...at some point with in the last seven years....

About 34 days (or so) after we were married, we realized just how destitute we were. Rather than bemoan the fact that Eric still didn't have a job, I was only working part time, and school was starting in a week (forget about paying for books), we decided upon a great idea. We wrote a list, to make light of our situation, and it went something like this....

(Written in our Journal August 13, 2003)

We will be rich when:
-we own a spray can of Pam (we now actually own three... go figure)
-we can buy a Papa John's Pizza (ate one last week, as a matter of fact!)
-we own a home phone  (can we substitute cell phones?)
-our food storage consists of more than just Mac & Cheese (pictures of our new set up soon to follow)
-we can rent a movie
-we don't have to do laundry at Mom's house (thank goodness for our own washer/dryer!)
-we have a full penny jar (it is here some where.... probably with the Russia coins)
-we have health insurance (thankfully we do have it now, as it is greatly needed)
-we stop living off the gift cards we received from our wedding (those ran out rather soon....)
-we can go to the midnight movie (1.50 at the time) and not feel guilty
-we can take furniture back to the D.I.
-our weekly food budget consists of more than $3.00 (still not sure what we ate those first few months-)
-stopping at a lemonade stand doesn't set us back a week
-we no longer have to cover our couch with sheets and blankets
-we can color coordinate our bathroom
-we have a grandfather clock worth more than $2.00 from a yard sale (still don't have one of these...)
-we are able to buy Draino (one doesn't need Draino when you have a maintenance office!)
-paying bills before the date due isn't an issue (I love the wiggle room)
-$0.97 isn't expensive for fresh peaches (bought some today for $1.97...)
-buying school supplies doesn't break the bank (some how school books are still just as expensive)
-Marianne owns a paper cutter (Yes! Thank you Mom!)
-we have an umbrella (and a nice one it is indeed)
-Eric's shoes no longer have holes (we are just thankful that they aren't still his mission ones!)

This evening we laughed and laughed over the drastic change in our circumstances. We had put a smiley face next to all the instances that were realized, and I saw how deeply blessed we were, and have been since. It is so funny to see the things that we felt deprived of (ie Grandfather Clocks, couch covers) and to see, right along side of everything else. No, we never had to file for food stamps or Medicaid (thank goodness for family) but we are so blessed now, it is awe-inspiring.