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Missed this news entirely.
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For those who enjoy the first Saturday in May, yesterday was very disappointing

the best horse won on a wet track, going wire to wire - led the whole race
but the 2nd place finisher raised an objection

going into the final turn, when 150,000 people are screaming, the winner came out of his lane and was ruled to have impeded another horse but not the 2nd place finisher - after 20 minutes, the stewards disqualified the winner

unusual decision in the 145 history of the derby but it was a difficult spotlight to be in especially after this particular winter of racing
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What had the horse done to be disqualified?

I turned on the radio this morning to tune into the Sunday service and all they were talking about was the Kentucky Derby.
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You're going way back, Lu 😂
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Pat Day?
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I'm trying to stay up til midnight to watch the Derby preview on TVG

fav jockey doesn't have a pony in the race
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My husband was present at the tax appointment.
It was the crazy behavior of the receptionist that put me off.
So glad my taxes are already filed!
Done deal.
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That's interesting, worriedinCali. It's possible the VITA program has stricter rules than paid preparers or the IRS. At VITA, we would prepare a return with only one spouse there, if the other spouse could come in later to sign in our presence. We did occasionally go to the clients' home for the second signature if the absent spouse was homebound. I don't think we would have ever let the spouse go home and get the second signature and then bring it back to us. Our rules are we had to physically see and talk to and explain the return to both spouses, as well as verifying the identity of the signers. There may be more relaxed rules in other places, though. I can't speak to that as I've only done taxes for VITA.
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Both spouses don’t have to be present on a join return. As a former tax professional and someone who has had to miss my own tax appointments while my husband attended—there’s no work around needed. The tax return can and will be prepared but it just won’t be filed until the other spouse has signed it. My husband brought the paperwork home for me to sign. When I still worked, our clients would either take the forms & have their spouse sign them or the spouse would come in later to do it.
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Thanks again Carla!
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Send - The SS form is necessary because it contains information that has to be inputted into the tax return, block by block. Including amounts withheld for Medicare parts B and D, if any, withholding for past overpayments, withholding for taxes, etc. I don't think any preparer would be comfortable putting in the info without seeing the original document.

As for the questions, the person you spoke to was perhaps just being nosy, or maybe trying to be extra sure he/she understood your situation correctly. I don't think I'd have asked either of those questions, but I will note that both spouses are generally required to be present for a joint return, so if your spouse wasn't there the person may have been trying to figure out a work-around. We have occasionally gone to people's homes to get the second signature if the absent spouse was homebound, for example. (We're not supposed to, but it happens).

Hope you have a much better experience next year!
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Carla,
Thank you so much for the information. And I will make an early appointment in 2020 fof 2019 taxes.
An early appointment with VITA would have solved many problems.

I did go to the senior center last year and at the last minute, did not have enough documentation.

I think Vita is a good and useful service. At the reception desk, I was asked things that I do not think were necessary to fill out our taxes.
Such as: What is you husband's disability, what is wrong with him?
Why is your name first on the tax form?

I was told to come back with t h e added papers needed. (The SS 1099 is not filed with the tax return) (but I guess I had to prove to them we received SS).

I went home, filled out what info I knew, and the IRS completed filling in the totals.

But than k s, I do think last year I was following your advice about VITA.
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Thinking grumpy is a good sign after what he's going through.
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BIL got through his surgery and is now out of ICU and in a regular room and doing OK - we were all disappointed to hear that they could not tackle his aneurysm though so he will have to find out what the docs plans are going forward. Sis reports he is very grumpy.
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On the subject of income taxes, even though the deadline has passed: If you're in the US, don't forget that AARP will do most seniors' taxes for free, as will the IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, which operates pretty much everywhere.  I've worked as a volunteer preparer for the VITA program for the past 3 years. 

