Tax Tips

Thought to give out tax tips before tax season is upon us again. I do tax preparation in addition to full time jobs to earn extra money. Here are some tips before getting our taxes done.

1. Know the difference between Independent Contractor and Employee.

Employees fill out W-4 forms upon being hired to declare how much taxes to take out of their paychecks. They get pay stubs along with their paychecks spelling out the deductions taken out. Employers are required to issue W-2s by Jan 31.

Independent contractors don't have taxes taken out of their paychecks and receive 1099-Misc forms if they made over $600, which means they must pay estimated taxes and/or self employment tax if they made over $400 income (meaning Sales minus Expenses equals Income). Independent contractors need to keep records of expenses, business miles driven, and separate car/home office expenses into personal and business uses (insurance, electricity, phone, etc.).

Then there is self-employment who usually hire accountants to deal with all this. If you are a professional whatever and charge your customers/clients for your services, rent out houses/offices to tenants, or own the business you work for then you are self-employed and must declare your business income and pay estimated taxes along with self-employment tax. And don't think your self-employment tax is a bad thing cause it means you can collect social security and medicare when you retire. I like these clients cause they keep good records.

And finally there is paid under the table, which means employer doesn't report your income nor pay taxes on your behalf to the government. There is a thing called Labor Laws employers have to follow so this is illegal (Unemployment taxes, Health Insurance requirements go by # of employees at the company, Minimum Wage requirements, Employer Social Security Taxes, etc.). If your payroll department doesn't have you listed as being employed by them or have records they had paid you for work, you are being paid under the table by your manager and you have to pay taxes cause payroll didn't pay them. You can report employers like this to the IRS. Check this webpage to contact IRS for anything...https://www.irs.gov/help/telephone-assistance

2. When going to a tax preparation site, remember it takes usually 1 hour to complete a tax form. If you come in asking to do 3 years of income tax forms, it will take 3 hours. Many tax places offer to drop off and pick up later if you don't wish to sit around and wait. There is also a statute of limitations on income tax forms so no tax site will do a tax form beyond 3 years old. Remember tax places are busy Jan and Feb so you might want to make an appointment cause they get served before walk-in clients. Also remember that a tax preparer will not start your return 15 minutes before closing and will ask you come back the next day.

3. Be prepared with your paperwork. I have spent 20 minutes looking up college tuition and requesting IRS transcripts online because the client wasn't prepared. Many companies do not mail paper tax forms to the employees, investors, or students and the tax payer must obtain these forms online. If you haven't received your W-2, 1099-Misc, 1099-R, 1098, 1098-E, 1098-T, etc. by Feb 6, ask your employer, bank, college, etc. for the forms and if all else fails contact the IRS since copies are sent to them. Contact info website is in last paragraph of #1. A tax preparer cannot pull these forms out of a magic hat and cannot contact the IRS for copies on your behalf (you have heard identity theft, right?).

4. To get a refund, you must pay income taxes in the first place. The 1040 form determines what taxes should have been paid and then compares the amount to what is already paid through the year (through payroll and estimated taxes). If you are retired and pull money out of an IRA, you can tell the company to take out taxes on the amount withdrawn, which is usually 10% of the amount being withdrawn. People with large refunds have lots of deductions or are poor with lots of children under age 17. Refunds are not free money from the government and it's not a contest to get a bigger refund each year (you can argue Earned Income Credit and Additional Child Tax Credits are free money, but only to people who make less than their standard deduction).

5. Audits are simply the IRS saying "You took these deductions now prove you deserve them". You won't get audited if all you have is W-2 info on your tax form. If you keep your receipts and records of your tax deductions, then you have nothing to worry about. And remember that the IRS is not the Supreme Court and their decisions can be challenged in Tax Court (to do this I recommend a Enrolled Agent, CPA, or Lawyer to defend you).

6. If your electronic 1040 form is rejected, you can send a paper return in the mail. This usually happens with new social security #s of children recently born or a parent who should not have claimed a child does before the rightful parent sends in their return. You can also complete Amended Returns (1040X) up to 3 years after the due date and these must be mailed in and cannot be electronically filed.

7.If you get a letter from the IRS, take it to your tax preparer to handle. IRS letters describe in vivid detail what their issue is and how much more you owe. IRS never calls demanding money and will not threaten to arrest you (believe me that if the District Attorney plans to arrest you for tax evasion you won't get a warning so you can flee the country). You have rights with the IRS: the right to appeal their decision, the right to representation, and they have 800 numbers you can call for assistance. IRS also will not demand you pay with your credit card number over the phone nor demand you purchase gift cards to pay your taxes due. Plus, they don't email you either demanding you wire them money.

8. All tax preparers who complete more than 5 returns must be registered with the IRS. A tax preparer must put their PTIN (Personal ID #) on the form. You can lodge complaints on tax preparers on...https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/make-a-complaint-about-a-tax-return-preparer. You can also find a directory of tax preparers on...https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf

9. State Income Taxes are not connected to the IRS. All 50 states have their own Tax Revenue Office that collects sales tax, liquor/tobacco/gas taxes, and income taxes. Some states don't tax income and usually have higher sales tax percentages. So if you move into another state during the year, state income taxes likely won't be exactly the same as each state has its own laws on deductions and income tax rates.

10. Make sure your college attending dependent knows they are your dependent because dependents cannot claim education credits on their form. I had many college students want a bigger refund by claiming the regular standard deduction and education credits and their parents get angry at the tax preparer for letting them do that cause their return gets rejected if dependent form is sent before theirs. As I said above, these cases can be handled by mailing paper returns and amended returns.

Christmas Letter 2019

Merry Christmas to my dear friends and family.

My New Year began with getting two kittens from a relative. Unsure if they were male or female so called them White Nose and Gray Nose until gender was established. Two days after picking them up, they had eye goo and vet diagnosed them with a respiratory infection. Vet affirmed their gender to name White Nose as Bilbo and Gray Nose as Misty. My ferrets were bigger than the 6-week-old kittens and would drag them under the sofa. Started tax preparation with an income tax preparation company. Lost female Beta fish Ananke that I got as a baby and was growing bigger every day. Took Mom to my Dad's cousins’ reunion at a pizza place. Lost male Beta fish Atlas Jr that I got full grown. My ferret Luthien was dubbed The Brave when she was the only ferret to go outside during the polar vortex, then I knew it was freezing when even SHE refused to go outside. Got new Beta fish Aeneas and Pandora, both full grown. Adopted 2 Bonded Buddy dogs from the shelter during one of their specials. I kept them a single day after they peed on my furniture and growled at the ferrets/kittens. Once a dog attacked a kitten, I had to take them back. I was not the right home for them.

