Happy Tax Day!

I was watching The View this morning and they were adding up all the taxes we pay that we don't always think about. Taxes on our phone bill, gas bill, etc. I thought it was interesting and really quickly added up the taxes we paid this past month excluding our 8.25% sales tax here in Los Angeles and our state and federal income taxes.

Fuel: $37.80

• 18 cents per gallon state excise tax
• 14 cents per gallon other state taxes
• 18.4 cents per gallon federal taxes

Phone: $8.95

• Federal excise tax - 74 cents
• Utility User's Tax - $5.22
• Funding to support the Public Utilities Commission - 8 cents
• 911 State Tax - 23 cents
• Temp. surcharge as allowed by Public Utilities Commission - $1.07
• California Relay Service and Communications Devices Fund - 10 cents
• CHCF-B and the CASF - 23 cents
• California Teleconnect Fund surcharge - 6 cents
• CA Universal Lifeline Telephone Service - 53 cents
• CA High Cost Fund-A - 6 cents
• Federal Universal Service Fee - $2.10

Department of Water and Power: $13.59

• City utility tax - $12.07
• Multi-family bulky item fee (WTH???) - 2 months - $1.28
• State energy surcharge - 24 cents

Gas Company: $4.51

• State Regulatory Fee - 2 cents
• Public Purpose Surcharge - $1.17
• Los Angeles City Users Tax - $3.32

Cell: $6.21

• CA State 911 Fee - 44 cents
• CA State High Cost Fund (B) - 21 cents
• CA Teleconnect Fund Surcharge - 11 cents
• CA State High Cost Fund (A) - 11 cents
• Lifeline Surcharge - CA - 97 cents
• CA Advanced Services Fund (CASF) - 21 cents
• CA Relay Service /Comm Device Fund - 17 cents
• Redondo Beach City Uut (funny because we don't even live in Redondo) - $3.99

GRAND TOTAL: $71.06

Now, I'm not complaining about paying taxes per se. I'd just like to know what these are and what I'm paying for!

Sun Valley 2

Only a few months late. Snowshoeing. It was AWESOME!

Wordless Friday - I never remember on Wednesdays!

We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo, how about you, you you?

A couple weekends ago, we took our nephews to the Los Angeles zoo. It was quite the adventure with a 6 month old! We had fun and saw lots of monkeys and some cool spiders. Of course, I forgot to charge our camera before we left, so we only got a handful of pictures before the camera died. Please excuse the absolutely horrible picture of me. We had watched the kids the night before and the little one was up at 5am and I never was able to get back to sleep. Guess that's what's in my future, huh?

My VENT with parking garage lady

Location: parking lot at Dr's office

Scene: Person driving car ahead of me approximately 50 feet ahead. I see somebody pulling out on my right, so I signal and wait for the spot. 50 feet ahead of me, I see car making a 10 point turn in middle of parking garage. I pull into the spot I was waiting for. I get out of car.

Person driving car that had been 50 feet ahead and made 10 point turn is now behind my car.

Driver lady: "Thanks for THAT!"
Me: [stares at her with a "what?" expression] Excuse me?
Driver lady: You took my spot!
Me: You just turned around and came back this way. [being the nice person I am] Would you like me to move?
Driver lady: NO! [drives away]

WTH?????

Happy 29!!!

Happy Birthday my love! I love you lots lots!

10 things I love about you:

1. Funny

2. Smart

3. Caring

4. Your smile

5. The way you look at me when you think I'm being funny

6. Your kisses

7. The way you treat your family

8. That you're conscientious

9. The way you love your niece and nephews

10. The way you love ME.

It's Valentine's Day