RitaB

It always feels like right now is the worst time of the season for me. All the clients who make it harder than it is are coming now. The people who THINK they itemize. Even though I have given up on explaining, I still have to listen to THEIR explanations, and go over the stupid $40 donation to Goodwill and wait while they decide on the value of $100. Or the people who actually CAN itemize, and forget to give me stuff.

Ok, my daughter is starting graduate school, in Nashville, in June. The stars are aligned. The only problem, she's older, and not a cougar. And that's EXACTLY what she would say here. Curses.

Yes, that's my middle child, Erin. The boys don't pose for photos, but I'm working on them. The picture of us in the Flo from Progressive outfits was taken at our church's Fall Festival. I have always been in TN, that must be some other Rita in CO, and she must be the one to fear. I love you, Tom, you know that.

I was going to try, JB.

Mrs. Preach said my hair looked good. I like HER. We are going to Wal-Mart on Feb 15, my favorite holiday: 50% off Chocolate Day.

This one here, happens to be a preacher, kid had $17k in tuition and fees, $23k in grants and scholarships. Me: I need what you paid for books and any other class-related expenses not on this form, cause your kid made money here if the form is correct. Preach: Yeah, but he went “abroad” in January, and that “tuition” is not on here. We paid it in November. Me: Well, this box right here says that the 17k tuition includes January – March 2014 expenses. Cricket sounds. Bottom line: He is wanting to call a bunch of travel expenses tuition. I want to strangle this guy. Has a ton of Housing Allowance; FAFSA and the tax laws are very, very, good to him. (He fills out his own FAFSA, I don't even know if HA goes on it, so don't rail on me about it.) I looked at him and said, “You know, we are talking about this like it’s a bad thing that your kid made money to go to school, and travel to boot. This is a great problem you have here.” (Yes, I told him to print out the details entire record of charges and payments.)

I thought you were saying "Oh, Rita," and since I'm only 37...

You seem pretty torn up over this. Calm down. Read my post above yours. Relax. Breathe. And I still love YOU, even though you yell at me like this. I like abuse.

I tried Safe Mode first thing. No, it won't boot. All my tax and Peachtree files are on this new, hunky dory machine I'm on now. I'm good, I just have a lot of old programs I used now and then. Exactly like Marilyn (original poster).

I bought a new computer Feb 2013. Seems like I told you that. I see how it is. I knew you didn't really care about me. Or Mary.

Would you believe? My computer with XP will not boot this morning. Happy Birthday to me. Talk about a timely thread.

Dear Not a Client Anymore, Thank you for adding me on Facebook, otherwise known as free advertising for your side business that you failed to mention for three years. How do you "like" me now, "Friend"?

Dear Not Even A Client, Thanks for stopping in at 3:59 and acknowledging that you read the sign on the door that said 8 - 4. Thanks for telling me your tax situation in five minutes, and your epic family history from hell in twenty minutes. No, really, it was fun for me. I will see you on Monday. Can't wait. 8 - 2. New hours for you.

Exactly. I can get my butt to the beauty shop when it's important enough.

I think #2 is the culprit. I'm doing what I can to help with that. And it's not just doctors and lawyers with 9 - 5 hours. I can't get to my hairdresser till April 16. My roots are hideous.

Well, I wish you guys would pile on with your own letters. I was hoping for some levity up in here.

Dear Out-of-Town Client, Thank you for leaving three messages yesterday saying you would be here today (Friday). I wasn't really clear on that Monday when you said you would be "in town" Friday, and I said that your return would be ready to pick up Friday. Thank you also that in message # 2 you advised that your cellular telephone would be in the console while you are en route should I need to reach you. Finally, thank you for updating that to "cup holder" in message # 3. Keep in touch.

I have a date for Valentine's Day. It's February 14.

I know you are right, and if clients can't make it to my office when I'm here, they just have to go elsewhere. They will get there if you just hang tough. Obviously, you can make an exception if somebody really, really has no choice, but you don't have to be available 24/7. One last week said her new hours were 7 - 4. My official hours are 8 - 4. Of course I'm here long past that, and I don't lock the door, but I don't tell anybody that. If they catch me, they do, but I gotta go to the bank once in a while, too. Anyhow, when I called to tell her that her return was ready, she managed to get here in 15 minutes. At 2:00.

Poor Mary. So little bandwidth. So many tears of pity for sweet Mary.

I knew Jack was trouble.

They can be awesome when a rainbow is present.

OK, I told him, and now he says he's going back to Bob. Thank you. Whew.

Crap, did you give him my number? He's on the line now.

And, it's great when the education is facilitated by people not trying to one-up anybody. Go team!