Had freezing rain and thunder in February. I didn't know what was worse: the hills, the curves, or the potholes. Then it turned into snow to make it more fun to drive through. We finally got enough snow for ferret Boromir to experience his 1st snow tunnels. Eowyn and Luthien had to show him how to dig them first. Neighbor with a snowblower had been doing my driveway this year. Guess he got tired of watching me rest on my front stoop. I offered cocoa, but he won't accept it. Celebrated ferret Boromir's 2nd Birthday with Valentine cupcakes (ferrets love frosting) and a romp in the snow complete with cocoa (ferrets love cocoa w/marshmellows). Spent Valentine's Day working 2 jobs and dropping off candy package for my Mom in between. Sister reached the Big 5-0 to celebrate at an Italian restaurant where I tasted my first calamari (tasted like fish sticks). Lost red female beta Nyx I had a couple years and white female Beta Pandora I got a month ago. Got new female Beta adults Danae (blue) and Leda (white). My male blue Beta Erebus I got as a baby a while ago died and replaced with blue/white male Beta named Achilles. Celebrated ferret Luthien's 3rd Birthday with cupcakes.

Received my annual review from my manager to receive a raise. The Friday before my job raise was to start, I and 5 other coworkers were fired from work not coming in like they thought. I was told to gather my belongings that moment and leave. I emailed my manager apologizing for not completing my work that day. She gave me a hug good-bye. Tax manager was happy to give me extra hours since we have two weeks left of the season. Tax season ended to be completely unemployed. Had phone interviews and in-person interviews this year to receive rejection emails.

Kittens celebrated their 1st Easter catching The Bunny with help from the ferrets. The family celebrated my niece #1 giving birth to a girl named Piper Maeve. We celebrated my nephew’s confirmation. Nephew worked on my yard during his summer vacation. Then both niece #4 and nephew got jobs at the local amusement park games area so be less available. Nephew worked at the Iowa State Fair a few days skewering chickens for a vendor. Planned an 80th Birthday bash for Mom with help from my siblings and Mom's sister. Made my first gluten-free doll cake that everyone thought was beautiful. Got so much rain that I got mushrooms all over the front yard. Roses blossomed to make my heart sing. My male Beta fish Achilles and Aeneas died. New fish were named Achilles Jr and Aeneas Jr. Changed my first dimmer switch and managed not to get electrocuted (I flipped the breaker box switch). Kittens experienced their 1st fireworks. They looked out the window but couldn't see anything to cause all that noise. Kittens learned to climb the black walnut tree in back yard and climb back down. Celebrated 4th of July watching the Urbandale parade with Mom and sister’s family. Saw the fireworks half hour early when dark clouds moved in making it dark faster.

Finished the summer celebrating nephew's 15th Birthday, going to the amusement park, and Iowa State Fair with family. Had to fix the clothes washer hose connection with 5 trips to the hardware store. Sister planted marigolds near my house and those blossomed beautifully this fall. I got 2 pansies bloom, the only blooms in my flower pots this summer. My new female Beta fish Danae died, then got Danae Jr to have her die a few weeks later. My Mom wanting to thank me for her birthday party cooked a birthday dinner for me instead of going out to eat. Planted new iris bulbs and pray they bloom next year. Celebrated ferret Eowyn's 6th Birthday (ferrets live 5-8 years is she is an old lady). Received my last unemployment check and cancelled the cable TV. At least I went to the Joan Jett/Heart Concert before falling despair (I bought the tickets before losing my job). My female Beta Leda Jr died so I guess my life is just cursed.

After a hailstorm, had 2 roofing companies drive by asking to inspect my roof for damage. Sure, why not. One company I never heard from again. The 2nd had me call my insurance company to make a claim. The insurance guy came out to inspect the damage and guessed my roof was 12 years old. He must have called the roofer cause, they showed up at the same time (and I know I didn't set that up). Insurance guy agreed to a new roof so got a new roof. Bought concert tickets to see Elton John next summer with nephew. Had powdered sugar snow fall on the grass a few times, ferrets love the snow and cats not so much. Had one single Trick or Treater come to my door. Celebrated cats Bilbo and Misty's 1st Birthday. Fully grown cats now and kittens no more. Got them some new feather teasers they love chasing. Celebrated niece #4's 16th Birthday. We made a joke out of her professional made cake stating "Swee 16".

Spent Thanksgiving at my brother's house with our sister's family and Mom. Played games and looked at ads. Spent Black Friday shopping with sister’s family. Preparing to be a tax preparer next tax season. Decorated the house for Christmas and got up on my roof to put back the icicle lights that I had to take down so the roofers could replace the shingles. I hope next year is a lot better, as they say: “Everywhere from here is up”.

Have a Wonderful New Year,

Jordan

Bilbo (cat)

Misty (cat)

Eoywn (ferret)

Luthien (ferret)

Boromir (ferret)

Leda (fish)

Aeneas Jr (fish)

Achilles Jr (fish)

Happy Thanksgiving

After a hail storm, had 2 roofing companies drive by asking to inspect my roof for damage. Sure why not. One company I never heard from again. The second one had me call my insurance company to make a claim. The insurance guy came out to inspect the damage and guessed my roof was 12 years old. He must have called the roofer cause they showed up at the same time (and I know I didn't set that up). Insurance guy agreed to a new roof so got a new roof. Roofers broke my gutter guards so waiting them to be replaced. With all this snow and cold, I might have to wait a while for that. I informed the insurance guy of my plight and he agreed not to release any funds until I am satisfied.

Canceled the cable and sent back the box. It is weird watching antenna TV and some channels don't come through. I notice a lot of rerun channels that play reruns from 50's, 60's, 70's, etc. all day. Bought concert tickets to see Elton John with my nephew. Paid nephew a few times to rake leaves, mow the grass, and he winterized the mower. Put away the bird feeder and got suet cake holders out. Still toss peanuts on ground for squirrels. Took Mom to an appointment since we hate her driving alone (cataracts). My sister usually does those things, but she was busy.

Had powdered sugar snow fall on the grass a few times, ferrets love the snow and cats not so much. Had 1 Trick or Treater come to my door with plenty of decorations in the yard celebrating Halloween (which screams I have candy). Celebrated cats Bilbo and Misty's 1st Birthday. Fully grown cats now and kittens no more. Got them some new feather teasers they love chasing. After 2 years of searching, I finally found the furnace filter slot (it was covered up by a slat of metal) and replaced the filter. Old one was filthy. Celebrated niece's 16th Birthday at Cracker Barrel. We made a joke out of her cake that stated "Swee 16". Received 3 Rejections for job interviews (2 were with a temp agencies).

Spent Thanksgiving at my brother's house with our sister's family and Mom. Played games and looked at ads. Took niece and nephew Black Friday shopping and bought their Christmas gifts. Taking classes to be a tax preparer next tax season. Once home, started putting up the Christmas decorations. Finished up today. Got up on my roof to put back the icicle lights on the shingles and gutters that I had to take down so the roofers could replace the shingles.

Now watching my Christmas movies on DVD as I write out my Christmas cards.

