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Archive for December, 2006

2006 Goals

January 1st, 2007 at 04:49 am

walked with mom at WalMart for 37 min. We went around 5:30 after the Bronco's game and it was almost empty. Good for walking.

I find it very strange that many of the financial web sites would close down at the end of the year, when it seems like people would most want to find their totals. I haven't been able to gather all my December numbers together because many of them were closed. I did make money, just don't know how much yet.

My financial goals for 2006 were:

Fully fund 401K - 15,000 - I didn't make this, but it wasn't my fault. My new company changed the rules on how much of your salary you could put in and it meant I couldn't max out. I'm not sure how much I finally did get to put in because many of the financial websites are closed.

Save 4000 for 2007 Roth IRA (already have the money saved for 2006 investment in January) - Done plan to transfer it next week.

Pay down mortgage from 135,598.11 to 120,000.00 - Done, but the last pre-payment check I sent for $1000 looks like almost $500 of that went to interest. I will have to call next week and find out what they did.

Put 5000 in I-bonds for girls college. Done

Put 4000 in emergency fund - Done acually put $5000 in

Go on Canada train trip and spend < 3000.00 (I have 2500.00 of this already saved) - Done but spent closer to $3500

Save 1800 towards new car fund - Done

Increase net worth by 60,000 - this will be tricky because it mostly depends on the stock market. Done, from preliminary numbers it looks like I am $7-8K ahead of my goal.

All in all a very good year.

Finished reading the library book DarkFever by Karen Marie Moning. Supernatural. OK

walked

December 31st, 2006 at 06:30 am

we got another 18 inches of snow on top of the 3 feet we got last week. Supposedly it's over for now. The roads aren't bad, they've been plowing night and day, the problem is we've had so much snow there's no where to put it. There are mounds of snow everywhere. They won't melt until spring.

Dad drove mom and me to the WalMart so we could walk. First time in several days and it felt really good.

Transfered $1000 to my HSBC account.

Finished reading my book Knight of Darknes by Sherilyn Kenyon. Romance. Very good.

Finished reading the library book Mistrail's Kiss by Laurell K. Hamilton. Supernatural. Excellent.

more snow

December 29th, 2006 at 04:14 am

had a very good xmas. The girls really liked their presents. Brother was excited about his stuff and generally had a good time.

It snowed again xmas morning and again today. About 3 inches so far today. It's very unusual to have this much snow this early in the year. As long as I don't have to go anywhere I don't mind though. Not getting my walking done.

Work is finally starting to get a little better. Still way too much to do and I still have the brunt of the work, but new boss called today and said she reviewed the work load and I have the most what do I want to get rid of. Nice. I was able to give away 30 out of my 800 tests, but it's a start.

Finished reading the library book My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding by misc. Short stories. Very good

Christmas Eve

December 25th, 2006 at 04:57 am

nice relaxing day. Got a little more snow to add over the top of the 7 foot drifts we already have Smile Not enough to worry about though. They are calling for a little bit more tomorrow.

Went to Village Inn around 9 this morning to get a pie for xmas tomorrow. I wanted one of the candy cane ones but they were all sold out, so I got a french silk holiday pie. I don't like chocolate pie, but my sister and nieces will like it and mom's making pumpkin pie for me anyways. She made me macadamia nut peanut brittle too. It was really good. Spent $10 for the pie.

Went to the grocery store, which was a zoo. Spent $51.01.

I watched the Pink Panther movie that I got from the library. It was good. I also watch the Year without a Santa Clause which is my favorite christmas show.

Finished reading the library book Hundred Dollar Baby by Robert B. Parker. Mystery. Very good.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Christmas.

digging out of the snow.

December 24th, 2006 at 06:30 am

We dug out from our 2-day blizzard yesterday. My back-yard had 7 foot drifts. The patio door was covered with snow. It's really not that big of a deal. The electricity rarely goes out for these blizzards and when it doesn it's usually only a few hours. I get a least 2 a year of the big ones where the drifts cover the patio doors. As long as I don't have to go anywhere I'm content.

There are huge piles of snow along all the roads and in the parking lots.

I had a vacation day on Friday. Yesterday morning after they plowed one-lane on our road, my parents came by in their big 4-wheel drive and dad drove us to Wal-Mart where mom and I walked thru the store for some exercize. We did do a little shopping too, but mostly walked. Walked for 45 min. Got the last of my xmas gifts.

