Yesterday, my neighbor lost his job. This is not the first person I have met that is suddenly out of a job. My sister was lucky and survived the cuts at her work, in fact, she was one of 9 people out of 75-100 who kept their jobs. My nephew worked at Linen and Things. He is having trouble getting unemployment.

The economy is very scary right now. I worry about friends who have cuts looming. I know that we have funding from congress for a while and that, in general, what’s up in space, stays up in space until it breaks or there is a replacement. So I do not worry so much about me, although Jay and I have a back up plan for each of us.

I have been trying to buy a little more for the food pantry. I have taken to picking up $5-$10 of pasta and rice every shopping trip and dropping it in the pantry box. People who never thought they would need it are going to the pantry more and more. Less people are donating, arguing that "charity starts at home". I wish I could do more. I try my best, I encourage the kids to do what they can, but is it still hard to see families struggling.

How has the economy affected you? What are your worries?