A Day at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Posted on September 25, 2011 by momblog

Today my son, Brock and I went to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. I have such a hard time calling it that, I am so used to the San Diego Wild Animal Park.. why change something after so long?

Brock and I have planned this for a week, we are working on him getting all High Fives in kindergarten and as a reward for doing a good job all week I promised to go there today.. thank god Grandma Burnworth got us the annual pass for his birthday, he loves it.. it provides entry into both the San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park. When we got in the gate the first thing that Brock wanted was to get his map.. and then as we are standing there looking at it, he points out the route he wants to take and where he wanted to end up… the Lorrie Aviary.

In order to save a bit of money.. I still spent about $30 there, we pack in our lunch and drinks for Brock, though we did buy 1 water and 1 bottled Coca Cola while in park.  We also stopped at the local McDonald’s just off the 15 Freeway for breakfast and ran into the son of one of my ex’s friends.  I felt kind of bad at the McDonald’s, I only had a $100 bill to pay for an $8.00 meal.  We got the deluxe breakfast, with the scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausage, bacon, hash brown and english muffin.  Brock loves the pancakes, eggs and hash brown and I get the english muffin ,sausage and bacon for my breakfast, and of all things, I didn’t order it right.. I ordered just the big breakfast (no pancakes), but Art the manager, was a really nice guy and didn’t charge me to add the pancakes to the order. Big thumbs up there.. Art any time I am in the area and Brock wants his McDonald’s we will stop there.

We walked around by the tigers and could barely see one of them laying in the shade under the trees. Brock had a hard time seeing them and an older lady let him use her binoculars for a minute, though he still couldn’t see them. Then we walked down the trail and stopped for a rest at the end of the zipline ride and watched the animals in the African Plains area of the park for a bit before continuing on to the Lion Camp, where Brock got to play in the water park area, it’s just a few soft animal shapes with water spouts that keep the kids happy and cool for a bit.  I found a spot under the trees, it was very hot and sunny today, and got Brock changed into his swim trunk’s and rash guard, then sat down and had my lunch while he played in the water.. his second favorite thing, other than eating tomatoes like apples.  After about 30 minutes, I got Brock out of the water, headed for the bathrooms to dry him off and change him back into his clothes and headed for the Lorries.  When we got to the lorikeets “Lorries”, I purchased a thing of nectar for Brock and we headed into the area.. as soon as we got inside the birds started flying over to us and Brock had 3 on his arm at once, two of them were fighting over the nectar and the keeper had to come over and shoo them off him.  Then Brock had some of the birds land on his head and the photographers there got a  great picture of him and the expression on his face when the bird landed on him. I had some of them land on me and my head too and I didn’t even have any nectar. I got some great pictures of Brock with the Lorries eating the nectar and some close-ups of the birds too.  I used my Sony Bloggie, you can see how well the pics come out below.

San Diego Safari Park Lorikeet's  Brock and Lorrie

Mobbed by Lorikeets at the San Diego Safari Park

Hey.. get off my nectar.

 

 

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Home Town Buffet, Oceanside CA

Posted on September 24, 2011 by momblog

Friday night the family went to the Home Town Buffet at College and Highway 76 in Oceanside. It is in the same complex as the Big Lots, K-Mart and the movie theater.

We arrived shortly after dark and the exterior lights had not turned on as yet and my ex-hubby joked that they were closed because it was t0 dark. I had gotten a coupon on the internet for signing up for the Eclub, the Hometown Buffet email list. It gave us a BOGO for the adult meal when you purchase a beverage. The cost of an adult meal is $10.49 and the drinks were 2.49 or something, with the monkey it came out to be just under $20.00. Kids 5-7 are $3.99 and it includes their drinks.

The restaurant was busy and it took us a minute to find a booth. I took the monkey (my 5 yr old) and we went to the salad bar to get him his fruit that he loves so much, this week it is cantaloupe and honeydew, some macaroni and cheese, peas and corn and jello. I got very lucky that my child loves his fruits and veggies. On my first trip to the buffet, I tried the taco bar, got the carnitas meat in a hard shell with lettuce, corn salsa, sour cream and cheese. I also tried the hush puppies (wonderful), the steak, mac & cheese (I didn’t care for it), cauliflower with cheese sauce, and fried shrimp. My second trip, I got the roast beef, corn, & carrots, for desert I had a small slice of cheese cake with warm cherry cobbler on the side. Yes, I know the d***  is out the window, but I didn’t eat large portions… and I’m going to be doing a lot of walking this weekend as I am taking my son to the San Diego Safari Park on Sunday.

