I had a really good day today at job #2. I started my day with 3.5 hours at job #1, then took myself and my office clothes to job #2 to change and start work there at 9:00. I was wearing jeans, steel-toed shoes, glasses with side shields -- the whole deal. I told my boss I came to work in my Factory Barbie outfit and now I was going to change into my Office Barbie outfit. Contacts, a little makeup, dress clothes and shoes, and my nametag, and I was ready for clients. And I had a day full of those.
I had appointments at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 2:00 (who didn't show up until 2:40), and 4:00. The 10:00 was a finish-up from the other day (a big return, with two states' returns as well), and the 4:00 was just a start that will be finished next Saturday. I really love it when I help people get a good refund, and that happened every time today. At this point in the season it's not as common as in the beginning, because people who wait to file usually do so because they are going to owe (or think they will). I also heard about a compliment I got from someone whose taxes I did a couple of weeks ago. They are acquaintances of one of our receptionists, and they commented to her that they were pleased with the job I did for them. And the recep mentioned it in front of the boss, too, which was nice. :) I call our office "the cool office". Unlike other offices in town, none of the preparers are territorial, or unwilling to finish another preparer's return (you spend your time, but don't get paid for the return), or unwilling to help someone else with a question. The other day another preparer spent about 30 minutes working with me on an out-of-state return, staying past the time he had planned to leave, because I wanted another pair of eyes to look it over and see if they interpreted the rule the same way as I did. We joke with each other, sometimes kid each other (even in front of clients if the situation allows it), and have each other's backs. It's just a nice working atmosphere -- business-like when called for, but not formal. And I learn something new all the time.
Tomorrow one of the receps is having a birthday party for another recep, so I need to get out on my Saturday night and find a gift, and also pick up the veggies I said I would contribute to the feast. And then later, just when I'm already sleep-deprived, I'll set the clocks ahead an hour and go to bed. Housework will all have to fit into tomorrow morning or after supper.
