Every time I think that maybe, just maybe, I’m getting back on track, I realize that there is something I’ve not done. This week, it felt like I was moving right along, until I realized that I’ve barely read or commented on any blogs this week.

For that I apologize.

But even though I didn’t do my usual level of reading, I really liked what I did read. So yes, it’s a small sample size this week, but still with great results.

a small sample of the megalithic art at the Knowth Passage Tomb, Boyne Valley, Ireland

Alyosa over at My Broken Coin did a three part series on the fact that her Mother was a Mail-Order Bride (link is to the first article). I always find it interesting to get stories like this from people who actually lived it.

C lives with depression. The MIL suffered from it greatly (without her Zoloft, she spent the entire day drying, for no reason). With C, we manage it without medication, but we have an agreement- if I tell him he needs to go see a doctor about it, he will go see a doctor about it. This week, Jana at Daily Money Shot stepped out to show us what depression looks like. Part of her point was to let others know they weren’t alone. I just want to let her know, she’s not alone. She is brave and talented, and I count myself blessed to be able to call her “friend”.

Financial Samurai had a guest post from Rachel about what it is like to be unemployed long term. Again, I haven’t experienced this exactly, but C spent the full 99 weeks on unemployment before going back to school full time, so I have an idea what it is like. Thank you, Rachel, for putting yourself out there, and sharing your side of the story.

My parents are baby boomers, and for goodness sakes, I would much rather they spent “my inheritance” (because it’s not really mine, it’s their money that they worked for) living life comfortably than suffering now to leave me something. The Money Principle talks about the Baby Boomers and the Generation Divide. And I just want to say, no generation is perfect, because it is made up of people. Some will make decisions we can all be proud of, and some will make decisions future generations will rue them for. Good and bad have come from every generation, and the best we can do is learn from their mistakes and thank them for their successes.

I’ve said before that I am a flaming feminist. What I mean by that is that I believe in equality, for all. Well Heeled Blog recently read an article where she saw the comment “Women should have the choice to stay home or work”, and she railed against it- for good cause. Because while she and I both agree with the statement, we both also believe it would be better stated that families should be able to make the choice that works best for their situation.

And finally, recently Jeff from Sustainable Life Blog and his fiancé recently purchased a home– with only a 15 year note! I want to congratulate them on their first big purchase together and for having their finances together enough to be able to do the shortened term. Can I tell you two something? C and I purchased our home about 6 weeks before our wedding. After the wedding, everyone asked me if it felt “different” being married, and I had to say “no”, because while we had just pledged our lives together, not too long before, we’d signed our finances away for 30 years to the bank. And those 30 years felt longer than “forever”.