 

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Thank God for Kindergarten!

Posted on September 21, 2011 by momblog

All I have to say is Thank god for kindergarten.  I used to have a problem with getting my son to go to sleep at night, I’d start at 8:00pm and by 10:30 I would be exhausted and my little monkey STILL wouldn’t be ready for sleep.  Even with a full day of daycare.  Now.. ever since he started kindergarten at South Oceanside Elementary, I get him ready at 8:00 pm and by 8:15 he is passed out cold.. I’m loving it, I actually get to do things around the house and get ready for the next day and not be going crazy.

His teachers say he is a very delightful little boy, but has issues with staying seated when in group.  He is a very active little boy, always wants to explore and check things out, sometimes that gets in the way of his learning though.  This week we are trying a new tactic, if he gets 5 High Fives (little hands on paper) that are good, then I will take him to the San Diego Safari Park this weekend, but if he gets even one with a bad mark on it then no adventure.  It seems to work when I take his Wii from him and he can’t watch the shows he loves the most, like Thomas the Train, Blues Clues, Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go.

Will keep you up to date on his progress, so far so good, it’s Wednesday and he has managed to keep good High 5′s so far.

 

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Scholarship Paperwork sent. I missed the deadline.

Posted on August 30, 2011 by momblog

I sent my scholarship request off to the NAEA and much to my dismay I received an email stating that I had missed the deadline for this session which starts on Sept. 4, but I would be submitted to the committee for the session that begins October 24th. I do hope that I am one of the ones chosen for that scholarship at that time.

I have been using as many free sights as I can to take practice tests and to see where I need to study the most. I am sure that the second and third tests will be the hardest for me.

Today, I used Fast Forward Academy’s free practice exams for the first part, I did well, but could do better, will keep practicing until I am confident that I will pass the test on the first try. My goal is to study and be ready to take the first test by November 2011, the second in January 2012 and the 3rd in May or June 2012.  This should be fairly easy to accomplish, provided I get the time and the monkey lets me study.  The hardest part of all of this is the financial aspect, the tests are not cheap ($101.00 each) and the study material if I don’t get the Scholarship from the NAEA is almost $1000.00.  With things as slow as they are currently then I don’t know if I can pull if off without the scholarship.  I could probably find a study course for cheaper, but as the old saying goes.. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.    We’ll see how it goes and keep our fingers crossed that the scholarship committee chooses me as a recipient.

Back to trying to get a little practice in while I have a few free moments, the monkey is in his room watching his Wii.

 

 

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School Starts 8/25

Posted on August 23, 2011 by momblog

My 5 year old starts Kindergarten Thursday, I’m excited for him and hope that everything works out.  I am a bit worried about his listening issues at the Daycare and hope that they don’t bleed over into Kindergarten.  Last thing I want is for my baby boy to be penalized because he is independent and doesn’t’ want to be told what to do.

Yesterday we went to a Kindergarten Round-Up and was able to see the playground for the Kindergarten as well as look into the class room windows so that Brock could get an idea of what the classroom looks like. I also showed him the playground on the outside of the school where he is to wait for someone from Daycare to come pick him up if he isn’t met at the gate when he gets out of class.

He seems excited and keeps asking every morning if it’s time to go to Kindergarten. It’s so cute and he is so disappointed when  I tell him, “no baby. not today.” Tomorrow evening is when they are going to put up his class room and teacher so we are going to make a big deal about stopping there and seeing which classroom he is in and in picking out his clothes for school and getting his backpack ready. I’ll take lots of pictures and will post them as soon as I can.

Here’s to the beginning of school.. yipee.. now can’t wait until he’s in school full day and not just a few hours.

 

 

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Getting My EA (Enrolled Agent) Designation. Part 1.

