Six Months Later… Taxes

We were a little busy earlier in the year and while it has been a long time coming and many hours sitting at my desk, our taxes are finally done! It should be no surprise that after having printed out all our statements and highlighting our expenses I ended up with a packed well over a hundred pages thick. Not the biggest and not the smallest pile that we have handed off to our accountant. Of course, unlike last year, I did pull aside most of the 2015 documents needed for April… maybe next year we can simply file our taxes rather than an extension.

However, while I am hopeful for a small refund (even with this administration), it is little relief considering the bill that we will have to pay for having our taxes prepared. It is a flat rate but a rather steep one and it will take a pretty hefty sum to balance out that particular expenditure. By the time all is said and done, like every other year, I really have to take a closer look at the proposals for a simplified tax code rather than the hieroglyphics currently in use.

I believe this is a great time to start reaching out to the brethren and finding someone with whom I can trust our financial information. The place that we currently use definitely served its purpose for a while but the friend of the family that once handled our returns has long since retired and we have been passed around annually since then. They are strictly a service firm at this point rather than a place where there is a personal connection… time to move on.

It really is amazing when you think back on how long it takes to pull everything together especially when it is done in one shot rather than slowly over the course of the year. Well, it is a long process for me as I prefer to itemize all of our expenses especially the outrageous amount of medical expenses for which we are now responsible… thanks Obamacare! We could just file a simple return but why simply surrender part the money we earned over the past year? After all, the government didn’t temp for me during the year to take the day off so why should I pay them more?

In the end, the most important thing for us, especially now, is that this can now be marked as complete and we can devote our focus on many more important things in our life… especially the little stinky one. It is just annoying when tasks such as this occupy so much of my time, time that can be better spent elsewhere. Hopefully this is something I can avoid next year now that I have all the supporting documents up to date and an office is some kind of order even though it may not fit the definition of being organized.   

Pulling Papers Together

 

When my wife and I decided to resume our house hunt this summer I knew that, at some point, I was going to have to spend a fairly significant amount of time in my office pulling all the documents together needed to apply for a mortgage. While the prequalification process was relatively painless and pretty straightforward the subsequent list of items needed seemed a little daunting when I first read through them in my email. There was nothing out of the ordinary and it could have been really quick had I been up to date with all my filing and organization but that certainly was not the case.

Following my conversation with the bank to get prequalified, I received the following list of items needed for underwriting:

1.)    Copies of drivers licenses and copy of a credit card (for ID purposes)

2.)    Copies of W2s from 2013 and 2014

3.)    Copies of full federal tax returns (form 1040) from 2013 and 2014

4.)    Copies of pay stubs from the most recent 30 days – (last 2 pay stubs if you are paid bi-weekly)

5.)    Copies of bank/investment account statement covering the most recent 2 months (most recent quarter for quarterly statement) – please include every page of the statement even if it is blank

6.)    Copy of fully executed agreement of sale (when available)

7.)    Copy of will and death decree to document inheritance

Again, not a problem if everything were neatly filed away and labeled. It took some time and a lot of patience but I was finally able to get everything ready to go. It was a time consuming process and one that could have probably been put off for a while but I wanted to be able to get things moving rather quickly as soon as we found our home.  

Of course, while pulling all of these items together I could help but think to myself that I should probably just put aside all the items I need to finally file our taxes this fall. There is a heck of a lot of overlap in the two lists and this mortgage process would be the perfect impetus for starting that tax file. And I do mean start as our taxes are an annual pain in the rear consisting of hundreds of pages of supporting documentation for the purpose of itemizing all our deductions. The mortgage underwriting documents are done but the tax documents still have a long way to go. Thankfully, I have a really comfortable office chair and my files are now in better change then they have been in months. I just hope I don’t have to break out the check book again!

What We Have Done And Have Yet To Do…

There is a certain amount of frenetic stress that enters into the picture as a stated meeting approaches and this month that was magnified by the fact that this was going to be our official district visitation. There was a lot of work that went into the meeting which I previously wrote about. Thankfully, everything was taken care of and by the time I got to the lodge the long list of tasks was completely crossed out (due in large part to the assistance that I got from a variety of brothers from the lodge).

Official visitations are an interesting night. There are a lot of different ceremonies and presentations that take place as well as recognition given to those individuals who have earned the honor to be noted in front of all the lodges from the district for their accomplishment. While in an odd turn of events there weren’t any brothers in attendance to be recognized for their long masonic service (we have a number of 25, 50, 60, and 65 year members this year as well as a 70 year member), many of the newer brethren were present.

