Where is the money for gifts?

I bet a big concern weighing on people's mind right now is the upcoming holiday season and where they will get the money for holiday gatherings and gifts. I know this would normally be my worry even if the economy wasn't unstable.

But this year it seems like our list is shorter than ever. My husband's kids are in college now and they would rather have gift cards or cash. Our parents usually ask us not to spend money on them. Although, we always do, of course. I guess all parents are like that. Our parents do so much during the year, I want to show them how much we appreciate and love them. Seems like Christmas is a good time to do that.

So, I was wondering what you guys were thinking about the upcoming holiday season and your own financial situations. Will you be buying less? Or will you just suffer through the months of credit card bills next year, so your family doesn't have less this year?

One thing is for certain

Well, even though I didn't vote, (I failed to register in the County where we moved earlier this year.) I was very concerned about the recent U.S. Presidential election. I've also never been that big into politics either.

My concern was, of course, for the future of our Country. Would we be a Country constantly at war? Would we ever find peace and recover from our economic woes? Would we end up with a Vice President who didn't know that Africa is a continent? I mean, what if something did happen to the President and the VP had to take over? OMG!

So, now we know. One thing in this life is now certain. Barack Obama will be the new President of the United States! Wooh, that is a relief. What surprised me most was that the race was not closer. I just assumed that all of the hard core Republicans would "stand behind their man".

Now I'm thanking all of the young new voters who stood so firmly for what they believe in! It is because of them that this Country has the possibility of a brighter future. And we can follow them and President Elect Obama in saying "Yes We Can!".

Bravo! This Country has made such a huge accomplishment. I applaud everyone who stood up for all that is good and right and did not look back! We have a long way to go, but the future looks so bright.