procrastinator's headquarters......

Tax Day!

Aaaaghh.....

That means the federal and state income tax returns are due to the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) today.

Now, I'm NO accountant but I have had extensive tax filing experience....(in a past life).... So I filed our state returns via e-file....then I filed the federal returns to be "snail mailed" to the IRS.

I'm sure some people file on the deadline date because they own...... that is NOT me.
I think I do it for the adrenaline, the craziness, the insanity.... maybe that makes me an edgy mom! (maybe not)
But it's fun.
I THINK sometimes you have to invent fun events to make a normally unhappy or un-fun thing...... funner
(I know--funner is NOT a word)


Whatever it is...... everything went perfectly smooth.
The downtown post office stayed open 'til midnight in order to personally postmark the envelopes. As I rolled in at approximately 9:45p......I was not alone.... there was a super long, super efficient, super quick drive through line outside the post office.
It was quicker than if I would've come in earlier to the post office, parked and stood in line......

The postal workers were outside under plenty of spot lights.....happily stamping the envelopes as quick as they came in.
On tables beside them were the postal date maker, bins for the letters, coffee and donuts!!!
What a sight......everyone was happy and smiling.
Even the local news crew was there.... I didn't get back home in time to check the local news to see if our lil' van was seen driving through but Nana thinks she did.
Nana's staying with us.... she stayed home with the girls (as Bam and I went to P.O.)
Uncle Ahsker also stopped by for a visit.... seems we should've had a tax day party tonight with so many visitors..... because of course that would've been "FUNNER."   (hahaha...)

Cheii's childhood stories (listening, learning and appreciating)

It's a beautiful, chilly overcast day at the ranch.

melting snow equals muddy grounds 

We're with Nana and Cheii relaxing at the ranch.

Today we're going to celebrate Cheii's birthday. 

(his actual birthday is on leap day--so he's actually a lot younger than we think.....)

Birthday greetings and decorations
 are lovingly placed about the house to honor
Cheii's special day.

Bam, Fifi, Sweetheart and Cookie got an early start on decorating for his celebration with signs, streamers, and balloons.

Then Nana and the girls picked up some scrumptious cupcakes for his birthday sweet, earlier, when they went grocery shopping.

Cheii and Bam spent time together too, as they went to feed to the cattle earlier in the a.m.

--------------

  Nana made a delicious home cooked meal. 

We sang happy birthday to Cheii.

Had cupcakes while Cheii recalled stories of his childhood and growing up......

Cheii was very happy and thrilled to be spending his special day with us. (early)

We were hoping to spend another day at the ranch with Cheii and Nana but we had to leave today.

 A huge snow storm was also headed for the area.

muddy van look like she had a great adventure......

The storm was a mix of hard freezing rain, blizzard snow and fierce winds.

--shivering--

the calm before the storm

 --backseat view en route--

We hear the BIG cold front is headed our way.

 Currently there is only very light flurries falling.
Although that doesn't mean something heavier couldn't come down later tonight.

We decided to continue with our Sunday plans anyways.

We venturing out to the South Valley, after we went to the children's museum downtown. 

We enjoy stopping at the Pros Ranch market when we're in the area.
This grocery store is very different from the regular grocery stores we go to.

Its a speciality grocery store with departments like a tortilleria (tortilla factory) right inside where they make fresh tortillas and tamales.

(We picked up a dozen tortillas and half a dozen tamales to enjoy at home)

They also have a cocina, (kitchen) serving ready to eat Mexican / Latin food and a panaderia (bakery), deli and juice bar with fresh aqua frescas.

(We treated ourselves to a soft taco plate and a round of sandia aqua fresca)

The atmosphere is very festive.  Its like a mini tour to Old Mexico.

 Explora children's museum and the market on a cold day...........this is our calm before the storm.