Running Bear's February 2026 Coffee Shop

[westtexjohn]

Well here ya go..............

 

[chadbag]

I do want to point out that in the 2018 Olympics recently one of the men's US teams won a gold medal in curling and Canada dud not get any medal. (Never mind that Canada is usually on the Podium and the US men's have only been on teh podium once before in 2006 as a bronze to Canada's Gold).

 

[AmtrakCr74108]

Willie didn't you say your wife works for H&R Block? I downloaded their software and was going along great with it until I started entering my Railroad Retirement stuff. Their RR form doesn't match the one the railroad sends me. It's always been super easy to fill out this RR form with Turbo Tax until this year, but H&R Block's RR boxes don't seem to match for some reason. I know this is a long shot but does anyone else here on RR Retirement use H&R Block to do their taxes. Swal

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I have used them since retiring in 2013 but always as a sit down appointment. Turbo tax seemed to have issues at the time with RRR.

 

[Bill Tidler Jr.]

Good morning, it's Friday! It's 25°F and mostly cloudy here.

Have a great day!

 

[Bill Tidler Jr.]

Since when did Spring start the first week in February?!?!?!?

It didn't. Move to Indiana.

 

[Bill Tidler Jr.]

One other way you can tell is by the mis-pronunciation of large numbers. 1200 is pronounced as one two hundred, not twelve hundred. Also some words flatout mispronounced. There is an area north of Baltimore called Towson. Properly pronounced it rhymes with cow-son. AI says it as Tow (like tow truck) son. It has been this way since the 1st Garmin, and in a lot of cases is still that way. I always wondered what AI would sound like pronouncing Ypsilanti, Lititz or other town names.

AI says:
"Is 12 hundred the same as 1200?
Yes. In informal or spoken English, Twelve Hundred" means 1200. However, the formal way is "One Thousand Two Hundred" for exams, banking, and schoolwork."

 

[bnsf971]

Good morning. It's clear and 35.

 

[NYC_George]

AmTrakCr I had no problem entering my RR pension info into Turbo Tax until this year. They changed their format for some reason. I downloaded H&R Block's software and was going along great with entering my other 1099-R info until the RR info. I can't understand why they just can't show the RR pension form as it actually looks, and you enter the data. No that would be too easy so let's try and confuse you, so you have to buy the assistance part of the program for $39.00. This is what I think. Swal

 

[troyphoto]

Well, howdy there internet curlers

It's Troy again

Not much new to report. Still dealing with piriformis syndrome. No quick fixes, just long and slow recovery as I get the muscles working correctly.

Wife has grow lights on a cheap timer that finally died. So I just went to the big river store to get a replacement. While I was there I ordered some cat probiotics and scent diffusers.

I remember seeing on a Larry Pucket video the he uses a wireless remote outlet control to turn on and off train stuff. Hmmmm... I'm not to that point yet, but I have a lot of lights in the basement I'd like to turn off with one button. So I ordered this:

Last night at dinner, as we were consuming round 2 of the crockpotted Chuck Roast and veggies in tomato sauce, wife suggested we go to Salvatore's Italian place tonight.

I always here this song while we're there, so it started as a brainworm somewhere after the 3am pee run

Guess my tummy and brain want some Italian food!

 

[NYC_George]

I would like to get my 2025 taxes done because I get a good refund, but problems arise like this. H&R Block can't seem to get their software correct to get this done. I asked them a question and here's their reply. Box 10 on the form is Medicare Premium Total Not Federal taxes withheld.
They have this entry backwards. I would think they could get this right so not to confuse me or anyone else who worked for the railroad because railroad workers don't get Social Security. Swal

 

[bnsf971]

AmTrakCr I had no problem entering my RR pension info into Turbo Tax until this year. They changed their format for some reason. I downloaded H&R Block's software and was going along great with entering my other 1099-R info until the RR info. I can't understand why they just can't show the RR pension form as it actually looks, and you enter the data. No that would be too easy so let's try and confuse you, so you have to buy the assistance part of the program for $39.00. This is what I think. Swal

I think I mentioned something similar with Turbotax this year. I was using the free version, got everything entered, and the software decided I needed to add a Medicare form that I am not eligible for, refused to allow the return otherwise, and wanted to charge me $39.95 for the software that allowed that form (that I couldn’t use and didn’t need).

 

[strobelight]

I think I mentioned something similar with Turbotax this year. I was using the free version, got everything entered, and the software decided I needed to add a Medicare form that I am not eligible for, refused to allow the return otherwise, and wanted to charge me $39.95 for the software that allowed that form (that I couldn’t use and didn’t need).

I've been happy with TaxAct for several years, haven't filed yet, so will see how it does for a new retiree.

 

[migalyto]

Good morning all!

Happy Friday!

Currently 33F heading up to around 38F but blustery later so the temp wont feel quite as nice.

Usual stuff around the house this morning. Not much else going on at the moment.

