It is a beautiful Georgia morning. The air has a slight crispness to it. As I sit here with the windows open, the cool breeze comes softly across me. I sip my coffee and have my laptop in my lap, just enjoying the morning. I can hear the birds chirping in the trees as if agreeing with me.

Of course I know that I need to get up and get ready for my day, but I just put it to the back of my mind. Life is so short and we run around all willy nilly not stopping to smell the roses or feel the breeze on our face. Why? If we miss life’s precious moments what have we accomplished?

I made a decision the first of the year to start stopping and smelling the roses. Sometimes it gets me behind on projects but I know the fact is I am getting older and missing out on many things. I have spent the last twenty odd years building my accounting practice and working constantly. I have missed out on so much that the sweet side of life has to offer. Well I have been doing more for myself.

One of the main things is publishing my books and writing in my spare time. It has been so refreshing and revealing to me. I did not realize how much I had missed. I actually feel better physically and mentally. It is as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

Well, try it yourself. Just stop and take a deep, cleansing breath. See if you don’t feel a little better. As always good writing and May God Bless You!

A post for Steel Standing By Christa Davis

This post is for my client and friend Christa Davis. She has recently published a book telling the story of her mothers battle with Metal replacement allergies. Hope you will check out this touching and revealing true story on Amazon.

Christa C. Davis – Steel Standing Bio

Patricia Davis Harton had been a vibrant, energetic and independent person all her life, bit in 2009 she was diagnosed with Inflammatory Myopathy. Although she had lived an incredibly healthy life, neurologists said her muscles would continue to weaken over time.

Her daughter, Christa, initiated her own research trying to discover what could have triggered the inflammation. Time was of the essence, since Patricia’s health began deteriorating soon after she was diagnosed. A pivotal clue unearthed the key to the medical mystery, unlocking answers and providing solutions.

Astonishingly, Patricia’s symptoms seemed to be caused by an allergic reaction to the metals used in her hip and knee replacements. It was not the case that the devices were faulty.
Christa’s theory, linking her mother’s muscle problems with her orthopaedic implants, was considered far-fetched and unlikey. At the time, the existence of metal induced allergy was not widely recognized. The facts documented throughout Steel Standing are obtained from highly credible medical sources, with patient case studies including scientific references and the latest published research.

Christa has a Bachelor of Science degree in health and business management and has worked in communications since 1986. With her innate skills, her career advanced through the years in publication, marketing, advertising, and public relations. A large part of her career has been spent working in medical centers together with specialty physicians in clinical and non-clinical settings.

Crazy things that happen to Accountants!

Crazy things that happen to Accountants!.

Crazy things that happen to Accountants!

Well Paula Acton one of my wonderful blog friends suggested it would be funny to list the top 10 funniest deduction requests. So I decided to tell some of the funny things that have happened over the years.

1: I had a lady put down as a dependent a child named “Fluffy Ball” complete with a birthdate but no Social. I just sat and looked at her like “Are you kidding me?”

2: I had a woman ask me if they could claim her husband’s mistress as a dependent. (He was sitting beside her at the time)

3: I have had so many marriage proposals I have quit counting. (Usually these come after I get them a huge refund or straighten out their messes) I always laugh and tell them to get a grip!

4: I had a guy that handed me his list of deductions for his Lawn Care business. It included his ski boat, new pistol and his new hunting rifle. I politely handed it back to him and told him to start over…

5: I had one guy ask me to move into his office because the phone calls and visits were not helping. He had a mess!

6: I am listed in several of my clients wills as the person to find out where everything is.

7: I had one wife that did not like me because her husband kept telling me he loved me. He got nice returns every year and he didn’t realize I was just doing my job.

8: I have one client that calls me his second wife and she agrees with him. I asked him one day if I was on the insurance policy and he just laughed and winked. (Yikes)

9: One client got angry when he owed tax and stormed out of the office. He returned ten minutes later when his wife brought him back to apologize and pay me a big tip for being an idiot. (Her words not mine, but I was thinking it!)

10: I had a lady ask if I could tell from the tax papers if her husband was having an affair. (No!)

11: For some reason most of my clients think I have a degree in Psychology. I did take it in college, but not my major or minor. They will call and want to get advice. I guess I am just too easy to talk to.

