Can't Sleep...

Ok, so here it is almost 630 in the morning on Wednesday April 28 and I can't sleep. I've been awake since quarter after 4...Mama was having a bad dream and crying out and it woke me up. I laid there till about 530am, and I just could not go back to sleep. So, I got up. That's twice this week that I've woken up around 4 or 5 am and couldn't go back to sleep! Ugh, what is going on with my body clock?

Anyway, since I couldn't sleep, I thought I'd try to catch up on this thing. It's been 2 months since I posted last ( I know shame on me! ) Of course, as most know, tax season ended on April 15th, and I haven't worked since. Granted, since February I have probably sent out about 30 or so resumes, all with no bites. Hmm, wrong bait maybe? I have a killer resume, so I'm not sure what the deal is...anyway, I have a buddy that works for an employment agency and I'm going to send him my resume and see if he can help me out some! Hopefully, I will find something to at least tide me over until next tax season or permanently.

As far as the tax deal goes, they asked me to return next year...as well as interview for a manager position. Guess they liked my work, huh? Ha Ha!

I did enjoy doing the tax job...though, I enjoyed the processing part much more than actually preparing the taxes. There really is much more to a tax position than most realize. It's more than just getting the information from someone, entering it into a computer system and sending it off. Behind the scenes, we're fixing rejects, transmitting, making phone calls, keeping track of who's taxes are waiting for acknowledgments, who's waiting for a check/direct deposit, etc. Kinda tedious (an murder on the cuticles!!) but it's busy work...and I like that. I can't stand to be at work and get paid to do nothing! I get bored way to easily for that sort of thing. Anyway...David (the owner/my manager) asked me to come to the Fall classes (which are more in depth than the rapid class in January). He also wanted me to be level 2 by April 15th, but there was no way! Level 2 certification is TOUGH! I was reading up on it and found that it's best to take the level 2 certification during 2nd year of preparing. I'm thinking..."I'll take it after the fall classes!" I only have 4 chances to pass it...and I'm on chance #4 now...and that's WITH open book! Yeah, so you tell me...it's hard as hell!!

I was told by a few people who are 2nd and 3rd year preparers with David that if he didn't like the work I was doing, I wouldn't have been put on the schedule past first peak...which usually ends around February 15th. So I feel good that he liked what I did...even though I did make some rookie mistakes...but part of that was due to communication issues. David's not exactly the BEST communicator there is...so sometimes it's like pulling teeth or even having to sit down and complete a 5,000 piece jigsaw puzzle before you know what exactly it is he wants you to do. But, I think we can find a way to work that out and get a little better communication going on. I know he's going to have to improve that with me for sure next year! Ha Ha!

Anyway, in bowling news...NO NEWS! Ha Ha! Nothing other than my average is improving...I'm now consistently around 125-140 between 2 leagues. I'm about 95% consistent at bowling above my average, so that makes me feel good. Tuesdays I tend to relax a little more b/c it is a non-sanctioned league and it's a little more laid back. Wednesdays I tend to be a little more focused...though I have found that if I don't think about it, I do better. I got a few tips last season from another bowler and have been using those and they have helped tremendously. This season, on Wednesday nights (if I get there early enough) I have a bowling buddy who is on another Wednesday night league that is helping me out. He's literally making me roll 3 games of practice *BEFORE* league play starts. And so far, it's helped b/c it loosens me up and gets me into the swing of things. I normally don't participate in the 10 minute practice session just before league roll b/c I tend to do much better without it...whether I roll the 3 games earlier or not. Alan is a sweet guy, and I think he's got a teensy weensy crush on me. (And I'm not the only one that sees it either!) He's still a sweetheart though, and I consider him a friend. He's on a rival league...one that has been trying for the last 2 years to get our Wednesday Co-Coed League to "merge" with theirs. But Mama nor I will let that happen! Well, if we can. For one, their dues are $15/week, with an additional $10 at league start up to go into the prize fund. Two, they are way too serious. Our league is a sanctioned league also, however, we still have fun and cut up. Most of the players on the other league are stuck up, snobbish and just too damn serious! I mean, it's pretty bad when the secretary of that league comes to Mama and says that some of her bowlers are having trouble concentrating b/c we're having fun and making too much noise. Ha! Alot of her bowlers aren't that good anyway...I mean, none of them are professionals...and there are just a few scratch bowlers on that league. Shooooooot..I bet our league could beat there league any day if we were to battle! Ha Ha! Go us! Go us!

