Tidbit No Longer

Just a brief note this time. Sad news. L'il Tidbit is no longer on the way. No one is quite sure what happened, but the end result is the same...I am no longer going to be a grandma. Both of the kids are train wrecks, understandably. I'm not sure I'm so hot myself. At any rate, just wanted to update you all.

Tax Time

Yeah, Mary Pat's right. It really has gone dead lately. But I'm just as much to blame as anyone else... so what's going on in my world?

Well, I'm gaining weight *not very yay-yay*...... And I started a new job *lots of yays!*... It's exactly what I wanted, but it's hard to make the transition and still focus on everything outside of work.

Down in Texas, there's not been one inch of snow. It got cold a few times and I think we had one day in November where the snow melted before it hit the ground and only lasted for about 30 minutes. That was weird.

Oh, I do have a weird story to tell. Last Friday night, I was doing my taxes online with a very well-known tax preparation company. I ran into a difficult situation while filing the taxes and so I decided I needed some help. I decided the best way to do this (since I was already filing online) was to use the online chat for customer service. As I waited (over half an hour) for a customer service rep, I just browsed the internet. No big deal. Then the biggest IDIOT responded to my request. (I'm going to put some of my own current comments in red). Here's a copy of the Chat:

Jason C: Hello, welcome to "Enter Company Here" Live Technical Support Chat! How can we assist you today?
ME: Well, I don't seem to have the option to e-file my return... only to mail it. I need to know why and how to get it e-filed.
Jason C: I can help you with that.
Jason C: Just so I understand you can't efile your return or you don't know how you can efile your return?
ME: Well I checked the FAQs and it tells me to go to "Main Menu" etc.. but I don't see any main menu options. When I check the status of my e-file, it just says "not filed". That text is a link, so I click on it and the only checkbox available is "I want to print and send my return by mail." or something like that. I did it last year, but can't seem to get it done this time
Jason C: May I please know if you already submitted your return? (only 15 seconds pass while I'm typing AND the program even tells you when the other party is currently typing).
Jason C: are you there?
ME: Umm... when you say submitted what do you mean? I've already put in all the W-2's
Jason C: does it mean, you are still filling it up as of this moment?
ME: No I'm finished
ME: I finished it last night
Jason C: Okay but you told me you can't file your return?
ME: That's right. I want to e-file and then mail in my "OL" form. The only option I'm being given is to print and mail my return myself.
ME: It didn't ask me for my PIN or anything like it usually does when you e-file
Jason C: Yes, you have to mail your 8453 OL.
ME: Right. Within 48 hours after it has been e-filed and accepted. But it hasn't been filed.
Jason C: heve you submitted your 8453 ol?
(AGAIN, only 15 seconds pass WHILE I'm typing.)
Jason C: are you there?
ME: No. Let me rephrase. Last night I completed entering in all the W-2's. I submitted my return and saw how much my return will be. I was even charged for it. However, I want it to be electronically filed. I am not being given that option. How do I get it to file electronically?
Jason C: are you filing a federal or a state?
ME: Federal
Jason C: May I please know what is the percent of your efiling?
ME: the tax bracket percent?
Jason C: on the right upper corner, there is a percent.
ME: Right upper corner of what?
Jason C: Of the Page that you are in right now.
ME: The page I am in has nothing except "Save & Quit" in the right upper corner.
Jason C: have you printed the 8453 ol
ME: NO. I didn't even get a 8453 OL because it hasn't been filed electronically. How does knowing the percentage help?
Jason C: on the upper right corner there is a percentage of your efiling.
ME: I know. You already said that. How does it help
Jason C: it will help me to give you the resolution.
ME: I don't know where to find the 8453 OL form. I'm in a window that reads (blah blah).
Jason C: You'll be able to print Form 8453-OL - the signature document for e-filed returns - only after your e-filed tax return has been accepted. To check your e-file status: Go to (blah blah blah... lots of instructions go here)
ME: Okay here's the problem.. I started over and I logged in like you said... from (youknowwhere).com I clicked on tax client login and logged in. I am then taken to a page with no Main Menu or File Tab.
ME: I've got these options:
ME: My tax return *Federal return: review entries
Jason C: Use Take me to Button.
ME: Pay and file> Federal : Not Filed
ME: Okay hold on
ME: Take me to gives me: Main Menu, Federal Menu, Personal Information.... etc. Do you want me to click on Main Menu from here?
Jason C: yes
ME: When I clicked on Main Menu, it took me back to "My tax return: Federal return>review entries, State Return, Pay and file>Federal:Not Filed, Print completed 2005 return>print"... etc.
ME: If the percent you were asking for is the same as the marginal tax bracket percent, I know from last night what it is but... I don't know if that's what you were looking for
Jason C: are you in front of your computer?
ME: How else would I be chatting with you?

(This is just about where I lose it. I realize now, I'm not going anywhere with this guy. He takes me to a form that I don't need and this is how the conversation ended.)

ME: Now you see my problem? I need it to be EFILED, and I don't want mailing instructions. I don't want it to be mailed
Jason C: I suggest you call this number 1-888-(basically I don't want to help anymore).
Jason C: Is there anything else we can assist you with today?
ME: Wow, thanks for passing me off. I believe I wasted a great deal of time with you. Do you have a supervisor I can talk to?
Jason C: I suggest you call the customer service number that I gave you.
Jason C: I apologize for the inconvenience.
ME: Oh I will. And I'm keeping a copy of this conversation. It was very ridiculous. Thanks for nothing.

It took a total of 3 hours combining hold times for online and phone customer service. That's just outrageous. Well thanks for reading!

FYI, Heather's gone

I like to go up and down the list occasionally and found out that Heather's gone. You'll see if you click on her link.

How is everyone? We've been such the dorment group lately.

We have not had a winter here in MO, guess we're in for a cold March.

I've been very busy at work. Almost 40 and for the first time in a corporate setting I'm going to be someone's boss..2 people actually. Hopefully there is a bosses for dummies book. :0)

SO how is everyone?

I think my problem is lack of excersise. I have been so sore lately. Just stiff w/ lower back pain. I think it's cause I sit all day.

Hope you all are doing great!