We went to Chili's for lunch. I spent $8

My friend came over today. We were going to have lunch and watch the Pink Panther with Steve Martin that I got from the library, but after lunch and talking for about an hour she went home because she couldn't shake her headache. We exchange gifts and I bought her 4 books, since she borrows all mine and I know what she likes and she got me a $20 gift card to Borders so I can buy more books to loan her Smile works out well for both of us. I also gave her the gift I got for her daughter to take home. She's 5 and it's always fun to buy for that age.

After she left I went to my parents and played cards with them and my Grandma who's staying with them for xmas.

I finished reading the library book Dzur by Steven Brust. Sci/Fi good

I finished reading the library book Treasures of Kahn by Clive Cussler. Adventure. Very good.

cooooooooold

December 20th, 2006 at 04:22 am

It's been bitterly cold here for the last couple of days. Right now it's 21.

I have Friday off for vacation. Have to use it up. But it's so stupid, I'm swamped right now because we have a new release so I'll work all those vacation hours before Friday. Don't know what the point is.

I do have a lot of financial things I'm storing up to do Friday. I need to check on my flex account and see if there is any money left in it. I'm waiting to rebalance my investments till after the first of the year when my old 401K gets deposited into new companies 401K with new investment choices. I'm not going to rebalance now and then have to choose again after the first of the year.

Finished reading the library book Born in Death by J.D. Robb. Mystery/Romance. Excellent - really funny bits about childbirth

computer hog

December 19th, 2006 at 04:10 am

walked with mom for 35 min

Got the last of the packages I'm expecting in the mail today. The second glass angel showed up and it wasn't broke, so mom was happy. Dad glued the other one and you can't tell it was ever broke, so two for the price of one.

Mom had a bunch of relatives over yesterday for xmas. She told me my dad was on the computer showing all the uncle's how to do research on ATVs and stuff. So funny, since before this year we couldn't even get him to turn it on. I figured once we found something he liked, he would take to it. Mom says he's on there all the time now and she doesn't get to use it as much as she wants Smile

Purchased $50 in Chili's gift cards yesterday. Got $10 in bonue cards. $30 will go to Dad for xmas and $30 for me.

King Sooper's sent me 6 more coupons for $10 off $50 purchase. Since I'm buying xmas gifts as well as my groceries I was easily able to use it this week. Should be easy next week too. After that may have to give them to parents.

Finished reading my book Crimson Code by Rachel Lee. Thriller. Good.

rewarded

December 14th, 2006 at 04:53 am

I got an award today at work from my manager. Equivalent of $250 that you can use to purchase items from an award catalog. I selected $150 in Target GCs, $50 in Barnes and Noble GCs, $25 in Shell Gas GC and $25 in Borders GC. I was pretty happy, it wasn't the amount as much as it was the recognition of how much work I do. I will have to pay taxes of course. Last time I got an award they took out around 52% in taxes Frown We are 3 days behind on our release right now. Hopefully I can make it up without having to work a ton of extra hours.

My sister had surgery today to remove one of her ovaries. She had a huge tumor, but they think it's not cancerous. She'll be going home on Friday. Mom and Dad took my nieces out for dinner tonight at Chili's and I joined them. $8

Finished listening to the library book on tape Fatal Tide by Iris Johansen. Mystery/Romance. Very good.

in office day

December 13th, 2006 at 03:18 am

went into work today. Several times I started to send out email telling people they needed to do something, but stopped myself. I'm trying really hard to back off on trying to keep up with everything. It's the managers job to make sure the stuff that needs to get done, does. If they don't care enough to track it why should I. But it's very hard Frown

Spent two hours uninstalling and reinstalling software. Hate that.

Went to Ruby Tuesday's with friend for lunch. Got a $25 GC and $5 bonus. Spent $35

Went to Dollar Store and bought a bunch of stuff for brothers xmas plus some xmas bags and odds and ends for me. Spent $15, $7.50 for his stuff.

I called Paragon about the broken stained glass angel and they are priority shipping another one. They said don't bother sending the other one back, give it to the goodwill or do whatever want with it. My mom is going to try to glue it. Maybe she'll get two angels.

Got the half.com book I ordered for niece in mail today and sold one of my books and put it in the mail.

Finished reading the library book Strange Candy by Laurell K. Hamilton. Short stories. OK

mom's bday

December 11th, 2006 at 01:46 am

walked 50 min with mom

Got gas and a car wash. Wash was $1 with 8 gal purchase, my car really needed it. Spent $21 gas 2.08/gal

Went to Walgreens spent $5.67 on Mr Clean erasers, which I love for cleaning, Windex wipes and 2 cans of tuna for brother's xmas.

