Month: December 2018

I want holiday season Mondays to be awesome. It’s close to Christmas so Monday’s in December should be up to the job.  Today is not. 

Today I had an auditor coming to visit. Longtime client  got flagged for an audit. Sucks. They have the potential to get hammered. After collecting all their backup for expenses I think they are going to lose a lot of tax dollars., probably in excess of $20k. Plus whatever the state of CA assesses. Won’t be pretty. And could go far higher. 

I had to drive first to the clients office to pick up all receipts and backup for the audit. My appt with the IRS is at 9am. So, being at the clients at 830 cuts it close. So I got the paperwork and took off to the IRS office which is close by. Sadly, turns out, the auditor was at my office for the meeting. Oops. My bad. 

So jumped back into the car and raced to..Starbucks. I need coffee. Then off to my office. Auditor was very nice and young (is 41 young?). We got along well. We went through the usual audit crap. Back and forth. I talk a lot during audits and this was no exception. She got a call from her daughters school at this point. Kid had hit her head. She says call me in 15 mins to the school. So we kept working. 15 mins later call comes in and she has to leave. She wrote up a receipt for the documents and took them with her and headed to school. We will hear later. 

The balance  of the day was the usual. Paperwork, banks recs, a couple tax returns. The usual crap. Not notable, as you can see. 

Tonight was special. Our friend Reneewas celebrating her 60th today. Renee is the same Renee we just went to Hawaii with. And they wanted to go to one of their favorite places, one I had introduced them too, across the street from my office for dinner. Yay. Dinner and I don’t have to go far. Win. 

Emily drove in from work. She even arrived first. I got their next the Bob and Renee. They brought a magnum of one of our all time favorite wines. A 2009 Stephanie Zinfandel. I had forgotten, but we had given them this same bottle a few years back and they have been holding it. It’s best years are 10 to 20 so it’s about right. 

Dinner was excellent. The managing partner of the place came by to say hi. Renee rents her house in Roseville to him. I had introduced them to this place, partner Charlie met Renee and rented her house. As Charlie said, I put a lot in motion bringing Bob there. Funny how things happen. 

We left by about 830. It’s a school night so gotta go to bed. Drive uneventful. Home, did a few chores and off to bed. 

I took a pill at 2 am. To help me sleep. I had woken earlier and I knew I was not getting back to sleep anytime soon. Well, pull worked well. I woke at 830. That’s nice. But it’s midday and I have a pill hangover.

Being tired did not stop me from having a regular Sunday morning. Big paper, coffee, breakfast. Usual things. Coffee helps. I spent a couple hours cleaning the house. I am sure you are wondering where is Emily? She went with friend Barb to have reflexology massages. Then off to have her toes “done”. It’s 1pm and I still have not seen her. I did get a text from her when she went to toes. She had called but I was on the phone with Marika and at the same time getting a lap dance from my cat. So unable to answer phone.

House cleaning was awesome. Right. It is no fun but I do it anyway. Cleaned one shower and one toilet, both cat boxes, vacuumed everywhere mostly due to cats dropping fur averywhere. And that’s about it. Oh yeah, did dishes, emptied dishwasher, two loads of laundry. I forgot that stuff.

Now I really have nothing to do. Emily just called. She is in her way home and then we are going to run a couple errands. This rental house thing does leave the weekends void of chores. And what I do have to do is quick. I find this weekend in particular quite boring. Not sure why. I am guessing I don’t do well with free time.

Emily got home and had some lunch. She seems in love with the pork ribs I smoked/bbq’d last night. I used a light touch of hickory and apple wood. Cooked at a low temp for three hours. She told me today they were the best ribs she has had in her life. I was thinking they were good. But we each Tate what we want.

Our errands turned out to be school ones, not exciting, but something to do. We went to Tremont and dropped off packages and then made a bunch of copies. Em needed them for Monday morning. Since some of the copies were for Barb G our next errand was to go to her house and drop off said copies. We did just that. Emily took the long way home through English Hills. She does this whenever she comes out this way. Personally I head to the freeway. On sundays the freeway traffic is bullshit so it may be a good day for a detour.

We got home and now are semi watching football. I really never watch football anymore. I just lost my taste for it. I only watch baseball. But, the TV gods have conspired against me. The best thing on is a football game. So we watch football. There is just nothing to do.

