A Sign of the Times??

[SinkingFast]

I read that Thanksgiving weekend Sales were "OK" for retailers. But if they were gonna make good on this shopping season, they'd have to keep customers coming back and buying more.

DD's work at a local fancy Phoo Phoo Hotel as Banquet servers. If there's an event in town, it's usually at our Hotel.

Every year, the Hotel hosts the "Festival of Trees". The "Festival of Trees" is one of the biggest fund raiser events for many Charities in our area.

Local charitable organizations all decorate up a tree. Then there's a gala, black tie Event. Wine and dine. Dinner and dancing. Then the decorated trees are auctioned off for the benefit of the Charities.

Last year, this Event was packed out. The Charities raised the most money ever in the history of the Event.

This year,......... The Hotel's Event coordinator called today. Told the girls not to come to work tonite. The final tallies were in from advance ticket sales and the number of attendees is way down from last year. The Hotel doesn't need but a few Servers.

The weather is a bit cold, but not bad at all for a Northern State. No rain. No snow. No sleet. No ice.

Hummmmmmm,..................

Possibly Retailers aren't gonna be the only ones to feel the economic pinch this year??!!

[Minnymouth]

Sad but true, the state of the economy is going to affect everything..... charities, homebuyers, retailers, individuals, etc....

Lots of folks downsizing on their Christmas shopping cover higher gas expenses and high utility costs for the winter. Those that don't...... I feel sorry for them.... because the bills will be TERRIBLE THIS YEAR. A lot of home heating oil will be more than their house payments.....

Thank goodness for my wood burning fireplace....

[whatamess]

yep, Minny just got my first cord of wood dumped in the driveway!!! Plus there is nothing more wonderful than curling up with a book and dog in front of that crackling fire!!
I just got notice from the Salvation Army they are VERY short this year. I picked up a tag from the angel tree last week to buy for a little girl...me who is middle-lower class... & as of last night all the tags are pretty much still there w/the same kids. I live in a high income area. If I could afford it I'd buy them all a gift ot two. They say its the working class in this country who donates and they are the ones feeling the pinch most. So the very poor will be w/o this holiday unless some of the weathly open up the wallet.
Case point: My husband and I started to deliever newspapers a few months ago for some extra money. Most of the subscribers live in $600,000 to $1,500,000 homes!!!! They all want the paper on the doorstep daily, and its a loooong walk up the driveways past the hummers and BMW's at 3am. Yet, the ONLY tips weve pulled in are from the working class area on the edge of town with the older homes and cars. I send them each a nice thank you note because what they give is so thoughtful.
WAM

[Bandit]

yep, Minny just got my first cord of wood dumped in the driveway!!! Plus there is nothing more wonderful than curling up with a book and dog in front of that crackling fire!!

WAM

I hear that, WAM.
I have 6 full cords of wood surrounding my front porch. Instead of a $5000 gas/heat bill at the end of spring I will only have $950 heat bill and it will be paid in full. I love my wood burning stoves & so does everyone who comes over to visit. It is very cozy & warm inside & I am not stressed out about it

Thank goodness for my wood burning fireplace....

Preach on that Thankfulness. Me too!

[Minnymouth]

It's sad when those that have the least - give the most!!!

Money has a way of making people forget the "lean times" in their lives. It often makes people forget what the word "thank you" means also...

You can work all your life and never be rich, but you sure can be gratefull for what you do have and know the joy of sharing it with someone less fortunate.

I'm afraid the "angel trees" and "wish trees" for children are going to be very slim this year.

I remember one year when one of the local angel trees still had a lot of names on it..... One individual took every name at the end and bought for all of them..... said NONE would do without!!! His/her name was not released at their request.

I would say his/her blessings come back in triple for his/her kindness.....

[chpxiii]

This is why I wondered how the housing "boom" would ever survive. And, of course, it didn't. I always wondered how people could think that it could go on indefinitely and without consequence. I had a feelign this would happen.

And then with gas prices...

I'm just waiting for a class war, yes... even in America. :P

[wingnut]

Waiting?

Hey,

Look around you.

It seems to have started long ago.

"We didn't start the fire..."

Best of Luck,

WINGNUT