well it got back up to 30 today still cold but not so unbearable.

I was supposed to get my shower installed tomorrow, but the installer has strep throat so they rescheduled for Dec 19. My niece had strep throat this week too. Must be going around now. That's another benefit of working from home most the time. I'm not around so many sick people and since I'm only in the office one day a week I think my immune system is strong enough to fight the germs off for that one day

I've been so busy with work recently I haven't had a lot of time to spend on finances, but in the back of my mind I've been mulling over ideas/goals for next year. I'm about 90% sure I'm going to start pre-paying my mortgage. It's more of an emotional decision rather than a numbers decision. I want to get it paid off before I retire and 5 years is not a lot of time to pay off $135,000. I'm about 1 and half years into the 30 year mortgage so the money I pre-pay now goes a long ways towards saving on interest payments. If I pay an extra $1000 a month I save $2500 in interest payments. Hard to beat that kind of return. I lose some of that in tax refunds but not very much at the beginning of the mortgage.

My mom and sister are both bugging me for xmas ideas and I still can't think of anything. I just told them either forget about, it won't bother me if they don't spend as much as usual, or if they have to, then I'll take gift certificates. So I gave them a list of book stores and restaurants that I go to all the time. I'm sure they'll do the GCs over not buying anything, but I truly wouldn't mind. However, I think they would mind. My birthday is in Jan and they want ideas for that too.

I told my mom I was looking around last night and thinking about it and I just said to myself I truly have everything I want for my house. I can't think of anything I need/want right now. And most of the time I do feel blessed. Nothing is ever perfect and I bitch as much as the next person but when I truly think about my life I am so happy. I have a life that is perfect for me. I have a beautiful townhome that has plenty of space. I don't have to take care of the snow or yard. I have a great view of the mountains from my office. I get to work from home 4 days a week. I have a good job that I enjoy 80% of the time. I'm appreciated in my job and make good money. I have more than enough to meet my bills and can save a large amount of my salary. I have nice furniture, books, CDs, cable, a good car, good food and money to indulge in my hobby. I have good friends to get together and do things and talk with. I have family close by, who I get along with and who help me out as needed. I have two nieces who I love and who love me. I am mostly healthy and am working to make myself healthier. I have a good life. What more could I ask for?

Finished reading the library book Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris. Mystery. Ok. I like some of her other series better, like the Shakespear series with Lily Bard and the Vampire series with Sookie.