Also there is free tax prep software that can be used by people whose income is not too large (I don't recall the income ceiling, but I used it for my own, my mother's, and my brother-in-law's taxes). The program I used is called myfreetaxes.com, and I think there are others as well. No need to deal with paper forms and wondering if you're doing it correctly - they walk you through step by step. To an annoying extent for people like me who pretty much know what to do and just want to cut to the chase, but I think it's reassuring for people who don't have formal training. Nobody should have to stress over the paperwork like some seem to be doing. FWIW.
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Willie all the best for you and your family.
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cwillie - light and prayers for your sister and the operation.  Hope all goes well Monday.
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I suppose it depends on what sort of job she has - and what sort of boss and co-workers, too - but I'd have thought it might be a bit overoptimistic to think she'll be able to function as normal. I can see that the idea would be to keep her mind off what's going on in the hospital, but some worries are too big to be kept at bay like that and really do demand their own space.

"Come what come may, time and the hour run through the roughest day." Deep breaths to her.
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This surgery must be hard on your sis too. She doesn't need the added stress.
Hope it works out for Bil.
So caring of you to try and figure things out for your family.
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We are all old Send, no kids to watch so no easy excuses. Sis was actually toying with the idea of going to work for a few hours but I told her that was just a little too nonchalant. Sis has a complicated relationship with her DH and in-laws, they've been together forever but... yeah, it's complicated.
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CWillie,
It depends on whether you will be there, or watching the children at home.
You can call in, ask for your sister, say there is a need for her to come home.
She leaves, saying to Mil, "it is so good that you are here, I will be back, thank you so much!".
Sisters do that....little white lies to protect them.
She can return at anytime, does not need to explain any delays.

Will that work?
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I agree. I think sis should just be upfront with them and tell them she will be leaving for a few hours while the surgery is in progress and will be back shortly before he comes out of the operation, and that she will have her cell phone in case anyone needs to reach her. I don't know how the dynamic is there, but if your sis feels up to it, maybe she, MIL and other family members can go off premises to grab a bite to eat and visit for a bit. It would help for a bit to take everyone's mind off of the worry and stress of having a LO in surgery.
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It all depends upon they all feel about each other, I guess.

When DH had open heart surgery years ago, I told my BIL that he had one job, and that was to keep his lunatic mother away from my husband ( this was mostly because she had pneumonia at the time and catching a cold would have killed DH--if you cough after having your chest cracked, you're in big trouble). But I wouldn't have been able to abide having her there in any event.

One of my brothers and my eldest daughter showed up to wait through surgery with me. They distracted me, ordered in food, told me to go for walks and were a great boon to have around.
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Snort! That one wants nipping in the bud!

It might be no bad thing if sister tells them in advance that she is not planning to sit outside the operating theatre wringing her hands for five hours and she doesn't think they should either. Who on earth is it going to help?
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Yeah, sis pretty much figures they will do what they want anyway, they're all adults after all. I'm afraid it will look pretty bad to them if sis wanders away for a couple of hours though, especially since one bro has said they'll be there "so she doesn't need to wait alone"🙄.
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I wouldn't bother, CW. Does the hospital have its fair share of facilities? - day room, cafeteria, chapel, relatives' rooms?

I should just make sure Sister doesn't feel obliged to sit it out with them. She should set them a good example and take breaks as planned.
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I was going to post this as a forum question but I'm not sure how to word it so I'll ask here.

BIL is scheduled for surgery on Monday. Given that the operation is expected to be over 5 hours plus all the pre surgery prep Sis wasn't sure how to spend her day, was even considering leaving the hospital and returning later. Then she got a call from her MIL that she plans to be there and will be accompanied by other members of the family. OK, it's her son after all, but this woman is in her 80's and it will be a long, long day. Is there any way to discourage this without coming across as a cold and callous 3itch?
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Good Morning everyone!

My jeans are in the wash today, so I will wear the workout pants today.
The weather will be in the mid-seventies.

How ya doin'??
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I'm glad skinny jeans are not the thing anymore. Even if you don't have a muffin top you look like you do.

The middle area is so hard to get rid of isn't it? I do my crunches and try to make it down to the workout room to use the treadmill but I have a hard time being consistent with that and then my diet could really use some revamping as well.
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Ali the last time I wore "shapewear" was to a nephews wedding. I had to go to the bathroom,, peeled that dang thing down,, did my business.. and said heck no!! Wiggled the rest of the way out of it and put in my purse! Walked my way more comfortable self back to the wedding with no muffin top and relaxed,,and was able to breathe ! I admire any woman who can take it.., I cant even stand panty hose at this point..
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