Basketball game is away tonight and the last for the week. Its only about 20 min away, so not too bad. Should be home by 7pm since
its only freshman playing tonight.

Have a safe day everyone!

 

[migalyto]

Good morning, it's Friday! It's 25°F and mostly cloudy here.
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Have a great day!

That looks like the perfect Friday stick to your ribs comfort breakfast!

 

[wheeler1963]

I've been happy with TaxAct for several years, haven't filed yet, so will see how it does for a new retiree.

I gotta agree with strobelight on this one. Been using TaxAct for about 10 years now.
Retired at 62 so no problems there. But it does understand the Bailey Act here in NC. Basically NC can't tax my Military retirement so it takes that back out for me.
A pretty decent tax program. We filed on the 26th of January, already got the Federal deposited in the bank.
The state refund we won't see until May at least. State hasn't passed a budget yet, so it's always delayed.

 

[kbkchooch]

Good morning gang!

Happy Friday gang, another cold day with the possibility of snow for later today, just a dusting they say. That translates to none at all or several inches, in other words its a WAG.

Been using Turbo Tax for years. It must be working right, I haven't ben audited yet!

BBL

 

[troyphoto]

Welp... I didnt expect to wake up to 3 inches of new snow, and still snowing!

Emptied the kitchen trash and went to take the bag out to the bin... grabbed the shovel instead.

In other news, I'm painting Orcs. Decided I'd do a Mad Max Desert 'Eavy Metal theme for them. Found some files to print for trussing and speakers.

And the Arrow Boyz: (for those who know, these are old GW models I've had in the pile of shame for about a decade)... the Mantic Games ones are out of print right now.

And a bunch of angry orcs on very angry boars:

 

[santafewillie]

Good Morning All. Clear and 48°, NWS says 80° later today after 71° yesterday. While cooler tomorrow at 70°, the same pattern is supposed to continue every day for the 10 day forecast.

We made the weekly grocery trek yesterday without incident except I left a few items off the list. Nothing critical and they'll wait until next week. I am not a shopper, I don't deviate from the list! It's too bad, as I missed the $20 off coupon if I spent $200, by just $12. The ground beef would have made up the bulk of the shortfall! Lots of household chores and a few outside filled out the day.
Looks like today will start out as a laundry day and some consolidation and organizing of the firewood stacks outside.

Nothing has changed out in the train shed. I am still wandering about aimlessly trying to decide on the next project while running trains.

Tom O - I have only experienced one Nurse Ratched (RE. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest), in my life. All of the others have been dear sweet ladies with a few caring male ones thrown in. I have had a couple of "Patient Care Technicians" who were clueless though!
Mike - Yep! I believe that putting a "Fragile" label on a package is the kiss of death.
Swal - Sorry that my wife is unable to assist, as she is not familiar with the current H&R Block software. While she did many RR Retirements while at the office, she never did one with the online software, and their office software was different than the online stuff anyway. She has no loyalty and we now use TaxAct.
David (Marlin) -

Since when did Spring start the first week in February?!?!?!?

Generally starts here about this time. Most years, we'll have one really wintry week every season and then it's over. I mow in January most years when it rains.

Everyone have a wonderful Friday.

 

[RhB Michael]

37°F this morning. 10 degrees to go for the expected high. Then colder Saturday, 53°F Sunday, 61°F Monday, and 64°F Tuesday. Hahahahahahaha!!!!

Show me!

Have a great Freitag! Servus!

 

[TLOC]

Good morning from So. Central Wisconsin where it is misting with occasional snowfakes. 33f degrees feels like 23 and heading to 36. The sidewalks look to be crusty and the streets bordering the house (we live on a corner lot) are a dark color with probably some black ice. This was guessed at yesterday afternoon and discussed on the local news broadcast I endured right before dinner.

It’s Fish Fry Friday so dinner will be out somewhere tonight

Terry said there were no deals at the grocery stores so no need to go today

We were going to take the car in for the dealership’s express service today but no longer this morning. The dealership no longer provide rides home or pickup while your vehicle is in for warranty services. They have switched all except major services as drive in no appointment service. For those they pay Uber to get you home or work but only the 1way. You need your own way back to the dealership. This is our last warranty paid service and unless I get a new car (maybe) in the next 1/4 this will be the last time this car sees the dealership. I wonder how much they will offer on the car this trip in. Cash or trade and if they hit the $$$ number we want the car is theirs!

2 friends today are heading to a local plastic distributor sometime today. 5 of us got together to purchase large sheet styrene in 4x8 form. The distributor then cuts it down for 1 set up fee of $10.00 for all. I have 2’x 4’ sheets of .040. .060 and .080 plain styrene coming plus Black Sintra in 3mm and 8mm. The sheets are 60” x 120” being cut 2’ x 5’ for me.

I will be organizing my sheet storage this morning before I start working at the bench.