The State of Me
Our tax guy actually got us a refund from the Feds. Unbelievable. This was largely due to our moving expenses, otherwise we would have owed because of my self-employment taxes. But we're getting back ~$2k between Federal and Maryland. We had to pay $166 to Colorado. Much better all around than we'd anticipated. Next year will not be like this. At all.
I've decided not to apply for those project manager jobs. I'm not ready to give up my flexibility and in the construction field I'd never be able to take time off in the summer and even off-season I wouldn't have the flexibility that I have right now to just go wherever, whenever. So no full-time employment for me. Chris and I did discuss options for me if my winter is slow again, although I'm hoping next winter will be different. We shall see.
Chris, however, had an interview on Saturday at Winter Park resort. We are hoping that 1) they offer the job to him and 2) they offer enough money. We talked about how much of a pay cut he could potentially take without it being a problem. He can actually get a lower hourly rate there and still make the same (or more) money because there he'll work 40 hours a week, whether there's stuff to do or not. Now he only gets paid for the work he does and when the shop is slow, he makes nothing. For example, he's about to get paid for 35 hours -- for two weeks of work. Mud season is just really slow for every business; some businesses around here even close for part of April and May.
But anyway, a job at Winter Park would be great because it's steady pay (with overtime during ski season) and the benefits are great. One benefit -- free ski pass for him to Winter Park, Copper, and Steamboat. Same thing for me for just $10. Currently it's almost $400 for Winter Park/Copper. $1000 to add Steamboat. That's for one person. So the season pass benefit is spectacular. Then there's the health care and retirement, plus lodging discounts if we vacation at another Intrawest-owned resort and so on. So I'm crossing my fingers for him.
Now back to me ... On Saturday I had to go to Silverthorne to drop a FedEx package off so I did a little shopping while over there. I've been constantly yanking up my jeans lately, so I went to Eddie Bauer and got two new pair. I'm a size 10 now. Yay! Before I started the plan I was on the verge of busting out of my 14s. So I'm insanely happy to be wearing 10s. I also got a new pair of running shoes and some socks, a jog bra, and other misc. things.
Yesterday I pulled my bike out of the garage and put air in the incredibly flat tires and went for a ride. Did a couple miles with the gears set so that I pedaled the whole time, no coasting. The weather was gorgeous and it felt great to be out. Today I ran. Tomorrow I go to the Y to check out the pool.
So what's with the swim, bike, run? I'm going to do a triathlon this summer. Back when I ran my marathon in 2000, I made this goal for myself to compete in a tri. I actually have a dream of competing in Ironman one day. I sort of gave that up for a while, but I've decided that it's worth it to me. It's something that I wanted so much at one time and there's no reason I can't do it. Well, a tri anyway, we'll see about Ironman later. So I'm doing the Danskin tri in Denver. It's short -- 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike, 3.1 mile run -- and I can do it using my hybrid bike. If I ever make it to Ironman, I'm going to need a serious road bike, but the tri bikes that I like all cost at least $4k. My car's not even worth $1.5k, so ... *g*
But be prepared to see posts about my training as I get going to prepare for this. The race is in July, so I have plenty of time. Right now I'm mostly concerned about training for the swim. I could do the bike and the run now (not fast, but I could do it), but a swim of that distance is going to take some work.
I've decided not to apply for those project manager jobs. I'm not ready to give up my flexibility and in the construction field I'd never be able to take time off in the summer and even off-season I wouldn't have the flexibility that I have right now to just go wherever, whenever. So no full-time employment for me. Chris and I did discuss options for me if my winter is slow again, although I'm hoping next winter will be different. We shall see.
Chris, however, had an interview on Saturday at Winter Park resort. We are hoping that 1) they offer the job to him and 2) they offer enough money. We talked about how much of a pay cut he could potentially take without it being a problem. He can actually get a lower hourly rate there and still make the same (or more) money because there he'll work 40 hours a week, whether there's stuff to do or not. Now he only gets paid for the work he does and when the shop is slow, he makes nothing. For example, he's about to get paid for 35 hours -- for two weeks of work. Mud season is just really slow for every business; some businesses around here even close for part of April and May.
But anyway, a job at Winter Park would be great because it's steady pay (with overtime during ski season) and the benefits are great. One benefit -- free ski pass for him to Winter Park, Copper, and Steamboat. Same thing for me for just $10. Currently it's almost $400 for Winter Park/Copper. $1000 to add Steamboat. That's for one person. So the season pass benefit is spectacular. Then there's the health care and retirement, plus lodging discounts if we vacation at another Intrawest-owned resort and so on. So I'm crossing my fingers for him.
Now back to me ... On Saturday I had to go to Silverthorne to drop a FedEx package off so I did a little shopping while over there. I've been constantly yanking up my jeans lately, so I went to Eddie Bauer and got two new pair. I'm a size 10 now. Yay! Before I started the plan I was on the verge of busting out of my 14s. So I'm insanely happy to be wearing 10s. I also got a new pair of running shoes and some socks, a jog bra, and other misc. things.
Yesterday I pulled my bike out of the garage and put air in the incredibly flat tires and went for a ride. Did a couple miles with the gears set so that I pedaled the whole time, no coasting. The weather was gorgeous and it felt great to be out. Today I ran. Tomorrow I go to the Y to check out the pool.
So what's with the swim, bike, run? I'm going to do a triathlon this summer. Back when I ran my marathon in 2000, I made this goal for myself to compete in a tri. I actually have a dream of competing in Ironman one day. I sort of gave that up for a while, but I've decided that it's worth it to me. It's something that I wanted so much at one time and there's no reason I can't do it. Well, a tri anyway, we'll see about Ironman later. So I'm doing the Danskin tri in Denver. It's short -- 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike, 3.1 mile run -- and I can do it using my hybrid bike. If I ever make it to Ironman, I'm going to need a serious road bike, but the tri bikes that I like all cost at least $4k. My car's not even worth $1.5k, so ... *g*
But be prepared to see posts about my training as I get going to prepare for this. The race is in July, so I have plenty of time. Right now I'm mostly concerned about training for the swim. I could do the bike and the run now (not fast, but I could do it), but a swim of that distance is going to take some work.