Today, I’m scheduled to prepare taxes for a neighbor/friend. Having just experienced two BAD days with TurboTax on-line, I drove into Livingston, to Walmart, to purchase TurboTax software to install in my computer. To my amazement (but I should not have been surprised), no TT software. They seem to have narrowed their market to “prepare on-line” on their website. Frankly, I am skeptical about using TT for the neighbor/friend. I purchased H&R Block software package ($24.97). ~~ Question: Is this another example of “big business” getting our personal information, becoming the giant in the industry, raising prices, reduced quality and service?? (Facebook is in the news.) I didn’t mention in the earlier blog messages but TurboTax “expert” assistance was an additional $79.99. We have a problem with their product but are forced to pay $80.00 to talk to a “professional” person!! No thanks!! Intuit/TurboTax has lost this customer.

The H&R Block software was easy to use and I give it high praise!! There wasn’t the slightest hint of a problem and my neighbor/friend’s filing was quickly reported as “accepted” by IRS.

If I had more computer skills, I’d put myself in the picture.  ~~

“Hello Peyton.”

IMHO, too much time spent working on my Income Taxes with Turbo Tax. I was (am) so frustrated, I posted a complaint with Consumer Affairs. Here is a link to my message. After all the frustration compiling the tax information, the IRS rejected my e-file. So I had to “dig” for more information and, subsequently, the e-file was accepted.

P.S. This link to a question I asked of Turbo Tax. I’m eager to hear what they say.

P.S./P.S. Thursday, April 12, 7:00 AM: I’ve been reading reviews, and complaints, on the Internet. Here is a link to a very positive review of TurboTax.

Oh happy day!! Sunshine!!  🙂  🙂  “Sunshine”–and Lasko space heater–make me happy!!

Sorry, the sunshine isn’t obvious in the pictures but it looks beautiful to me. It’s official:  Al Roker, NBC Today show, 8:30 AM, said “sunshine in Texas.”

“Sunshine” (and a good night’s sleep) allowed me to start the neglected income tax preparation. I’ve been doing Turbo Tax (e-file on the computer) for years; it’s usually so-o-o-o simple. I ALWAYS get a refund!! This year, Turbo Tax told me I owed $1296.00 plus a penalty for not paying enough tax. OMG!! How is this possible?? Believe me, I almost had a heart attack!! ~~ Within the software program, I went over the details again, step-by-step, and believe I found one of the errors. I signed up for a “tax expert” and should receive a phone call tomorrow. ~~ I question whether the new tax laws have dug into my retirement income.

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“Oh Lord, I don’t need this complication in my life!”

the shade trees–and roof over the trailer–will keep me cool in the summer. “Cool”  is good in the summer but cool/cold not-to-my-liking in early April.

The reader is bored with details of the weather?! Understandable!! Bear in mind, this is Lorraine’s “journal.”

Yesterday I wrote about being “so cold.” This morning I awoke feeling “too hot.” ~~ Utter “crazy-maker”  weather!!

….. Yesterday ………. Today ….. (above)

Question: Will my life ever be “normal”?

P.S. 7:00 AM: TV meteorologist says warmer during the week but next weekend a carbon-copy of this weekend. OMG!! Another “damper” on my paid advertisement yard sale? This Saturday: Three visitors, no sales.

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P.S. 8:30 AM: Just returned from trip around RV Park to retrieve my “directional” yard sale signs. Several are weather-beaten, rain-soaked, and probably didn’t “direct” anyone my direction; one sign completely disappeared. Two signs were wind-blown (or maliciously maneuvered) so pointing in opposite direction. (Two signs near the CARE Center.)  C’est la vie!

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Positive note: This weekend, a thoughtful, considerate, friend brought five bottles for my bottle bushes. I don’t “need” more bottles but sincerely appreciate the remembrance.

…and a recent yard sale visitor was standing there. Long story short, she wants the greenhouse and fig tree. We agreed we don’t want to move them “until a nice weather day.”  The signs are down; I’m glad she found her way back to my yard. (She’s not a Rainbow’s End RV Park resident.) ~~ I’m so delighted when BIG items find a new home!!

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Did you read Hide & Seek?

The events of the last hour have pulled me out of the doldrums. Frankly, I’ve been depressed.

Depressed?! Why?? Because there is so much to “do” and I feel like I’m a hamster running endlessly in a wheel–getting nowhere. I want to return to the genealogy/scanning/Digitized Library project (started a year ago). I want to sit down and read a book; I’d like to participate in activities in the RV Park.