My Previously Mentioned Secret

Most of you that know me already know this, but we have built an addition. Yahoo! This has been our dream since we moved here in 2000. Patience is a virtue. It all happened so suddenly, and this is how: my long-time friend from junior high, flips houses, along with her husband. They were in the midst of buying an acreage to live in and wanted our hot tub. Hmmm, I thought, "what's it worth to ya?" Needless to say, her husband is an engineer and has built houses, so 2 weekends later, we have a shell. Now we (husband) just has to finish the inside. I have much faith in him. We had hoped to finish by the end of the year, but did not want to use credit cards, so it may be after the new year.

We have been thinking a lot about the future, how are we going to retire, etc. Landowning (free and clear) seems the only thought we are OK with. Investments are risky and social security, HA. There are savings accounts with 4+ interest, and while we know that can't compare to inflation over the years, we'll start out there (and paying off our house, of course). Any thoughts out there on retirement? What are your plans? It would be so amazing to own, free and clear, our little house on the southside. To own that house well into our retirement age. Who does that these days? I look at my grandparents, who built and owned their house for over 40 years. I'm sure they got a pretty penny when they sold. They also owned other land, and gramps was an insurance man--I'm sure we was well insured. Grandma seems to be getting along great, able to live in a retirement home with independence. When you can still send money to the great grandchildren, I consider that a generational heritage. I want to be like that! The grandma that all the kids are excited to get a card from! (Not only that, but she used to hand-make her cards). I begged her for that creative ability when we went up to see her and she just laughed. (I guess I'll have to rely on God for that one).

We are in the midst of an ice storm, and there is no place that I'd rather be. I love being "stuck" at home. Listening to Christmas music (since Oct. 18th, by the way) and drinking hot beverages. Playing games with the kids, watching all of the Veggietale Christmas videos. My oldest knows about every x-mas song, and especially likes Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree. The kids take turns swinging around (real fast) in my wheelchair and it is great fun.

I guess I'd better sign off, as it is getting late. And to all you bloggers out there, this is your challenge--to write every day in December (and to hold me accountable, too!)