Wednesday, February 25, 2009

20 shots for ONE good Photo - Family Ties


These photos were two among about 50 tries on two poses in October 2007. I wanted a family photo along with one of all the children. Sophie wasn't here yet. I was pretty irritated when I first downloaded the photos as there were so many taken and yet we didn't really get ONE good one of the whole family. Katie denied to the hilt that she EVER looked away from the camera.  Why do that when I'm looking at photos of her looking off into space? I cut and pasted for our yearly Christmas Card and vowed NEVER AGAIN.. As it turns out, I smile more when I look at all these missed shots than when I look at the cut and paste on the Christmas Card.
My point today...
I've read other blogs and hear in the news an awful lot about the state of our economy. It pretty much is in the toilet right now I guess and things could get worse. Paul and I have survived the worst in years past and I worry things might get that bad again. BUT maybe I'm older and a bit wiser than I was or maybe I've got my head in the sand or up my.... but I'm feeling more like Singing... "No Worries, be Happy". Let me be clear!; I'm not threatened right now that I'm going to loose my home as others are these days. Due to being on Medical Disability and Paul changing jobs last year, things have been rough; I've lost my credit rating and I won't be getting that big screen T.V. any time soon but for now, I'm in my home. I won't say I haven't stayed up at night once or twice worrying about the fact that we didn't plan this pension thing well and if Paul does go before me; Well lets just say it won't be on Easy Street that I'll be living. But I'll be o.k.

Maybe families will pool resources and live together if the days ahead are darker? We almost lost Katie 31 years ago; I nearly died 4 years ago. My kids are wise NOT to tell me of their close calls so I don't stew in worry. I learned 13 years ago amidst a ruinous financial time for us that we'd be o.k. We were o.k. and we survived to thrive again, which we did.  Probably fair to say we didn't learn a lot from mistakes made back then.
And the Lottery still ranks high in my retirement plans.. if only I'd remember to play!

My kids should probably worry; since my back up financial plan is to live with one of them... :) but I don't worry. If they lost their jobs or means of support, we'd be a little crowded but we'd make it together. 

I think America is strong; and I believed Obama last night when he said we'd come through this time.. We will get through this and if the worst happens, we'll survive to rebuild. Maybe even look at what's really important in our lives. Our families, our health, our spirits; our souls and not at our material goods. 
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

10 comments:

Rudee said...

I'm blessed I have a job for now, but I don't know how long that will last. Maybe only another 4 weeks. That's pretty frightening. I don't think my husband's job will go away right now, but it has in the past. We survived. I don't know how, but we did, and if we need to do it again, we will. Betty, you chose a great topic today.

Betty F said...

I didn't know your job was so tight Rudee. Paul's job is o.k. for now but he's in Retail... Sporting Goods... so you never know. But like you said we'll get through it; still married and with our families in tact

Rudee said...

When people lose insurance and can't pay, we absorb that cost. Those add up to catastrophic losses for health systems with both a loss of income and having to provide free care. They're looking at eliminating my department. I can go back to ICU, but I don't think my back can handle that anymore. We'll see where the dust settles in a month or so. Mr. Obama needs to get busy with this reform!

Julee Marie Photography said...

Make sure there is room for me Betty! :-) And you are ALWAYS welcome at my house! Such a fun house to be in. LOL..

Anonymous said...

The Japanese long believed and so did the Chinese that their children would take care of them in their old age. When I was growing up, each house had at least one old person living there or an old uncle or aunt. It was the expected thing to do.

I really admired this post.

Abraham Lincoln said, "Hello," all the way from Brookville, Ohio in the U.S.A. And his wife of 53 years said hello too.

Pat and Abe Lincoln
Brookville, Ohio

Jose said...

The beauty of growing up poor is that now I know how to survive and if I have to go back to the poor house I'll be alright. When I bought my current home 10 years ago it all seemed so easy, now with taxes being raised on my house the monthly payment is so high we can hardly manage. So I am living above my means. Up until a year ago my daughter Nichole, her husband, and their son used to live with us, along with Michelle, her husband and three kids. You are so right to say we will pool together and make it work.

Brenda said...

Fighting off depression will probably be the toughest thing for most of us. I don't think any one is safe from losing their job! Staying positive is the best we can do I guess. If we let it get us down, we are in real trouble.

Jim Klenke said...

Nice post. I dont think the bad economy has hit Texas as hard yet, but its coming.

sandy said...

Nice post to read your thoughts. I am kind of like you, I'm not worrying all that much...but heck we are retired and we use to think we could get the majority of our retirement out of our equity..well that was a couple years ago and now,I'm sitting with a big house that has already come way down in value I'm assuming and how hard will it be to sell?..not sure. But the way the house is set up, I can imagine two families buying it because there is plenty of bedrooms and actually almost two separate living areas..or somebody who has their parents with them...

I'm just keeping the faith..

mig bardsley said...

Those of us who have homes to live in and can afford to keep them for the moment are so lucky. My heart goes out to those who aren't so lucky even if they made the mistake of borrowing too much. It was so easy wasn't it to get carried away on the wave of financial confidence.

Things seemed to change so suddenly for the worse but it wasn't really that unexpected. It's good to bear in mind that things will always change and though it may be a long time before people can feel safe in their homes and their jobs again, the changes will already be happening, let's hope, for the better.
Meanwhile, the faith and hope and steadiness of spirit of people like you and yours will be what carries us through.