Snowing again

Nothing new there, it's snowing again. We're supposed to get 6 to 8 inches. It just means that I get up and clear snow off my drive instead of going to workout. Oh well.

I've been busy this week. I spoke with a financial advisor about rolling over my 401(k) stock investments into a safer IRA. I am particularly interested in socially responsible investments. My investment strategy is kind of conservative. I don't feel I need to make a lot of money, I just do not want to be losing as much as I have in the past 6 months.

I will be refinancing my home in Vermont, now that I have sold the place in Maryland. I will be lowering my interest rate 1.5 percent to 5 percent. I think that is pretty good.

I visited the School for International Training to check out what courses I would like to take. I think I will start with the certificate program on conflict transformation and possibly continue in the master's program on intercultural service, leadership, and management.

I also visited the Brattleboro Clay Works, a local pottery co-op. I think it would be better for me to join this group than to try to make pots on my own. It will be less expensive ($80 per month) to belong than to build my own studio (at least $15,000 to renovate the workshop/barn). It will be good to have company, to be inspired by others.

I will be meeting with a couple of architects tomorrow to discuss improvements to my house and property. I want to have new roofs on all 3 structures, plus new wood floors in the house, a screen porch to replace the deck, and have all the walls painted. I want to know if the windows are double paned and I would like to have new toilets (ones that are taller so that older people can use them comfortably) and have a few things repaired.

So, all is well.