Did my first shift as a volunteer income tax preparer. It didn’t go as planned but it ended well. I did four or five returns. Due to a scheduling clitch there were three preparers that all were doing their first shift with only one experienced reviewer there. The poor reviewer was kept hopping from person to person and trying to do the reviews on top of it. Not sure why that was scheduled that way!
After the first one it was fairly easy. The computer had a few hiccups that complicated things more than anything else. Had a server error and had to log off and back in. Luckily the work had been saved. Another time I had to enter things several times as the save button wasn’t clicking correctly. Evidently both issues are known to the system and a fix is on the way.
The people I worked with were most appreciative of my efforts and only one was in a bit of a hurry and got a bit impatient but it was all good. Most of the returns were simple social security income ones although one had five income sources for the couple. All my people got money back even if it was just the Homestead credit on the KS return. The look on their faces when we confirmed that news was priceless. Glad it was all good news!
I wore a mask again today as my cough is bad today. It feels more like outer airway cough and not a deep cough. My cough is annoying as hell but not a concern other than that. The mask prevented me from coughing on someone else and having to wash my hands all the time.
I got done with my last client a little before noon and was able to leave. The others still had clients to finish up. The total system had crashed for about 10 minutes but had come back up. I stopped at Dillon’s and got the few groceries I needed since I was on the East side of town. The sidewalks and roads were getting slick due to the freezing drizzle that was falling. I was glad to get home and tucked inside.
I ate lunch when I got home and then took a two-hour nap. Just got up a bit ago. I need to go down and do chicken chores yet this afternoon and then I will stay tucked up in the house. I don’t like icy roads or sidewalks. The chickens will need water this afternoon so will strap on my ice skates and head down their way when I get this done.
Tomorrow if I am feeling up to it I will go work on the Newsletter in the morning for a bit. I have an evening shift tomorrow that starts at 5:00 of doing tax returns. I’ll see how I feel tomorrow and will play it by ear to see how long I last at doing the Newsletter. I am not as tired as I have been but was able to take a good nap today. Slowly recovering and am not going to push myself too hard too soon.
Haven’t gotten anything done at home again today but didn’t have anything that had to be done. I may call the plumber later today if I feel like talking to someone on the phone. He may be able to have access to faucets easier than I do. It would save me from having to go shopping.
It is a yucky day on the prairie today. I was surprised when I came outside to go home at noon to find the roads slick. We have had a freezing drizzle all day. My windshield froze over when I tried to spray away the dirt on the way to town. There is an ice coating on the grass and trees. The sun has taken a vacation and won’t be back until Friday. Dark, cold and dreary outside. Winter has reared it’s ugly head one more time this year. May this be its last blast of the year!
Grateful I was able to successfully complete the income tax returns I did today, grateful for a safe trip home on icy roads, and grateful for a mid-day nap which has refilled me and refreshed my body and soul.