Let's Party!

I expressed cautious optimism to a couple of friends over the past few weeks.  I now can state it proudly to the world.  Today, I received confirmation that I paid off my mortgage!

[Insert cheers, whistles, applause, brass band, and fireworks here.]

One friend told me to think of all the interest that I won't be paying for another 16.5 years.  At the moment, I'm too interested in seeing less money exit my checking account each month.  Of course, prudent me has already decided that I should set up an automatic transfer from checking to savings each month, in the amount of my escrow payment, to prepare for the property tax and insurance that I will soon pay for directly.  After that, who knows?  (I ought to make a list.)

I've heard that people sometimes throw mortgage-burning parties.  I ought to have a party.  It has been a while since I hosted a party.  (Yes, even introverted me can have some successful gatherings.)  Mind you, the few friends who can stand to be in the same room with me for a few hours at a time are all in different cities, which makes planning a bit difficult.  Okay, this introvert has thought about a social gathering.  That's enough for one day.

Welcome to the Nuthouse

You don't have to be crazy to work here.  You have to be crazy to keep working here!

A Man, a Plan, a Canal: Panama

A friend will turn 50 this summer.  I asked if he wants to do anything special.  He said no, just a small gathering of close friends (of which I am one, he assured me).


I started pondering how to commemorate my 50th birthday a couple of years from now.  Do I want to do anything special?  I told a different friend that I don't have a "bucket list", but I'd kind of like to see the Redwoods and/or Sequoias someday.  (I already visited Dollywood, another "kind of like to" thing.)  So, how about it?  Want to visit some really giant trees with me in a couple of years?  I should be able to save up enough money in that time.


Although, you know, visiting the Panama Canal would be a neat thing, too...