I certainly get the point Peter, but I must say that I can't play. The reality of everyday life forces me to make decisions based on finances.....certainly not world economics, but nonetheless a factor. Karen and I are both guilty of doing things we shouldn't do with what little we have..."Shouldn't" in this case meaning that we don't always do the sensible thing, but will do things that make us feel good, and that's very important...like running up to Niagra and meeting Rick and Heather. So we do things that ARE economically non-viable, but most times we are forced to look at basic needs of our family and plan well ahead for even the most trivial of fun things, like going to the Sweet Corn festival or the county fair. The trip to DC for the FSGW is no small challenge. We have NEED to do these things, but sometimes the basic needs of life have to take precedence.

We've been fostering for a long time and I'm always still amazed,that when I take one of our kids home for a visit I see stacks of pizza boxes in their parent's house...not to mention "dead soldiers." We can't afford to eat pizza too often here.

When I was single I don't think I ever made a decision based on economics. I did what I pleased and I was lucky enough to make enough money to support whatever it was. Mostly I dreamed and often made my dreams a reality. Life has forced a few unwelcome changes upon me, among them the necessity of deeming things uneconomic at times.

"In my dreams I'm a rich man,
But in real life I've hid
From the fact that I've got me a wife and a kid.
If I lose what I've got
Then they lose it too.
Tell me what in the world's this poor dreamer to do?"
Jim Croce

Most times, this dreamer does what he has to do.

Spaw