This group included two brothers who have met the requirements for the Master Builder Award. Having received this honor myself, I know the great sense of accomplishment that comes with this recognition. It continues to be a great mark of achievement for the lodge that we, as the smallest lodge in the district by membership, have nearly twice as many Master Builder Award recipients than the rest of the district combined. This is a distinction that we continue to pursue thanks to the dedication of our new brothers.

However, the greatest honor of the evening was not one presented to an individual. Toward the end of the meeting, the District Deputy Grand Master addressed the lodge with plaque in hand. The efforts of this lodge were being recognized with the Grand Master’s Award. We are the first lodge in the district to receive this award and, again, it is because of the efforts of the lodge as a whole that this was even a possibility. We may be small but we are active, we are growing, and we are motivated to better ourselves, our lodge, and our fraternity.

With all the honors bestowed throughout the night it would be easy to sit back and enjoy what has been accomplished. However, we are already half way through the year and there is still a lot that needs to be done. We have accomplished a lot but, speaking for myself, I know we can do a lot better and I personally can do a lot more. The foundation is here and now is the time when we have to build. 

Taxes Done?

The past couple of years have made me dread this particular day on the calendar. Having received hefty bills from the federal government and not enough funds to cover the costs, we have filed extensions. Seems like this is the time of year when everyone does some spring cleaning especially the government which likes to clean out your bank account. This year, we have the funds to pay what I am certain will be a ridiculous amount but don’t have the time to pull everything together. The extension streak is alive and now in its third year.

We were actually keeping things organized for much of 2014. This was in large part due to having to pull together all the documents in early fall before that extension ended. It was rather easy to put some of those items aside in a folder designated for the current year. Yep, things were pretty organized by the time December came around.

It really is amazing how cluttered things can get when you move from one place to another. Not the space in which we were living but in the individual boxes where all of our papers and documents were relegated. All of the organized folders seem to blend together in a pile of muddled ink... this reminds me, we have to set aside those receipts from the move. This is only accentuated by the fact that all of the tax forms arrived the following month so now what was once consolidated into one place is now in a few places waiting to be collected again.

Normally it wouldn’t be a problem pulling things together as in the past I have had time to do it. And that is the key. February and March were, to say the least, busy months. With all the hours that I have put in at the office and doing my best to protect the time that I have with my son, there are few minutes remaining during the day when I can take care of all these other projects that keep building up. Time is not being kind at the moment.

It doesn’t help that the days seem to be evaporating before us. Just as we get ready to plan for one thing or another, the pages of the calendar have turned and the time we once had was gone. Other things seem to pop up now and again as well chipping away at the days when we thought we would have a chance to catch our breath. But, as we have done many times over, we will find the time to get the taxes done and hold our breath waiting to hear the final total… hopefully the news will allow us to breathe afterward.

Encore

While my second term may have officially started late last month, the second year of my service as Secretary of the lodge didn’t really start until the stated meeting this past week. When I look back I am proud of all that we have accomplished as a lodge over the last twelve months and I am glad that I was able to play a small role in ensuring our growth and overall success. Of course, that is all in the past now and we are already moving quickly to get this new year off to a fast start. And during the first stated meeting of the year that is exactly what took place.

We didn’t get the petitions that I had hoped to receive during the meeting but everything else went as planned and the calendar was outline for all the brethren in attendance. There are a lot of items on our list of events, more than last year, and additional support is now in place for new brothers. I guess you could say that it is a natural progression from last year but that is never a guarantee and it was good to see that we are all doing our parts to keep the significant momentum going. Hopefully we don’t have the same kinds of bumps (and drastic detours) along the way that we experienced after this past summer.

It has been a year of mostly highs with a few chaotic moments thrown in to make us appreciate the fellowship and support that we offer one another as brothers. It has also been a tremendous time of learning as there were many times over the course of the past year that I had to step back, take a look at what needed to be done, and educate myself as to the process, limitations, and/or actions that could be taken. In the end, we all came together, grabbed the wheel, and made sure that we turned the corner.

This year there are things that will certainly be easier as I have now done them at least once before but there are also much higher expectations that I am setting for myself as well as my fellow brothers. We need to continue our growth, increase involvement, and make sure that all the processes and programs are set up in such a way that they can be sustained for years to come. Thankfully, given what I have seen from both established and new brothers alike, this new mentality and light that has been found is something that will definitely continue and our lodge will remain a proud example of what Masons can do when they truly consider one another brothers.

