Where did this month go?

Spanish Dancer earrings in "Stardate" by Yarnplayer

Tee hee, sorry I've been gone so long folks!

One commenter on my rather lackluster bloggerversary post got it partially right. The kids have been sick, and we've had a wonderful time discovering allergies to antibiotics. Now that it's over, we are preparing for the 4th birthday of my eldest. She has chosen a princess theme this year, and a quick trip to the dollar store got us all set up with fine princess decor. My dearest husband has even chipped in on the planning (there are few things I detest more than event planning, paperwork being one of them...) so I have actually enjoyed the process. I even got the invitations out two weeks in advance! That is a major accomplishment for me right there. I've been unfortunately neglectful of some of my ehem, responsibilities lately. My Drivers license is expired, and of course did I remember that before I got carded at a club? I'm not the barhopping type mind you. My dad and I follow a few musicians in the area, and he'll take me for a coke and potato skins while we enjoy some fine tunes. Anyway, imagine my joy when the 6 foot bouncer at the irish pub gave me the evil eye....apparently he's not supposed to let anyone in with an expired license. Who knew? Well, he let me in out of the kindness of his heart I guess, and we enjoyed the musical delights of Jerry Miller (Moby Grape anyone?) So, needless to say, I will be in line at the Department of Motor Vehicles promptly Tuesday morning. Really, I just forgot. Then I was sick. Then I forgot again, and then the kids were sick...you know the drill.

The other area I've neglected is taxes. GASP! HORROR! This being my first year as a business owner, I cannot tell you how confused I was.....there's the IRS, the DOR, and they both want different sets of information from me. Did they bother to mention any of this to me when I got my license? The "pamphlet" that was included with that license was less that usefull. Anyway, I am an annual filer with the state of Washington, so my DOR taxes were due January 31st. I had scheduled a class with a local accountant to help me understand the hot mess, but, of course that was on the calendar while I was sick..... after recovering and rescheduling, I managed to attend recently, but am still facing the process of actually extrapolating the information I'll need....as well as set up a correct and useable record keeping system. Sigh. Really, I just want to make some earrings people. I'd choose dental work over bookkeeping. Seriously lacking motivation but Jim is home tomorrow for President's day, so I'll have no excuse to not shut myself in the office and get 'er done. Pile on top of that my miserably low sales in the etsy shop so far this month, I'll need some serious chocolate to make it through the day tomorrow!

Back to the Bloggerversary. I had planned on a big to-do over it, I've been blogging for two years now. Many changes have happened in that time around here.....arrival of daughter #2, purchase of our home, transition into jewelry business, quitting my day job. Now that it is several weeks past, it no longer draws me with the same charm to celebrate. BUT. I did want to do something special to say thank-you for all of your support through these two years! SO. Leave me a comment on this post, and let me know you'd like to be placed in my drawing and I'll send something special (I haven't decided what yet) to one of you. International entries are welcomed! I am so happy to be connected to this wonderful community....and for those of you dedicated enough to make it to the end of this post, I'd love to send a little friendship your way! Just remember to make sure I have a way to contact you, either an email address or a link to your blog.

Thanks everyone!