Well, for us, things aren't as bad as they are for many people. We are very fortunate that my husband has a good, stable job (got Electricity anyone?), and I am a nurse, so finding work is usually pretty easy. (It's just finding a job that you LIKE that's the problem.) But things are still tight.
We just built a new home last year, trying to do as much of it as possible to save money. We love the house and the neighborhood, but things ended up costing WAAAY more than we initially planned (but I'm told that is common in the building process). That, combined with us still holding on to our old house (looooong story) has just about killed us. BUT, we are here, we are healthy, and we are happy.....we can survive everything else! In our hearts, we know God wants us to be here, where our kids can safely play (without fear of being run over or kidnapped), and we don't have to worry about being robbed blind or being killed by a random drive-by shooting.
And YES, I am being COMPLETELY SERIOUS!
This house has truly been a blessing for our entire family.
However, we've made a lot of sacrifices to be able to stay here. As much as we would love to live in a "finished" show home, there are tons of things that remain "unfinished" for who-knows-how-long.
*sigh*
I can't believe I am going to share these pictures, but hey, we're among friends, right?
Promise you won't tell anybody....OK?
OK???
First of all, we have our living room fireplace wall.
If you think there is something missing...you would be correct.....there are several things missing. First and foremost, the fireplace is supposed to have stacked rock. The stacked rock was one of our main things we wanted in this house. We planned, searched, and researched all different types, manufacturers, colors, and styles. It had to be PERFECT. Well, perfection comes at a cost....a HIGH cost. SO, it has had to wait.
We are also missing the mantel. We already have it, but just can't install it until the rock is in. We also have to finish the flooring right in front of the fireplace, but again, we can't finish until the rock is up.
We also need the rock to finish the kitchen.
The entire area above the vent hood should be covered in stacked rock, too.
As is the block foundation around the bottom of the house.... 
Also, as you can see in the above picture....our yard is a WRECK! When we give directions to the house, I always say...."It's the house with the dirt yard and no landscaping". 
BUT, it is a HUGE improvement of what our back yard looked like this time last year....
Nothing like the Forestry Service and EPA issuing a 7 month "Burn Ban" two days before you begin clearing your land.
But "the boys" had a fantastic time cleaning it all up!
And YES....Jameson was driving the backhoe!!!
We can't wait to add our deck to the back of the house, either:
(The siding is completed....this is an older photo.)
We also need to complete the concrete driveway, steps and sidewalk. But for now, we aren't having any issues.
As much as we want this house to be "finished", we are just thrilled with having TWO bathrooms with functioning toilets, central heat and air, a security system, a garage, a level floor, and most of all, a safe, friendly neighborhood. The finishing touches can wait!
Now that I have spilled my embarrassing unfinished house pictures to you, I would like to know how is this economy affecting you and your family?