting thing. When we got home from the SS office, our mail had come and there was a package of individually wrapped milk chocolate squares from John's brother and SIL for my birthday.

jan said...

"I missed the entire section that evaluated for attention deficit disorder. Not a good one to miss."

Carol, LOL.

jan said...

Our accountant ususally files an extension for us. We called him earlier today and he has not called us back. Even though we file an extension, we still have to pay taxes by 4/15. We have always had to pay something - so I guess we will be paying a penalty now too.

Carol said...

Thank God tomorrow is Friday. This work week can't end too soon for me.

This afternoon my ducks came by and just hung and waddled around the yard. They must have sensed that I missed my baby V and were trying to keep me company. Usually they just eat and run.

I have all these darn big black bumbling bees that drill holes in the wood hanging out also. There are so many of them around that they seem to be swarming. They are so big that they have been chasing off my hummers. Don't think they serve any good purpose.

I got that electronic tennis racket looking thingy at Harbor Freight last year on sale. It's really an electronic fly swatter. I've tried to hit those big bad boys but so far the score after 6 sets was 6 to zip, their favor. Today I finally zapped one. I need to work on my hand eye coordination but tennis was never my sport.

Carol said...

Jan, maybe you didn't owe anything so your accountant just filled the extention. It's nice to know that some of you guys are worse than me with your procrastination. I had mine to my accountant by March 18. That was the deadline he gave me, if I wanted it filled on time.

This year, with all the ways they have wasted our tax dollars, it was even harder to deal with income tax time. I wonder if anyone double checked Timmy's return this year.

Carol said...

Ut oh, LK didn't have a preup with his wife.

Another interesting tidbit, Fox pulled Hannity from a Tea Party rally. Murdock said they shouldn't be seen as supporting the tea part or any party. Hmmmm.

Carol said...

While we are diligently working, filing and paying our taxes. Inmates, in their free time, all over the country, are filing bogus income tax returns for other inmates and collecting millions. They have been doing it for decades and getting away with it. And we are paying their room and board and some of us are even waiting on them while they do it.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2010/04/15/am.zarrella.scamming.irs.cnn?hpt=Sbin

Carol said...

Doesn't that make you feel better today?

Carol said...

And what will they do with them when they finally get their act together to prosecute and convict....put them in jail?

Bet that makes you feel better about filing and paying your taxes today.

Carol said...

Chloe, that was a neat story about the little Conner guy. Nice to find one neat story on the news.

jan said...

We rented the movie, Men who Stare at Goats. It was interesting-a take-off on Targ's book. Great cast. I enjoyed it but John fell asleep.

Carol said...

So it got a thumbs up from you Jan and ZZZZZZ from John. Well, maybe not. I often get too comfortable while watching a movie and the same thing happens to me, even when it's a good movie.

Carol said...

That reminded me of the first patient I saw yesterday. He cut himself up, not deep, just superficial, because he wanted to be moved to a different area. He said people were staring at him, trying to control his mind. I told him I tried it with my animals and it didn't work for me.

Carol said...

TMZ reports that Crystal B almost walked off AI a couple of weeks ago but Ryan S talked her out of it. She told him she "couldn't handle the competition". I noticed them all crying this week when the young girl was kicked off. They may all have gotten enough coverage that they no longer need a AI win to make it.

If I were them, I'd prefer not to have to endure that walk of humiliation, if I got voted off. We know that it is not always the worst that gets to make the walk.

Carol said...

That volcano ash cloud interfering with travel is another warning from our environment. Mother Nature has been doing a lot of fussing lately. Just like any other mother, she doesn't want to be ignored!

Anonymous said...

Carol, That story on bogus income tax returns is depressing. I wonder how many people do that, both in and out of prison. Just like some people selling their food stamp cards, etc. There's always someone scamming the system.

Larry King wife' had two kids with him while they were married for those 13 yrs. I don't feel sorry for him, let her get whatever she can to raise those kids to adulthood. She gave him some good years of her life - I think it was from around 37 through 50 years old. Now she'll be raising their kids until she's close to 60. If he loves his kids, then he shouldn't complain (too much).

