I’ve already done this for 2008. In April I drove to Alabama to celebrate a friend’s 50th birthday and stayed for a couple of days. In June, I went to a Jeopardy audition in Cleveland and took a couple of extra days to sightsee and hike. I have another trip scheduled for June, for my aunt and uncle’s 50th anniversary celebration.
I spent a couple of days day-hiking here. I probably got in 20 miles total. I did one hike recommended in “Fifty Hikes in Ohio.” FWIW, the author overestimates distance by 2 miles and hiking time by 2 hours.
I just came back from a vacation. Hotel and rental car went on my lowest-interest card. I should be able to pay it off all at once, or failing that, in two or three payments.
I visited this park June 12-13, 2008. It is located close to Cleveland, Ohio. The park surrounds the route of an old canal. The centerpiece is the towpath that follows the canal route. There is also a scenic railroad that passes through the park. The park is not a backwoods/wilderness affair, nor is it intended to be. The artifacts of man are as important as the works of Nature. Along the towpath, one sees the remnants of old locks, preserved buildings, and the like. There are some hiking and bridle trails, which make for pleasant hiking. (Part of the Buckeye Trail runs through the park.) Don’t expect a wilderness experience, though—the sound of traffic is never very far. The National Park is integrated with several local metroparks. The towpath is heavily used by locals as a biking and jogging trail. I would stop at the park if I were in the area (and I would ride the train this time), but I won’t be making a special trip back.
June 12 and 13, I will be day hiking in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It’s not exactly wilderness, but it is outdoors, and it is exercise. I will be on the towpath rail as well as a couple of the hiking trails.
This yard sale is a fund raiser for the Doberman rescue for which I volunteer. I have a week to get stuff together and get it over there—in my Honda Civic. Said car is currently full of stuff my parents donated, so I’m going to have to make multiple trips. It will be worth it, though.
Well, I’m close to having my credit cards paid off. next month will do it. Now it’s time to start putting more into savings. My next goal is to have a three-to-six month emergency fund, minimum of $10,000. I also want to start saving for some fun things I want to do.
I’m getting close. I paid another card off completely. I have a small balance on Macy’s, and modest balances on two others. One was a purchase made on behalf of a club that will be reimbursed; the other is for a trip I just took. I’ll be able to pay that one in full next month. So essentially, I have no revolving debt.
OK, personal finance advisers would disagree, but for me, it’s a bit of enforced savings.
Anyway, I should be paying of 100% of my balances once the refunds arrive. Yay!
Complications, by Atul Gawande.
A surgeon looks at surgery and surgeons, medical decison making, and the weirdness of the human body.
I’ve also started reading Madame Bovary.
I have two rescued Dobermans, and a re-homed Greyhound. They are wonderful!
If you are thinking about adopting a dog, please consider an older dog. I’m a rescue volunteer, and we have trouble getting adopters to consider dogs older than 4-1/2 or so. Yet older dogs are the best—they are settled, mellow, and appreciate everything they get. Every one of our adopters who has taken a chance on a middle aged or senior dog has been happy with the decision. I adopted my Doberboy Spike when he was 7, and he is now almost 12 years old. Every day with him has been a joy. I have had him almost 5 years, but if I had only had him for a short time, I would have no regrets. My other Dobe Shelley is now almost 8, and Ozzie the Greyhound is 9-1/2.
I will always have a Senior Dog in my life!
I want to see London. I also want to hike coast to coast.
I also want to visit Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
to zero. One has a recurring monthly charge, but I will pay that off each month.
Two to go (lower interest but higher balances).
which will be paid off this month. I’d do it electronically, but their website won’t let me for some reason.
It’s here! My passport arrived in yesterday’s mail (02-06). It took less than two weeks. Thank you, State Department.
(01/28/08) I haven’t made a lot of progress in the kitchen, although I’ve been keeping up with the maintenance stuff. I’m not living out of the dishwasher; instead, I unloeaded it and put the dishes away. Amazingly, I have more counter space (duh).
So far I’ve done well with shredding and getting rid of extraneous paper. The recycling guys are going to love me.
It would be nice to take a day to do this every month or so. It’s been ages since I’ve been to the zoo or the art museum.
Three-month emergency fund
Retirement
Home improvements
Plastic surgery
Grand Canyon rafting trip
Kayaking lessons
Manolos