I took the downtime to call back a gentleman that had called me. An associates, Hal, has asked me to call him and said he might call me. Hal wants me to vette the guy and his project. Ben, the caller, did call and leave a message on Saturday. So as I was saying, I called him here on Sunday evening. I learned a lot in 40 minutes.

Ben has a small real estate development project in the works. Maybe $2M. I would call it a nice condo conversion project. I asked several questions about what he is doing, where he is at on the project, his ability to finance and expected cost and how he will pay for it. I have my thoughts on his abilities and the strength of the plan. But I won’t put them in a public forum. I will share my thoughts with Hal.

And now I am sitting in the living room watching 60 Minutes. A bit too dramatic this week. I am going to watch anyway. Glad I watched, the drama ended. Good show.

Dinner time. Really just leftover time. But, the leftovers are the worlds best pork ribs made by yours truly. And the leftover potatoes and a salad. Not a leftover. It was a particularly awesome Sunday night dinner. Wish everyone was here. But you weren’t. Not planning on any dessert though Emily May want something.

Now that we are done with food and dishes it’s time for lousy TV. Seems like that is every night, and it is. Maybe I need to find something outside the living room to entertain me. An activity that isn’t too physically taxing.

Just so we are clear what is torturing me, AFV was on at 8. Then Simpson’s (past it’s prime), then Bobs Burgers. The last one is actually good. I am going to bed early anyway.

Today we slept in. I did not sleep fitfully but I did sleep. Up at about 730 which is ok. Em and I both have lots to do. We did the usual, all had breakfast some had coffee (none for dogs).  Em went of for a 915 haircut. I have to be gone by 1030 to get the dogs to Woodland for bath and haircut. Then both of us will be stocking shopping and Christmas shopping for part of the day. 

Tonight is the Goose Cross holiday dinner at their winery in Napa. We attended last year and it was truly fabulous. Emily has commented, many times, that it was the best dinner ever. Could be. They had a little writing contest, which I won. The fun part being our dinner guest giving me shit about the writing (I guess because I blog) and saying I thought I would win. I said nothing. But, when I won, I gave her a ration. And I still do, a year later. Fun. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if I won again? She would be beside herself. She has more to worry about now with her husband, (our other guest last year) being in and out of the hospital 10 times over the last few weeks. We are not sure if he will be going tonight. Hope so. 

I need to mow the lawn before I go out today. So I am off to accomplish something. 

After the big mow, big cuz I took down the stakes, I took the dogs to Woodland to get groomed. Shari, our groomer, has been grooming our dogs for the past 20 years. I first met her husband over 30 years ago. Grooming the dogs takes about 3 hours so I decided to go out and do some Christmas shopping. 

First stop, the pet store. Why? Because Shari knows the new owner and says she needs an accountant. More important than shopping. Well, Sally wasn’t there so I will have to call later. 

Off to shopping. I visited several stores, far too many, but did finish up Dee’s stocking, Emily’s advent, and put a dent in Emily’s regular stocking. The stores were not very crowded there was plenty of parking and it was easy. Didn’t spend too much either. It would be a good day shopping if such a thing existed. It doesn’t. 

I called at about 3 to see if the doggies were done. Yay, they were almost done. So, I made one more stop at a furniture store downtown. Emily had seen a riveted aluminum and leather swivel butterfly chair in the window of the store a while back and I wanted to see it as well. We are getting furniture for our move. The chair is perfect and unique and truly one of a kind. I am going to buy it but want to wait till I have the house. 

I called up Shari again. She was done. I offered to stop for Dutch Bros on my way and readily agreed. Shari does love her Dutch. 

I got there and collected my doggies. They look and smell much better than before. Much better.  

Drive home. I left Shari’s it was after three. Need to get home, unload and get ready for the dinner. We are meeting at about 5 at our house and leaving for Napa at 530. Of course, Barb is always late. So, got home and unloaded. Emily arrived soon after from work and shopping. We got everything situated that we purchased today. Got ourselves ready and were done 15 minutes early. 

Barb and her son, Kyle got there about 515. Late as I had mentioned. Kirk, Barb’s husband has surgery yesterday so he was not able to not able to attend the party. 

Barb and Kyle wanted a cocktail before we left. I decided to join them, a mistake it turned out. Drinks were excellent. 

We took off for Napa right after that. Traffic was light and we made decent time. We got there about 630. Actually we arrived kinda late. But, we had enough time for a few hors douvres and couple glasses of wine. 

