Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Sanity Used to be a Friend of Mine

I'm going to let you in on a little secret: last week I thought I might lose my mind.

As one of those people who likes to have most of their ducks in a row there are certain things I can live with short term:  the house being a bit of a disaster, the car needing a wash and laundry lingering for three days in the dryer...provided that my work is going smoothly and the tax papers are in order as the time draws near.  Two things to manage. Shouldn't be that difficult. Or something. mumble mumble

Early last week I got a call from the accountant's office reminding me the appointment was a week earlier than I thought.  After dropping one or two cuss bombs and apologizing profusely while the woman laughed wildly on the other end, I proceeded to hang up the telephone and commence wiping my armpits.  In the closet were several bags of papers that needed some of my attention.  As in ALL of it.  Ten months of shoving papers in shopping bags and stuffing them into the closet where you don't have to think about them results in, well, a lot of papers.  Right around that time I began having to deal with a *ahem* difficult work relationship (which I will refrain from speaking about here for obvious reasons), but suffice it to say this person has left me feeling as though they would like to dig a hole and toss me into it.  Being the daughter my parents raised me to be, I took it upon myself to turn myself inside out in order to win the person over.  Because, you know, after having put that useless tactic to rest over a decade ago, it might be worth another shot. Or not.

Friday arrived to find my nerves in a knot and 5 bags of papers breathing down my neck. Despite my best efforts it meant no Good Friday service for me which basically broke my heart and left me feeling like kind of a failure as a Christian.  I mean it's one of the BIG days and I can't even mend the fence with a hater and have the papers organized?  Two things. TWO THINGS. Taking it to the deck I powered through a ton of papers getting a major burn on my neck, only once having to chase a stack of windblown receipts down the back alley in my pajamas. Success.

Cut to scene and there I was Saturday afternoon: two thirds through the papers, hair in a nest, 78 degree sunshine beaming through the window.  I could see the finish line.  'IT'S EASTER WEEKEND!!,' I half screamed-half whined to myself before tossing on a hat and taking it to the beach.

At this time I would like to confirm that the ocean can pull you back from the ledge.  

All it takes is a kid throwing wet sand all over you to bring you back to what really matters in life.  Wind in your hair, butt in the sand, and whatever's left in the Russell Stover's chocolate stash at CVS to help you gas through that last bag of receipts and sail victoriously through to the appointment.
Gap-Fisherman Hat (waaaay old), James Perse-T-shirt, Antik Batik-Belt as Necklace,
Vanessa Mooney-Necklace, Current/Elliott-Shorts, Rainbow-Flip Flops
Mix of Vanessa Mooney and PANYC Bracelets, Low Luv and Handmade Rings. 
aka taking your safety blanket to your happy place and parking it.
Wind in my hair

And after almost two weeks an actual post.  I swear I have things to say and say them out loud, but the cats can't type. Yet.

23 comments:

Tiffany Kadani said...

I swear, if I ever lived near the ocean I would get even less done in life. It pulls me more than the taxman.

Did my taxes last week. Oh man, it was brutal. Brutal brutal brutal.

Anonymous said...

Taxes will do it. Actually a letter from the IRS that you did your taxes wrong will definitely do it. That's probably a sign we should use an accountant...

Simona said...

Nice post!:)
Simona
www.simimaus.blogspot.com

Closet Fashionista said...

Loving the outfit! And yaow...sounds like you had a crazy few days (as I also saw on Twitter, haha). Luckily my taxes aren't that crazy yet...but I feel like I should start organizing everything now so I know how to do it when I have to... :/
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

Danielle (elleinadspir) said...

I can't focus on tne text,too distracted by how skinny you are! Wow...I need to check out this whole 30!

Debby said...

((((((HUGS)))))) Hoping the sun shines for you soon.

Courtney Erin said...

I sooo need to be on that beach after a near month of feeling like I was totally losing it!

Courtney ~ http://sartorialsidelines.com

Marie a la Mode said...

Ugh tax season! I have a shopping bag full of shizz I have to go through still. Not. Fun! I'm glad you were able to get some relaxation at the beach. You are so lucky to live so close to the ocean. I envy you so much!!

TheChambrayCountess said...

Thank goodness you have the ocean nearby bc I am not sure anything makes me crazier than taxes. That's why I am marrying a CPA...well, that's not the whole reason ;) Tell your evil work associate "sucks to your assmar" and have some more Easter candy!

17 Perth said...

Yes maam---I feel you on all of this. After finding out yesterday what my husband and I owe the IRS, I was thankful to have the ocean near by for a little serenity. :)

RosaLovesDC said...

Oh tax season... I am always freaking out like what if I didn't do it right? am I prepared if I get audited? All those silly questions run through my head and I hate it. Wine is usually a good way to make those thoughts go away though. Hope your appointment went well.

Josie said...

What a DRAG. If it helps, you look AMAZING. Swear I'd kill for your legs.
xo Josie
www.winksmilestyle.com

The Suburb Experiment said...

I have to go to the beach to regain sanity sometimes, too. I heard a theory once about salt water and ions and blah blah blah but all I know is, is that it resets the spirit somehow.

I hope this week is better for you!

Jenn
The Suburb Experiment

P.S. I just opened up another tab for eBay and I'm frantically searching for your belt/necklace. Heheh.

Johanna said...

Taxes are the worst...glad you made it out with your sanity. You're so lucky to have water near you. I'd be there everyday. I say that now but obviously life gets in the way.

...to a better week!

Lori said...

Why do you always make me laugh when I know what you are/were going through was so painful at the time! Nice to see you emerged unscathed Carrie ~ would love the sunshine and 78 degrees ~ we got 23cm of snow on Easter Sunday ~ thankfully it is all gone now! xo

ChinkyGirLMeL said...

Oh taxes, taxes, taxes, they can really get to ya. I hate having to look through files and files of paper and having that feeling of trying to find a needle in a haystack. There is nothing like the sand and the beach breeze that can just help you relax right?

OneCraftyFox said...

You and me both, babe!! Love your casual beach look, and so JEALOUS you get to stroll beachside ;)

20 YORK STREET said...

Nooo.. taxes make me sweat and fly to the Arctic and hide!

And that beach look - always gorgeous!

oxo

ML
Twenty York Street
www.twentyyork.com

LyddieGal said...

Taxes. what a crazy system we've created - teaching us it's good to let things pile up for a whole year before addressing them and then wait until the last possible minute to deal with them.

at least you've got that gorgeous beach. I mean, i've got a "beach", but it pales in comparison to the actual ocean.

bestie said...

i adore this post, probably bc i can relate to shopping bags full of papers (damn those papers) AND the lifesaving hug from the sea!

Bonnie said...

Bah, taxes. That kind of stress makes me vomit. As a self-proclaimed shopaholic, taxes are a girl's worst friend. At least you have the beach. The beach doesn't cost anything.

http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88

Sparrow Lyn said...

You are a great writer.......glad I happened on your blog...sure brightened up my day....got to find me an ocean now !! Love the belt as necklace....those wool tassles are too cute! good luck with you taxes.

Jessica said...

Seriously, a day at the beach is the easiest way to remember the things that actually matter in life. And taxes aren't one of them.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails