Death and Taxes

Is anyone else already worrying about their taxes? (Probably not, I know, I'm weird). Last year was the first year Andy and I filed jointly, but we were traveling around the world and not working, so we weren't too concerned about our taxes.  Prior to that I've always been an independent contractor and was able to write of almost everything and always got money back come tax time.  This year, I have a W4 (instead of a 1099), we bought a duplex/home, my husband is in ministry and real estate (two complicated jobs to document right?), and all of that leads me to believe that we need to hire a CPA, asap. Anyone know how much a tax guy/gal costs these days?

Something Fresh

The hubs and I don't own a TV...not because we don't want to, it just hasn't been on the top of our priority list of things we want to spend money on.  We do like to crawl into bed with our laptop and watch a few episodes of something on Hulu or Netflix...but we're out of good shows to watch.  I need some recommendations.  This is what we're caught up on:

• Parenthood (our fave)
• The Office
• Parks and Rec
• Up All Night
• The New Girl

A side note, we're not into zombies or scary stuff...what are your recommendations?  

Big Head

 {Via}

I have a ginormous noggin.  I've only once in my life found a pair of sunglasses that fit my head and didn't pinch my temples.  They are the ones I'm wearing in my profile pic there to the right.  Also, because I'm Asian and my face is flatter than most, sunglasses never rest on my nose, they rest on my cheeks.  Sunglasses were just not meant for a face like mine.  And the most super annoying thing right now is I can't find those sunglasses (and of course, randomly the sun has been shining a lot here in the Pacific Northwest this winter).  And, I can't remember what the brand was, I think I bought them at TJ Maxx.  I also can't refuse to spend more than $30 on sunglasses since I've lost every single pair I've ever owned.  So, yeah, first world problems I know.  I want those sunglasses in the pic...I think those might fit on this big head o' mine. 

One Night

Room Service

This weekend Andy officiated a wedding and as a gift the couple paid for an evening in a fancy hotel with room service.  Andy and I have been so non stop busy that we didn't realize how wonderful one single night away from home could be so rejuvenating and so good for our marriage.  Even though we were only 45 minutes away, it felt like we could have been half way around the world.

Our two year anniversary is coming up and we decided we're going to get a hotel room and hole up again...maybe for a couple of nights instead of just one.

Snowpocalypse

Well, the weather reports were true; the city of Tacoma for the most part has been shut down for the past 2 days.  The first day of massive snow was actually quite fun.  Andy and I went to the park with some friends to play.  The park was packed with kids sledding, throwing snowballs and building snowmen.  The second day the ice came.  Roads shut down, trees were falling down on power lines, power outages left and right...I'm glad I'm content staying in bed all day catching up on Netflix, but I know most people were going stir crazy being stuck inside all day. 

 A huge branch snapped and fell in our back yard....yikes. 

The weather advisory is in affect until 4am...by the time you read this hopefully it will be warming up a bit and people can get out of their driveways.  Have a great weekend folks!

Wanting A Change

My hair has been long, straight and parted on the side my entire life (minus the bad perm in elementary school and chopping it all off in college).  I had bangs when I was 5...and I think I want them again.  The problem, I have a short forehead and a really round face (which bangs are not recommended). But I might do it anyway.

 Do you have bangs?  Love em? Hate em?  Input?

The Weather Outside is Frightful

The PNW is bracing for epic winter storm that is supposed to hit today.  The build up to it hasn't been horrible though...and Augustus seems to absolutely love it. 

Celebrity Sightings

Andy and I were in Seattle for a conference and when we walked out into the lobby of our hotel, guess who we see??

Craig Robinson, or Darrel from "The Office." 

I used to live in LA and would see celebrities all the time, but it's been awhile and Andy and I acted like two sixteen year old girls when we spotted him.  Andy and some friends actually chased him down in the parking lot to take a picture, I sheepishly came out 5 minutes later and was trying to play it cool, but I was a total star struck nerd.  He was kind enough to let us take pictures with him.  

Yeah...it was a good day. 

Jesus > Religion

I am a Christian, but I'm not religious.  This is what I mean. 

Pretend that it's the Weekend Now

Can't you see that it's just raining
Ain't no need to go outside...
But baby, you hardly even notice
When I try to show you this
Song is meant to keep ya
From doing what you're supposed to
Like waking up too early
Maybe we can sleep in
I'll make you banana pancakes
Pretend like it's the weekend now

-Jack Johnson

My husband and I look at weekends differently.  For me weekends are for getting all the junk that piled up during the week done.  For Andy it's all about sleeping in and relaxing.  Almost every Saturday morning he has to persuade me to stay in bed just a little longer.  Not this weekend.  I had nothing on the agenda, the laundry, cleaning, dog, life for that matter could all wait.  Man, the rewards of waiting were sweet.  Banana pancakes, eggs and bacon?  Yes please.  I think I'll be repeating this next weekend thankyouverymuch.

A Scary Day

I failed to mention that our New Year's Eve could have been horrible...because it actually started out that way.  On the morning of New Year's Eve our sweet little Augustus had a seizure.  We didn't realize it was a seizure when it was happening; Gus's body kept slamming itself against the floor, he was yelping and his body was horribly contorted.  It appeared he stopped breathing and Andy gave him doggie CPR...then he vomited, a lot, and out popped a whole macadamia nut.  Ugh, I felt like a horrible dog owner, he had gotten into a box of dark chocolate covered macadamia nuts the night before (both are highly toxic to dogs).  Fortunately he was himself just an hour later; tail wagging and hyper as usual.  But ever since he's gotten the doggie royal treatment and has been spoiled rotten.  I haven't really left his side since the incident.  I love that pup. 

Ringing in the New Year

Perhaps I'm getting old, but staying up all night in a sparkly dress and high heels for New Year's Eve just doesn't sound fun anymore.  Hanging out with friends in stretchy pants and slippers sounds much more appealing--and that's just what we did.  We gorged on completely unhealthy food, hung out with friends (and about 8 dogs), and celebrated New Years on East Coast time, and were in bed by midnight West Coast time.

 Have you tried pistachios and cranberries rolled in goat cheese?  Do it, today.  

They boys lit fireworks in the back yard.  

Yup, this is my kind of New Year's Eve Celebration.  

Hope your 2012 has started off wonderfully!