Last And First Meeting

Having had to run a few errands prior (i.e. checking the old apartment and grabbing the mail), and leaving the office a little later than expected due to a delayed but very positive meeting (our year in review), I arrived at the lodge about an hour later than I usually do and with little time to space for the evening. Actually, as I pulled into a parking spot and made a final few calls, I greeted two other brothers as they walked across the parking lot. Maybe attendance would be more than I expected?

Well, I walked in a few minutes later having finally completed the calls that had occupied my commute, and saw a small round table of brothers conversing and getting a few last minute items done before the New Year began. The evening, absent of candidates, was a much more relaxed time of fellowship and an opportunity to catch up on everything that is going on not just at the lodge but in our lives. It was also a perfect time to make sure I thanked the brother who assisted me over the weekend by transporting the new couch.

As the new masonic year had started a few days prior, there was a slight change at the lodge last night. While the Worshipful Master will be serving another year in the east and I will continue sitting to his right, the Treasurer, having served in that role for the past seven years, decided to step down and have another brother assume the responsibilities of the office. Last night, it was nice to see the previous Treasurer relax a little while he offered support to his successor. While the new officer is more than qualified for the job and his commitment to the fraternity is unquestionable, I understand the process of getting comfortable in a new position in the lodge as an officer. After all, I had to do the same thing last year.

There is a lot of promise in the coming year as our calendar is filling quickly, new brothers are actively participating in the fraternity, and new candidates are brought in every month with petitions in hand. We conclude the year with more masons than what we started with, greater engagement by the brethren, and an energy that is continuously building with every passing week. It is a great time to be a brother and I am enjoying the front row seat that I have as we turn the fraternal corner and begin to grow again.

Intergenerational Connectivity In Freemasonry

It has been both a long and fast year at the lodge. Last night was the final preparation for those degrees to be conferred in 2014 and it was, again, a great mix of both eager and experienced brothers. It was the kind of night that makes me look forward to the coming year and all the things that we plan on accomplishing.

As the Worshipful Master and I were discussing all that we still had to pull together in this final month, we had two candidates arrive early to learn everything that they needed for their next degree. Soon after, one of our long standing brothers walked through the door and after a few moments of fellowship headed off with one of the candidates to prepare him and impart his masonic wisdom. Given that he has been a mason nearly 50 years and served as Worshipful Master on seven different occasions, there is a lot of wisdom to impart.

While the fellowship and training was happening, I first ducked out to make a few calls and tie up a few things for both the upcoming meeting and the fast approaching blood drive this Saturday (spots are still available). Once I took care of all that I could over the phone (which wasn’t much given that it was after 8:00pm at that point), I headed back into the hall and went back and forth between the two training sessions. Not surprisingly, I found myself stopping and listening to our Masonic veteran as he talked about his experiences in the fraternity and how it has influenced his life beyond the lodge.

For those of us that are still new to the fraternity, this is an invaluable resource and really does accentuate the importance of Freemasonry in our lives. It also demonstrates all that can be accomplished in the fraternity and makes us create our own personal masonic goals. Maybe one of these days we can look back with the same sense of pride at our masonic careers and know that we have continued the tradition and work that our brothers before us worked hard to preserve and accomplish.

After all, we are a part of the history of this fraternity. The work that we do now, no matter how insignificant it may seem at the moment, will carry on through the generations of Masons. We all have similar and slightly different experiences at lodge and in freemasonry in general and we apply those perspectives to help, aid, and assist our fellow brothers no matter if they are still working through the degrees or if they have been a mason for 50+ years. That generational interconnectivity is part of what will continue to strengthen current and future masonic experiences… this is part of what makes good men better.

Final Month

I can’t believe that we are already in the final month of 2014. I have no idea where the year has gone and it is surprising to look back and see where things started and where we are now. And with so many changes that are scheduled to take place in the beginning of 2015 it is amazing to think what things are going to be like at this time next year.

Work has been great with things always happening to keep me busy and clients that value the work that we have done but there are changes that have happened and are going to take place over the next month. There have been great placements and lost opportunities. We have lost a few accounts and brought some in. We have seem contracts go to other firms and we have had companies come directly to us. I have seen new colleagues come in and I have seen a few pack up their things. All of these things are, unfortunately, part of the industry and we already know of changes that will take place sooner rather than later.

