Eeeeccck onomy

I'm feeling increasingly more anxious about our family's financial future. Ultimately, I tend to be an optimist for self-preservation, but man, I just keep seeing/hearing of very local folks who are having everything come crashing down around them.
My husband's work place is very connected with the Big 3, in it looks like we could all be tremendously f*%ked in the next month. His workplace is already making huge cuts, but it could be even more. Fortunately, he's high on the totem pole as far as seniority goes, so that even despite current cuts, he still has hours. But really, if the place has to close then seniority means nothing.
I do make an okay income, but it's very inconsistent. And my income comes from people who are worrying about their own finances.
I have heard from repeat clients who have lost their jobs, their homes. I had a call from a woman tonight who wants a homebirth, had many questions, and was very sweet. She also learned this week, that besides being pregnant, she and her husband have both been laid off.
Walls are crumbling all around. I go to bed each night ever more grateful that we've managed to get through another month just fine. Thankful for all the food we grew and preserved this summer. Grateful for buying meat in bulk and having laying hens to provide us with eggs all year round.
I pray that whatever changes may come, that we are able to persistently bob to the surface and find our place again.

Small post, pic update

Our own little Spider Man (one's Spidey Senses work best in Spidey underpants)



Breakfast with Santa...

Saturday we took the kids to Frenchie's in Depot Town for breakfast with Santa. It was quite nice. It was a free breakfast (in exchange for non-perishable foods or new blankets) consisting of green eggs and ham (!), pancakes, bagels, fruit, juice and coffee. There were musicians singing carols and playing guitar. After the meal, Santa came in and said hello to all the kids before heading two doors down to the Enchanted Florist for goody giveaways and pics with Santa. Good stuff!

Being open makes one feel less guilty

So I have had recordings from this year's MANA conference in my possession for 3 whole days and I can not make myself sit through and edit them yet. It's actually been about 6 weeks since the conference, and it's taken me this long to get the recordings from my pal who helped record them with me.

I swear I will get to them soon! It's one of those things that either the kids need to be away from home (never happens at the same time, or without me also being away), or in bed (um, like now) or being really quiet and good and occupied (for longer than 15 minutes).

I got the kids to bed at 9 tonight. I checked emails, did some Birth Project stuff, filled out MANA statistics for the latest birth, updated the Homesteader blog and now have bounced over here.

Now it's a quarter after 10 and I'm tired. No editing tonight.

We've had some nice births lately that have been keeping me busy with post partum visits and catching up on sleep and yes, doing statistics.

In my other life, G signed us up for very inexpensive gym memberships. So 4-5 days a week we've been working out something serious. It's seems so luxurious and wonderful to be able to do so.
I've taken a stab at wood-cutting- well on lino and rubber. And taken a stab is accurate. Those Japanese wood cutting knives are quite sharp. My finger and thumb keep re-opening up and bleeding at the worst times, like heinous paper cuts. But creating the wood cuts are fun- even if my artistic skills are that of a very talented 5 year old.

I'm slowly getting gifts for Christmas together for the kids. Have absolutely nothing for parents or older nephews. Am wondering if our 9 year old truly believes in Santa still, or if she's just pulling one over on me in an attempt to make me think she really believes money is NOT an issue for Santa, so it shouldn't matter if a Nintendo DS costs $130. She has written a letter to Mr. Claus asking for a Nintendo DS and nothing "babyish, because after all, I am 9 now". Oh dear.

Little E, on the other hand is soooo into Christmas and at 4, Santa is as real as palm of your hand. Both kids are being really sweet and fun these days. The house is already looking like Frankenmuth with all the decorations, put up the day after Thanksgiving, of course.

All right. I'm off to brush my teeth and climb into bed with my fine novel, Little Alters Everywhere, by Rebecca Wells. This book was her first, the sequel is The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood. Little Alters is just as great. Twisted and funny and a little sad, but great. So much better tonight, than re-listening to MANA sessions at this late hour.
Maybe tomorrow.