Went to Target and got 3 lbs of walnuts. $7.16

Went to Red Robins and got a $25 gift card plus $5 bonus card.

Met my family at Texas Roadhouse for mom's bday dinner celebration. Gave mom her gifts. Red and White candy salt and pepper shakers - she collects them. A non-stick mat for bottom of oven and a beautiful stained glass angel. Unfortunately the angel was broke and I'll have to return it. I don't know what it is about stuff I get for my mom, but it seems like there is something wrong every year and I have to return something. Oh well, at least it's something I know she'll like once I get another one.

My mom's bday is about 2 weeks before xmas and mine is about 2 weeks after. I told my dad it was better to have it before, because people are just getting in the mood to celebrate and go out and party. After xmas everyone is tired of celebrating. My dad said plus they have money before xmas and afterwards they're broke. Smile How true.

Finished reading the library book Dark Lover by J.R. Ward. Supernatural. Very good.

restaurant gift cards

December 10th, 2006 at 04:16 am

walked with mom for 50 min.

Went to Village Inn for dinner. $9

I've seen several ads for restaurant gift cards. Buy a card for $25 and get $5 extra. Pretty good deal. Plus if I use my Discover card I get another 5% back. I'm going to buy several tomorrow.

Here's a list of who's offering the cards that I know of.

Chili's
Red Robin
TGIF
Ruby Tuesday's
Sonic
Black Angus

The only catch is you usually only have a couple of month's to use the $5 bonus card.

Finished reading the library book Trouble in High Heels by Christina Dodd. Romance. Cute. good.

strange work day

December 9th, 2006 at 05:47 am

walked with mom 35 min

Strange day at work, almost no emails and no interruptions. Like everyone had the day off or something.

I had my nieces over tonight. Very last minute. Sister called 20 min before dropping them off. Went to Village Inn for dinner. Spent $25

We watched the Mummy. They liked it. Started on Mummy Returns and sister came to get them so sent it home with them to finish.

Paid next years property tax. $1328.00

Finished listening to library book on tape Dark Magic by Christine Feehan. Supernatural. Very Good.

2007 401K changes

December 8th, 2006 at 04:39 am

Walked 35 min yesterday

My company finally decided that employees can invest as much as 25% of the their salaries in their 401Ks next year - up from 16% this year. I've always maxed out until this year since the limit was under what I needed. Next year I'll be able to max out again. That's cool since I've been promised a big raise and will need to offset the taxes.

Finished reading the library book Skeleton Coast by Clive Cussler. Adventure. Very good.

more good xmas deals

December 6th, 2006 at 04:06 am

walked with mom 35 min yesterday.

Went into work today. Was in a meeting with new boss from 9 - 12:30 going over changes that need to be made to make this team better. She recognizes the lack of what she calls 'equity' meaning how come I do 20 - 25% of the work every release and other people are assigned 3 days of work. Yahoo! progress, now if she can just do something about it.

Stopped at Walgreens on the way home and got some more xmas shopping done. Walgreen's had a really good deal on their 800 minute phone card. 50% off. So I got 800 minutes for $20 or 2.5 cents a minute. Got that for my Grandma.

Also got the trio of Glade candles FAR plus I had a $3 coupon so actually made $3 on that deal. Goes to my Brother for xmas.

Got the Glad Berry plugin for me. Also FAR + $1 coupon so made $1.

Got 4 bags of microwave popcorn for $1 for brother.

Got a digital thingamajig for youngest niece for $6. She likes anything electronic.

My oldest niece wanted a book called The Notebook Girls which was $22 in the store. I got in on half.com with shipping for under $8.

Finished listening to the library book on tape Chill of Fear by Kay Hooper. Mystery. Very good.

more snow

December 3rd, 2006 at 04:36 am

We got several more inches of snow today so no walking again.

Did two loads of laundry and some dusting. Played on the computer for a while

Finished reading the second book by the new author I read yesterday. Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward. Supernatural. Excellent. Had me bawling for a bit. Very emotional.

too cold

December 2nd, 2006 at 05:00 am

too cold to walk again today and it's supposed to snow again tomorrow. Missed 4 days now, need to get back on track.

Very quite at work today, hardly any emails. I think several people got snowed in accross the country. We work from everywhere, Texas, Iowa, Washington, Colorado, Argentina - lots of telecommuting.

Finished reading my book Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward. Supernatural. Excellent. Another new author and she has two other books out. Love that. This book was really special.