...change the background.

Yep. I'm never satisfied. So, I've designed a new background. I was inspired to create an icicle pattern that evolved into more of a lacy pattern. When the creative bug gets me, I don't get other stuff done (like blogging). I do plan to blog a little about some of the crazy that has happened lately. That will probably have to wait until we get back home from our holiday travels...

...wordle!

So, I was playing with Wordle today. I really like it. You can put just about anything in there, and BAM! All of the sudden you have a funky arrangement of words. This is what I did:

To view the large version on Wordle's page, click the image.

...light Lucy!

Yea! Here's a Lucy post for all her fans: While decorating our apartment for Christmas, my hubby had an idea.

He decided to decorate Lucy!


She was a good sport and all...


...but it didn't last long!!!

(No animals were hurt in the making of this blog post.)

...open a window.

Today the media spread the word that we have been in a recession since December of 2007.

'No newsflash there! My tiny retirement portfolio has lost 30% in 2008. Yes. My portfolio was growth heavy...but I'm young. I've still got time to make that up...if things turn around in a reasonable amount of time.

I'm trying to be optimistic when the outlook is grim. It's just hard to do when the Dow took a 679.95 plunge today. I shouldn't pay attention to the daily numbers. It's like not keeping my eyes on the road when I pass an accident scene. I know I should just pay attention to driving, but I'm drawn to the morbid.

That said, I have hope that things will turn out okay. My hubby and I have been through some tight financial times before. I'm not sure how we got through. My best explanation is that we were blessed from paying our tithing. The "windows of heaven" promise from the bible really make the saying true that "when God closes one door, somewhere God opens a window."