I'd like to say that so much has happened in the last three days since my last blog. Nope. The world is still turning and life continues its' frenzied race into the future.

I have eaten, slept and worked, but not in that order. lol

The only change is that, for the first time in 22 years, I have to work on Good Friday... kinda. I was told Wednesday night that my company would be working on Friday. Thursday night, I was told I didn't have to come in if I didn't want to, because there wouldn't be anyone working day shift in the building where I work. I then said that wasn't true. I asked around and found out that some people will be coming in on Friday, which means work for me to finish.

Here's the quandary: Since I've already decided to work, should I work a full shift if there is little to do? A part of my brain says to stick it to the company for having me come in. Another part of my brain is telling me to go in, do the work and leave.

I've decided I will make up my mind after I arrive today. If there's little to do, I might just bring a book and catch up on my reading.

We shall see.

I know you'll all be on pins and needles waiting to find out.

Starting Tuesday, for the immediate future, I will only be writing blogs on weekends and holidays. I'm not tired of it, just busy right now.

Last one until Friday:

I work and also draw Social Security. I am taxed more than most people while doing this. It's o.k., I'll get it all back when I finally retire, which is good, so I'm not complaining.

The Internal Revenue Service is another thing, though. I am now in my 49th year of working, since I was 16 years old. I always file my taxes on time. Being single most of that time, I never claimed myself until I file. Higher tax rate, but you generally wind up getting a refund that way.

This year I was supposed to get a refund of $155.00. And then the IRS stepped in. I was using the Health Care exchange to get the insurance the government said I had to have. For $168.00 a month, I was receiving minimal coverage. Not very good coverage, I might add. In August of last year I turned 65, so I signed up for Medicare. $134.00 a month (taken out of my Social Security), with much, much better coverage. With private health insurance I had a $6,000.00 deductible. With Medicare, I get 100% hospital coverage and 80% coverage on prescriptions. It doesn't take a genius to figure out why I switched.

Now... here's the kicker:

Because I switched during the year, I am being penalized. Goodbye $155.00 refund. I now OWE $3,775.00! My bill is being mailed to me today (I checked the website of the IRS). With the bill will be an explanation. I can hardly wait to read that. The closest I can figure in my head as to why I owe is that I must be having to pay back the amount I was given to keep my crappy insurance rate low for the first eight months of the year until I switched to Medicare.

Will I pay that amount? Yes, I will. Losing one third of my savings will be hard, but I will bite the bullet.

The only silver lining is that having drawn a full year of Medicare this year, when I file my taxes next year I won't owe anything. I hope. lol

Is it any wonder that people hate the IRS?

Until next time, so long. My rant is over, carry on with what you were doing and take care.

Jake

I had some trouble with my computer today. I couldn't get it to start. After running a diagnostic, it was recommended that I unplug my camera. After doing that, I ran a scan and everything was fine.

I won't leave my camera plugged in any more, o.k.?

My state capitol received 9.2 inches of snow today, while my town, 65 miles to the northeast, received zero.

HAH! I'm loving it.

Another spring (winter?) storm on it's way tonight. I will fall on my knees in thanks when it finally warms up here. lol

~

Memory is a truly remarkable thing. I heard this on my car radio on my way home from work last night:


I hadn't heard this song in over 40 years, and yet, I remembered every word. Oh, what memories flooded my mind.

Sight, taste and touch can bring things back to you, but music unlocks your soul.

~

As predicted, we received the tail end of that Nor' Easter, about 3 inches.Today, it is 40 degrees and all is melting fast.

It appears that Mother Nature wanted us to see who's in charge.

Most people seem to think that once the magic date of spring has arrived, it immediately turns warm and sunny. I live in the midwest, and I can tell you that it doesn't normally get warm here until late April, early May. Today's weather? High in the 30's and 2 to 4 inches of snow later this afternoon.

At least we don't have spring like Russia:


Be thankful for what you have.

~

If I were 19 again, it would be great...

and also 30-some years before this site even existed.

~

... or the horny nerd: