More info...

The initial shock has worn off and I'm excited for the future. Financially, we'll be okay until January. My business is slow right now but still going steady. Brian is getting 3 weeks vacation pay so that will help and will go right into savings. We are cutting back on all things and not buying anything. We had just begun saving our 3-6 emergency fund but didn't get very far. However we're not in any credit card debt, our vans are paid off and so far nothing major is coming up.

God has been good to us. Our stove blew up the other day (before Brian got laid off) and I called Brian at work. He mentioned it to one of his co-workers who just "happened" to be getting a new gas stove the next day. She told him we could have her electric one. Guess what, it's the exact same one that we had but better condition. So the girls knew how to work it already.

Brian went to pick it up that night and got to use the company truck to haul it back to our house. When he went to unload it, who should show up but his Dad! So I didn't have to help out ;) All things worked out so well. Thank you God!

Lauren needs braces and we had the appointment scheduled for next week. We put it on hold for now until Brian finds a new job. Thank goodness we didn't already start and drain our savings account paying for it.

It's nice to have Brian home. He taught school the other day while I ran some errands. The kids had fun (and I think Brian did too). I'm taking on all kinds of custom orders that I didn't have time to take on before. That means more $$ but it's also fun. I love sewing and creating.

So we're doing great so far. Thank you to all that are praying for us. Brian is applying for two jobs that are local and sound interesting. He enjoys delveloping software to solve business problems and he's good at it. He's so creative that it would be nice for him to be part of a company that has some money to put behind their ideas.

So that's the update. I've got some pirate Grae pics to show you that are so funny but I'm too lazy to edit them right now. So maybe next time!

well...

Brian just told me he's laid off. Oh man.

Learn to take better pictures!

***Update: thank you all so much for signing up. I only need 2 more referrals and then I can get the GC.***


I've been a member of a great photography site for a few months and wanted to share it with you. It's Clickin Moms and basically it's a group of women interested in taking better pictures or wanting to start their own photography business.

There are tutorials and how to's on composing a picture, how to use the settings on your camera, lighting, etc. I've learned quite a bit. I'm also fond of browsing the pictures the members have taken. So stunning!

Anyway, here is the link: Clickin' Moms

Oh and now is a great time to sign up! The site is running a referral contest. So if you sign up under my link, I'm eligible to win a $50 GC to Pottery Barn/Williams Sonoma, Gymboree, Gap, Barnes and Noble or Starbucks, or BP Gas stations. I just need 10 new sign ups and I already have 4.

So if you become a member, you can also participate and get your own gift card with your referrals. The contest ends Oct. 31.

Even without the contest, it's a great site.

Pork - it's what's for dinner...

Included in our "bailout" bill.

Wooden arrows: This tax break, backed by Oregon's two senators, would benefit an Oregon manufacturer of wooden arrows for children by $2 million over 10 years.

Racetracks: Earmark would allow auto racetrack owners to depreciate their facilities over seven years, saving the industry $100 million over two years.

Rum: Offers rum producers in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands a rebate on excise taxes worth $192 million over two years.

Wool: Reduces tariffs for U.S. makers of wool fabric that use imported yarn, worth $148 million over five years. The measure was pushed by Reps. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., and Melissa Bean, D-Ill.

Exxon Valdez: Plaintiffs in the suit over the 1989 oil spill could spread their tax payments on punitive damages over three years, cutting their tax bill by $49 million. The measure was backed by Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska.

American Samoa: Allows certain corporations to reduce their tax liability on income earned in American Samoa, at a cost of $33 million over two years.

Hollywood: Extends a tax break for film and TV companies that keep their production in the United States, worth $478 million over 10 years. The provision was originally pushed by Rep. Diane Watson, D-Los Angeles.

Source: Taxpayers for Common Sense

Look at my guns...

Grae: "Hey Mommy, look at my guns." He pulled up his shirt sleeve.

I admit I was a little shocked to hear this. Since when did he start calling his muscles "guns". And where did he hear this from?

Then I remembered a little present Grandpa B sent him.







Tattoos and a jolly roger do rag. He loves both.

Fairness?

I am soooo sick of a certain political party talking about "fairness." Look, life isn't fair. Some people have more, some less. Don't tax those who have worked hard, sacrificed, put hours into making money and give it to those who aren't making that kind of money.

What's up with a tax cut that reduces taxes for those making under $250,000 when over 40% of the "low income" households don't even pay taxes. What they will really be getting is a tax credit. Free money.

How is that fair?