And so it goes . . .

2009 hasn't been kind to our family or any of our friends.  We have been lucky, so far, to avoid many of the major catastrophes that many of our fellow Americans are dealing with right now.  So I must say that I don't feel I have the right to bitch too much.  Here's just a simple list of things plaguing our family and friends:

Our old house still hasn't sold, and its still bleeding us dry in mortgage payments

My roof starting leaking

Later that week, a large chunk of it that wasn't leaking blew off

We burst a pipe in the garage

I fell off the couch and sprained my ankle

My son and I have suffered through the annual seasonal cruddiness and colds

Friends' children have been both moderately to severely ill

Family members have developed new health problems

Friends' family members have been hospitalized suddenly

Friends have been unable to find work

Friends have had their hours cut at their jobs

Friends have lost health insurance

Please send kind thoughts, good vibes, or prayers this way.

So, my mind hasn't really been on ecothriftiness.  I hope 2009 turns around a little for us all so that we can refocus on our larger goals.