New Year!

I have not been on much but thought I would give a quick update about whats new. Our son Alex is majoring in social work in college and has put his ideas for the priesthood on the back burner for now which is ok for me it seems he may be called to the married life which makes me just as happy. Teresa is enjoying being a freshman in high school this year and her and her friends have been having fun changing their hair color just about every month (fire truck red was the recent color) which drives me crazy but my husband says to pick my battles. Thank goodness no piercings or tatoos lol. Christmas was good we were all together but it was a frugal one the economy has taken its toll on us 2011 has been really tough but hopefully 2012 will be easier on us I miss being home and have been working soooo much. Mark and I have been married 20 years on Jan 8th. God has been with us over the years and the kindness of strangers has got to be the one thing that amazes me. I remember a while back Mark needed a tire for the car a few years ago and we didn't have the money till payday we were gonna just put it off and drive on the bad tire and take our chances and then out comes the auto mechanic and says the bill was taken care of by someone from a church that overheard the dilemma. This person was in the waiting room of the auto shop and was gone before Mark could even thank him. Thats an angel on earth. God bless whoever that was and when I can I intend to pay it forward and maybe I can help someone..if ever we can get to. For now life is a struggle just to put gas in the tank and food some weeks I don't know how to make ends meet but all these years being married have made me pretty good at pinching a penny when I have to. One thing is the coupons have not been as good and not available for stuff I buy which is basic food its always coupons for expensive prepaired stuff it seems. I say its because of that extreme coupon show that has made the companies cut back even though most of us couponers are not at all like that. How has your grocery shopping changes with the economy? Do you still do coupons? One store I like is Aldi but its not open late when I shop (I like to shop after I get off work which is late shift) and I am just tired and like someone to help bag my groceries (Aldi is bag your own warehouse type deal) so I just shop the circulars for the best specials and go for whats on sale. If it aint on sale I aint buying it. God bless you and yours in the new year!