Those blessed words

"The polyps were completely benign." Thank you Lord.

When the House Is Paid Off List

For the past 5 years we have been paying extra principal on the house and putting off everything that we could toward becoming mortgage free. When I would want to buy something, I would add it to my WTHIPO list. The final payment on the house will be February 1, 2010 and I will now be able to gradually work my way down the list. Here is the list ( not in any order of priority.)

1. Replace dishwasher
2. Replace cracked window
3. Window blinds & valances
4. Living room furniture
5. Tile in laundry room
6. Ceiling fans in bedrooms
7. Electric logs in fireplace
8. Repair wedding ring
9. Repair grandfather clock
10. Yard scooter
11. Refinish sewing machine cabinet
12. Linens--sheets, towels
13. Carpets cleaned

Since I have some savings goals for 2010, I expect it will take about a year to work my way through the list (unless Murphy makes one of his appearances...).

I. O. U. by John Lanchester

Subtitled Why Everyone Owes Everyone and No One Can Pay. If you are interested in the recent global recession, this is a very readable book in very understandable language. I am interested in economics in general and have done quite a bit of reading about the recession and haven't found anything that is both as comprehensive and as understandable as this book.

In Lanchester's opinion the four basic causes of the global recession were:
1. Climate--the post-Cold War victory party of free-market capitalism
2. Problem--the subprime mortgages
3. Mistake--the mathematical models of risk
4. Failure--of regulation

Each of these areas are discussed in some detail and along the way he explains how the banking system works and what a Credit Default Swap is and a myriad of other interesting details.

My only criticism is that he is short on solutions. He says it is bad and not going to get a lot better any time soon and that's about it. There are a few legislative suggestions and why they probably won't be implemented. What I would have liked would be some concrete suggestions as to what someone could do to get out of this mess and prevent a repeat of it but none were forthcoming. We're going to be paying for a long, long, long time.

An afternoon at the Met

No one but no one does opera like New York's Metropolitan Opera--perfection is the only word for it. We saw Carmen yesterday and it was magnificent. Elina Garanca sang Carmen like she was born for it and Roberto Alagna was the bewitched Don Jose. And the music, oh the music! The conductor looked like he was just having the time of his life and enjoying every moment and every movement. The sets were perfect-they set the stage without distracting from the performance.

Now the disclaimer, I wasn't in NYC yesterday--I went to a live HD broadast at a local theater. I actually didn't want to go but JMM wanted to give it a try and it was a birthday present for him. I just didn't think that it could possibly be enjoyable--3 1/2 hours in a theater to watch opera on a screen. Well, I was wrong--It was wonderful. Now don't get me wrong, actually being there at the Met and seeing it live really would have been better but since I couldn't see it live in NYC, this was the next best thing. And we got to watch backstage as the sets were changed--controlled pandemonium as things were moved from on stage to off and lowered or raised. We were able to see the conductor and musicians and see the performers closely.

All in all a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

It is over, thank goodness!

I had my colonoscopy this morning and Dr. Dobbs removed 2 more polyps. It has been an unpleasant 24 hours with the prep and the procedure but it is over and I am very thankful that I have the means to take preventative care of this situation. I am also thankful for my dear husband who drove me there, waited for me, and drove me home.

Oatmeal allergy?? I am convinced that I have developed (or maybe always had) an allergy to oatmeal. As soon as I stopped the every other morning bowl of oatmeal, the allergy symptoms literally disappeared.

It is a rainy day and just about perfect for an afternoon nap with the cats. Baked potatoes and apple turnovers for dinner.

Thought for the day:
Liberty is the prevention of control by others. John Acton

The day before The Day

My colonoscopy is tomorrow and as unpleasant as that is, I think the day & night before it is worse. Clear liquids today and that wonderful gallon of liquid plastic tonight...Ack!

On the good news side though is the weather has finally warmed up to normal--low about 40 and high about 60. My kind of weather. I don't know how the people up north stand the freezing temperatures for months!! I guess they feel the same way about our summers though.

It is 19 days until the house is paid off. I need to call the mortgage company and get an exact pay off figure. I can't wait!!!

I am listening to Benjamin Franklin by H.W. Brands on a set of The Modern Scholar CDs. I really am enjoying it. I love his Patience DoGood letters and of course Poor Richard's Almanac. I'm just coming to the Revolutionary times. So interesting.

Well I am off for a nice cup of broth for lunch...

Thought for the Day:
Well done is better than well said - Ben Franklin

Thankful to be inside today

It is cold and wet and windy outside. I am thankful that I can stay inside and quilt, read, and nap. I am especially thankful on days like today for all the policemen, firemen, servicemen who are out in the miserable weather making it possible for me to be warm and safe and inside.