I'm very thankful that neither of us has to worry about our jobs. We seldom go out to eat as it is. I'm too good of a cook yes really, and I have the time. We've been working towards "early retirement" for awhile. What that translates into is a lower paying, but local job for Thom (no more 90 minute commute each way) and a job share for me. So every purchase for a few years has been, "Do we really need this?" One of my coworkers has told me that I HAVE to buy some new clothes. I've lost enough inches that a lot of my pants just hang off my hips. But I'm not ready to invest in some new stuff yet.

We're actually thinking about making some big purchases. We really want to get a Sprinter van and convert it into a camper sort of thing - mostly shower and head. I'm at events (biking or triathlon) generally at least two weekends a month. And those two things would be REALLY nice. It would be good to have when Thom is doing SAG on rides as well, a vehicle that can really take 4 people and 4 bikes. And summers... well in 2005 and 2007 we spent the summer traveling. We want to do that a lot more.

Interest rates are coming down too, so we're thinking about refinancing our mortgage. We've been very lucky with the decisions and jobs we've taken. Last December Thom had three job offers and I'm really glad he picked the one he did. I lose enough sleep worrying about my students. Lack of job security would probably send me over the edge.

Veronica