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Across the Fence:  Economy getting better or worse?  |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3335 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3335 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 02 2012 : 08:57:58 AM
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I just don't see the economy getting better here. Employment is at an all time low-more and more shops have pretty much given up and closed and we found out the other day that our school system will be losing over 80 students next year-that's a lot for us in our little town.
What's it like in your town? Is the economy getting better or worse?
Talk to me ladies...
Melody
Farmgirl #525 |
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musicmommy
True Blue Farmgirl
430 Posts
Wendy
Oregon
USA
430 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2012 : 09:22:13 AM
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Well...our little town of 3000 went almost 18 months without a house selling, but that has started to change a bit. We've seen a couple of houses actually selling now, albeit on the low side of things, but still just starting on that trend is a good thing?
Living in wine country, I know that a lot of the vineyards have started to release some "budget" wines because they just aren't selling the estate wines that much.
I don't know. In some ways, I see it getting better right now, but in other ways, I can see so many struggles.
Our schools are busting at the seams, but they keep having to let teachers go for budget reasons. Large class sizes, frustrated teachers, not enough funds for the basics.
One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.
Bob Marley
www.becomingwendy.wordpress.com |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2012 : 10:35:56 AM
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My son just got from a big show where he was representing his company at a booth at the trade show part of the thing. He said that they only sold 25% of what they normally do. He said the morale of the venders was awful and they were so depressed. I know in my business, the wholesale costs are starting to skyrocket and people are very, very careful with their money.
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
www.Oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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AlyssaMarie
True Blue Farmgirl
287 Posts
AlyssaMarie
Palouse
Washington
USA
287 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2012 : 11:30:44 AM
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My husband and I are in the middle of a refinance for our home / small acreage farm. We didn't have a choice because of a change in the legal description of our property to help my folks retire and build a house out here next door. Its proven to be a very difficult task because the housing market has taken such a dip. Its heart breaking for us because we feel like we've done everything right. We were talking as a family at dinner last night about the economy and how the drought in the Mid West is going to cause food prices and all sorts of stuff to get a lot more expensive over the next few months... I don't live in the midwest but I understand enough about our food system to know this is going to be hard on everyone all over the country. I don't see how its going to help a struggling economy.
AlyssaMarie @ Link'd Hearts Ranch
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jan49829
True Blue Farmgirl
2428 Posts
Janet
Gladstone
Mi.
USA
2428 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2012 : 11:36:08 AM
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The economy here does not seem to be getting any better, but it does seem like election years they are down.I guess people do not want to spend until they are sure of things going the right way? Don't know.
Janet
Farmgirl Sister #3340
http://hardatworkcrafts.blogspot.com
http://Jan49829.etsy.com
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kysheeplady
True Blue Farmgirl
1291 Posts
Teri
KY
USA
1291 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2012 : 11:39:14 AM
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I don't see that it is getting any better here. What is happening here, and I'm sure in other places as well, is when a house sits on the market for so long and they drop the price and still no sale. They are going to auctions. Still banks are taking homes, prices at the market keep getting higher, because less people are buying. Everyone holding onto money, scared to invest,buy,spend. Election, may be playing a BIG part in things at this point. People are just to unsure.
Sad, really.
Teri
"There are black sheep in every flock"
White Sheep Farm
www.whitesheepfarm.com |
Edited by - kysheeplady on Aug 02 2012 1:20:01 PM |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3335 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3335 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2012 : 12:40:12 PM
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I know I had to give up my soap business after 7 years this summer. It was just too costly for shipping and the oils were just too expensive to make any kind of profit. I've been in the hole so to speak for about the past 4 years-Now I am trying like heck to get a handle on my Visa "Business"card-which I used only for purchasing supplies and booking venues for the season A few weeks ago I went as far as transferring that balance onto a new "personal" credit card since the old one was due to expire in a month just to take advantage of "no interest" for a year-Very, very big mistake on my part because as it turns out the FEES to do this were unspeakably outrageous-and that first payment on my "new" card was staggering. I cried like a baby...this is just one bill out of a household of bills-I really really do not know how people are making ends meet. I was downsized almost 4 years ago and with my impending 55th birthday looming this month the chances that I will get hired at a decent well paying position is pretty much nil. It's a real challenge to try and be upbeat about it all. Some mornings I just want to stay in bed and not face it anymore. Sorry girls----didn't mean to vent! I know it's rough all over and I should be grateful that my DH is secure in his job, but it sure worries me.