I'm Officially in Hell

Just made the last weekly claim for unemployment I can enter. Have to cancel the cable TV tomorrow. If I have to borrow money to pay for food, I should not make my Mom pay for my cable. Sure borrowing money from Mommy sounds nice if she is the fairy godmother, but my Mommy Dearest has been called The Wicked Witch of the West by friends so borrowing from her comes with a side of emotional abuse (Why can't you normal like your sister?). At least I went to the Joan Jett/Heart Concert before falling into the abyss. My female Beta Leda Jr died so I guess my life is just cursed. And I gotten others to beleive I'm cursed cause I just can't catch a break and everything around me has to fall apart. But on a better note, I'm finishing my fall cleaning. Vacuum one floor and I'm done. It feels weird walking around a clean house.

Autumn is here

Finished the summer celebrating nephew's 15th Birthday, going to the local amusement park, and Iowa State Fair with family. Had to fix the clothes washer connection with 5 trips to the hardware store. Enjoyed my newly planted roses blooming. Sister planted marigolds and those blossomed beautifully this fall. I got 2 pansies bloom, the only blooms in my flower pots this summer. My new female Beta fish Danae died, then got Danae Jr to have her die a few weeks later. To save money, my family decided to cook my birthday instead of going out to eat. As fall approached, grilled my last hamburgers, hot dogs, and smore's before putting the grill away for the winter. Put away the dining set on the patio away too, getting too cold to sit outside to eat breakfast. Started my Fall Cleaning. Planted new iris bulbs and pray they bloom next year. Celebrated ferret Eowyn's 6th Birthday (ferrets live 5-8 years is she is an old lady). Got a phone interview today so crossing fingers. After 6 months of unemployment and out of unemployment payments in 2 weeks I need some good luck.

My letter to Senator Grassley on pending war with Iran

9/17/2019

Dear Senator Grassley,

I am disturbed at the President and Vice President affirming on TV that we are “locked and loaded” for war with Iran. Forgive me if I’m wrong here, but I do not recall the US Congress declaring war on Iran. Last I looked, it is Congress who has power to declare war, not the president.

I think many Americans would be against war since we have not been attacked, like Pearl Harbor. If we went to war, I daresay not many allies would blindly follow the piper to war, like France when we were forced to called food Freedom Fries just because they refused to invade Iraq or Afghanistan. I remember once on TV you refused to write a blank check for President Bush to run his war in Iraq and I was proud to call you my Senator. I call it Bush’s Iraq war since he lied to Congress to overthrow Saddam Hussein resulting in a civil war splitting the country in three parts (Sunni, Shite, and Kurds).

Also, we have a $22 Trillion national deficit so I fail to see how this country can afford to spend beyond the debt ceiling for a war the president initiated. American people will not appreciate their taxes increasing to pay for this war. If the president cannot win the trade war with China he also initiated, how is he going to conquer Iran into submission?

I have friends and family in the armed forces and reluctant to risk their lives, so the president gets a trophy for his ego. War is ugly, violent, traumatic, and kills innocent civilians in the crossfire: What Is So Glorious About It? Are you ready to read the casualty lists in the newspapers for the next year, ten years, or even twenty years because wars are easy to start and difficult to end? General George Custer once said he was accustomed to hearing cannons going off at West Point, but it is another sound when the cannon is coming toward you.

I will end my letter to you by quoting The Last of the Mohicans. “Death and honor are often thought to be same thing. Today, I have learned that sometimes they are not.”

I will pray our leaders on both sides of the aisle come together to deescalate the tension with Iran, and North Korea too. After all, General George Washington gave a speech at a meeting of the soldiers planning to overthrow the Article of Confederation government and crown Washington as King of America. He asserted that his soldiers did not fight and die to overthrow a king to replace him with another, there will be no King of America and the military coup d'etat was crushed in one speech. Words hold power. I thank you for reading my letter.

Sincerely,

Jordan Harvey

Senator Grassley's response and he gives me reasons to keep voting for him:

October 21, 2019

Dear Ms.(Name):

Thank you for taking the time to contact me with your concerns regarding U.S. foreign policy with respect to Iran and North Korea. As your senator, it is important to me that I hear from you.

First, I appreciate hearing your concerns regarding U.S. foreign in the Persian Gulf. In recent months, Iranian provocations and the measured U.S. response to those provocations have led some commentators to suspect the U.S. is poised for military conflict with that nation. At the outset, I want to be absolutely clear that I do not want to go war with Iran. Additionally, I do not believe that the Trump administration is actively looking for military conflict with that country. That being said, the United States must be prepared to protect our interests and those of our allies in the face of Iranian aggression. Iran poses significant challenges to the United States and those of our allies, and I would like to take this opportunity to address them with you.

Since Iran’s Islamic revolution in 1979, Iran has been a perennial concern of successive presidential administrations and congresses. Iran’s actions stem largely from its revolutionary ideology and unique theocratic governmental structure that dominates virtually all aspects of the country’s governance. The country’s supreme leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, controls the foreign policies of the Iranian government. It is through the supreme leader that the country’s main security apparatuses engage in malign activities throughout the Middle East to promote Iranian influence with an intent to dominate the region.

Iran actively funds, equips, and trains a host of Shia militias throughout the region. Terrorist groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in the Palestinian Territories, various Shia militias in Iraq, and the Houthi rebels in Yemen all receive significant support from Iran. Iran has repeatedly been named the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. Iran has maintained its capability to threaten U.S. interests and allies through the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). A unit of the IRGC, the Quds Force, implements Iranian foreign policy goals in the Middle East by providing cover for intelligence operations and creating instability throughout the region. The Trump administration has increased pressure on the Iranian regime to cease its destabilizing activities by tightening U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil and petrochemical exports, and designating the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization.

In recent weeks, Iranian aggression has elevated to new heights. Evidence suggests that the Iranian regime has sabotaged oil infrastructure in the gulf through selective attacks on a pipeline and oil tankers in the region. On June 18, 2019, Iran shot down a U.S. surveillance drone conducting reconnaissance in international airspace. President Trump announced that the United States had planned to initiate limited retaliatory strikes but declined to execute them for lack of adequate proportionality.

On September 14, 2019, Iranian forces struck two key oil-processing centers in Khurais and Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia. This remarkably bold act of aggression led to a spike in global oil prices and greatly heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf. In response, the Trump administration has increased the number of troops stationed in Saudi Arabia by roughly 3000 and deployed additional U.S. military assets to the country. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper characterized the deployment as a defensive measure to bolster Saudi Arabia’s deterrence capabilities against an increasingly hostile Iran.

I understand the concerns that have been raised by the American public about U.S.-Saudi relations. The murder of the Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi has led to the sanctioning of numerous Saudi government officials and remains a sore spot in our relations with that country. Nevertheless, the fact remains that Saudi Arabia remains a strategic partner in the Persian Gulf as a counterbalance to more hostile nations and U.S.-Saudi relations have advanced not only U.S. foreign policy aims, but also those of our allies.

During consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2020, the Senate considered an amendment from Senator Udall that would have prohibited all DoD funds from being used for any military response against Iran. I voted against this amendment, not because I am looking for a conflict with Iran, but because it is too broad in its scope and could potentially endanger service members and U.S. personnel. If U.S. citizens, diplomatic facilities in the region, or other important national interests are threatened or attacked, the United States must be able to respond promptly and in appropriate fashion. The Udall amendment would have hampered President Trump’s Article II authority as commander in chief to respond if necessary. The president has made it clear that he is not looking to go to war with Iran and lacks the authority to engage in full scale hostilities. But, by sending a message that the U.S. will not respond to further military escalation by Iran, it would undermine deterrence and make a bad situation worse.

The Trump administration is applying diplomatic and economic pressure on Iran through the increased use of sanctions on the Iranian economy. It is the administration’s goal to modify Iranian behavior to ensure they are a responsible member of the international community. As your senator, you can rest assured that I will continue to keep your thoughts in mind when considering legislation in the Senate.

I also appareciate your sharing your concerns regarding U.S. foreign policy with North Korea. Throughout the 1990s into the early 2000s, past U.S. administrations and foreign governments have engaged in numerous bilateral and multilateral efforts to curb what was then a burgeoning nuclear weapons development program in North Korea. Under these efforts, the 1994-2002 Agreed Framework and the 2005-2009 Six-Party Talks, North Korea committed to an eventual denuclearization in exchange for specific diplomatic and economic gains. North Korea withdrew or reneged from both of these potential agreements and continued to pursue its proliferation efforts.

Since Kim Jong-un came to power in 2012, North Korea has conducted over 80 ballistic missile test launches and four nuclear weapons tests. In April 2017, the Trump administration announced that it had raised the North Korean threat to a top-level foreign policy priority due to its development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile launches. In July of 2017, North Korea successfully tested a missile that, according to United States’ intelligence agencies, has intercontinental range.

Shortly thereafter, Congress passed the Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act. This legislation strengthens the use of sanctions on those facilitating North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programs. Additionally, the United Nations Security Council has imposed multilateral international sanctions to prohibit material support for the North Korean regime.

Throughout early 2018, relations between North and South Korea improved with increased diplomatic liaison. On March 8, 2018, White House announced tentative plans for a meeting between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Following a meeting between North Korean officials and South Korean National Security Advisor, Chung Eui-Young, Kim Jong-un provided a message to President Trump through South Korean emissaries conveying his apparent desire for a negotiated settlement. According to the South Korean national security advisor, in his meeting with Kim Jong-un, the North Koreans committed to a cessation of ballistic missile and nuclear weapons tests, and to not publically object to upcoming U.S.-South Korean military drills. The Trump administration agreed to the meeting provided North Korea uphold its pledge.

The meeting in Singapore between President Trump and Kim Jong-un was met with both praise and skepticism. The summit ended with the issuance of a joint statement that stated the United States and North Korea will work towards normalizing relations, addressing issues diplomatically, and working towards the full denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Throughout the remainder of 2018, the United States and North Korea continued to communicate in an effort to reach a comprehensive agreement regarding North Korean denuclearization. This effort culminated with a second summit that was conducted between President Trump and Kim Jong-un on February 28, 2019.

The second summit between President Trump and Kim Jong-un was intended to provide an opportunity for a comprehensive agreement leading to the verified denuclearization of North Korea. Despite numerous meetings between the U.S. and North Korean delegations and between President Trump and Kim Jong-un, no such agreement emerged. The North Korean delegation continued to press for what it had throughout 2018, which is the rapid relief of U.S. and international sanctions. President Trump stated that neither side could agree on the specific actions North Korea would be obliged to accomplish in order to achieve that goal. The Trump administration has made it clear that absent the complete and verifiable denuclearization of North Korea, the U.S. will continue its policy of sanctioning North Korea.

Following President Trump's attendance at the G20 Summit in Japan this June, the president attended a brief meeting with Kim Jong-un at the DMZ. During this meeting, President Trump was invited to cross into North Korea and discussed the prospect of peace and a political settlement with the country. I understand your concerns regarding President Trump's language during this meeting, however I am in no position to control the words of the president.

I believe that President Trump was correct to accept no deal in his second summit rather than agreeing to a bad deal given the history of past denuclearization deals. The United States must continue to negotiate from a position of strength with North Korea. That being said, neither President Trump nor Kim Jong-un have shut the door on continued dialogue and the possibility to an agreement regarding denuclearization. As your senator, you can rest assured that I am carefully monitoring the U.S.-North Korean relationship and that I will keep your thoughts in mind going forward.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. Please keep in touch.

Sincerely,

Chuck Grassley

United States Senate

Tips on Preparing for College

I read how some people whine about the student loan crisis while others complain how exploitative college loans/tuition are to students. OK, less than half of a college's income is from tuition. Much more of it is from endowments, sporting events, federal grants, and state government funds. Colleges are hardly exploiting students by giving them an education. If one thinks college is worthless, then good luck finding a job that doesn't require education beyond a high diploma in this digital world. Many middle aged people go/return to college to get better paying jobs so many would disagree college education is worthless.

To pay college expenses, it is best to figure out first what occupation you want to do when you graduate. What are your interests and what are you good at? If you can't decide, work summer and/or part-time jobs until you figure it out. I have met people who didn't go to college until their late 20's when they decided what they wanted to do. If you are still a teen living in your parents' house, then exploring different occupations would be good for you and you will quickly learn what employers expect from their employees (like they are paying you to work not text your friends all day and wanting time off to attend a party mostly likely will demand that you find a replacement for your shift). And working teens learn about paying income taxes, knowledge they will need in adulthood (Children are dependents of their parents until they stop being full-time students at least 5 months out of the year or turn 24, whichever comes first, so your parents will receive any education credits and not you).

Second step after deciding on a occupation is to research what education and experience is required to get there. Not every occupation requires a PHD or professional license and of course, there are occupations that do. Some occupations require internships or apprenticeships, which are often planned a year in advance. And if income is an issue, then remember a licensed welder makes about the same amount of money as a CPA. Math and Science areas tend to make more income than English and Social Studies (History, Geography, Philosophy) areas. Brain work often pays more than physical labor.

Now that you researched what degree you need to get your foot in the door, then you research what colleges or universities offer the degree you need. Next, research how much money you need to attend your college choices. It is best to research the cost of tuition before applying for admission.

