Lisa and Michael

Halloween is one of our favorite holidays around the house. It’s one of the things we look forward to when fall rolls around. It is by far our favorite season. Cool mornings, warm days, the first fireplaces lighting up, not to mention football, Balloon Fiesta, Zozobra, and the smell of roasting chile! Oh man, what’s not to love about it all.

Halloween 1991 – Shari and Shelby

Halloween 2006 – Shelby and Puppy

maybe even happier too.  It is hard to believe that three months ago today we were on a beach saying our vows.  Wow-time does fly when you are having fun.  As I sit here in our gorgeous back yard posting this post I realize that we really have had a full life in the past three months.  I guess we should quit saying that we are going to relax and just do it!  We should take more time to go on a hike or ride those bikes that have been hanging up in the garage for over a year now.  We spend lots of time together, but we really have become lazy.  Both of us have gained 8-10 pounds each in the past three months and this past Monday we weighed in and started back on the diet.  This along with the money diet leaves us with the perfect opportunity to hike and ride bikes!  Either way fat, skinny or whatever life brings us, I wake up happy to be with you every morning! Happy anniversary Michael.  It will be hard to make me any happier than you already have..but I’m sure you will!

It’s been all doomsday talk in the news for the past few days, what with the market dropping nearly 1000 points on the reality of a Lehman Brothers bankruptcy and the AIG bailout by taxpayers. Actually, bad news for more than a year now if you think about it (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Bear Sterns, etc., etc.).

Rather than worry ourselves to death about things we cannot control, we’re looking at all this turmoil as a giant opportunity. Sure, we’re doing our part to save money where we can by clipping coupons, riding the bus, and avoiding using credit cards (unless paid off immediately); but we are also maxing out 401(k) savings — what better time to buy low! — and maintaining a modest emergency fund, and taking advantage of low interest rates. The markets will not always be so bearish, and stocks over the long run are the best bet for maximizing one’s retirement. Things will get better, they always do — but it’s likely to be a bumpy ride for a while at least. Hang in there, and take advantage of the current market chaos.

Edited 09/22/2008 to add: Okay, so maybe the sky IS falling a bit, now that this whole mess is being unwound and estimates are north of $30 trillion had the Fed not stepped in when they did. It is all quite scary stuff. But, hold fast! Things will get better, maybe starting 2010. Lots of bargains out there, take advantage…