Next topic: Paisley...yeah she's my baby dog still! Her's a little monkey butt though! We took her a few weeks ago to get groomed...we did a full groom, as we do about twice a year...you know, trim, teeth, bath, nails, etc. We asked them to give her an all over trim...about 1/2 the length she normally is b/c she was shedding so bad. Well, they trimmed her alright...gave her a buzz cut! That's the first time we haven't been extremely happy with Petco's grooming services. However, we're getting used to it, although to watch her walk in front of us now...her little butt waggle is MUCH more pronounced and her little butt is just NEKKID! So wrong! They told us she did fight them a little on the trim, so she has a few patches where they kinda buzzed a little more than anticipated. Three patches on her chest, behind each ear...and of course, her little butt! Other than that though, she looks good. Kinda feels like peach fuzz! She's still super soft, which is awesome! I'll add some photos later, after Mama's gotten up, as the camera is in the bedroom and I don't want to disturb her again (like I did when I got up). Paisley could also be the new Liberty Tax mascot for our store...check it out...



Is that not just precious? Yep, she's mine! He He He!

Well, I think that about sums it up for this update. If I think of anything else, I will add to it...or post new. And I do need to try to update this more often. I'm not going to promise that I will do better, b/c I will for a little while, then I'll slack off again! But I will post the pictures of Paisley's new buzz cut later!

Update

Since my last post back in December...I have been quite the busy bee!

I saw an ad in the job classifieds and called about it. Turns out, it was for Liberty Tax. So, I thought what the heck...I'll take the rapid tax class and see what happens. Worst thought was I wouldn't get a job, right?

Well, only the best has happened. Not only was I the first one they interviewed to join the Liberty team, but I was also put into training as a processor.

So, not only do I prepare people's taxes for them, I process also. I know most everyone understands what preparers do, but let me explain the processing part of taxes.

The processor is the one that double checks, transmits to the IRS/state, assembles, prints checks, and basically does the behind the scenes work of a tax office. We also handle and correct any errors or rejects that come back to us. So, I'm constantly running around the office, back and forth between assisting customers with preparing their taxes and taking care of everything else. Of course, I'm not the only preparer or processor! There were others hired to prepare and process as well.

Some were hired as reception...which I am thankful that's NOT what I was hired for. Others were hired only as preparers...while a very small handful (me and I think one or 2 others) were hired for preparer/processor. I love it though...it constantly keeps me busy as I always have something to do! Either assisting a customer with their taxes, fixing errors/rejects, assembling, etc.

My boss, aka the owner, told me after the first couple of days that he wanted me on his "A Team" and that's where I'm at. All preparers have to be at least level 1 certified to prepare taxes. Well, I am level 1 right now, but have already been sent my level 2 exam...and have a feeling that I will receive the level 3 exam (which is the highest level for preparers) once I complete level 2. He also has me (the only processor aside from himself and Diana {his mother and main processor}) handling state as well as federal errors.

I also, as he told me last week, have the highest close rate of any of the preparers that work in his 3 locations. That is, for a level 1, first year preparer. I'm sure those that have worked for him before have higher...and, I am also at a good average for time as far as preparing returns. I also have one of the higher returns prepared rates, right now I'm almost at 50...and it's only about 2 weeks into the busy part of the season. I probably do about 5-15 returns each day that I work. Which, is great b/c at the end of the season, there will be a nice little bonus check for me! And, at 3% per return...that will be nice! Right now, I'm already up to about $500 bonus check...provided I calculated right! I always have trouble with that! Ha Ha Ha!

Anyway...David (the owner) has already asked me to return next year and work for him during tax season. I told him that I would. I'm also thinking about asking him about the possibility of working year round for him. All of Liberty's offices are open year round, not just for extensions and amendments, but to offer free tax advice and be there if the customer needs it.

I also have the feeling that he's grooming me to become a supervisor/office manager for the main office...which is the office I work in. Who knows...maybe I have a new career? LOL! Not that I don't want to get back into pharmacy, but there just aren't any RX jobs out there right now. Aside from the hospitals, and I can't work there b/c of my physical limitations!

Anyway, just a short update on where I'm at and what I'm doing. So, if you haven't already done your taxes...come see me at Liberty Tax on Randleman Road...I'm at the one across from BB&T, beside Mrs Winners...the one closest to Vandalia Road. I can make you an appointment and get you in and out quickly...and if you act quick (before Feb 15th), while it's still on...you'll get $50 in your hand when you walk out of the store once we've completed your return!!! So...come on and see me at Liberty Tax...where you can "Have Fun & Get Your Taxes Done!"