TO BEGIN AGAIN

A new year and a new beginning.  I used to have a fairly popular blog about a year ago, but I found that it was straying far from the original vision I had for it.  My  intention was  to help those that are struggling through hard times and at the same time  show them that there is joy in the ordinary things and times that make up our daily lives.  I'm also ashamed to admit, that a bit of my ego was tied up in seeing how many comments  and e-mails I received. I felt that I was being pulled in different directions from readers that were liberal and those that were conservative, not wanting to offend anyone.   I was even caught in the middle of a war of words  between two bloggers, one accusing the other of  plagiarism. In other words, all the joy had gone out of the little enterprise that was started with such high  hopes and good intentions.  So I pulled my blog out of the blogosphere and blithely went on with my life.  But something happened last November.  A dear friend died.  I remembered that he told my husband that he found reading my blog was comforting. A little seed was planted.  As more people started to share their tales of worry and strife as the economy spirals downward, a little voice in the back of my head kept telling me  that I could help.  I have decades of experience at being thrifty, you see.

So, here is my mission statement for this blog: The title says it all, yes, I will share information, tips, and encouragement about stretching a dollar, but I will also try introduce you to the simple little pleasures  that are found as one goes about their day.  Oh! by the way, I am a conservative and a Christian.  I do not intend to talk about politics or to use this blog as a pulpit (except on Sundays), but sometimes something is said that offends those that are of the liberal bent.  I believe that everyone needs to be self-reliant.  That is the only way to have true freedom.  As for my Christianity, it is the driving force behind this blog.  God has impressed upon my heart to begin again.  I do not believe in condemning others for their beliefs however, as I do not feel it is loving to judge others.  And God is love after all!  I hope this disclosure will aid you in deciding whether you wish to read this blog.  If you choose to do so, I pray  that I will be of service to you.

Jane