My dad just sent me an article that the IRS is not equipped to accept tax returns until late February? Due to late passage of 2010 tax laws.

So, I wonder if this means I should file my state tax return (to avoid the IOU situation) and file my Federal taxes when I can. Hmmmm. Will probably be my plan of action.

As far as work, no one has their taxes done much before that point, so, eh...

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I also just got the December gas bill. Was shocked because we used 1/2 the gas that we did last December. I would peg January as our coldest month of the year, on average, but this December has been record breaking COLD.

Likewise, last December was our biggest gas usage month for the seasonal year - 75 therms. For December 2010? 37 therms.

I'll give credit to myself. I moved the thermostat down one degree last year and have been better about just showering and dressing in the cold this year. (It no longer bothers me as I have just adjusted. House is usually 60 - 64 degrees in the morning. I take a hot shower, throw on my clothes and go, so, eh).

Dh and the kids walk around in their underwear all winter - I am bundled up to the nth degree with fleece blankets all over the house. I don't do well with cold, but can generally be fine at 68 being well bundled up. Anyway, dh got a robe for his surgery last year (nice and warm) and has actually been wearing it around the house. I can't help but feel with both kids at school and his robe that maybe the heat isn't being turned on as much as usual! I can't help but wonder how much credit the robe should get. Frankly, I don't think it matters much. He is probably just less concerned about the kids comfort since they are both at school all day.

On balanced billing, our bill has been as low as $14/month. I can't help but wonder if it will be lower once it resets. Usually December/January obliterates any credit we built up the rest of the year. Instead, our gas usage this month was the same as last March.

Oh - January won't be so good. I will be home recovering surgery and will probably prefer to keep the heat at 69 all day. I will demand a little more comfort than usual. At night I could care less - I snuggle up with dh and bundle up in blankets. I've lived in much colder/less insulated homes. So at night I can be pretty spartan while sleeping.

As a funny aside, dh was complaining that he was cold the last few nights. He is sleeping in his underwear and wearing a sheet. I told him to get a blanket!! It's kind of funny because I am the cold whimp. Like, get a blanket - what a novel idea! With all my layers and blankets, it hasn't felt any colder to me...