Posted on August 20, 2011 by momblog

After doing a lot of research into which route would be a better way to go, EA (Enrolled Agent) or Registered Tax Preparer I have decided that becoming an EA is the most cost-effective route in the long run and I’ve started the process to become an EA (Enrolled Agent) with the IRS.

It’s a long and expensive process, so I am looking into a Scholarship from the NAEA (National Association of Enrolled Agents). I have completed the application and one of the two letters of recommendation needed. Dave Anderson, EA has written one for me, we have worked together on EcoWater San Diego’s Sales and Use Tax returns for the past year as well as the year-end closing and prep work for year-end. The other is being written by friend/client Peter Mucciante, Handyman, I have helped him with his bookkeeping and preparation of his personal and small business income taxes for the last 5 years. I hope that this is enough and I can get the financial help I need to take the course and then the tests.

I’ve gotten some practice from the free review on Platinum Pro Studies out of Long Beach, CA. I’ve taken my California Tax Education Council continuing education testing from them from the beginning of my career in tax prep. Their course is excellent  they  and will be including the IRS continuing education requirements in their CTEC courses. I will be continuing to take the continuing eduction courses offered by Platinum Pro Studies in the future and will be using them to renew my Notary Commission as well.

Wish me luck on being chosen to receive the scholarship and if not then in finding some way to pay for the classes.

 

 

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Sales & Use Tax needs to be paid on internet and out of state purchases

Posted on August 19, 2011 by momblog

So today in the mail I get a letter from the California State Board of Equalization explaining that if you make a purchase from an out-of-state vendor and you DO NOT pay the sales tax at the time of purchase then you are responsible to pay it in a timely manner to the Board of Equalization or you may be required to pay fines and late payment penalaties. See the attached Publication 217, Use Tax, Guide to Reporting Out-of-State Purchases for more information.

This law has been in effect since July 1, 1935.  It was intended to protect California sellers who would be at a competitive disadvantage when out-of-state retailers sell goods to California customers without charging a tax.

Sales tax is generally for items sold in the state and the Use tax applies to the use, storage, or other consumption of items when purchased out-of-state.  The Sale and Use tax have the same rate.

You can also get more information from the BoE website at http://www.boe.ca.gov from the Forms & Publications section of the website.

CA Pub 217, Use Tax Guide to Reporting Out-of-State Purchases

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Got to love Oceanside Unified School District

Posted on August 11, 2011 by momblog

So this is an ongoing saga with the Oceanside Unified School District and getting Brock registered for Kindergarten. This started in June, I tried to register my son at our home school and was treated rudely. I felt discriminated against from the start because of the attitude and comments made as I was leaving. I was looked at like I was dirt because I had just come from a day of physical labor at work, it was outside of the “set time” to turn in the paperwork, and talked to in a manner like I was beneath her and she acted like it was a problem to take care of it. I also had an issue of residency proof, though I did have several items that proved I do live in the district, so I took the route of school of choice, which was the school he attended for Pre-K, Mission Elementary.. They were great.. Love Mission Elementary, but Brock’s dad went to South Oceanside Elementary and wants him to go there, so … anyways, back to the School District fiasco.. I got a letter in July stating, we are sorry, but you son can’t go to Mission we are full, please register him at your home school of South Oceanside, so I’m stressing out because of the issues I had trying to get him registered there, I ended up going to the District Offices, after a couple of phone calls with them, and explaining once again what my situation was and trying to find out what would be acceptable to them. This was about 2 weeks ago, today (Aug 11) I got a letter from the School District stating that my son was registered and approved to attend school at Mission Elementary, so I called the offices to find out what was going on and why I got conflicting letters, I find out that my son is actually registered at both schools. How messed up is that?

After speaking with Mr. Rand Johnston (sorry if I spelled it wrong), the principal at South Oceanside Elementary and being assured that Brock is registered and will have morning classes.. I’ve decided to go ahead and have him go to South Oceanside Elementary and I’ll just have to avoid the front office as much as possible. I just hope that Brock doesn’t get singled out because I’m the mom who stood up and said wth…

School starts in 14 days.. Wow, I can’t believe my baby boy is starting Kindergarten, I thought Pre-K was tough. Now for the shopping for supplies, clothes, etc..

