Um, well, Happy New Year!
So. I've really been sucking big time at this blog writing thing. And in fairness to me, I've really had no time that I'm not working madly at work, working madly at home, or piled into a heap on my living room couch with a brain made of mush.
So, allow me to re-cap November and December 2007, lay out my plans and goals for 2008, and bring everything up-to-date quickly.
November 2007:
Work-wise: Very busy. Start of recruitment, prepping for LPSF course in Winter 2008, and winding down for Leading Teams Fall 2007 (just finished the last week of October 2007).
Keith-wise: Ever so patient with my busy, stressed out self. Nuturing, sweet, kind. Working on a job search himself to get more $$$ and even more-so, a challenge at work.
Life-wise: Prepping for the holidays, buying Christmas gifts, etc.
Other notes: Thanksgiving good. Turkey tasty.
December 2007:
Work-wise: More busy. Still struggling to keep my head above a burgeoning pile of e-mails and to-dos, mostly because there's just so much to-do! Recruitment in full swing. LPSF on the horizon.
Keith-wise: He turned 27 on the 1st! I threw a holiday party/birthday combo that was almost a surprise. We had a good dinner just beforehand at Smith and Wollensky in the Back Bay. His job search continued with a lot of interviewing and compensatory overtime at his job to make up for those missed hours.
Life-wise: For a person who had all their Christmas shopping done by December 8th (gifts en route minimally) and had delivered 80% of her holiday shopping already gift wrapped to her parents-in-law on Thanksgiving Day, I was still WAY too busy. Started to dream about home-buying in 2008 and looking at places on the Internet. Liked the idea of Eastie a lot.
Other thoughts: Best times that month were dinner with Keith for his birthday and a day trip to Somerset County, Pennsylvania to talk about old times with my grandfather and learn about my family history.
Goals for 2008:
- Lose 50 lbs. I've seriously am past the realm of disgust with myself. And it is beyond wanting to look good in a bathing-suit. I'm just not healthy with all the extra weight on me.
- Buy a house. Enough throwing $1650 a month away on rent and subsidizing the financial situation of a scummy landlord.
- Enjoy life in this city which I have not yet begun to scrape the surface of. I made it until Monday, January 21, 2008 without going to the MFA which is a 30 minute T ride away. And I'm a lifelong art lover. There's just no excuse for that.
- Enjoy life with my husband. It gets much more hectic when babies are involved.
January 2008:
Work-wise: Even busier with LPSF and feeling well, definitely a challenge. Maybe not mentally, unless you count the fact that real estate in my brain is fast being depleted. Today is the last day of the last job candidate for the Unit. Whoooppeee!!!!
Keith-wise: Keithy's bringing home more bacon! He started a new job at the Federal Reserve on Monday (yesterday). Yay, Keithy!!!
Life-wise: Went to the Resolution Ball at the Westin Waterfront for New Year's Eve. Fun, but once was enough. (Don't get me started on the "non young-professionals" who were in attendance for a ball touted for "young professionals" and the jeans wearers who showed up to this black tie event.) Went to the MFA on 01/21/2008 although we only saw one wing of the place--need to go back, but at least we can say I've been there now. Went to a Bruins game on 01/24/2008, but only stayed periods 1 and 2. (We were tired. So sue us.) Started going to Open Houses where Keith is our fearless leader, whereas I am actually shy and do not like to barge into other people's houses. This month we like Dorchester (red-line Dorchester mind you).
Ran the initial numbers for our 2007 tax return and were very chagrined to find that instead of getting a refund we OWE the Feds. We made 10K less in 2006 (yes, only 10 K less) and got a 3K refund. Now we make 10K more and owe $500 despite our withholding being 0 for BOTH of us (meaning we don't even claim ourselves). And found out with Keith's new job we have to put aside another $360 a MONTH to not owe taxes next year. Everyone says we need a house and a baby. I say you need money for a house and a baby. Its a vicious cycle. It'd be really nice in the 21st century to know that my government doesn't consider who I married in my tax calculations. My income is not "pin" money, thank you very much. In Europe, people are individuals and taxed as such. I'm all about that. Especially since there are many rooming situations or long-term live-ins--why should I be penalized more because I happened to sanctify my allegiance to Keith in front of a minister? *grumble, grumble*
Regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum, I think everyone agrees the tax code needs to be simplified. I don't mind being screwed on this as long as other couples who aren't married also share in the tax burden as they are also saving on expenses.
posted by Alyssa at 11:57 AM
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