I'm really excited to be teaching coupon classes. I've learned to save so much with coupons and smart shopping that I'm excited to teach it to others. The Grocery Smarts system is so easy anyone can do it and save at least %50 off their grocery bill. My first class will be April 9th at my house, 7:00 pm. If you're interested, let me know. I'll be sending out invites soon!

New Developments

I'm registering my oldest for Jr. High tonight. Holy Cow, I think I need some Prozac or oxygen or something. He's picked his classes (which includes brass band, film study, Tech 7, Intro to languages and the standards Pre-Algebra, Literature and History.) I can't believe I'll have a child in Jr. High!

Are your children growing up too fast?
What's your favorite age?

I have often chuckled when I see these crackers on the shelf at the store. Are these the black sheep of the cracker family? Have they been through "stoned cracker rehab"? How do they test a cracker for illicit drugs? Hmmmm, I think someone should alert the media, we could have an epidemic. Seriously, there could be a real problem in the cracker world. All those packages of stoned wheat crackers, lying around on the couch, not living up to their potential gazing through red, half closed eyes! What a shame.

Two Roads Diverged

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and share a little of what's happening in my life. Most of you know that my husband is self employed, a new business that is trying to get off the ground. We still have ties to our old company as well but for the day to day stuff, we're pretty much on our own.
My hubby enjoys what he does, the people he works with, but it's been especially hard the last month or so with the economic winter that our country is in. I watch him each day do the best he can to provide for our family but some days it's a battle to make any headway.
If you had asked me 2 years ago what I would think of this situation, I'm not sure I could have told you. The woman I was two years ago wouldn't have been able to handle the possible future we're facing now. Don't get me wrong, things really are going as good as can be expected. It's just such an uphill climb.
I have two futures, the first is where this economy starts to climb out of this hole and right itself. It's the future where I don't have to worry if we'll have to live on savings and food storage. It's also attached to the future where we are able to make enough money to pay our bills and get by. It's the future I prefer. The second is the one where this really is another great depression and we lose our house and live like Cinderella Man. I don't like that one.
The funniest thing about this crossroad is that I have come to feel a peace about either path. I used to try to "sense" the future. I would often find myself saying, I think this is the right way to go, it "feels" the best. I "feel" okay about either of my possible roads.
I have developed such a love and appreciation for my husband and children that I cannot help but be grateful for the challenges we are facing. There is nothing that brings me a greater joy than to spend time with my family, to be a mom. I am eternally grateful that my husband and I agree that I should be home with our kids. I can't imagine how difficult it would be for them to navigate through this with me unavailable to them.
I'm grateful for the lessons I'm learning about prudence and self-reliance. Gone are my days of overspending. I have become fiscally responsible and I love the way it feels.

I decided to share these things because it just makes sense to me that there are others out there who are feeling the same way. I figure it's better to find friends in adversity than feel alone.

*Do you feel you have two futures?

Best Overall!

My son and I were asked to bake an apple pie for scouts last night. We won "Best Overall Apple Pie"! Way to go!

...And I'm Not Gonna Take it Anymore!

I have a bad taste in my mouth about our state legislature. I have in the past tried to tell myself that I am simply not educated enough on the issues so when my legislator says something, I should listen. I have spent hours, literally, talking with my (former) legislator. I used to consider this a compliment. He came to my home personally to talk with me on several occasions when I had problems or questions, spending time away from his family to do so. I consider him a good guy. However, I cannot handle the fact that on capital hill, too many bills are being proposed, written and getting through committee that are anything but helpful, in fact they are the opposite!
I fully understand that legislators cannot meet the needs of every person. I truly feel though that at this time they are only meeting the needs of a few. Proposing bills that further one group causing the destruction of another or bills that mandate, almost to the extreme, the use of state funds is getting out of line.
I remember an interview with Glen Beck where he mentioned that our political leaders could not be trusted and all corrupt. I balked when I heard that, thinking surely that is an overstatement. I am beginning to wonder.
I am very moderate in my views. I ALWAYS try to take in both sides of an argument and so I do not think that when I express my distaste for the current legislature that I am being unreasonable or could be considered a zealot. In fact, I rarely attack anyone for anything. But enough is enough!
To our legislators: stop doing what YOU want- or what YOU think is best and actually represent! It seems to me that after hours of conversations, you know what I think!

I was tagged by Sara to post my 6th picture in my 6th picture folder so here it is. This is my 3rd son's 3rd birthday. That's him in the center. No too exciting, sorry. I now tag Megan, Colette, Julie and Nicole. Have fun.