12: The best one was when this lady called and asked if I would handle their tax return. I said no problem, we still had a couple of weeks left in the season. When she arrived she asked me to hold the door for her. I was curious so I held the door as she proceeded to bring in ten large plastic bins full of paperwork. I turned to my assistant and smiled. I charge by the hour to separate tax paperwork over the normal stuff. She then proceeded to tell me they had not filed in 8 years. I had to sit down. The bins had everything from birth certificates, prom pictures and bullets!!!

So how many of you are rushing out now to get that Accounting degree. It is totally hilarious how crazy these people can be. I love it. The marriage proposals bother my husband as some of these men are wealthy, handsome men. I just smile and tell him it keeps him on his toes.

Now you know why I have to lose myself in writing. I have to get it off my brain. Some of it can cause nightmares!!!

SO as always, good writing and God Bless!

Tax Season over tomorrow!!!

Well, another tax season is coming to a close. As I sit here in my office putting the finishing touches on yet another procrastinators return I wonder “why do I do this every year?” I guess because I love accounting. There is something about working with numbers and solving problems that just pulls me in. I do wish the IRS would get a handle on how they want to handle Accountants. They are constantly changing things and every year my tax books get thicker and thicker. It can get a little hectic around the office.

I guess that’s why I’m enjoying writing so much. I get to lose myself in another world for a little while every day. Well almost every day. Sometimes I can’t wait to get lost in another person’s life. I will be sitting at my desk figuring out plots and what will happen next. It’s so sad the life and mind (or lack of) of a writer. We are always churning out a story from everything we see. I can see someone on the street that is intriguing and BAM! a story comes to mind. I know, I have a problem, but if it publishes and sells books…

I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday evening, or what’s left of it. Tomorrow it is back to school for my son. He has been out on Fall break. Man that clock is going to be terrible sounding at six in the morning. Oh well, life goes on. Good writing and My God Bless you tonight!

Horses & Cowboys! Oh My!

Well, I don’t normally blog on Saturday night, but since deer hunting season has hit, I am going to be spending a lot of time alone, so get used to hearing a lot from me. I’m fine being alone, it gives me time to write and do things around the house that usually get put to the wayside. So, I make good use of the time.

If you have read my books you will know that there is always horses and cowboys. If you can’t tell by now I love horses and what comes with horses, well cowboys of course. I had someone ask me this week why I always write about girls falling for cowboys. I always smile and say it’s hard not to fall in love with a cowboy.

I was driving up the road I live on this morning and one of my neighbors has horses in his back pasture. I was watching one of them, a gorgeous jet black one. It was walking so majestic and regal. I couldn’t help but smile. I have always loved horses and the power they have. They are such gentle animals and sometimes so misunderstood. In one of my books a character is in an accident and she loses her eyesight. Through therapy with a horse, she regains her sight. They can be so helpful with all sorts of disabilities. During the writing of that book (Moonbeam & Roses) I did a lot of research on the topic of using horses for different types of therapy. It was amazing what can be accomplished through these wondrous creatures.

As for cowboys, it has been a longtime dream of mine to own a ranch. Maybe one day I will own that ranch, but until then, I will live through my writing. I have known many true cowboys and they are a special breed of person. There is something about a Stetson and cowboy boots, not to mention the cowboy swagger that just makes me smile.

It’s Friday! Thank Heavens!

It’s Friday! Thank Heavens!.

It’s Friday! Thank Heavens!

If you haven’t looked at your calendar, it’s Friday! I always feel a since of relief when Friday rolls around. Although Friday in an accounting office can be pretty hectic with payroll. After payroll is done though it gets pretty laid back.

On Friday it is a day to summarize the week and get ready for the weekend. I start figuring out what I will take care of on Saturday. Top of the list is house cleaning (and mine is desperately in need) and then there is my writing. Saturday is the day I do most of my writing. I wait until I have everything done, then I sit down and relax with my laptop and my current manuscript. I get giddy on Friday waiting on that special time when I can make my books come alive in my mind.

Think about the feeling you get when you look at the clock and it’s 4:30 on Friday. Your heart flips a little as you realize the weekend is only thirty long minutes away. You start watching the seconds count down. (My grandmother always said that makes time go slower to watch the clock or more precisely she said “A watch pot never boils.” Smiling at memory) Well I started when I got up this morning watching and waiting.

So have a wonderful Friday and remember the weekend starts in a couple of hours. As always good writing and may God bless you!