Mood: a bit dejected
Listening to: thunder outside, heading eastward, away fromus
Reading: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Eating: Polish sausage, sauerkraut, and boiled potatoes
Watching: the weather radar on the local ABC affiliate

This looks to be the first year we’ve ever owed the IRS and state of Ohio:

For some reason, we filled our W-4 forms, which designate to our employers how much we want them to take out of our paychecks for income taxes, so that we kept way more money than we should have.

When we totaled up both our incomes, Jennie and I could hardly believe how much we made last year. Then, when we filled out our income tax return, we were both shocked to find out – at least it appears that way – we owe the IRS more than $1200.

The IRS says they’ll look at our return and figure our tax and refund or amount we owe. We still have to come up with the money if we do. And it looks like a lot more than we have right now.

Craptastic.

Mood: a little down
Listening to: Miami Valley Musicast and Coverville

I’m feeling a little down right now. It’s a combination of a lot of things; some circumstantial and some biochemical. I’ll explain why in the paragraphs below:

I’ve had this congestion for some time, and the medicine I’m taking for it has these side effects: loss of appetite, drowsiness, dehydration. It’s supposed to thin the mucous out so it can be cleared from my system. I only take a half a tablet in the morning when I get up for work, and I take the whole tablet at night before bed.

My lower back and left leg are giving me some problems, too. I mentioned in the podcast that the doctor has been concerned it’s a pinched nerve. In addition to the pain, my left leg feels weaker than my right, so I have a limp. I had an MRI done on Thursday, and I’m supposed to get the results today.

The doctor gave me a prescription for Vicodin, and I’ve been reluctant to take a whole pill of that because of its sedative effects. Especially when I have to drive. So I didn’t take any this morning. I probably could have taken a half a pill when I got here, but that might have impaired my ability to do my job.

Also, I saw on the medicine description sheet that came with the filled prescription that antidepressants might interact with it in a negative way. I haven’t been taking an antidepressant, but I’ve been taking St. John’s Wort (SJW) instead. The comment nevertheless has made me reluctant to keep up with the SJW.

This morning when I woke up, I didn’t have much of an appetite, but I ate some toast, a cup of milk, and some juice anyway. I finally opted to take some St. John’s Wort because I could tell I was heading into depression.

I drive an hour along Interstate 75 to work and back three days out of the week. This morning, our car conked out about 2/3 of the way there. It turned out, after the one jump start that got me to the end of the exit ramp, and the other jump start that failed after that, I needed to get the battery checked out.

I want to thank everyone who helped me today get the car off the highway and helped jump start the car. I wish I could remember everyone’s name, but the only one that comes to mind right now is Miles. He helped me get the battery out, and I walked over to the auto parts store, which was fortunately really close to where I’d broken down at.

The auto parts place put it on a charger for an hour, and it seemed to do the trick. The name of the place is Parts Plus, at exit 38 (Ohio route 73).

I got to work, and I found out from a coworker who serves as a liaison to the insurance company that getting approved for a pre-existing condition is a lot more complicated that we’ve thought. It just added to my frustration level. I’m still not over it yet.

It will get better, and I feel fortunate that these things have happened the way they have so far – so many blessings. It’s just a lot to handle right now.

I prayed on the way up here and will continue to, trying to get and keep a right mindset. That will help a lot.