Next you figure out how to pay for your required tuition of the college/university that accepted your admission application. There are more than student loans available to pay for tuition. If your high school offers college credit classes, take them to save on tuition expenses. Many colleges will accept transfer credits up to 8 years. There are community colleges that offer classes to high school students (for a fee) so check those out in your area. Many drop out high school students go to community colleges to obtain GED certificates. Since general classes are required the first two years of a 4 year Bachelor degree, many poor students go to cheaper community colleges for the first two general studies years and state funded university the second two specialized in major years. Apply for scholarships, there are academic and athletic scholarships available. There are also scholarships for minorities, single mothers, artists, and vets. Even more scholarships can be found through businesses, religious organizations, and schools. Research all scholarships you qualify for. Some people join the military to get free higher education. Some grandparents buy savings bonds for their grandchildren that can be cashed in when attending college (Series EE bonds don't pay income tax on interest if use for education). Parents can set up education savings accounts for their children. Funds from IRAs can be used to pay for education without early withdrawal penalties. All colleges have a tutoring program so if you get an A in a class, be sure to apply to tutor other students in that class for pay.

Once all available above funds are exhausted, you apply for federal student aid. Apply to several colleges or universities and go to the one that offers the best financial aid package. Just because you get accepted doesn't mean you have to attend if you find a better deal somewhere else. Scholarships do effect financial aid in that less student loans are offered the more scholarship money you receive. There are grants that you don't have to pay back. There is work study where you work a job on campus and get paid a certain amount per semester(and looks good on a resume). Work study is set up to no more than 20 hours a week and pay rate is determined so that the allowed amount is earned by the end of the semester (so not exactly minimum wage). There are student loans for parents (PLUS). There are student loans for students (FAFSA) which have limitations on amounts given to the student depending on degree, what year the student is in, and if dependent on parents or independent adult. There are 3 kinds of student loans and must start repaying once student leaves the school whether they graduated or not. 2 kinds are government backed loans that go through government chosen banks. The interest rate on these loans is determined by Congress and can change over time (often in single digits). One type is Subsidized loans where interest does not start accruing until after student leaves school. Second type is Unsubsidized loans where interest accrues instantly so student may pay on interest while they are taking classes. Any interest accrued by the time student leaves school is capitalized, meaning Interest is turned into Principal that you have pay interest on. The third type of student loan is Private loans that are not government backed. Many banks and student loan companies offer these loans. The amount limit is determined by the company/bank which is dependent on income of the student and/or required co-signer. The interest on these loans are determined by credit scores of the applicants.

Once student leaves the college/university, there is usually a 6 month grace period before student loans repayments are required. If you are considering student loan forgiveness, then you much research to see if you qualify for that. And remember you must pay income tax on any cancelled student loan amount. If you are considering the student loan forgiveness route, then do not consolidate or refinance your loans because consolidated or refinanced loans cannot receive forgiveness. Student loans are usually 10 years in length, unless you refinance them to make them longer. If you do not qualify for student loan forgiveness, you can refinance your loan(s) at anytime during your repayment which means change the interest rate and/or repayment amount. If you can get a better rate or repayment amount, it is worth researching. If you don't like the result you can cancel the refinancing (if you say nothing then they refinance anyway). To save on interest on these student loans, you can pay an extra amount on your repayments. Repayments go to interest first and then Principal second which is why these amounts are different each month on your statement. For example, your repayment amount is $100 and you write your check for $150. That extra $50 will go towards principal and therefore, less interest you have to pay overall.

DNA Ancestry Test

Did an Ancestry DNA test done and I'm European which is no surprise. Going by records my ancestors came from Netherlands, Prussia/Germany, Ireland, Scotland, and England 1600-1800's. Last 1st Immigrant to America came in 1850's.

Dutch ancestor DeFreese/De Forest came in 1600's from Leiden, Zuid-Holland.

Prussia/Germany ancestors came in 1700's (Arnold and Row from Wurttemberg; Schonemann from Eisleben, Saxony-Anhal; Kempf from Grosseifen, Rheinland; and Drushel/Trushel from Germany) and 1800's (Hartz from Harz Mountains, Langebartels from Hanover, Schumacher from Wurttemberg, Nolte from Hitzhausen, Lohse from Nelle).

Scotland/Scotch-Irish ancestors came in the 1700's (Todd from Forfar, Angus, Scotland; Campbell from Ireland rooted in Argyll, Scotland and McNair from Donegal, Ireland rooted in Argyll). Surname Killen is Scotch-Irish surname. Surname McCaffree is an Irish surname.

English ancestors came in 1600's (Stern from Nayland in Suffolk County) and 1700's (Brooke from Londonderry, Ireland originally from England and Hodgson from Doncaster in Yorkshire). These ancestors may have Viking roots: Stern is Danish, Brooke and Hodgson are Norman French names. Gardner is an English surname rooted in Oxford.

Though I can't explain the Slavic, Jewish, Russian 1% findings. Perhaps a maiden name I can't trace beyond America.

Had a good summer

Summer is always fun when unemployed and deep in debt. Discovered a black and white striped garter/ribbon snake while mowing the lawn. Haven't seen it since. Plenty of birds, chipmunks, and squirrels eat from the bird feeder plus corn cobs and shelled peanuts I lay on the ground. Saw a squirrel and baby moved into the tree in front of the house. Mama squirrel had half her tail fur missing so she got away from something vicious. Dogs next door and my cats get entertainment. Let the kittens and ferrets outside to play in the grass. Ferrets are digging a hole in a corner I have no plants so they can get as dirty as they like. Plus, it's always entertaining grabbing burs out of kitten and ferret furs.

Nephew worked in my yard until he thought he could make more money at the local amusement park where my niece works this summer. Went to the movies 3 times this summer. Usually I wait for DVDs and skip the theater unless it is an ultra-important movie I have to see in the theater. Rocketman, Tolkien, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood were my choices. And I got a Netflix free trial just to watch the Motley Crue movie The Dirt. I hope that comes out on DVD since I can't watch it again unless I get another email and another free trial.

Made my first doll cake for my Mom's 80th Birthday bash at her retirement place. She thought nobody would come, but once you announce "Food will be Served", then everybody tries to attend. Got so much rain I got mushrooms, which were whacked off by the lawn mower. Nephew wrecked the mower hitting a cement pipe he didn't see so had to buy a new one. Bought new patio furniture and charcoal grill so enjoying my evenings with grilled food and smo'res. Kittens try to display dominance over the ferrets to discover ferrets are feisty and end up chasing the kittens. Ferrets bite back when kittens plop on their heads.

Roses bloomed this summer to make my heart sing. Red, pink, yellow, cream, and orange roses blossomed. My male Beta fish Achilles and Aeneas died. New fish are Achilles Jr and Aeneas Jr. Got interviewed by 2 temp agencies and did two job interviews (2 rejections). Visited Dad at the cemetery on Father's Day and played Taps on my smartphone for him. Discovered after rain days, the basement walls leak and the prior owners painted over it. Did I buy a house from a flipper who fixed nothing and just painted the walls? Oh yeah, and put a sliding door in the front of the house so I have 2 front doors. Weirdos! Changed my first dimmer switch and managed not to get electrocuted (I flipped the breaker box switch so the room didn't have electric).

