Buy low?

I decided to buy stocks. Always heard to "buy low" so I decided now was a good time.

I have invested in retirement mutual funds before, but this time I decided that I would buy individual company stocks. I would love to be that old lady who is worth millions because she was wise enough to buy Coca-Cola or Frito-Lay back before they became house-hold names.

I bought shares in Sirius-XM radio (SIRI) at $0.25 a share. HA! now it is worth half as much, but I still have hope. The Motley Fool just proclaimed it the worst stock of the 2008 year! What do they know.

I also bought Apple, IBM, Google. Wish me the best. I know I will need it, especially if I expect to become that rich old lady before I retire.

I hope to buy stock in what I know, or in what product I use or company I admire. It is fun to guess how the market will go and watch the ups and downs. Eastman Kodak (EK) just surprised me with a huge drop in value, but I am going to hang in there. Just you watch me. Look out Wall Street!

Is the honeymoon over?

As I sit here all wrapped up to keep warm, I can't help but think of several ironic notions: First of all there is a recession in many parts of the United States and yet we are obsessed with the idea of "Superbowl weekend." Second of all I do have electricity and am safe and somewhat warm, while many of my neighbors are gripped by a terrible ice storm that has caused havoc with power lines and that source of heat and comfort.

The first flush of warmth generated by the Obama inauguration has passed as Congress votes down party lines to approve or not the stimulus package pushed by the new President. Have we so quickly forgotten the glow from Washington as people from all walks of life celebrated the swearing in of Obama with all the hope and expectation of change? I feel that the CEO's that have continued to drain the U.S. of the bailout money and all of those promises has put quite a damper on the outlook of our economy.

If Wall Street banks are shameless, what about the rest of us? When are we going to demand accountability instead of just talk about it?