Again, like last year, they had a writing assignment for us. A few words on our favorite Goose Cross Winery moment. I obliged  and also helped Kyle come up with an idea. We turned those in and continued to sip and eat till dinner. 

Dinner again was set up in the barrel room where the wine barrels are set to ferment. Same as last year, five courses, superb food, and a different wine with each course. Their wine was much better this year. And they poured more freely. 

After dinner they announced the winner. 2nd place to a lame story about some engagement. Then top prize. They rad the entry. It was mine. Hee hee. But, they followed up with Kyles. We had both written about the same thing. Mine led into his. Funny. I had given him the idea. No matter. Kyle told me we both won. I can go with that. 

Over the course of the evening the wine was poured quite freely and I had become quite drunk. Not falling down, but drunk. Barb was there as well. When we left, I was sitting in the back seat. The car sick seat. Fortunately, no puking happened. Took an hour to get home and I thought I was gonna barf the whole way. Got home and straight to the can to try and barf. No such luck. I was feeling lousy. I sat in the bathroom for an hour before I was finally able to go lie in bed and sleep. 

Today is about the same as yesterday. Except this morning Marika is here so I have a little more entertainment. Nothing else stands out. 

Marika, it turns out, stayed the whole day.   She is working on a project for school. The LAST one since she graduates in only SIX days. My little boo boo graduating college. We are proud of her. Next step is a job and then adulthood. Happy and sad at the same time. 

So morning included extra coffee to make and one more breakfast. Otherwise, same morning as all that came before.  

Off to work. Nice drive. Same as every other day. Except for a small accident in the far side of the causeway which caused a 45 minute back up. Joy. Then, at least, a very quick drive the rest of the way. 

Arrived at work and did the usual – phone calls from the car. I usually receive calls during my drive and don’t call back from the road. So I can sit in peace in the lot and get them done. 

Well, now into the office. The work day is more audit prep. A lot more. It was 75% of my day. I hate audit work. Today the audit work includes a call from clients who were here yesterday to discuss their audit from Tuesday. Today’s call was the wife, upset, and crying at times uncontrollably. She was upset with the results of the audit. Sadly, not wrong. I am used to emotional responses to things like this. I have seen grown men respond with even more crying. It’s painful for all. I need to speak to the auditor and get it done. Professionally, their outcome was very good. They just don’t believe it. Too bad. 

Back to work. I prepared a correspondence audit. Which entails getting clients to provide neat and organized receipts for the return being audited. My job, help them collect and send to me so I can organize it into auditable shape. Most people are no damn good at organizing data. Whatever.  I spent a good part of the day collating and organizing data and then mailed it off to the IRS. 

One more audit to put together. I am meeting with the auditor on Monday morning. The client has known for days what I need but I am still waiting for the requested paperwork. It’s 5pm and I have not seen it.  Guess I will be calling the client over the weekend. 

So, worked till six and left. We are eating in tonight. We always go out Friday night. Not this time. And Marika is still here. Now working on her resume for the new job she should be getting. We hope. I helped her update her resume. She does not want to use a cover letter which I do not agree with. Her call. 

We made nachos for dinner. I had thought we should have the leftover mole. I was overruled. I did put Mole in the nachos. I have to get something in it for me. They were delish. 

Marika loaded up, including the car, and headed home. We will see her soon. After all she finishes college next Thursday and I have to do something to celebrate that. Something she will enjoy. So I suppose we will party like fools next Thursday. 

I have been sitting watching bad TV the last hour or so. Getting ready for bed. Emily has been snoring next to me. She just woke a moment ago and said she needs to go to bed. What’s the difference?  I am going to bed. 

No matter what, 95% of every day is the same thing as the day before. No, not citing a scientific study though there probably is one. I write about my day, every day. Based on the last couple years, things don’t change. From casual observation, though I am hardly casual about it, most others are in the same boat. The work is how to make it sound different enough to be interesting. I have no idea if I have succeeded.

Emily just texted me. She needs $20. Can’t remember why. This is my first appointment of the day. And my first chance to forget something. It’s how my brain (doesn’t) works. Making a mental note. Wait, maybe I should make a paper note. Then what if I don’t read it? There is no solution. Except Emily reminding me. Will see how this goes.

I have another appointment at 11. I am hoping it is worthwhile but do not have any real belief it will. The guy is a long time client. He is a prima dona. And an asshole. He left my firm for greener pastures for about five years. Then came back. Now he is my new best friend. When someone leaves and comes back I am afforded the opportunity to raise my prices higher. After all, doesn’t the return mean I am better than all others? At least to him? I think so. I raised his price. Can hardly wait to see what he wants now.