Kittens experienced their first fireworks. They looked out the window, but couldn't see anything to cause all that boom, boom, boom noise. Made my first gluten-free cake for my cousin's kid who is allergic to gluten so he could eat cake at my Mom's party. People reacted when I offered it as if I was offering wallpaper paste. It tastes like cake, just gluten-free so it is a little denser like a pound cake. Everybody who tasted it loved it. I found a gluten-free buttercream frosting to decorate the doll cake. Had a few people take a picture of it. Had a political volunteer knock on my door. I assured them I was a registered independent and can't campaign for their candidate. Tried to sunbathe in my back yard to find a kittens under the chair and don't like me moving it to follow the sunny area.

Kittens learned to climb the black walnut tree in back yard. Of course, friends have to get into an uproar about kittens getting stuck in a tree. I have to explain, if my kittens can figure out to climb down backwards (meaning tail toward ground) then they can climb down the tree when THEY are ready to climb down and never get stuck in a tree.

Saw 4th of July fireworks half hour early when dark clouds moved in making it dark faster. Guess they thought to set off the show before it starts to rain. Well, it didn't rain until I got home over a hour later. Bought a funnel cake at the park after the parade to have my niece eat 90% of it. She also is diabetic so when her blood sugar test was super high, sister asked what she ate and she denied eating anything sugary. I stuck my nose in and explained the funnel cake. This set my sister off in a lecture my niece didn't want. We're sorry you hate being different, but the difference is not going away.

Took Mom out to lunch for her actual birthday two days after the big bash. Had a good chat waiting for our food. Went to required unemployment office workshops which were a complete waste of time. Looking at my resume they were obsessed about format than substance. Did get a boxer dog porn episode from the neighbor's back yard as I refilled the bird feeder in my back yard. Now wrapping my nephew's birthday gift to give him Saturday at his party.

Nothing else to write about.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Tax season ended leaving me completely unemployed, had phone interviews and in person interviews to receive rejection emails. Still applying for jobs. Had to take unemployment office workshops teaching us older people how to find a job so naturally they were useless to me. I know how to apply for a job and do an interview (my wardrobe and resume are not the problem, though lack of correct experience is a problem for employers).

Ferrets set up the Easter Bunny Trap and got extra chocolate eggs from his basket stashed away before Big, Bad Mom released The Bunny. Our Easter basket loot were: 4 large balls, 3 small tennis balls, 3 birds, 3 eggs full of chocolate eggs, 1 pink lamb, and 1 chocolate bunny. Not bad for kittens 1st Easter.

Kittens chased their first butterflies and sniffed their first May flowers which were hyacinths and daffodils. Bought some potted tulips and planted them in the ground after the blooms wilted. Niece had her baby at last, a girl named Piper. My sister said it was from the TV show "Charmed". Nephew got confirmed. Since nephew wasn't out of school yet when constant rain made my grass grow, I mowed the lawn myself giving myself an asthma attack in the process. Will be glad when he gets out of school. Niece got a job at an amusement park so won't see her much this summer.

Ferrets and kittens ordered movie, "Crimes of Grindelwald", and made waffles for me for Mother's Day. They burnt the toast and set the smoke alarm so that got trashed. I know, depressing I'm not a real mother but not much I can do about it. Guys think I'm ugly cause I don't have the giant fake boobs they require or they have codependent personalities wanting me to teach them to human (I'm sorry I want a man not a little boy). Such as life. Saw the new "Tolkien" movie in the theater and was the only person in the theater. Good movie.

Ferrets and kittens are starting to play with each other, or at least pouncing and chasing each other. Planning an 80th Birthday Party for my Mom and trying so hard to get my non-communicative siblings to help out. My sisters and I finally had lunch visiting tombstones on Memorial Day and finally got chores divided out. I included in my email to everybody (including aunt and brother) to speak now or complain about it later. Since someone in the family is allergic to gluten, I have been working on practice gluten-free cakes and discovered how difficult and expensive they are to make.

Got a new patio set so have been eating breakfast outside when not raining. Been raining so much that some bird seed knocked on the ground was starting to germinate so had little stems in my bird seed. Now that nephew and niece school is out this week, I just know he will want to work in my yard. Now to budget to pay him with the unemployment checks.

Have a great summer. I will when I find a new job.

Last day of taxes

Had my last day of filing taxes for people. Thank goodness. I get a lot crazy people in. Like people coming to my tax company expecting cheap prices (you want cheap, do it yourself on the internet). More get upset how there situation changes their tax refund results (like better paying job, divorce, or their child grows up and can't claim them anymore). I get old people who think they shouldn't pay taxes cause they are retired (lodge your complaint to Congress). Then I get people upset their refund isn't bigger than last year (it's not a contest). I try to explain that their refund is greatly dependent on how much they pay in taxes all year through their paychecks (like a interest free loan to the government). If you want a huge refund, you have pay a lot in taxes in the first place. Otherwise have several children and low income to get large earned income credit.

Even better are people expecting huge refunds because of the tax law changes. Obviously, they didn't read about what those changes were: Deductions were taken away, Exemptions were taken away so can't claim your spouse as a dependent anymore, Standard deduction raised, Child Tax Credit raised, Other Dependents Credit Invented, Business Owner credit invented, Tax rates changed, and Corporate Tax rate went down.

Leaving my tax site for the last time hit me like a brick wall. I am completely unemployed. I worked nonstop the past two weeks earning as much as I could and now it's over. Dealing with so much trauma since last year I have no tears left to cry. I feel so numb. But I can still laugh at something funny so I'm not too far gone. I have my flowers blossoming outside, my furbabies, and a phone interview tomorrow so hope that goes well. What else can I do?

Happy Palm Sunday

Worked some hours at different tax sites in my tax prep company. One employee went to jail for drunk driving and didn't know when they could come into work (they were couple hours late). Another had their baby early. And yet another employee suddenly quit. Tax preparers are dropping like flies and I can't be in multiple locations at once, so some locations are closed for the season (the ones without appointments). Earning my last dollars before the last day tomorrow and then I will be completely unemployed. Might clean my house just to do something. Working 6 days a week makes a very dirty house. Plus Misty had diarrhea after her spay so there is some poop droppings. At least she got better with antibiotics and pate canned cat food.

I got my Hyacinths and Daffodils blossoming, plus saw a bee so happy for spring's arrival. Bought some new Tulips and different colored Hyacinths. Planted more morning seeds so will see if they will grow. Got a pot and dirt to place in the front yard. Still deciding what seeds to plant in it.

Received my Cobra papers and the new insurance amount is $40 short of my mortgage payment. Can't afford that so looked online and found garbage insurance with sky high deductible that I will never reach and won't cover pre existing conditions for a year. If I am paying for all my medical costs, then what exactly am I paying insurance for? I have a HSA account so I will be okay until new insurance starts, which is usually 90 days after the start of a job.

