Again, I hit the wrong button and my browser lost my reply! Thank you Gus for reminding us to count our blessings. I was blessed with a family with longevity. My Great-grandparents were a big part of my life growing up. This recession was a blessing for our family. We had been living very high on the hog. At first I was very distraught. But then prioritized what was important in my life and I was able to pass along these lessons to my children and they are better for it.

Some of the rules my grandparents had were about food 1) if you didn't eat what was put in front of you, you're not hungry. 2) If you did not respect the family enough to come to the table on time you got what was left and there was no complaining. My youngest great-uncle tried to get me to trade food every morning at breakfast because he preferred to sleep in. Grandpa wasn't having it.

I'm ashamed to say that there was a period of time when I thought that I was entitled to all of the luxuries that we've all taken for granted. I had passed that along to my children. The recession gave me the opportunity to correct that. Our situation has greatly improved and I'm grateful for that. I do fear every storm or issue that seems to send the economy back into a spiral because I've gotten lazy again. Soaking/cleaning dried beans takes time and energy. Thinking of creative ways to season and new ways to prepare these healthy inexpensive things takes effort. Eating oatmeal every morning got old. In fact I could happily live my life without eating it again.