Today I still have audit prep to do. Would love to get the correspondence audit off my desk. And the client off my phone. That would help. The IRS is a creator of havoc. A creator of anxiety. I heartily dislike them.

While checking my emails at home, my 11am texted. He can’t make it. Cool. So I took a little more time on my emails. Dragged around the house. Did some dishes. Packed up and left. About 1030.

Got to work around 1130. Got a call right as I pulled in and spent a few minutes on the phone. Now that I’m not driving, I checked voice mails and texts and made a few more phone calls. Ended up being in the car for half an hour. Thencarbisbhood for this. No one can interrupt or pass me a call or anything. I should do this every day.

Into the office. Katrina has an emergency for me to handle. Except I already did, from the car. I had already taken care of all my messages.

Spent the day on all my other tasks. I called the clients whose audit I handled last Tuesday. They came in shortly thereafter to review their case. The audit covered two years, the second of which had a very minor change. The first was a $40k tax increase. There is not much I can do for them. Fortunately I did not prepare the return. The guy who did the work is incompetent. The return was a pile. The auditor was more than fair. My clients, as usual for any client, were convinced it was not right. I think it more than correct based on the data I had. We ended up deciding to try for another adjustment to sales. The auditor is being more than fair in re-examining data. The client is just in disbelief.  I can tell who is correct.

After the meeting I moved on to more audit work. I am handling a correspondence audit for another client. I am preparing a package of receipts and other documents to mail off to an IRS examiner. I really don’t like this method. No contact with the auditor leads to problems.  I had to ask for a lot more data from my client. She had provided a portion and I prefer to have all. Crazy. Clients are very good at sending far less than is required.

I spent some time looking at cars on the internet and building them online. The idea being one day I will buy one. I have my eye on a few, but would really like to win the Corvette in the drawing I entered.  I am pretty sure I am going to win.

Headed home a little after five. Marika is home and we are making Mole. Which I looking forward to. I love Mole.

She had brought home a chair I had ordered at a Petaluma store  she helped me move it into the house when I finally got there.

Marika made all of us cocktails. Bourbon cocktails. It’s always a celebration when she comes home. Or just an excuse for cocktails. Like we need a reason.

Dinner was fabulous, as expected. The Mole was particularly spicy which I find very tasty. We had it on chicken and pork, separately.

Emily picked up eclairs and cream puffs for dessert. So we really feasted beyond the pale tonight. On a Thursday of all things.

We sat around a bit watching TV. And then we went to bed, leaving Marika up watching.

Monday night I slept very poorly. Woke at 4am and never got back to sleep. Happens. Last night, I slept like my dog Jaxon. Snoring, tongue hanging out, unconscious like I was dead. Nice. Woke at 615 with the alarm. Back to sleep instantly till 630 when Emily got up. I am hoping that bodes well for my day.

Today is Wednesday. As long time readers may know, it’s weigh in day. The transition from diet to maintenance is going well. I hit 150.8 old and 152.2 new scale weights. That’s after the last three weeks of fake Thanksgiving, real Thanksgiving, and 5 days in Maui. I am amazed it’s like a flat line. Maybe this diet does work. Soon, back to working out.

Got Emily out the door in good time, fed and lunched. All chores done. I ate some carbs today to celebrate weigh in. I have lots of work to do so need to get moving. But, took a half hour to text with friend Cissie. She needs some contact. I think she is a little down and you gotta boost your friends up when that happens. Don’t want them to ever think they are the cause of a problem when it’s not them. Self blame is a downward spiral and I got to help stop that. I will need to text her later just to check in. For now, the shower.

Stopped at the German Bakery on the way to work. Just a quick cream filled twist. And a cup of coffee. For weigh in.

Off again. This time all the way to the office.

So I had a lot of work to do today. Though I had much work to do, here at 10pm, I can hardly remember any of it. I have audit prep for two clients. I finished a letter to one to get all the info in for the auditor. Not sure what else I did. Spoke to a couple clients. Answered many emails. Spoke to Walker a few times regarding a new client coming on board. Went to the bank with the weekly deposit, two days early.

Emily left work early to go to a Med appointment here in Sacramento. After she was done, she drove toward me and we met up at a restaurant across the street, in the mall, from my office. The place was full, on a Wednesday night even. We had a nice dinner, I also had a couple cocktails, in honor of weigh in. This place is one of our favorites. Not for the price because it’s pricey.

