Today's agenda was to get the new TV up and running. IE: get it mounted on the wall. I had the wall mount installed before I left, but that was as far as I got.  James helped quite a bit, picking that huge TV up and mounting it on the wall by myself? I'm not sure I would have been able to do it. 

The thing needs a soundbar and surround sound added.  Not bad quality sound on the TV but certainly nothing near what it could be.  This was my Christmas gift to myself. 

Next? Get out the new laptop  - the order that I canceled and was verified with a Walmart online manager over the phone that it was canceled- that I got anywhere and yes they took my money.  Actually I may leave it in the box,  once I open it I'm sure there's trouble trying to send it back.  I don't know if I want it or not. I mean, I sort of do but a friend told me this particular brand of laptop can have problems.  I need to do some research on this specific model and then make a decision about calling Walmart back to take this thing back - or just keep it.  It's got the 15 inch screen which is what I'm really missing when I'm out on the road.  Last trip - 7 nights in a hotel.  I was using the notepad with 11 inch screen.

I've basically decided to save save save.  Until I figure out whether I want to start a business or buy property,  it's just a focus on getting money into a savings account.  Since I already have a mortgage, it will take a significant down payment even with good credit.  They'll look at my payment history on that mortgage and that's not going to bear well for me.  It's been over 2 years, but that's still fresh to bankers.  It will take years to save up enough money to get that kind of down money, even with aggressive saving practices.

I missed the property tax auction, I was in Lufkin. I didn't even think about it until something prompted it.  Now I'll just have to wait until the next one, whenever that is.  Meanwhile there are still owner financed properties out there.  No hurry for the wrong place that has no earning's potential.  That's really the only reason I want owner financing - to rent out.  I haven't seen any 50 plus acres lots owner financed.  Rent to own options as well. That may work for the place being rented for Renia when the 1 year lease is up.

It was Donny that got me to just doing whatever to get a place.  They were getting too picky.  It would have served a far better purpose if we would have taken the 4 bedroom house that was a bit cheaper than the one they are in, minus Donny.  I kind of let him take over the search, having no idea what the future was going to bring: Him being thrown out and not in the picture.  A 4 bedroom house I could rent the rooms cheaper and thus much easier to fill the rooms.  It doesn't help, tho, that it's the holidays and people not likely to want to be moving right now.  But thinking about it, I could have at least tried to find a rent to own or an owner finance house.  As it stands, I have no intention on them staying in the current house at the current room rate.  It will either come down $150 per month or we will at least try to find a new place.

I'm likely to eat the utilities at the house this month. I've had a few people say they were coming to look, but they flaked.  The only consolation, I guess, is I've been gone a lot and to pay a kennel to watch 2 dogs for that amount of time would incur much more cost> I haven't given up yet and I think I'm going to advertise a "1st month special" of $250 and then the regular rent after that.  Just to get something to help pay for it. 

And finally, a hot fire.  It's just perfect weather. Just checked for the first time in probably a week: still in ketosis.  Right where it was the last time I checked it.  I'm right at 20 carbs for the day.