This is a fun meme by one of my favorite bloggers, Karen @ Write From Karen – to play along, just answer the questions below…

1. How has the economic downturn affected your spending? Please share with us the lessons you’ve learned from this economic downturn. Tell us about one positive experience that has happened to you as a result of this economic disaster. Initially the bad economy wasn’t really effecting us at all – now it’s effecting us in spades – getting laid off does that to you I guess. We’ve had to cut back our spending, dramatically, in every area but the positive angle on this is that we’ve learned that there were many areas that we could easily cut back on. We’ll probably continue to save a lot of money on things like groceries after this, because we’ve seen how little we can spend and still eat well. The other positive part of this economic disaster, for us, has been a huge increase in quality family time – with both the three of us and our extended family – something I will miss a lot when things ‘get back to normal’ and Dan is working again.

2. What is your opinion on the death penalty? Let’s say the person is a serial killer and has admitted his/her guilt, and it is your job to sentence that person. Could you give that person the death penalty? Why or why not? I’m not sure if I agree with the death penalty or not, but I lean towards not. I just don’t think any one person has the right to decide who lives and who dies, even if the who in question has done so. I know I could never make that kind of decision.

3. List five things you want your children (or your nieces/nephews if you don’t have children) to know before they grow up. (1) That they are extraordinary and worthy of simple, pure love – they don’t need to sell themselves short, date people just to not be alone, or give parts of themselves away so that their romantic partners will “stay” – the right people stay, regardless. (2) The importance of hard work – I want them to understand that to go far in life, and to be happy, you have to work for it – you have to put in your fair share and strive to do better where you can. (3) The ability to say no, when necessary – to not be a door mat and not spend too much of themselves trying to make other people happy – we can only do so much. (4) That I will love them unconditionally, no matter what they do and they can tell me anything. (5) Not to dwell to much on choices – life changes quickly and constantly, no matter how much you plan for – no use dwelling on every choice you make, there will always be another choice waiting for you afterwards.

4. You are given the power to kill people simply by thinking of their deaths and twice repeating the word “goodbye.” People would die a natural death and no one would suspect you. Are there any situations in which you would use this power? No.