After dinner we went into the mall for some Christmas shopping. Managed to get some nice things at Nordstrom for the boy. Emily really wanted to leave. She had even tried to skip out after dinner. I forced her to keep going for a few more minutes. We found nothing else so I told her to go on home. I continued bravely, for awhile longer. But even I got tired and called it a night.

I went to the valet, it’s free, hot the car and headed home. Nothing much going. Spoke to Marika on the way back. She sent me a xmas list for her brother. That helps. We don’t know what to buy him anymore, he does nor maintain much contact. Thank god his sister found out.

Got home and unloaded. Watched a little TV. Blogged, obviously. And went to bed.

Today not much of import going on. I slept rather poorly last, waking at 4am and not getting back to sleep. I hate that. Which means I will be very tired today and probably sleep better tonight. I can only hope.

I just finished my second cup of coffee so I am awake and more alert. I have stacks of work right here, personal errands mostly, and stacks of work at work where they belong. Plenty to do when I get there. Need to do audit prep for three audits. What fun. I am sure it will keep me busy all damn day.

Always more to do. I have emails to slog through here. I reconciled my checking account. Cleaned a little. Work is never done.

Did usual work for balance of day. Not exciting.

I need to short change everyone. It’s now Wednesday morning. And today, Monday, is in the ether. So I end here to pick up, lamely, tomorrow.

The last nail in the coffin lid is this morning, going back to work after vacation. I would rather retire but I have too much work to do. And, I need to gloat about my trip and work provides the stage to really rub it in. So, I guess I will go.

I had three appointments today. Had to cancel one since I was not together enough for the meeting. Mostly bad timing. I have called to reschedule several times. But, no connection. Two more appointments later in the morning that I will be ready and available for.

One good thing about the short vacay, nothing much going on while I was gone. I didn’t miss a thing. When clients called, they only were put off a few days. So I have no anxious people breathing down my neck.

I did receive a large wire transfer on behalf of a client company and spent half my day sorting out all the wire transfers to distribute it. It is truly a pain in the ass. And the client is a whiny jerk. Love my job. Good news, immediate payment of my invoice. That’s nice.

I was unable to get much else done. The above required three trips to the bank. Long trips. I did not even get through my mail. I did get the monthly billings done. That’s very important. I answered a few calls. Had rwo meetings. That’s about the sum of it.

I left reasonably early, at around six. I had to go to Western Union to send more $$$ out on the above. It never ends.

A quick drive home and that’s the day. We just had dinner, Emily got home much earlier and cooked a meal. That’s a nice part of being home, the cooking.

I am going to do the dishes and then a few chores. Some computer work. Nothing much really. Then watch a little bad TV. Then go to bed. Read a book. Go to sleep. I feel good.

I can say we did sleep in today. That’s the only food thing about today.

I am a creature of habit. It works for me. I got up Sunday morning. I did my thing, fed all pets, made coffee, fed all people. Read the big newspaper in detail.

Emily showed up somewhere in that process and announced what we would be doing for the day. Cleaning the house. She listed all chores out, which I really like. Cuz if she don’t list it, I don’t do it. And I accept no blame for that. Also a list allows me choice, so I choose the things I want to do.

So Emily did her thing and got ready. Then she went to work. This is also good. It means no one will be there to comment on how I do chores. Emily is the back seat driver of chores. Very annoying. So, where did I start? I picked up the portable vacuum and went after all the places Roomba and the upright vac can’t get to. Easy hour or more to finish. I’m sure I missed something.

Went out back and cleaned up all the poop. Marika did not bother while we were gone. Then I mowed the lawn. Something I have not done in a few weeks. It looks fabulous.

Back inside, started the laundry. Then the “put shit away” chore. This last task is harder than you think. That’s because I put things away where they go until there is nothing extraneous around. Makes the house look neat and less cluttered. Dusting was next, about 30 minutes into it, Emily returned.

I finished the dusting. Now time for my shower which I had skipped in favor of all the housework. Emily decided to mop. I saw it first, and decided to leave it to her.

Once out of the shower I had nothing to do. Already did my share. Emily has lots to do. Good for her.

I did have one chore left. I went to the store and left Em to the mopping and finishing the laundry.

First stop was the pharmacy. Emily’s sumbass doctor finally got her prescription refilled. He added in extra refills because he was such a dumbass. I picked up mine and of course, meds for Jaxon.