Melody |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2012 : 1:08:31 PM
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I don't think it's any better at all. And with the drought the corn prices will be so high I don't know if I will be able to afford feed during the winter. That;s what I worry about more right now. And with the price of corn going up so does fuel. My husband drives a truck long haul and he's been bringing home between $400-$500 a week for the past several months. Good thing we refinanced the house or we'd be homeless right now. I am not making any profit going to the farmer's market at all. And people say some of my produce is too high. I just tell them to buy their own seeds and plants and tend them and pick them. Then they'll change their minds. I know Walmart can sell cheap because they buy in bulk. And I am not going to sell a bushel of green beans that I spent a few hours picking for just $28.00 when I can make $54.00 selling little baskets. That's one way I make a little more. It's not going to get any better either with all the thieves that are running this country.
Kris
Happiness is simple.
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com |
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craftingram
True Blue Farmgirl
528 Posts
Karin
Nashville
In
USA
528 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2012 : 1:20:14 PM
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I don't think things are getting any better here. Gas has jumped almost 50 cents a gallon in two days, food prices are already up. I know the drought is making things even worse. I don't know how to fix it, but the government giving more and more of our money away isn't the answer. I try to have a positive attitude, but it's really hard. All I know to do is keep praying. Our government has pretty much forsaken us to do whatever they want, but God never will.
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #2708
Romans 8: 38,39 |
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kysheeplady
True Blue Farmgirl
1291 Posts
Teri
KY
USA
1291 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2012 : 1:21:38 PM
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Ahhhh ... Walmart the double edged sword!
Teri
"There are black sheep in every flock"
White Sheep Farm
www.whitesheepfarm.com |
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Kammi
True Blue Farmgirl
105 Posts
Kim
Phoenix
Az
USA
105 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2012 : 4:34:00 PM
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Things are not any better here in Phoenix; we have 12 homes vacant, 3 more for sale, just in our small neighborhood. And like other areas, more and more businesses are closing. We own a construction company and are hard pressed to keep all of the guys working. We are taking more and more smaller jobs just to make sure they all have a paycheck coming in to keep their families going. You can only tighten your belt so much (I am starting to look like a Barbie Doll...thanks to the belt). te he te he....well, have to laugh about something.
Remember… Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body. Instead, you should slide in sideways, glass of wine in one hand and chocolate in the other, in a body thoroughly used up, worn out and screaming “Woohooo! What a ride!”
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acairnsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
1319 Posts
audrey
cheyenne
wy
1319 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2012 : 5:51:52 PM
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I've noticed the newscasters are starting to call this "the great recession" which sure sounds an awful lot like "the great depression". I think they are finally starting to tell the truth, we are in a mess. DH was unable to bid profitable work around the Cheyenne area so we are now up in MT/ND working on some oil pipeline projects. It's booming up here and they are getting rain almost daily, so unlike the rest of the country,work and water.
Audrey
http://prairiecairncottage.blogspot.com/
.jpg) Good boy Hobbs! I love and miss you. |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2012 : 7:34:36 PM
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Audrey, what is different today is that numbers are not calculated the same way as they have in the past. Today, we have the U-6 number which is the actual unemployment rate, but we aren't told that number. We are only given a number of those who are actually looking for employment. From an article:
"The government's most widely publicized unemployment rate measures only those who are out of a job and currently looking for work. It does not count discouraged potential employees who have quit looking, nor those who are underemployed — wanting to work full-time but forced to work part-time.
For that count, the government releases a separate number called the "U-6," which provides a more complete tally of how many people really are out of work."
According to the US Dept of Labor, the actual unemployment rate has been above 14.5% since June of 2011. http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t15.htm We have been in a recession for the last two years and so that, by definition, puts us at the level of a Depression.
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
www.Oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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rough start farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3331 Posts
marianne
The Beautiful Pacific NW
Washington State
USA
3331 Posts |
Posted - Aug 03 2012 : 03:25:05 AM
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I think for a short time, we need to take care of ourselves - the US - and let the rest of the world take care of themselves. Maybe stop some of the importing or tax it so that the US companies can afford to compete with the prices and still pay their workers a liveable wage.
It sure isn't any better around here. My daugter has been looking for a job forever! Recent college grad ... so demoralizing for these kids.