Anonymous said...

Carol, Our post office didn't stay open late - but it didn't matter, we were there around 3pm. It wasn't though, because we live in a small town (plus, they have tons of post offices in the Houston area).

Our post office even stapled the return together for us (we couldn't find our stapler), weighed it for postage, and taped the seal on the envelope a little better to make sure it didn't pop open.

A full service post office!

Anonymous said...

"hen we got home from the SS office, our mail had come and there was a package of individually wrapped milk chocolate squares from John's brother and SIL for my birthday."

Ha Jan! So that's why that chocolate was so handy in your time of need. :)

Anonymous said...

"This afternoon my ducks came by and just hung and waddled around the yard."

... love that visual. What could be cuter than a duck 'waddling'.

Anonymous said...

The people down the street from us have a large pond, and there's always plenty of ducts there. But I don't often see the (although they do get out and cross the street pretty often), because I go the other way when I'm out and about.

That river of yours changes the array of wild life you get to share your life with. That's the nice thing about having a nice water source.

jan said...

I too feel LK's wife should get what she can to raise the kids. It is the woman who most often takes that responsiblity.

jan said...

Carol, you have a good point about the way they "oust" the people on Idol. Maybe they should look at the way that is handled. I think the person who is going home should be told beforehand and then the show should focus on the positives that the ones going off have done. I think Ellen D. I doing some of that with her show. I suppose some people watch it to see the misery that it puts the ones going off experience.

jan said...

"Ellen D. is doing some of that with her show."

jan said...

It would be a shame if Crystal B. decided to leave. She has a great chance to be the final winner.

jan said...

On the other hand, Crystal B. might be the one to influence some changes.

jan said...

I miss ducks. We don't often see them here. Just too little water. I would love to see some pics Carol or Chloe or anyone who has some ducks around.

Anonymous said...

If I see them Jan, I'll try to snap a pic.

I noticed that I spelled ducks 'duct' in my post earlier. Ha.. that's because I'm always typing air conditioning bids that have duct installations in them... but I do know the difference. :)

Anonymous said...

We always lived in a dry climate too Jan, until we moved here. It does make a difference in the type of wild life you see. But the scenery sure is pretty in the more deserty states, so it's just a trade off.

I will say, though, that I'm one of those people that's a lot healthier in high humidity. No more asthma, and a lot less allergies. I didn't realize how much an extremely dry climate was affecting me.

Anonymous said...

... it's been a long time since I've seen any mountains... or the Pacific ocean, which was much more beautiful than the gulf.

Still though, a lot better life for us here, at this point in our life. We make a good living, and housing is so much cheaper. Great, hard working people here too - and fun loving.

Texas is a lot different than it's reputation - but don't tell anybody! It's already too crowded.

Anonymous said...

Besides, I wouldn't want to spoil the fun of all those people that like to make fun of Texas. Ha! You've all heard the jokes.

Even our governor, that everyone loves to make fun of, is doing a good job of running the state. Roads being expanded and added non stop - it's a pain, but a good sign. Commerce picking up.

jan said...

Chloe, Texas has always had the reputation for having the best roads. I remember when I was a kid, we had cousins who came to OK from West Texas every year for a month in the summer. They were always talking about how good the roads were in TX and bad in OK. They were right. OKlahoma still has bad roads even on the turnpikes that you have to pay to drive on.

I lived in TX for 7 years- 4 years in Austin and 3 years in Dal-FW area. I loved living in Austin and hated living in DFW area. DFW was just too much city and I was also not happy with my personal life there - so that surely affected my feelings about the area.

You are so right about TX - housing is cheaper - no property taxes - is that still true?

I did love living in ARK though. Its humid - and I always liked the humidity too. The housing there is also cheap. I did like all the scenery in ARk too. People are friendly too.

The biggest draw for me here in NM is my 2 oldest sons. They are really good about looking out for us. We all help each other out. The benefits of retirement from the UNiv here are really good for us. We have almost free use of the olympic pool and workout equipment, discounts on sports and entertainment & I can take courses tuition free as long as there is space available - credit and non-credit courses.

jan said...