The lodge, as you know, has been hectic with events, both scheduled and unplanned, causing us to work a little harder than usual to keep things running smoothly. It has been a year of growth and good work as our numbers continue to rise (both membership and attendance) and the list of events that we have scheduled more comprehensive than the previous year. And it has been a challenging time as I have done my best to keep up to date on all of my duties in my first year as Secretary (while trying to balance everything else in life). One more month, one more meeting, and then we do it all again.

I have been able to keep up on the blogs but it really has been a struggle at times. Not just in trying to figure out what the heck I am going to say (hence this post) but sometimes just finding the time to write. My list of things to do on a daily basis seems to be getting longer and longer and the makeup days that once existed have long since been booked with other things. But I am going to keep pushing forward with both the current set up and with a few things that I am working on to hopefully relieve a little of the work load.

With all those things going on, the most important changes have been with regard to my, growing, family. Not only has this been an adjustment as of late but there are many more things that will be happening at the beginning of the year. There are many great experiences that I will forever remember from this past year and some that while I would prefer to forget I have no choice but to remember. There is a lot more that we have planned for this month as a family and hopefully it will be a month full of nothing but good things. All we can do is live and love and that is what I hope encapsulates this final month of 2014.

Another Half Year Down

You don’t have to look at the calendar to realize that it’s July. For the first time this year the sweat was flowing freely down the faces of anyone who stepped outside for more than a couple of minutes. The immediate chill and relaxation upon opening the door to the office building is something that is unique to summer and if often the highlight of the morning commute. And, for the first time in three years, I have been able to enjoy the heat of the day and sleep wrapped in the cool of the night.

It seems that it was a mere few weeks since I last wrote about the resolutions and the recap of the previous things checked off the list. That is not what this blog is about, not today, not this summer. There are too many great things that have happened so far this year some that I previously listed as goals and resolutions while others just happened, surfacing in the flow of life. I have been too focused on lists at times to truly embrace the greatness of this world and the gift of life that we have all been given.

This year has been one of tremendous personal satisfaction and, thankfully, stability. While it has been far from perfect, there are few things that I would go back and change. I couldn’t tell you any particular instance that comes to mind as I can’t recall the moments to which I reference. I have made a point to forget that which prevents me from keeping my eyes looking forward. While I am not always successful in this endeavor, I am making the effort and I am definitely better off for doing so.

And one of the tools that has allowed me to do this is this blog. This is why you will occasionally read the rants or the recounting of days that may have been led astray. Writing these things down allows me to forget. Words and photos are things that live in the past. Once a picture is taken or a word is written it is immediately thrown into the past. It was captured. It was written. Only the sentence that I construct at this very moment is a piece of the present. All other thoughts and actions have already happened and been recorded.

It has been a great year so far and one that I am happy to forget. All those moments are within me, stored in my mind and influencing my current direction, but they are not cognizant thoughts that dominate my every moment. Each of us have in our own mind the greatest story ever told which only ends when we can no longer remember who we are and what we have done. This year has been great thus far and I look forward to continuing to write the story of my life in the following days, months, years, and for the rest of my life. And the best part of this story is that no matter how much I try to plan or anticipate I have no idea what is going to be on the next page.

Working On My Schedule… Again!

Weekends are usually the time when I catch up on sleep. As you have probably seen with the majority of my posts, I am up late writing and posting. It is an odd schedule but one that allows me to accomplish everything I want to do during the day. However, the work week is a little tenuous at times with regard to the limited sleep that I am able to get.

While this has not been too much of an issue, there are some weeks when the morning sneaks up on me and my eyes refuse to acknowledge the reality of morning. I have never been a morning person but my motivation to take advantage of as much of the day continues to drive me to keep long hours and push the limits of my body to achieve as much as I can with the time I have during the conscious hours. But, as has been proven in recent weeks, motivation sometimes gives way to the need for rest. I don’t like it but that is what happens.

The first few weeks of this year have also brought about the need to schedule the first half of the year. I have received many invitations and been informed of numerous events that should be interesting to both experience as well as share with you afterward. As it stands now, those events will begin this week and, as long as I have the time, I will be experience as many of these moments as I can. While they won’t take me very far from home, they are certainly an eclectic mix of activities.

Additionally, there are a few applications and schedules that still have to be implemented into my calendar. I’m sure my wife is thrilled to be reading this even though I do my best to keep her up to date with my seemingly crazy plans. For those of you that are married, I’m sure you are quite familiar with this kind of conversation. For those of you not in a relationship, start learning about how to balance your schedule now. With that said, I am doing everything I can to maintain balance and allow myself to not only rest but, more importantly, spend time with my wife.

