So confused

It's been awhile and I'm in a "slower" time, so thought I'd take the time to sort my thoughts out by blogging.

JobI'm still busy, but it's slowed a bit. The next rush comes at the end of this month when we find out if we got a HUGE grant or not. If we didn't get it, the hunt starts for other funding and possibly modify the program for which we are seeking funding. If we do get it, I'm terrified of the next few years' workload. I'm basically keeping an eye out for other jobs, but delaying making a decision until we hear about this grant. I'm kind of hoping we don't get it, as the timing is horrid. We have two other grants starting, one of which will require travel and is a really complex collaborative grant with researchers across the country.

EconomyWe've felt the economic pinch over the last few years, but lucky for us, it's just meant our income has been stagnant for three years, or even shrunk just slightly. We are about ready to see another slight shrink. But, I also have prospects of reclassifying my job to a little higher pay rate, so it might be a wash. In terms of what it's meant to us, it's more coupon clipping, fewer "fun" activities (we basically don't go to any brewing events anymore, but used to frequent several brewfests in the summers), less eating out (was never that frequent for us, but it's now only about four times per month and always somewhere cheap-Subway, cheap bar burger, etc.). I only bought about $20 worth of veggie plants and landscaping flowers this year. Often it's at least $50. I'm not really sad about that. Ok, maybe a little.

I worry about those that are still struggling to find work. I feel guilty that we are in an ok spot and still do some fun things while others can't make ends meet. But our savings is almost completely depleted because we suck at saving money. I mean really suck. Thank goodness we have required retirement contributions or I fear we'd suck at retirement savings, too.

HouseWe've been toying with selling the house and moving into Madison in a condo downtown, or a small old house on the skirts of downtown. We are getting a few small projects done around the house, like a front deck railing and finishing drywall in the garage, so we are in a better spot to make a decision next year. I love the country for many reasons, but miss being in the city. But then I feel we'll tire of the city and miss the country. Perhaps we should just sell the house, pay our taxes, invest the rest and rent for a few years. I don't know. We are restless. It all might amount to nothing come next year.

In other news, my coffee this morning is really good.
Thanks for listening, bloggy friends. How is everyone else doing? I worry when I don't hear much from people.