Have job interview two days from now so crossing fingers. After taxes are done and phone interview done, I will plant my tulip and hyacinth bulbs cause I will nothing better to do.

Crazy month

Did taxes for a former coworker and his wife at my tax place. That was a surreal experience. Naturally, had to tell people at work who I ran into. Finished the kitten shots and got my furbabies fixed. I prefer not having inbred kittens and shelters have plenty so we don't need to add to the cat population. Passed out green mints and buttons on St Patrick's Day at the tax place. Some kids were more interested in the buttons that the candy. Odd.

Rescued ferret Boromir trapped under a box and caught ferret Luthien drinking out of the kitten milk bowl. Nearly slipped on ice outside the garage door when going to the grocery store where I bought Girl Scout cookies. Girl Scout cookies are a must in this part of the country. Kittens have gotten big enough to jump up on the table, which is next to the kitchen counters so they are exploring the sink and cupboards.

With all this melting of winter snow and rivers flooding, my basement had a leak and could never figure out where it was coming from. Then as fast as it appeared, it disappeared down the drain. Left message for free estimate for a plumber and they never responded so have to wait for it to happen again. Work decided to change their computer formatting so webpages took a while to get used to.

Received my annual review from my manager to receive a raise. Manager thinks I'm awesome, though loose concentration when outside forces occur like my cats dying and I work in a state of shock. Kittens locked themselves in the ferret room. They learned not to play with the door. Put away winter decorations and winter sweaters to get out the spring decorations and spring sweaters (resemble crochet instead of knitted). Work provided ice cream and live streaming of NCAA games in a training room. They even had a brackets contest with prizes to be awarded.

One kitten got diarrhea and tested at vet to find nothing wrong with them. Vet gave me special food and antibiotics. Got a Netflix free trial just to watch the movie "The Dirt" about the rock band Motley Crue. I watched it 4 times already. Can't wait for the DVD. I read the book twice. Good movie. My spring flowers hyacinths and daffodils are coming up. Pruned the rose bushes. Got a day off when my car wouldn't start. A fuse blew so recharging the battery wouldn't have helped. Discovered my air conditioner was causing the blown fuse so had to fix that for a more money I can handle. I swear I'm cursed and never going to get out of credit card debt with this stupid car constantly costly me thousands in repairs since the year and half I got it. I even asked my Mom to buy me a new car with a warranty to help my finances, she said no.

Caution was thrown in the wind when co-workers who normally ignore me were suddenly saying Good Morning and got compliment on my pretty sweater I have worn before. Let's just say I had grouchy people suddenly become friendly when I turned in 2 weeks notice and a temp job manager starting a meeting with a huge smile to tell us we will be unemployed in 2 days. I asked for an office gym pass that was offered a few weeks ago and never received it. I wondered for a week what was going on.

Then found out that I was fired on the Friday before my raise was to start. A coworker, me, and 5 other people in other sections were fired too cause work wasn't coming in like they thought. I was told to gather my belongings that moment and leave. In a state of shock and wondering how the hell I'm going to pay my never ending debt, I turned on the car in the garage hoping to obtain enough life insurance money for my family to pay off my debts. I'm a bona fide loser cause I couldn't even accomplish that (BTW, furbabies are fine). I went into convulsions from the carbon monoxide poisoning and dreamed of heaven where my dead relatives and angels welcomed me. Then a spirit I assume was my guardian angel welcomed me into heaven, then apologized cause I have to go back. Then I woke up in the garage. I guess I will have to continue drowning in debt and make my family angry with me for not being able to take care of myself like they can. I just want my family to be happy. Shame on me.

Tax manager was happy to give me extra hours since we have 2 weeks left of the season. Signed up for unemployment. Sent out Easter cards. Sending out resumes to any company advertising for an accountant. I try to take care of myself, but too many obstacles are in the way.

I'm tired of being a sad story. Now have to get ready for Easter dinner. Life goes on.

Post later.

Falling away from a faith

Read stuff on the internet debating Christian beliefs. Some think the Bible is a bunch of fairy tales while others believe the strict interpretation that it is the Word of God. With so many conflicting beliefs around the world, how does one figure out what to believe for themselves. Churches I hear have trouble recruiting young people and slowly dying out of existence as the older generation dies one by one. Well, how does generations fall away from the faith in the first place?

I can only tell you what I live. It was a long and complicated process, not a single event that caused me to be angry with God as many believe. My youth was full of attending church every Sunday, going to Vacation Bible School (I even attended a friend's church's Vacation Bible School one year). I was in the Christmas Play and helped my Mom with crafts for Vacation Bible School as a teenager. I was the weirdo who wore a dress while everyone else wore shorts. My Mom insisted we wear nice clothes to church to show respect to God. Try explaining that to other children. I also enjoyed exploring poetry and remember someone criticized my Mom during Vacation Bible School what a weirdo I was reading poetry when teenagers are supposed to party and cause trouble. Mom defended she rather have me read poetry than be passed out drunk in a ditch. After church as a kid, I would play church and Sunday school with my stuffed animals and dolls. I lined up my toys on the stairs and used a hymnal I found in our organ bench from my grandma's church (my Mom got it when they got new hymnals). That is until a sibling pointed out girls can't be preachers and only be Sunday School teachers. So I stopped playing church. And of course, there is the issue of my ability to see spirits that others do not. I've seen angels, demons, animal ghosts, and human ghosts. I will just say paintings in cathedrals are accurate. So I'm crazy and weird.

And there is the culture shift after the Women's Liberation Movement. Churches conduct business as if it never happened, though some will allow women priests and play more modern music now. Women in my church were allowed to set up the communion and wash the tiny cups, but not serve it. An elder and priest served communion (elders and church council were all men). Someone talked my Dad into being church treasurer. My Mom did all the work (I helped write things down for her) and all my Dad did was read a report my Mom typed up cause women can't be church council members. Girls were not allowed to be acolytes until my church voted to allow it causing the church to split into 2 congregations that occurred after I left. Even better was a priest stating in Bible Study to the adults that no where in Bible does it say homosexuals are not human and don't deserve God's love. He was asked to leave the church because of that. I gather many adults relive their childhood at church. They want doctrine they had as a child and sing hymns that are familiar to them. Then the generations after them want to change the church to fit in with the way they grew up as latchkey kids with working mothers and going to rock concerts. Some leave the church while others come during important events.

I would say I started to fall away around age 12. That was when view of God from a loving, kind, father we can turn to in need shifted to a jealous and angry God who will send us to Hell if we commit a sin. I understand an adult need to control rebellious teenagers, but Fear of Hell looses its grip in the face of God's forgiveness. I got a whiff of adult self-righteousness, snobbery, hypocrisy, not practicing what they preach, and having no answers to questions (Why are black animals from the devil and need to be punished with abuse for being born the wrong color of fur?). Plus had a relative stop coming to church cause in a sermon the priest criticized people who don't regularly go to church when they wanted to be uplifted. Why do I have to attend church when others do not? You can call me Anti-Organized Religion, but Atheist is easier to say.