Balance is my goal but now, with all the schedules and invitations pouring in, the hard work begins. I try to embrace every opportunity that comes my way but I know that I can’t just keep going full speed every day. Sometimes you need to step back not just to rest but appreciate all that you have experienced. While that is part of the reason for keeping this blog, there also needs to be time when I can just reflect without sitting in front of the computer or hovering over a blank page. Those are the times, away from the calendar chaos, when I can better appreciate everything in my life and enjoy some quiet time at home.

Another Resolution Post: What Are The Odds That I Complete This List?

Back on July 1st I made a few half year resolutions. Some have been checked off the list, a few have been amended, and others have yet to be achieved. So now is both and obvious and a perfect time to go through that list again and make those changes and/or recommitments. So, here we go. First will be listed the original resolution (A) which will be followed by the current incarnation or update (B).

1A. Improve my health – Isn’t this something that is, in one shape or form, on everyone’s list? For me, it really comes down to two very simple things, stop smoking and lose about 60 pounds (I have struggled with both over the years). There is an entire subset of things I could list in order to accomplish this but, again, those are the common things that everyone jots down. What is different than most is that I have to make sure to schedule regular checkups with my doctors just to keep an open line of communication and make sure I am doing things the right way.

1B. Thus far, no improvement has been made. While I am getting more sleep and staying active, my weight has stayed the same and my horrible habits have remained. Now that a few things have fallen into place and a new, healthier routine has been established it is time to recommit. Thankfully, I am not alone in this journey and I will now join my wife (who is much better off than I am at this point) in making the necessary changes so that she is stuck with me for a good long time.

2A. Write a blog every day – I made it through last month with only a few delays. I still got a blog out every day in June but some of them were barely under the wire. I have a blog schedule which, so far, would take me to the end of October but that is the easy part… the “hard” part is taking the time every day to write and post. To this point, I have accomplished a staggering amount of growth in a single month and I greatly appreciate the support. Thank you all for reading, commenting, liking, sharing, etc.

2B. I have been able to keep this resolution to this very day and I have every intention of carrying it through 2014 and beyond. While time consuming, this rigid schedule has forced me to keep writing and not fall into silence like I have in the past. It has also been nice to be able to look back and see all that has happened and all the experiences that I’ve had during the year (well, at least since late May).   

3A. Find a place to live – Such a basic thing to have on a list at first glance. However, there is a greater underlying factor to this which is why I have chosen to list it. We have an apartment which has served us well and we live in an area that is very familiar but we are both looking for home. We have been looking for this for a long time now and in many locations and while we have been comfortable and thought we had found it a few times it just didn’t hold up against the clock and calendar. Hopefully, we find home this year.

3B. This hasn’t happened yet. We are still in the same apartment but we have shortened our lease to 6 months so, hopefully by June, you will be reading about the hassles of moving and looking at pictures of our new dwelling. Stay tuned.

4A. Find a new job – Minor detail. As was posted previously, I have been seeking a new position for some time now. While it has been difficult at times I am still confident that not just a job but a career is waiting for me because it just takes one to make it happen. As the great SNL philosopher Stuart Smalley (not to be confused with the pull your hair out quote from Senator Franken) said, "I'm good enough. I'm smart enough. And doggone it, people like me."

4B. Done. While the journey to my new position started around the time this blog was birthed, it finally became a reality in October. It’s safe to say that I will not be renewing this exact resolution in 2014. However, finding a good side writing job would be nice. Maybe something involving this blog. Who knows but I will work on a few angles and keep you posted on the progress.

5A. Full year of Rotary – As was posted last week I am now the President Elect for the Rotary Club of Bala Cynywd – Narberth and there are certain things that I would like to accomplish in the coming year. I am not going to go over the whole list again in this post but, suffice to say, there are many things that I need to work on to truly make my first full year as a Rotarian a success in my eyes.  

5B. Yes, I made it through my first full year as a Rotarian back in August. However, as had been discussed may times, there have been a number of changes in my Rotary involvement. Thankfully, my club has stood by me and supported me every step of the way which has given me the luxury of time to figure out what my new role should be. This is something that is requiring a great deal of thought and planning and will, I am certain, result in a course of action that will be both fair and beneficial to all concerned. Again, a work in progress (notice the pattern yet).

