What's Up

How is everyone's 2009 going? So far mine has been eerily similar to the final weeks of 2008.

One change is that, with the holidays over, Ross has ratcheted up the job search. He's been spending a lot of time on the computer doing referrals, networking, sending out querries... This morning he came down from his office and asked cheerfully "how would you like to live in L.A.?" He might as well have asked me how I would like a stick in the eye. Apparently there is a technical artist's position open there. I know that in the this economy we will have to take what we can get - but Los Angeles? Anyway, I'm praying harder than ever that something will pop up here in Illinois or, our second choice, North Carolina.

Another change, one of my New Year's resolutions, is that I'm getting more intentional about cooking. Our budget and my waistline require more healthy, home cooked meals. I bought a book on clearance filled with low-cost recipes and am excited by all the yummy possibilities. However, the best thing to come out of the book hasn't been any particular recipe, but the conviction that planning ahead and not wasting ingredients or left overs are essential to eating on a budget. I know a lot of you are probably saying "duh" but this is a new concept for me!

Another one of my resolutions is to go to church more regularly. Our attendance was really spotty in 2008. I know from experience the joys and benefits of meeting weekly with a community of fellow strugglers to worship God and learn from his word and I can't afford to pass up on the blessings of being a committed part of a church in 2009. So far we're 1 and 0 for the season ;)