We all felt it.
All of us hungry and trying to find something in the refrigerator or cupboards to cook or whip up to keep us from starving. Thankfully we had enough to get something for Wendy's but then there's tomorrow...and the next day...and pay day. Payday is spoken for because we'll have to use most of my money to cover for groceries and already the prices are getting outrageous. Eggo Waffles are twice the price as they were a few weeks ago.
I told my girls to brace for a very rough few months, but I also made a promise I will do everything I can (provided the steady hours I am getting now at work hold up) to keep food on the table while mom catches up on the bills. Tonight (thank the Lord) we didn't go to bed hungry tonight. Tommorow? Well, take one day at a time.
Eight years. Eight years of the fool in the White House, his failed policies, trickle down economics, "business first" policies from a Bush administration which is pushing many families to the breaking point. Oil, gas, food, transportation, health care, etc. It's all connected with many of us and after looking at all the gauges they are in the red and to coin a phrase from famed engineer Montogmery Scott*, "Can'nt I'm giving everything she's got, but she just can't take no more!" (*Star Trek)
The choices we'll have to make will mean instead of shopping at Kroger's we'll be going to Aldi or Big Lots getting the cheapest things for less. Corners will have to be cut and we'll need to get stuff to make for every day and for every meal. And (to my great relief) we'll be eating out less and eating home more. "You girls better get used to lots of Hamburger Helper and Spaghetti," said Brenda, mom and overall money maker in the house. Even with her nursing job it is still tough all over.
Our 13 year old said this and it was a wise saying for someone who hates social science and could care less who is running: "There's no more middle class! Its either you have money or you don't." How true is that?
So instead of trying to prove a point or harp on someone else's ideas I'm just going to share a bit from the front line what life is like here in Southwest Ohio and the drastic changes we all must face. With $4 gas hitting our area, jobs leaving our region, and belt tightening not seen since before World War II I think our nation is just on the edge of a great storm. This storm will be one where if we all make it out alive we'll never be the same anymore.
I just hope there won't be more nights where we are all not staring at each other hoping for an idea to quell the hunger in our bellies.
Note: If you are wondering why Eggos, Wendy's and things like that wouldn't hit it for you let me drop one more thing to clarify:
a. No money in the bank for either of us--we paid every bill, our old house near foreclosure and we have to pay for any fee which needs to be taken care of till the house is sold (by sheriffs sale or on the market). I took care of the other side of the bills along with the both of us paying for food. Her job is 20 minutes north of where we live and the cost of gas is taking up any other free dollar we have. Thankfully, my company pays for my work van or I'd be broke beyond words.
b. We're not homeless in a rental nor are we living on the streets, but moments where we are not even sure if we got enough in our pockets to pull a meal together for a couple of days makes one wonder what families around us are doing worse than we are.
c. I'm posting this not for handouts or help but just a window of what we're going through and know there are others out there who are going through much worse. Our girls almost went to bed without anything to eat; it's not a good thing for any parent to see happen on any level.