Yes, it's cold outside; another below zero night, and the constant need to keep the fire going has us up and down all night, managing it, and keeping an eye on the thermometer.  I've been going through my "filing box," cleaning out the old paid bills, combining papers, and establishing new envelopes for the new year.  My "financial picture," as I refer to my notebook that schedules all my payments, is okay; I'm still on track, having reduced my total debt by $1,500 over the past year.  That's pathetic - when Bush took office, I was reducing my debt by $3,000 per year.  My lifestyle hasn't changed, I haven't had unusual expenses.  I guess this is just a sign of the slowing economy?  The rise in the cost of living?  Of course, I don't work now...maybe that's it.  I wish I could get at least one of my credit cards paid off this year and keep it that way.

My notebook (one page per month) lists all my bills and debts in the order in which a payment is due and date it is due, going down the page.  I don't distinguish between "expenses" and "debts" since I will be paying on them regardless.  The top of the page shows the month, year, and total monthly income.  The debts show their current balance due as they are received for the month at the far right hand side of the page.  When I pay them, I put a check mark by the name of the bill and a tiny date that I paid, and next to the amount owed, I write the amount I paid.  If I paid a monthly expense, I just make a zero, showing I owe nothing (electricity, e.g.)  At the bottom of the page, I have four totals, Balance Owed Last Month, Amount Owed End ofThis Month, Paid Off This Month, and Balance Owed at End of Month.  The goal is to get the last amount to go DOWN consistently.  It always goes up just a bit in December, because that is when my Homeowners Insurance is due, and of course, the extra expenses of Christmas. 

That took all day, getting the box in apple pie order, ready for the coming year.  I am thankful I am still able to live in my own home.  I wonder how long.  I've gotta stay around for my dogs and chicken.....

The doctor I went to made an appointment for me on Monday to find out why I have such a pain in my ear.  I was surprised to get the notice of appointment in the mail.  I do believe it is time to actually find out what is going on in there.  Naturally, I'm scared - is it a brain tumor, doc? cancer? is it cancer?  It's probably nothing but wax buildup.  Meantime, the winter goes on, testing our resolve, our cars and trucks, our aching joints, water pipes, even nails that pop out of your siding. 

I'm taking the Christmas tree down today.  It's over.  I know some people take their tree down the day after Christmas.  I never get it up that early, so I leave it for a week or two.  I still love the lights.