Marianne |
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Dorinda
True Blue Farmgirl
1023 Posts
Dorinda
St. Cloud
Florida
USA
1023 Posts |
Posted - Aug 03 2012 : 06:53:19 AM
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I know it has not gotten any better here where i live. Alot of our friends have went to north Dakota for work. My sister and her husband lost their house and moved to alabama for work. Now my other sister said she may have to move for a while to north Dakota for work or she is going to lose her home . My brother also sold his home and moved to alabama for work. My other brother is still here but is having to travel alot for work. My son still does not have a job. Been looking 4 years. I am watching every penny . I am not spending any money i don't have to. Our work has been slow but we have been able to keep our heads above water . We do not have alot of bills. I do not believe in credit cards. I have always been one of those who say if you can't pay for it in cash then you don't need it. I think my motto is what has saved us. That and thrift store shopping. But to your post no i do not see it getting any better here.
Seize The Day!
Dorinda |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Aug 03 2012 : 07:03:28 AM
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yes we are truly living in hard times. here in oregon things re no better. papa is working today. this is the first work in over a year. we are hoping this will be long enough to pay back into unemployment. we need to get to his ssi money in feb we are trying to be careful with every penny. so tough times everywhere. the bible does for warn us that this was coming. world wide hardships. with man trying to do it with out God he is bound to fail. JMHO.
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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AlyssaMarie
True Blue Farmgirl
287 Posts
AlyssaMarie
Palouse
Washington
USA
287 Posts |
Posted - Aug 03 2012 : 11:56:15 AM
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The last couple days have been especially hard for me in this area. I finally just had to stop reading and ask myself... what can I do in the next several hours that would help my family in the next couple of months? It may not be a full solution, but it certainly can't hurt - got my kids off their rears and we went out to the garden. Shored up the braces for our hoop house and then planted seeds for the fall. I went ahead and planted seed in any place I felt I could squeeze it in. I do feel a little better now.
AlyssaMarie @ Link'd Hearts Ranch
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emsmommy5
True Blue Farmgirl
1547 Posts
Angie
Buckley
WA
USA
1547 Posts |
Posted - Aug 03 2012 : 2:29:16 PM
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I don't think it's getting better and honestly, I think it's going to get alot worse. We've been extremely tight with our finances not wanting to get in the hole on anything. Thus far, blessed with work. Any extra $$ goes into our self-reliance efforts. Our biggest blessing living in the NW -rain. I have quit whining about it drowning my garden after seeing the rest of the country!
Do what you love, love what you do. |
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Room To Grow
True Blue Farmgirl
974 Posts
Deborah
Kingston
Georgia
USA
974 Posts |
Posted - Aug 03 2012 : 5:03:03 PM
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Melody, I have gone back top teaching Cosmetology part time at night and I am working at my shop during the day. I dont think things are getting better either. The gas had gone up 55 cents in a week. It has been slow at the shop and my husband is getting unemployment. I am glad that I have been storing some things but I now dont have time to do much..But my DH is home now and i think he will be doing more cooking...and things around the house. The one thing that we ARE going to be getting is a gun and ammo.... I pray that everyone is safe and does well in all your endeavors...
Deborah
we have moved to our farm...and love it |
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2012 : 1:02:11 PM
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Not better here. And even so, the school is planning on doing their annual 8th grade trip to D.C. again. Hmpf! I have barely put one through the 8th grade, and now I get an e-mail saying first payment is due in October. Why do schools insist on taking these trips when the economy is bad? Ugh. I understand band and choir trips, but for simply the 8th grade? For no special reason? And don't get me started on fundraisers. No one can afford to buy the stuff.
I just don't get it. I'm already paying $45.00 x 2 kids for school fees and have no idea on my high schooler yet. With the high costs, and low pays, I really don't see it getting better anywhere. I'm concentrating on self-sufficient lifestyle even more.
Farmgirl #800
http://pioneerwomanatheart.blogspot.com/
http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/
From my hands: http://pioneerpatchworkhomespun.blogspot.com/
From my Camera: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pioneerwomanatheart/
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laurzgot
True Blue Farmgirl
1838 Posts
Laurie
Alvin
Texas
USA
1838 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2012 : 3:41:36 PM
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I don't think it's getting any better here. Lost my teaching job last year. They say budget cuts which is true but I also think it was my age. I had turned 60 last year. I've got a home sewing bussiness that I have had for over a year or so and that is slow and not making any money. At least DH has a well paid job. Prices are up on everything and I have seen alot of homes for sale that have been on the market a very long time. I have also seen good times too. It's so hard to tell though.
Laurie
suburban countrygirl at heart
http://www.etsy.com/people/lauriescott60
Aprons and More by Laurie |
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marjean
True Blue Farmgirl
3857 Posts
Marsha
Deltona
FL
USA
3857 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2012 : 4:00:45 PM
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I don't see a change for the good anywhere. Did you see on the news recently that all of India lost power? That country is twice the size of the U.S.
