How bad is it?

Everyday it seems that a new business is closing its doors and people are losing their jobs. The media sends mixed messages, it is bad, it is not that bad, we are not repeating the past, we are repeating the past. So how bad is it? As I watch my IRAs dwindle, hear about bankrupt businesses, and talk about school budget cuts, I begin to think it is pretty bad. I am worried that finding a certified job in the fall is going to be tough. When school budgets begin to get cut, many administrators cut the position of librarians. This happens for many reasons, one being that they are not aware of the role or importance that librarians play in a school community. If you work in a school district or are friends with school administrators, advocate for your librarians, and pray that the right job for me comes along. 

Wes and I have been discussing ways to cut back or to stop spending money all together for quite some time, long before this recession. So we have decided to test ourselves during the month of February. Yes, because it is a short month! We are going to attempt not to eat out (this already hurts me), not to go to the movies, not buy anything at a convenience store (Wes is trying this for the whole year), and basically not to spend any money that we have not already committed to spending (bills, grocery, gas, etc.) This is going to be challenging considering the amount of time we are going to be traveling with the indoor groups. However, I think at the end of the month if we succeed our padded wallets will ease our fears about the recession. It is going to be interesting. 

I have become increasingly busy at work because I went and sought out projects that I could be a part of. It is going really good and the days pass by quickly. I am ready for the springtime. I can't wait to see what my yard is going to look like. This will be our third year, and I am hoping that all the hard work is going to start paying off. 

Until next time . .. . .

Unexpected surprises

Uncertainty creates a certain amount of anxiety for most people, and probably a touch more for me. However, we often find that letting go of our fear and taking the chance is often more fun than we ever expected. Yesterday, I was scheduled to attend a professional development seminar at Challenge Country in Ellisville, MS. I had never been to Challenge Country, but I had heard that is was an outdoorsy place with rock climbs and rope swings and that is all I needed to know to know that I was not interested. Well, it turns out most of the people going on this trip were not interested and to top it off, it was freezing cold outside. By now you know where this story is going, Challenge Country is outdoorsy and they do have rock climbs and lots of other scary but extremely safe climbing activities. However, we all somehow managed to have a great time, cheering for one another, wanting and expecting success, and growing more as a team in our department. I will admit that I did not participate in any of the climbs; yet, I was still able to learn from seeing my peers take the chance, let go of the tree (no matter how hard), and walk across a narrow log. Life is like that sometimes. We have to let go of the tree, even if we don't want to in order to experience new things, to learn about ourselves, and to improve our lives. It was a great day and probably the best PDS, I will ever attend. 

I hope you all are doing well and are enjoying reading my blog. Have a great week! 

Flying by...

Boy, it seems like the days are just flying by, and this weather is CRAZY!! Saturday we had a nice Spring day and Sunday it was like I had moved to the Arctic. Thanks to these changes, I am coming down with a cold. I have a scratchy throat and an ear ache.

Wes and I both had a good week returning to the world of work, and we also enjoyed getting back to eating healthy and taking better care of ourselves. This past weekend was our last free weekend until April. We finally de-christmastized our house. The tree is planted in the back yard, and the lights are stored safely in the attic. We only lost one of the 6 strands. We had so much fun this year, we are already planning the decorations for next season. YAY! 

I sold my car of 10 years Sunday night. It was a great car, but I was sure glad to see it go. I was even more glad that it brought in some nice cash! Wes gets the the thanks for the wheeling and dealing. 

This Saturday, we are venturing to Rogers, AL. Wes is judging color guard and drums (I think). We will be back home Sunday, though, for church and chores! 

Did you know. . . 

United States Geological Survey scientists conservatively project that two-thirds of the polar bear population in the world could disappear by 2050, including all of Alaska's polar bears. Check out this fact sheet for more information on the fate of the Polar Bear, 

http://www.nwf.org/polarbear/pdfs/NWFPolarBearBasics_1-28-08.pdf 

Ivey

100_1201, originally uploaded by abrooke8.

Lillie

100_1234, originally uploaded by abrooke8.

Parents

100_1484, originally uploaded by abrooke8.

Sisters

100_1150, originally uploaded by abrooke8.