6A. Full year as a Mason – I have only been a member of the fraternity since April and I have already gotten a tremendous amount out of Freemasonry. There are a number of personal things that I would like to achieve in this first full year and many goals that I have set for myself in this category including, just to name a few, completion of the Master Builder Award and Lodge of Research requirements as well as becoming a member of Scottish Rite. It’s going to be a busy Masonic year.

6B. Well, check all of the above goals off the list. Of course, there have been a few other things added. With my new duties and responsibilities it is definitely going to be a challenging and interesting year. As they say, sometime the best way to learn is by doing and I am going to do as much as possible including: earning Academy of Masonic Knowledge Credits (I want to AT LEAST reach level three by the end of the year), Royal Arch, work with the Worshipful Master on new lodge programs, and be the first line signer on at least two blue lodge petitions and 3 Scottish Rite petitions. The new goals have now been set!

7A. Sons of American Revolution Application – This project has been put aside since the fall and it is time to “git-r-done”. Given the time of year it is especially poignant to get this done soon. I am proud of my family heritage and for me this is a great way to show it. I will be sure to write more about this process and my family’s Revolutionary past in a future post so stay tuned.  

7B. Definitely a work in progress. At this point it is more a matter of organization and time rather than information. I have the lines outlined and all the supporting documents, it is simply a matter of presenting it in such a way that it can be easily understood so the process can be streamlined as much as possible. I will keep you all up to date as to when I hear anything back. However, this resolution comes with a rather large expansion in that other applications that I would like to submit this year include The German Society of Pennsylvania, The Irish Society, and Monacan Indian Tribe Application (just to name a few). Updates will also be provided for each as well as the potential for trips and events which may make it into posts.

 

8A. Publishing and Readings (one is already booked for November 16^th in Collegeville, Pennsylvania) – If I remember correctly, it has been almost eight years since I last actively sought publication of my work. It is a very trying and tiring process that I am not particularly fond of but it’s an addiction that never leaves you so I guess it’s time to do some lines and chase the dragon once again. So, keep in mind that I may be creatively and poetically medicated moving forward. The long layoff from giving readings coincided with my vacation from publishing. If I am going to publish I have to read as well. I always enjoyed the performance side of writing because that is where you find out if a poem or story works. You feed off of the reaction, good or bad, which helps you to improve and pushes you to challenge yourself and your audience. Words on the page are just ink and paper, the experience defines the creation.  

8B. While I have continued to write and present in other formats, the reading never took place. Finding the time to submit to publications has been nearly impossible but something that I will have to make the time for over the next year. Whether it will be in the poetry genre is uncertain as it looks, at this point, that much of it will be research based and possibly some reviews, opinions, and reporting (photography is also a possibility). I will occasionally provide updates of current and pending publications.

9A. Continue to explore my faith – Many changes have occurred in the past couple of months with regard to our observance but our faith has remained steadfast. The means by which we express and embrace our faith has evolved over time to something that suits us both as individuals and as a family rather than subscribing to the black and white outline of a particular branch of Judaism. While it is not for everyone it is how we connect with G-d and I look forward to exploring our faith and deepening that connection through His words and his creation.

9B. This will always be a journey of exploration without end. So all that can really be done is to recommit to this resolution on an annual basis so that is exactly what I am doing right now.

10A. Travel - I am looking forward to continuing our weekly excursions both as a way to spend time with my wife and also to explore the beauty of creation that surrounds us. We have weekly day trips planned out to last the summer and into fall but, like anything else, it is flexible and I am sure it is going to change. This is also a means to feed content to this blog and share with you some of the wonderful places that surround me in my own Commonwealth. I hope that it will encourage some of you to do the same and explore and appreciate the places that are near to you but you never took the time to visit (this is especially important for those of you who may have children).

10B. My wife and I were able to travel to and explore many great places last summer and I continue to travel in the coming year. While there are a few tentative trips planned for 2014, nothing as of yet is set in stone. The basic goal for the year is to go to 10 new places (places that I have never been to before not just new to this blog). While most will be personal trips with my wife, some may be work related while others may be the result of my Masonic travels. Hopefully it will be another year of exploration and discovery which will far surpass 2013.

So, those are both the results of my midyear resolutions and my edits thereof to be applied to 2014. All are reasonable commitments to make for a twelve month period and things that can easily be accomplished so long as I remain focused and committed to their fulfillment. Keep reading every day to see if I am making progress and let me know if you may want to assist me in completing this list. Now that I have posted my resolutions, what does your 2014 list look like?