Sore Feet

Oh my aching feet!  Went to Philadelphia this weekend to support/babysit.  Amy ran the ING Half Marathon in Philadelphia and Heather, Kyle, Catherine and I went along to show our support.  While the hotel was across the street from the Convention Center and Reading Terminal Market, it was what seemed miles (exaggeration) from the Art Museum where the finish line was.  The kids were good considering they are only 2 and 4 and were cooped up in a hotel room and confined to a stroller (no not at the same time - we did let them walk about in the room).  They also were allowed their freedom at Logan Circle and the grass outside the Art Museum.  Surprisingly they were both in very good moods on the ride home and even in the Cheesecake Factory!

Coupons

In my quest to save money, I have taken up couponing.  I do think that it has saved me money even though I now have a closet full of razors, toothpaste and toothbrushes.  Found that two Targets within 10 miles of each other have different prices.  Some of my bargains this week were two pair of jeans for me for $4.48 ea, one pair of jeans for my granddaughter for $.24, two Right Guard deodorants for $.99 total and two Venus razors and a double pack of Olay body wash where they actually gave me $1.53.  This is my new passion, to see how low I can go!

Uncertainty

Boy has this week been one of ups and downs!  Get a good job and then don't get paid, get paid and then check no good.  Then hear that manufacturer doesn't want to give us sets to do for them because the builder didn't pay us for the last one we did and they think we blame them.  Modular industry is moving more toward condo/apartment complexes and away from single housing.  Dale is working with another set crew this week on an apartment complex.  My thoughts, "great, he can get his foot in the door in this growing field."  Dale's thoughts, " wow this is just too much for my mind to handle."  Then he lost three sets because he was already booked on the dates they wanted. He has work for the next two weeks then he may end up sitting home again.

Losing Faith

I always hear that we must keep the faith and our prayers will be answered.  I believe in God but have always found it hard to trust that someone else will care for me.  This may come from my childhood and that I felt I wasn't nurtured and had to find ways to comfort myself.  It has been over one year since the bottom fell out of my security and I just feel like my prayers aren't going to be answered.  I feel like I have hit bottom and cannot go any lower.  Maybe it is karma and I wasn't very sympathetic to others in need.  Or is it that I am not worthy of having my prayers answered?  I know, I know...be thankful I have my health and family.  I am very thankful for both but just fear for what my future may become.

No Employable Skills???

This is day 2 of my life as a blogger.  Don't really know if anyone is interested in what I have to say but this may be a way for me to understand what I feel.  Only time will tell!

Thoughts today have been on the economy and what I can do to help it and me survive.  Read an article that when jobs do return there may only be jobs for the upper and lower service providers and nothing in the middle.  Really hard to believe that after 35 years of being in the workforce I may no longer have employable skills??? I remember when manual labor was becoming a thing of the past and I felt relief as I had studied hard in school and had skills.  Gee what happened??

I am not the only person affected either.  Hubby and brother-in-law are in the same boats.  Who ever thought postal employees would fear for their jobs?  But same thing happened to Bethlehem Steel workers!  Guess we will all survive, others did, but the unknown is so scary.  Thought we were doing things so much better than my parents but guess we were wrong!

Guess this is enough for today as I am starting to depress myself.  If anyone has suggestions, please feel free to share!

Family

Today was a really great day!  Had a picnic at Heather's with Amy and grandkids, sister-in-law and her hubby and Heather's in-laws.  It was really nice weather to sit out on the deck and watch the birds at the feeders and the grandkiddies play.  Rather interesting to see a "hiker" walking down the road considering they live on an oval well off the Appalachian Trail.  I love spending time relaxing with my family.