I am for hire

I just figured out how to solve the entire economy issue in less than 18 months.
1. Remove all green laws for business and commerce. Use common sense people.
2. Reward businesses who hire manufacturing and service positions in th US with massive tax breaks.
3. Use a PSA and other media to start a pro-USA product and services campaign. Highlight the value of buying US made products and sourcing our service sectors to US companies.
4. Penalize corporations that source jobs overseas with a high tax rate to bring the products back into the US for purchase. Enforce safety regulations on the food and product imported for toxins, etc.
5. Encourage competition of US products by allowing US products to be sold tax free to Americans. Imported products will be taxed.
5. Reward government contracts only to businesses that hire and source in the US.
7. Cut non-essential government research.
8. Discontinue funding to state special interest projects.

This is my brain on "I am sick of reading doom and gloom about the economy".I am also under the weather with a cold thing. I am also freaked out about reading nanny state laws and regulations that our out-of-touch bureaucrats put forth that benefit next to no one(except the hope of getting themselves re-elected).
I think I have also seen our country importing everything we eat, drink, wear and use at an alarming rate. If nothing is manufactured here and soon nothing will be serviced here, we have nothing left to offer our own people. We can't as a country, continue down this road without long term consequences. Also, if we continue to abort our youngest people, who will be left to work when we are old? Other countries are facing this dilemma now on a smaller scale.
That's my two cents. I'm blown away that Pelosi and cronies thought no one would figure out their stimulus package was all a bunch of crap. I feel better writing it down. Maybe since there is nothing I can do about government. All I can do is vote and write my representatives. When that doesn't work, prayer is all that is left.
On another note, the CPSIA law has been given a stay of one year for books and clothing. Another bad idea/nanny state law that will put people out of business. At least I have a year to decide on another avenue or means of income. Apparently they were hammered, at a grassroots level by little guys who cried out "save our business" and it worked...for now. Thanks for the prayers.
(I'm going to have little Thorn draw a name in the next 24 hrs for the blog giveaway)

Could be the end and thank you Mr. Chinese-trying-to-kill-us-man

New safety rules for children's clothes have stores in a fit

Another fine example of how government stinks. This new law, slated to start on February, 10th, could be the end of my business. I have been selling children's high-end clothing for almost 8 years now both online and to small shops across the country for many years. This has, at times, been our families sole income. Depending on how stringent they get with enforcing this law, it will force me and many other small businesses to close forever and take huge losses. Just what our economy needs, right?
It went through congress very quickly and since we don't have a union or organization to represent us(most of us are moms that work from home), they lumped us in with shady Chinese businesses who have no conscience and put out dangerous products that poison our children. On the other hand, many of us work-from-home moms will be forced to shut down which will devastate our economy when you consider how many crafters, small businesses and store owners will not be able to afford "big governments" testing. I continually come out with new lines and seasonal wear. It would cost us as much as we make to test it all. Since we aren't "organized" there is no one looking out for us who cares. I just learned of this law over the holidays and don't have time to take in how this would effect us. I am certain that if I stop working, we would have to declare bankruptcy.
Why don't they just start with regulating imports? Because that would make too much sense. They want to regulate everything and anyone(because democrats control both houses and they love more government). The real contaminate in children's lives are the toxins they use in baby bottles, sippy cups, vaccines and cheap dollar store toys, all imports. I make all of my apparel either in studio or locally. My blanks are made in Las Vegas, my seamstress lives 8 miles down the road. I don't use lead in anything that goes in our garments(plastics or otherwise). The domino effect will be that most mom and pop businesses that cater to children and babies will cease to exist. Everyone will be forced to shop at Target and Walmart. Most online specialty businesses will shut down.
Sigh. I just thought I should put this info out there because most people are totally unaware of what this will do to an industry that is about 85% woman owned. It has allowed me to stay at home and take care of my children and make enough to send them to Catholic school. That would also change. We would also have to move. So pray, if you are able, that something happens to help those of us who would be devastated by such an asinine law. In this economy, no one can afford to take another hit. Most of the stores that already carry our line have not re-ordered and new business will be obsolete. We have trouble competing with cheaply made overseas clothing as it is right now. I am so thankful that my husband is in a somewhat stable job and has employment. This would be an even more dark time for us if he was not. We could not afford the life we have without my income. I personally know many moms with special needs children in this field and they are scared to death right now. I am so anti-government at this point in my life. This just put that last nail in the coffin for me.

Children’s Products Containing Lead: Proposed Determinations Regarding Lead Content Limits on Certain Materials or Products; Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

Back

We were out of town visiting my MIL and while it was difficult, I am glad we went and she even wanted to see her grandchildren(which wouldn't have happened if Mr. Thorn had went by himself.) She is not improving but staying the same with long periods of sleep. We will continue to pray.

I have had some questions regarding the regimen of food and supplements(via email) that I have been taking. The doctor is trying to shrink fat cells and optimize my hormones and ovaries(ability to conceive and hold a pregnancy). I have learned a lot. One of the most life-changing regimens is not drinking cold drinks. Nothing cold. I am to heat water, tea and coffee and that is all I drink(even to take supplement pills) This proved challenging while we were out of town but we did it. Typically, I need to eat every two hours to keep something in my stomach, always. This maximizes metabolism and keeps me from ever being hungry. The only challenge to this is on Sundays with fasting and High Mass. I will work this out, I'm still getting used to it. I eat nothing sweet(not even fruit, unless you count a tomato).

