Thoughts

Life is returning back to normal. In a way, I'm sad that the holidays are over - It's always fun spending time with friends and family. But, I'm also glad the hustle and bustle is done. So many of our friends and family are being touched by the recession that this time of year was spent quietly. Phil and I exchanged small gifts. And for everyone else we were able to pay cash for their gifts -- Thank God. We didn't have to use a credit card at all! So excited. New Years was spent with friends - drinking and being silly. Most were raising hell but there were some periods of calm where I think people were reflecting over their lives and worrying about their futures. Phil's work has slowed. We are blessed to have had his job last this long being that he works in the construction industry. Thank God for our three rental houses which will now begin to supplement our income since his work has slowed. Me - working for the state - my job is pretty secure. But one never knows. I have to remind Phil that we are blessed to have three rental homes that are fully rented with people who pay - for the most part - on time. Some will lag a week or two behind but nothing to worry about. I worry about the renter in our smallest home. A family of four - mom, dad and two very young children. The dad works for the mines in Mulberry and they are talking about shutting the plant he works at down. We will help all we can but with Phil's job slowing down, I'm not sure how much that will be. We finally got our house refinanced a few months back and got the interest rate down to 5%. We tried to hold out for four percent but were worried about the markets crashing so we relented. The future of our country is scary. We recently purchased some more firearms. With the economy being so bad and Obama quickly moving into office, we felt like it was important to be armed. Obama will slowly start to take our right to bear arms away -- check out his platform on bearing arms. Phil is licensed to carry and, though I don't have my license, I do carry a weapon in my truck. It's legal to have it there without a license, it just takes three steps to get to it. Believe you me - if I had to get to it, I will. I would not think twice about protecting myself or my family. We have a weapon in every room of our house. Tucked away alebeit - but ready to rock and roll if need be. I would encourage all to do the same. Don't wait until the last minute when Obama has stripped away your rights and purchasing arms is harder than ever. You may think I'm paranoid - but - I will be safe :) This is a crazy world right now and is about to get much crazier.