life

It’s Tax Time!

Posted by Ginna on Feb 1, 2012 | 5 comments

Oh boy! It’s February 1st! You know what that means!

IT’S TAX TIME!!!

I love tax season. I get practically giddy when I receive my W2s in the mail. I love organizing all of our accounts, income, charitable donations, interest and calculating the amount of money we should get back from ol’ Uncle Sam. Ah! It’s so exciting.

I know there’s a whole camp of people who feel differently and see tax refunds as frustrating and boring. And I get that, it is kind of a tedious process. I also know many personal finance gurus see tax refunds as cheating yourself of a year of compound interest. But there’s just something about receiving that large (or small) payout all at once that does a heart good. Plus how much interest are you really getting on your saving accounts? The most I am is a measly 1%.

Anyway, we plan to file our taxes this month. I wonder how much money we will get back this year? Eeee! So excited!

So, what about you?
Do taxes make you confused and frustrated?
Or do you find yourself excited putting together your taxes?
Do you outsource your taxes to an accountant or use an online version?

I’d love to know!

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PS – Check out my last few years’ tax refunds: 2010, 2009, 2008

PPS – I’m starting to rethink my calling… perhaps I should have been an accountant? Hm.

My morning with Gigi

Posted by Ginna on Jan 31, 2012 | 8 comments

This past Saturday I drove to Greensboro to spend some time with my grandmother Gigi. I turned off her TV and put on Celtic music. She napped while I crocheted granny squares. I read aloud passages from the Bible and an article on cherry blossoms from my January copy of Southern Living. I told her stories of what was going on in my life today and memories I had of when I was younger.

She didn’t remember who I was, but it was the perfect morning. At one point I said, “I love you Gigi!” and she laughed and said, “Well, I love you too!” as if it was silly to have any other response.

Have a very good weekend.

Posted by Ginna on Jan 27, 2012 | 7 comments

Oh hi there, Blog. It’s been a while, no?

This week has been… work. Lots and lots of work. I love my job and I love my position, but right now things are busy and I find myself drained at the end of the day. Thus no posts aside from the usual Monday check up.

But enough excuses — it’s Friday! That happy day that puts an end to work and starts a weekend of rest. (Or at least for some of us.:) What are you up to this weekend? J has to work Saturday so I am going to Greensboro to spend some time with my family and catch up some housekeeping items that have sadly been neglected lately.

Five happy things for your Friday:

1. Lasagna Rolls — What an ingenious way to make lasagna (and maybe you won’t overeat, a problem I always seem to have with lasagna).

2. I’d like to make this lovely window coffee table, via Oh! Glory Vintage

3. How pretty are these terrariums? I’m thinking about making one for a side table.

4. I love these Amy Butler towels, available at Bed Bath & Beyond.

5. Last night at Target, I bought a bag of these. I suggest you do the same.

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I hope all of you have a very good weekend. I promise to post more next week. :)

Wishing for Snow

Posted by Ginna on Jan 18, 2012 | 4 comments

I’ve always loved snow. I love light flurries, I love heavy blizzards. I love when you have nowhere to go and can watch the snow fall from your window. Growing up, my dad would wake me up in the middle of the night so we could be the first ones to experience the white untouched grounds. I loved snow so much I decided to spend four years of college with it in the NC mountains.

My love for snow, however, ended in 2010.

Some of you may remember the Mid-Atlantic snow attack in the winter of 2009-2010. In fact, some of you experienced those unsettling few weeks. The weeks where snow billowed from the sky for days, wind was fierce, and a couple of feet of snow remained on the dirty streets months afterwards. These three storms were affectionately called Snowpocalypse, Snowmaggedon, and Snowverkill. The very last one, Snowverkill, was one of the worst weeks of my life: I was home alone, out of power, got food poisoning, and was severely dehydrated. I had never felt so alone and helpful. I hated snow after that miserable experience.

But, just like any relationship, a little time can do wonders for hurt feelings.

After two years, I am finally ready to love snow again. But where is it this year? I have yet to see one flurry this winter, and it seems to be a trend across America.

Dear Snow,

Please don’t stay away too long. Can you visit at least once before spring’s arrival?

Much Love, Ginna

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(photo: of my apartment parking lot)

Highlights of 2011

Posted by Ginna on Dec 30, 2011 | 4 comments

Oh hello there! It’s nice to see you all again. :) I have been enjoying my week off, but thought I’d pop by and share some thoughts on the eve of 2012. This year will forever be near and dear to my heart.

Here are a few highlights from this amazing year:

I moved into my current apartment.

I saw this cute couple get married.

My dear friends and family threw me a wonderful wedding shower.