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Board of Equalization Seminar – Sales & Use Tax for Non-Profits

Posted on August 9, 2011 by momblog

Today I attended a Seminar hosted by the State Board of Equalization (BoE) at the Joan Kroc Salvation Army Center in San Diego. The topic was Sales & Use Tax for Non-Profits and Faith-based organizations.   I was highly impressed, the information was well presented and educational. This seminar opened up a lot of information that I had not before known about, while they focused mainly on Non-Profit and Faith-based organizations, the information was relevant to any business on a general level.

The opening remarks were made by Michelle Steel of the State Board of Equalization and John Chain the California State Controller who spoke on the role of the BoE and where it heading.

The next speaker was Todd Gilman from the Taxpayers’ Rights Advocate Office at the BoE, he gave us good advice on who to talk to when you can’t get any further with the BoE and what right we as taxpayer’s have. Mr Gilman’s responsibilities as an Advocate include, but are not limited to.. resolving problems when the normal channels don’t work, maintain an independent status, promote understandable and simple tax law, regulation, policies, procedures and publications.   If you have specific Sales and Use Tax questions it is recommended that you contact Board of Equalization, Audit and Information Section, 450 N Street, MIC 44, Sacramento CA 95814. The phone number to the Advocates office is 888-324-2798 or 916-445-0218.

Following Mr. Gilman was Kathleen Chadwick of the State Board of Equalization, she explained what the BoE was and the functions performed by the offices. She also explained what the BoE considers a person, taxable sales and activities. She also went into some detail about what type of food is taxable and nontaxable, as well as filing requirements, record keeping and where to get help from the BoE.

We took a short break and then Lydia Stewart of the Employment Development Department gave us a presentation on the employment taxes for non-profits/faith based, as well as who/what makes up an employee versus an independent contractor.

Up next was Jennifer Barton of the Franchise Tax Board speaking on Compliance for Exempt Organizations.

After lunch, Brian Salmon of the BoE spoke on Property Tax Exemptions for the County of San Diego, what type of exemptions and how to meet them.  The next speaker was Sonja Berndt of the California Attorney General’s Office, she explained what the GA’s office oversees, what was needed to be filed and the requirements for fundraising and professional fundraisers.

The last speaker of the day was Rebecca Bennion of the San Diego Foundation, who gave a very informative presentation of Grant Writing Resources with the help of the San Diego Foundation.

All in all this was a very informative seminar and well worth the 38 mile trip each way.

 

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Hon Sushi – Oceanside, CA – 5 out of 5

Posted on August 5, 2011 by momblog

So tonight my ex-husband took me out to dinner at Hon Sushi, 1733 S. Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA 92054 760.529.0255.

Yes, I know… the ex-husband, but hey it was sushi without the monkey and was actually rather nice.

The ex had heard about this place from one of his drinking buddies and decided that we were going to try it out, all you can eat for $23.99 each.  When we arrived, we found a spot right outside the building, the parking area beside the building is tight, but we managed to get the big truck (Ford F150 long bed) in the spot.  When we walked in the place was busy at the tables with plenty of open spots at the sushi bar. We asked for the sushi bar and our chef was Bruce, yes I know, but he was actually an Asian man. Within 2 minutes we were given our set up plates with wasabi and white ginger.  The ex ordered our first round of sushi.. albacore, tuna, shrimp, softshell crab roll, rainbow roll and something else.. he even remembered to tell Bruce that I was allergic to avocado and to please leave it out.  Everything came out perfect except one roll, I don’t remember what it was, but Bruce did apologize for forgetting to leave the avocado off of it, Bruce did catch that he had put avocado on before I took a piece of it. For our second round, we ordered more tuna, albacore and tempura.. it was way to much… I was so stuffed when we left.

The tuna and albacore were melt in your mouth perfect, I even enjoyed the halibut on the rainbow roll. The tempura was crispy and flavorful, the veggies were broccoli, onion, carrot, sweet potato and zucchini.

In the end, Hon Sushi gets 5 out of 5 stars and anytime I can find someone to come over and watch the boy so I can eat in peace and quiet then I’m going to go and enjoy excellent sushi.

 

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