None of the other universities I taught with had such good benefits - and my retirement here. When I came back I bought back into the retirement fund I had cashed out when I left and with the years I have completed recently, it has helped my retirement. In my early years of working, I was not too smart - so had to really save the past few years.

Anonymous said...

Jan, there are property taxes here now - there have been as long as we've lived here. But there's no state tax. Also, I have to admit that houses have gone way up since we moved here in '93, but no where near as bad as Ca.

You sure have lived a lot of places. I've heard Arkansas is beautiful, and would like to visit there one of these days (we wouldn't have far to go).

Those benefits at the university are worth a lot, as well as living close to your sons (and grand children). You're smart to live there. In the long drive to make our move here, I was so impressed by the beauty of New Mexico - those mountain ranges are breath taking (and mountains are one of the few things that miss). One of the things in N.M. that was so impressive too, is that it doesn't look over crowded. Plus, I'm sure the air quality there is very good.

It sounds like your going to have a wonderful retirement Jan. You'll be free to do anything you want, including working. The important thing is that you'll be free to make the choices you want to make.

I think change is almost always a good thing.

Mary said...

I've been LMAO. My son just sent me a picture of the stuff he got at the shower last weekend. The picture looks like he went into a baby store and took a picture of all the girl clothes they had. There is no way one little girl can wear all those clothes. It does, at least, look like there are all different sizes.

jan said...

Mary, LOL a gal can never have too many clothes - and in several sizes too. That is so sweet of your son to send you pics of the shower gifts.

jan said...

Chloe, thats it - it was the state tax that TX does not have. I knew it was some kind of tax. Like I have said before, I am not good at details. Montana does not have sales tax - or at least it did not in 1978-79.

jan said...

OK has property taxes, but you can get a deduction on your main house of residence. You file for homestead exemption. It helped a lot. In NM, you nothing deducted. NM has the highest housing costs of any state I have lived in, but lots of people from Calif are moving here - they say it is cheaper here.

jan said...

The air quality is good here until there are fires. Even when there are fires in Calif and Arizona - it affects our air quility.

what impressed me when I moved here was that we could sit outside in the summer evening/night and were not bothered by insects and it is cool after the sun goes down.

Mary said...

Jan
Jeremy is so excited about this baby. It's so cute. Before the shower, he went and bought a couple of outfits for the baby. One of them said "Daddy's Little Girl". He said he had to have that one. He's going to be such a good daddy. I'm afraid this girl is going to be spoiled rotten.

Anonymous said...

Mary, You know for a fact that little girl is going to be spoiled rotten. The funny thing about that, is that they're usually the best kids when they're loved 'too much' - actually all that love is what makes them so good. When they're getting their needs lovingly met, everything else eventually falls into place.

Anonymous said...

"... we could sit outside in the summer evening/night and were not bothered by insects and it is cool after the sun goes down."

As you know Jan, if we did that here, the insects would eat us alive. And you probably remember it's warm all night. The insects just love Houston - they own the place. In a couple more months, the insect noise at night will be deafening.

Anonymous said...

Where's Carol tonight. I thought she'd be screaming for joy by now, since her weekend has started.

That story you linked about the tax fraud from inside the prisons was too much Carol. I can't believe they actually got away with it - the rest of us can't get away with anything.

Carol said...

Evening folkes. I'm still kicking but I've had a whole margarita in me so I'm kicking slow. Went out to a Mexican place for supper with a friend. Ate too much and drank the whole margarita. Last time I went, I only drank a little of it and was snockered. I'm more snockered tonight. I guess everyone else is gone now.

jan said...

Mary, You can't really spoil a baby. Like Chloe says, the more they are loved, the sweeter they are.

jan said...

Mary, How lovely that Jeremy is so excited about being a dad.

jan said...

Carol, So glad you had a good time tonight. Sounds like you needed some R&R. I guess you will have to drink margaritas for me from now on.

I am going to bed. I will be supervising nursing students give immunizations to kids tomorrow so gotta be on my toes.

jan said...

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