Times are Tough

I often forgot what a personal tool a blog can be. Journaling has always helped me vent things out in the past and now that I am on the computer more I don't usually write in one. I suppose that is what a blog really is to me.

Times are tough right now for everybody. My husband has been out of work for over a year now... at first I figured he just needed time to wind down from the stress of his previous job, which he did need. Then, when he started looking in earnest for a job, there was nothing available. Nothing. It's still that way. We were ok at first, we had his 401k money and while times were hard we had food and were able to pay the mortgage and bills.

Well, now the 401k money has run out, unemployment is up in the air and there are still no jobs! Our cabinets are almost bare and the cable was shut off, the electric company keeps threatening us, I'm about to lose my internet and we're behind on the mortgage. Did I mention all of the credit card companies that call us daily, all day long? They are very annoying.. bordering on harassing and don't seem to want to listen to our woes.

Of course, we can't just take any job out there. We need a job that will pay our bills and feed our family. What does one do in a situation like this? We have tried to sell the land that we bought just in case we needed it. We were hoping to enjoy it a few times before it came to this point but really... we've never been able to afford to get out there. We've listed it on ebay (and paid their crazy fees!) 3 times to no avail. We could probably sell it back to the company we bought it from but lose a lot of money in the process.

We actually live quite frugally and always have.. but there is only so far you can stretch things. I can say, right now, I'm glad we use cloth diapers and the little one is still nursing. She's still getting what she needs from me.

Saturday was my little boy's birthday. It was actually a great day... I woke up and made him the cake he requested. Chocolate with strawberries inside and chocolate frosting. A dear friend offered to buy us pizza to celebrate and no words can express the gratitude I feel that we have such loving people in our life, that would help make his day even more special.

Yeah, times are hard... but I'm hoping we see our way through this. I really can't wait to be on the other side, nodding my head and smiling at the test of faith we just had. Each day is a rebirth (as another dear friend is often fond of reminding me) and I'm hoping whatever it is I'm supposed to learn through this challenge presents itself soon. I'm trying to keep my head up... some days I really feel like giving up. I'm not sure where this river is leading me but I hope it's to calmer waters soon.