Devout Adult Christians I have met are not fun cause there is no air around them, constantly quote things instead of giving an opinion, and go off the deep end declaring people as fake Christians and condemning people who believe a different ideology will go to Hell. And then they are confused why so few follow them. Rarely do I find Christian love your neighbor as yourself philosophy in adult devout Christians (priests are usually the exception in this). Every time I go to a rock concert there is always someone standing outside shouting we are all going to Hell for attending this evil concert. I had relatives telling me I'm damned to Hell for no longer going to church. Which is awkward defending Christianity to Atheists who are more Anti-Christianity than Anti-God. Atheists can call the Bible poppycock, I see it more as a history book of an ethnic group. I have a passion for mythology which historians are looking at more like a history of events that took place in the Stone Age. Troy was thought to be a fairy tale until someone in the 1800's found it. Some believe the fairy tale Atlantis was the island Thera/Santorini.

Now what would bring me back to church every Sunday, you ask? Many have invited me to their church and hear me reply in the negative. Well, my Mom has been trying to Bring Me Back to the Faith for the past 30 years so what makes anyone think they could do any better? I have been to church for baptisms, confirmations, and weddings. Since I was godmother to my niece I took communion at her confirmation though haven't taken it since. I became good at doing the motions without the emotions which few can understand. Some might call it acting.

I have taken to watching church services on Sundays which I tell nobody about. Mainly because I was so angry for a time period and I had no idea why. Then one night a dark spot appeared on the bedroom wall and got bigger to the size of a door. A creature with a buffalo head, man's chest and arms with claws, bovine legs and hooves, and complete with a buffalo tassel-tip tail. I laid in my bed terrified. The spirit jumped me and it felt like my soul was on fire. I had visions of murdering my neighbors (who were nice people and never wish to hurt them). I battled the spirit thinking of my family, my pets, dancing in ballet shoes, and singing to fill my soul with love. It finally jumped out growling like one of my cats. Then, an angel came down from the ceiling and laid beside me. It ordered the spirit to leave. It left through the black door and the dark spot got smaller until it disappeared. I asked the angel what that thing was and it answered the devil. Angel presence was warm and calm. So started watching church services to clear the apartment of evil spirits with holy words. Moving into a house, I saw dark shadows in the bedroom where I sleep. In fact, a cat refused to enter the room ever since I saw a white ghost light floating around. My cat meowed when it floated above him. It would stop at the threshold terrified to go in the room. I again, became angry for no reason so started hanging a cross on the doorknob. The air feels different. I do pray for a better life and it stays the same. Prayed for a husband for over 3 years and still haven't found anyone I want to be with. Maybe if I got married and had a child I would return to the church cause I would wish my child to know God. My family is Christian so it would feel normal returning to the church.

Happy Mardi Gras

Had freezing rain and thunder in February. I didn't know what was worse: the hills, the curves, or the potholes. Then it turned into snow. We finally got enough snow for ferret Boromir to experience his first snow tunnels. Eowyn and Luthien had to show him how to dig them first. Neighbor with a snowblower been doing my driveway this year. Guess he got tired of watching me rest on my front stoop. I offer cocoa, but he won't accept it. I try. Explained to family his snowblower wouldn't fit in my garage with the car in it so shovel for me. Polar Vortex making certain rooms cold so I bought new curtains, doing their job keeping light and cold out of the rooms. Don't want to overwork the furnace when it's 10 below outside. Been waking up to kittens in my bed, very nice to wake up to purring in my ear.

Kittens been escaping out the door into the garage when coming home. Yeah, they don't last long out there. Take off my coat, change into my slippers, and they are ready to come back in. Celebrated ferret Boromir's 2nd Birthday with Valentine cupcakes (ferrets love frosting) and a romp in the snow completed with cocoa (ferrets love cocoa w/marshmellows). Spent Valentine's Day working 2 jobs and dropping off candy package for my Mom in between. I have no lover to celebrate with so I rather be working. Sister reached the Big 5-0 to celebrate at an Italian restaurant and saw a movie. Had my first taste of calmari, tasted like my fish patties. I missed the movie shoveling my driveway for hours (9 inches fell the night before). Neighbor with snowblower came after movie was over.

Lost red female beta Nyx I had a couple years and white female Beta Pandora I got a month ago. Got new female Beta adults Danae (blue) and Leda (white). My male blue Beta Erebus I got as a baby a while ago died and replaced with blue/white male Beta named Achilles. Work is doing reviews for raises. Scrapped the bonus program that replaced raises to find half the workforce leaving for new jobs (more or less). Celebrated ferret Luthien's 3rd Birthday with cupcakes. That brought out the ants and laid out an ant trap. Then freaked when caught Luthien licking it. Guess a small amount (5% according to the box) of Borax won't kill a pet, but of course don't take chances. Kittens are coming around to sniff out and wave paws at the ferrets who have stopped trying to drag them under the sofa. Getting bigger than the ferrets I suppose.

Happy Mardi Gras.

Another cold day in Iowa

New Year started with introducing my kittens Bilbo and Misty to my ferrets. Luthien ferret keeps displaying her dominance by biting their necks and shaking them them, which makes them scream. Took a month and half, but she is getting less aggressive. After a couple days, had to take kittens to vet when goo started coming out of their eyes. Upper respiratory infection was the diagnosis and given antibiotics. Introduced the kittens to the family who love to play with the new furbabies. Started working for an Income Tax Prep company, I hope one of these days to be an Enrolled Agent and make lots of money. Right now, I need it to pay off debt (these student loans are killing my saving capabilities). We finally got snow in January and ferrets were happy to swim in it. One even made a snow tunnel. Kittens got their paws in the snow and backed away from it. Lost female Beta fish Ananke that I got as a baby and was growing bigger every day. Neighbor saw me resting from shoveling my driveway (I have asthma) and offered to use his snowblower to finish my work.

Took Mom to my Dad's cousins reunion at a pizza place. So nice of them to invite her. Lost male Beta fish Atlas Jr that I got full grown. My ferret Luthien was dubbed the The Brave when she was the only ferret to go outside during the polar vortex, then I knew it was really cold when even SHE refused to go outside and turned around to scamper between my feet. Got new Beta fish Aeneas and Pandora, both full grown. Had a asthma attack at work and had to leave early. Adopted 2 Bonded Buddy dogs from the shelter during one of their specials. I kept them 1 day after they peed on my furniture and growling at the ferrets/kittens. Once a dog attacked a kitten, I had to take them back. I was not the right home for them. Lost the internet and my phone connection so had to wait a couple days for the technician to fix the problem. Had adventure driving home in freezing rain when car decided to skid and spin 180 degrees to come to a stop. I was happy not hitting an oncoming car. Driving around in this snow and ice, I can't decide which is worse: the curves, the hills, or the potholes.