Christmas 2010 Timelapse Video
December 29, 2010
I have a ton of Christmas photos to get on here, and I've been fighting off a trojan for the past four hours, so that didn't help my cause.
For now, here's a timelapse video from the webcam I had set up on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.
Thanks to Chad and Samantha for hosting Christmas 2010!
Random Picture Friday
December 24, 2010Gapstow Bridge
December 19, 2010
Mel and the boys on Gapstow Bridge in Central Park.
Among many others, this is in scenes from The Devil Wears Prada and Home Alone 2.


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2010 New York City,
2010 Vacation,
Central Park,
haden,
MEL,
MOVIES,
PLACES IN MOVIES/TV WHERE WE HAVE BEEN,
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Wrapper Toss 2010
December 17, 2010
This morning, we had our annual wrapper toss after opening presents for our family.
Random Picture Friday

oooooooooooooooooooh, I took a picture in the Haywood Mall. Whatcha gonna do, Barney?
2010 Financial Review
December 15, 2010At the midpoint of this year, we were lagging in net worth growth. I'm glad to report that we made up for it and comfortably exceeded our net worth goal for 2010.
The S&P 500 increased 11.5% on the year, which is good, and about average historically.
We increased our net worth by 22% since January, so we fortunately beat the market this year.
Some time in the next couple of months, we are going to pass a significant net worth milestone. I’m conflicted on putting actual dollar amounts out there for everyone to see. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, and I really do like to offer what advice I can to help others get their financial houses in order.
However, I realize that as soon as everyone associates a perceived high dollar amount with someone, then that someone automatically becomes the go-to person when a family member has a financial crisis. Not that I’m stingy, but I don’t want people to see us as filthy rich with money to burn.
We’ve worked damn hard and sacrificed a lot to build and grow a net worth that will allow us to retire early enough to enjoy it. So, we’ll keep the exact number to ourselves for now, at least.
According to CNN/Money, here’s the average net worth for our age group.

I will say that we left that number in the dust a long time ago. Heck, we increased our net worth by more than that in November alone.
Our Asset Allocation
24% US Bonds
23% US Large Cap
21% Foreign
12% US Small Cap
10% Cash
10% Real Estate
My plan is to gradually increase my exposure to bonds as we get closer to retirement. I’m shooting for about 70% bonds at that point.
2010 - Year in Review
January
Greenwood was graced with ugly road signs
TaiMelWillHaden.com received its 5000th visitor
Maily's first birthday!
February
Laser's arrival
added Samantha to our People list
had a good snow

March
Climbed Stone Mountain
April
planted our garden
Vacationed in New York City
May
Catfish Feastival
Vacationed in Key West
Ngoshire Farms being built
got my Droid
Abbeville Spring Festival
June
ran the Festival of Flowers 5K
The Garvin website went live
found Mel's Doppelgänger

July
celebrated Chad's last weekend of freedom
TaiMelWillHaden.com had its 10,000th visitor
surprised Cassie
FESTIVAL OF DISCOVERY!
August
Fan Appreciation Day at Clemson
Ngo wedding
September
USMC Mud Run
Treeter wedding
The triplets' first birthday
October
daytripped in the mountains
took a trip to Pigeon Forge
November
Tai went to Farmington, CT

Annie Kate and Stella Rearranging Granny's Stools
December 10, 2010Random Picture Friday

Our little geologist cracking open a rock. Those are my dad's old safety glasses he used to wear when he cut our grass.
GwdToday.com
December 8, 2010
On the rare occasion that I visit GwdToday.com, I'm usually at home safely using Firefox with Flash Block. But, I wanted to check something on their site today at work, where we are forced to use the less secure Internet Explorer, and don't have the luxury of really good browser plugins.
Now, if you are ever sitting around wondering what the Internet looked like in the mid 1990s, take a little look at GwdToday.com without a flash blocker.
Man, it's epilepsy heaven over there. Geesh, way to showcase your content, guys.
Fun With Signs
December 7, 2010
Hwy 25 N
This sign has been up for years. Someone should fill them in on our head-shaking.

The definition of "vehicle":
a device that is designed or used to transport people or cargo.
They must have some really weird forklifts. That's the Mill House pizza place (among others) in the background.
The Century-Old Buggy at Davenport's
December 6, 2010
I'm enjoying my day off today, by the way. I have to be here when the DirecTV installer gets here with our new HD receiver and dish.
That Hope and Love Will Ever Be

This is the place where we hang our mistletoe every year, and Will is counting the thumb tack holes

our traditional snack for hanging ornaments -- pecans roasted in butter and brown sugar
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