We buy at a local Dollar Store where meat and veges are $1.00 a bag. If you really shop around you can stock up on things now before the prices skyrocket.
All my food has to be organic but thankfully my dh and dd can eat the cheap stuff. It is not a laughing matter. We are just thankful it is available.
I will be doing a feature on my website in the Inspiration page section on the Image of Daniel and the beasts in Revelation that correspond to our time and what they mean and what we have to do now to prepare to survive the coming destruction.
Take courage you can survive and the secret is in the Bible. One of the main things we have to do to keep surviving now is help each other. Those that know how to dehydrate food could do it for a small fee and that would be one way to stock up while prices are manageable.
You can ship them in the sealed bags very cheap unlike a glass jar. Don't just stockpile for yourself, help others. Get the word out that you are willing to do this and start helping others who are in need.
No one is going to get rich in this system ever again. It is always going to be living from paycheck to paycheck for the majority. I'll start a post under the Garden section and any who are willing to pitch in and help their fellow farmgirls can post what they have to offer.
This is not a way to make tons of money either, this will be a way to just help each other while we still can. Knowing we have a nice support system can keep you going and give you that extra desire to get out of bed each day.
Farmgirl sister #308
handmade cards, vintage organizer bags and more at www.jeanpatchbymk.etsy.com
http://jeanpatch.blogspot.com
www.chartreuseprodcuts.com/marshajaramillo.html
www.watkinsonline.com/rjaramillo
www.sunshinefarmgirlcoop.com |
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rphelps4
True Blue Farmgirl
620 Posts
roxanna
westport
indiana
USA
620 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2012 : 9:01:31 PM
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| Here in Indiana most of the farmers crops are going to have very poor yields due to the high temps and lack of rain, so all food items are on the rise, and gas is 4:00 dollars a gallon, so things here don't seem any better. |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2012 : 9:16:54 PM
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We're on the fence. Sometimes it's much better, sometimes it's worse. I still have my CDL and IF I need to drive a truck again, I'll do it! Don't want to, though. Same with hubby.
There aren't any jobs for people my age around here. I put in lots of applications but I only see young people working in those jobs. So, that's why hubby and I have struck out to make our own business. We aren't making a lot but we get the bills paid and have a roof over our heads. We keep our 5th wheel for 'just in case' we have to live in it. I haven't been in it for six months but it's staying put. That way I feel like I always have a place to live.
Another thing, the taxes have about eaten us alive. I could have used quite a bit of that money for our business but we had to pay the IRS. Personally, I have no use for them but that's the way it is, so we pay.
As for Walmart. I'm not a fan, really, but I have to shop where the prices are the best right now. I do shop online and get good deals, even Wmart can be beaten online!!
We go to little towns around us, looking for things for our biz, and I'm telling you, I've been appalled at how many are drying up!! The main streets are just full of closed businesses! Even here in southern OR, it got pretty bad but the town fathers got their thinking wigs on and things seem to be turning around....hopefully!!
My website:
http://twohorseswalkingdesigns.com
http://antlersantiqueswindchimes.weebly.com
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2012 : 5:13:45 PM
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I remember learning in school that the worst time in the Great Depression was NOT right after the stock market crashed, it was actually about four years after. Gee. Doesn't that sound familiar? I really don't think its getting better (from what I've seen here) and in fact I would say its getting worse. I think this winter (with the drought and food prices) will be harder than the last few.
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com
www.thehmmmschoolingmom.blogspot.com
www.amydingmann.com |
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knitnpickinatune
True Blue Farmgirl
1140 Posts
Sherrie
Gardena
California
USA
1140 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2012 : 07:19:42 AM
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I've noticed with my online store that the media has a lot of influence-if they say the economy is down,my sales drop suddenly. If they say that the economy is improving and more people spent money,orders increase. I've often pondered what would happen if the media shut their mouth on the whole thing and let things flow as they will. Would the economy improve on it's own? We'll never know because the media being what it is.
What has amazed me is it's taken over 20 yrs for most Americans to wake up and realise the typical job does not pay a living wage-even if one works full time. I knew this in the 80's and 90's when I worked for a major theme park-I belonged to a union,worked 5 days a week & still couldn't afford to live on my own in a small apartment. I'm hoping more people go into business for themselves as I see it as the only way to truly prosper.
http://www.mandolinbabe.biz
@MandolinChick on Twitter
mando pickin,uke strummin,banjo pickin, & fiddle sawin' Farmgirl #702 |
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Across the Fence: Economy getting better or worse? |
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Economy getting better or worse?
