[Marilyn]

Sounds like everyone is working to save!!

Haley, things aren't too bad around here. The housing market is down due to the credit mess, and folks were pinched when the gas prices were so high. Lots of people are conserving because they don't know what the future may hold. Overall, not too many businesses closing. There are still help wanted signs around. Other than the construction industry, I think overall we are still in pretty good shape down here. Everyone is talking about their 401K's and IRA's and hoping for a future recovery.

Diana, I've noticed the grain storage people have in their fields (the big white plastic bags that look like huge catepillars) are still mostly full. I saw one that had been partially emptied on the way to work yesterday. I'll have to ask the farmer's wife I work with what is happening in the grain market around here.

We've thought of putting up storm windows or hurricane shutters to conserve energy.

We are shopping grocery sales and stocking up on meats that are on sale in value packs and repackaging using our Food Saver. I've been disappointed in the pork chops though. The ones on top look nice, meaty and lean, the ones under them are all bone. Disgusting how deceptive grocers have become. The manufacturers are putting less in the packaging also hoping we won't notice that 12 oz has become 10 oz, but the box the same size, just a bit thinner.