Ladders

There's much excitement about "ladders" 'round our house these days.

First, we're shopping for one for Bullwinkle. With a roof that's 13 feet off the ground, and a front windshield that reaches from side to side at that height, we need one. We've spotted one we like: nice and compact, with good reach and little weight. It stows nicely in the basement. It should be perfect.

More importantly, we're buying a set of ladders today that brings us one gigantic step closer to our great escape. Boris is buying a some "laddered" zero coupon bonds. He's much more qualified and certified to speak about this topic. It definitely is his business. If you have questions about the specifics, let us know. He'll be happy to answer.

What I'm most excited about is what it means. It means that beginning in Spring of 2009, we will have our estimated living expenses for at least two years on the road available to us from our investment portfolio when we need it: guaranteed. The rest (and vast majority) of our investment portfolio will remain in the equity markets - rising and falling over the short term, but in the long-run, continuing to grow for our future.

Beyond finding and stocking the moose, and purging our stick house of out-of-date spices and unused clothes, we have put into motion today something very real that gives us permission to hit the road anytime we want after February 15, 2009.

With that, we are definitely moving!