I ran into Barb Garlick there. Her husband, Kirk, has been in and out of the hospital the last couple weeks for Gout. They are trying any number of meds on him with no luck so far. She still has her sense of humor at least. But I can tell it’s getting trying. She is excited about our big winery dinner date next Saturday. I’m glad to see the future doe. Or scare her. Not sure Kirk can make it, but hope springs eternal.

After Rx, time to get groceries. Instead of heading to Winco, favorite grocery, I shopped where I was. I just purchased fewer items and will hit Winco later in the week.

Once I had all in the car I went to Best But, near the house, to return the antenna that does not work. Found a cool advent item for Emily too and then headed hone.

Emily was about done when I got home. I made dinner. Steaks and salad. I fried the steak, faster and easier than the BBQ and I am ready to finally relax.

We enjoyed our dinner as only you can when you have been working all day. After dinner I paid bills, last chore on the list.

Now. Bedtime. Emily has been asleep for an hour. My turn.

All good things must end. What asshole said that first? Hunt him down, string him up.

It’s 745am and I have been awake an hour. Up for 30 mins. Not dressed, still in my beautiful kimono robe. I am rockin this thing. I managed to get the food ready to cook for breakfast and only need some buy in from the others who are cleaning, packing, and walking around. I am showered. I am packed. My travel clothes are hanging in the closet for me. If Col Potter screamed “bug out!” I would be out in under five minutes. But with this group, I would lead the way out every time.

So I am drinking coffee, ate some banana bread, cleaned up a little out here and I wait for the others. And I wait. Good thing my life does not depend on eating a timely breakfast.

Ten minutes later. Drinking more coffee. What the hell do these people have to do? Just to get ready. I think everyone needs basic training when they hit 18 just to understand some of the basics on life. Like how to get your shit together. And get moving. I learned it well from my father. Get ready the night before. All the way. Then the next morning you are ready and everyone else will look slow and clumsy. And I shine. People here are looking slow and clumsy and wandering around the room. I have time to drink coffee and blog. I got my shit together. One of the few things I do well.

I hate to beat a dead horse but this is taking to fucking long. Wait, Emily just popped out. Time to start the steak. I am gonna push this along. I am way past ready for breakfast.

Our travel partners are not the best at readying themselves to go. Which is obvious when you watch them. And, for more fun, they are having an argument about what? Packing. Who did what and how well etc etc. shut the fuck up.

Break time. Steak and eggs are ready. A fine protein packed meal that is quite tasty. The purchases we made at Costco were very helpful in keeping us out of the local eatery’s. Save lots of cash. The last of the steak and eggs was now. Whatever leftover food we had, Renee packed up and put in her suitcase. She packed everything that was in the fridge. She rebooked the booze into water bottles. Nothing went to waste. Even the waste. She is crazy. They are going on to Kauai for four more days and I hope she does not take the food home after that.

The drive to the airport is about an hour. We left the hotel at 930 for a 1230 flight. Plenty of time. The weather is cool and rainy today so we won’t be missing anything.

First stop gas station at Costco. Gas is cheaper than California by a buck a gallon. Seems wrong. Bob had wanted to go to the swap meet but we really ran out of time.

Airport was busy. I guess everyone else leaves on Saturday. The only excitement we had was the security line. Some stupid cow, and her entourage, plugged up the line. She had so many pieces of luggage I could not figure out how she was getting it on the plane. Has tow infants, twins, and the big stroller to with it. I would tell you she literally unpacked her bags into the security trays. What a mess. Finally some TSA minion cane along and put us in another line. He claimed faster. Fuck no. Worlds shortest security lines take 45 minutes.

We got through and all the way to the gates. Sat around and chatted a few, said our goodbyes and headed to our respective planes. End of trip. Oh well.

Our trip home was really great by almost standards. We flew on Hawaiian Air. We received a free meal, free cocktail, and the staff is friendly and helpful. Why is it only the Hawaiian airline that is awesome? Don’t know.

We landed at 945 pm and it was 44 degrees outside. Half of Hawaii. Welcome home!! We took a shuttle to the economy parking, picked up our car and made the short trip home.

The house was a disaster. Marika had been watching the dogs and cats and she is messy and unable to clean up after herself. She also left her cat with us. I guess that’s payback for her watching ours. Emily says we will need to clean house tomorrow. The

We went to bed pretty soon after we got home. The no surprise there, long day. Have lots stil to do tomorrow.