Beginning of reflections

I’ve decided that I need to use this blog for simply writing about life in general instead of keeping it knitting specific. Life is crazy and writing is something I like to do.

These are, in essence, scary times. Most of us probably feel we are on the edge financially (I know I do). There is tremendous pressure at work to perform above and beyond. We are being asked to raise the bar, step it up, work to new, demanding standards. We are doing much more to just keep our job and I know for me my job could be cut any time.

There is pressure at home to find new ways to save money by eliminating old habits. No more dinners out. We make homemade pizza. We have cut items from grocery shopping that used to be considered essentials. We economize on car trips by grouping errands together. Gone are kids activities that we used to be happy to pay for. Swimming lessons, acting/voice. We have kept my daughter’s riding lessons as she gets so much pleasure from them, but they will be cancelled as needed. We have considered cutting our phone land line. We use the cheapest pay-as-you-go cell phones we can find and use them only when essential. I rarely, RARELY go clothes shopping any more. One of my favorite sweaters was purchased at a Goodwill store.

We compost, plant a small veggie garden with plants grown at home from seeds. Activities with the kids are generally free: parks, bike riding, walks, hikes, reading. We utilize our public libraries nearly every week. I am so very thankful that we have them! They enrich our lives. Vacations are taken at home or we have stayed for free at a relative’s vacation home (lucky us). The list could go on.

All of this bears a striking resemblance to times I experienced growing up in the 1970’s. Minus the work part of course. I’m no economist, I’m a scientist. It seems to me that economic hard times are cyclical. While I can’t wait until I start hearing good economic news on NPR stations during my daily commute (assuming I still have one), I also try to stop and praise the here and now. My family is numbered among the fortunate, we are still squeaking by financially. Both my husband and I still have our jobs. We have our health, such a critical component of happiness. Our kids are bright and energetic. They, like me growing up, don’t feel a sense of deprivation. Life is rich enough when you dwell on the simple treasures. They are there for free.