For the supplements I am taking Zymex II, Hydro Zyme, A.D.P., Cataplex EZ, Bil T4 & T8 and my dessicated adrenal and thyroid(for now). I still take my whole food supplement too. I know this seems like crazy jargon to those who are new to my health and infertility journey but to finally arrive at a doctor who doesn't turn me away with an "I don't know" is huge. When your organs and glands aren't working properly, you can't lose weight, get pregnant, stay pregnant or be anything resembling healthy. That is who I am right now. My basal body temps have been under 97 degrees this entire cycle. I am in heavy detox from yeast(candida), parasites and bad bacteria. These are found in most adults whether they want to think about it or not. They cause our digestive problems, sinus problems and a grocery list of other evil things. I've done detox before and this one must be working or I wouldn't be feeling like I do. The doc said "Give me three months". I can definitely do that. While it is a sacrifice having nothing sweet or a cold drink, I can use it for good and offer it up.

I know I have not been posting as regularly as I used to. I am saddened by events(spiritually) in my local diocese and just not wanting to go there for now. When keeping my children Catholic and prayerful becomes a full time job, I get worn out. I am not a crazed traditionalist. I am just a mom wanting to do right by my children and give them the Catholic identity that I did not receive as a child. In this diocese, at this time, it is nearly impossible. So, that's where I am with that.

If anyone wants more info on the doctor situation, let me know. I will keep posting about my progress and achievements. Hope is always a good thing.

P.S. - I know the economy is bad, the election looks sad and other heavy news. Is there anything we can do other than vote and pray? I live my Augustinian way of daily life as this: Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.

Yeah, this is hopeful

Everything seemingly is spinning out of control

I find most people either oblivious or totally depressed by the current state of things. When people can't "fix it" they get spooked because they sense doom in "then who?". I have a friend that told me "our needs being met by God are not dependant upon the economic forecast" which I believe to be partly true. I think what our human needs are can be best determined by God, however. I may think I need television and A/C to survive, God knows what I actually need. Now that I found this cheery news story, I need to get ready for Mass.

Well then, there you go

Consumers' mood at 28-year low in May: U.Mich

My retail business stinks right now. It has for about a month. I am not alone.

The report heightens worries that the United States could be entering a period of stagflation like the late 1970s and early 1980s, characterized by a sluggish economy and accelerated price growth.

Stagflation? According to Investopedia, it means a condition of slow economic growth and relatively high unemployment - a time of stagnation - accompanied by a rise in prices, or inflation.

Stagflation occurs when the economy isn't growing but prices are, which is not a good situation for a country to be in. This happened to a great extent during the 1970s, when world oil prices rose dramatically, fueling sharp inflation in developed countries. For these countries, including the U.S., stagnation increased the inflationary effects.


That pretty much sucks, huh? No wonder nothing is selling. My sales are down almost 60% over this time last year. Weh. No other word sums it up.

Why is this really funny?

Poll: 70 percent in U.S. say things are going badly

Who came up with this silly poll? And who are the 30% that thinks things are going well? Are they drunk? I want to meet them. Maybe they could cheer me up on days when I am blue.

Economy. The big elephant in the room.

As we struggle to stay above water, I realize that as a family, we are not alone. The domino effect that fuel prices have on the middle class is something that is not making national news. Not in the way it should. I have talked to some other families in our circle and all of us admit to being in a different place financially than where we were a year ago. It seems to have happened suddenly. The media is not reporting it. Yes, I get the rising gas prices and foreclosure crisis. But what about just making monthly payments? Credit cards, student loans, electric bills...these were once just part of our budget and do-able. Since both Mr. Thorn and I work in industries that don't promise monthly(consistant) salaries(sales and I'm self-employed), our income has fluctuated wildly in the past 6 months. It is becoming harder to make a budget or be assured we will have money for bills. On that note, I found an article about the local effect on the food industry in regards to restaurant closures.

Restaurants feeling pinched

Mr. Thorn and I talked about this last night as we found a restaurant we liked had closed it's doors recently. Many in our local Crestview Hills Town Center have closed. Four in all, since opening in 2005. We have cut back on eating out in the last 8 months. I think many families have. The only incentive is half-price dining, which has become a less frequent splurge.

As gasoline prices pushed above $3.25 for a gallon of gas earlier this year, a growing number of consumers saw restaurant meals as an easy expense to cut, according to BIGresearch of Columbus. The retail consulting company found in March 2007 that 28.7 percent of consumers said they would react to rising gasoline prices by cutting restaurant meals from their budget.

We are also hoping to move in the next year. Bigger house for same or less money back in "the city". As we found out last week, a suburban neighborhood does not guarantee peace and safety for our children. With the housing market as whacked as it is, we are ready to move back to "the city"(as in inner city) to be closer to church, school, work and my parents(who are moving). I will just have to keep praying we can keep our credit clean and budget for fixing up our home to put on the market. The good news is, people are buying homes. We did not have over-inflated housing prices in this region. We also do not have an ARM on our current home loan. Thankfully. Now I need to get back to work. Just putting this whole "economy" thing out there.