Returning after a much longer than expected hiatus.

**TheRootedNomad** · 05-23-2009, 10:22 AM

Hello!!!! Hello!!!!

Thought I’d pop in here first with a quick update to say I’m back. I disappeared sometime in mid March and thought I’d only be gone for a couple of days. Life had other plans though and hasn’t given me much opportunity for down time. We’ve been exceptionally busy here with the school year winding up, 4 soccer teams, DH’s busy season, extended family issues, and my job. I could rant and rave for pages, and I’m sure parts of it will filter into the forum somewhere, for now I’ll say I think all of the time of the people who are searching so hard for employment. If I didn’t know how rough it was out there I might be saying something else entirely.

For our newer members I have been frugal all my life. Sometimes by necessity and sometimes by choice. I slip in some areas and am learning new things all the time. I’ve been married to a not-so-frugal guy for over 15 years. It’s give and take on both our parts. We have 2 boys 10 and 12, 2 dogs, and a very old cat. (The fish finally croaked but my son is determined to refill the tank.)

In all the hustle and bustle some of our frugal practices have slipped and sputtered. We’ve done well for the most part staying on track but as is par for us the grocery budget/out to eat area is where we tend to slip up. I’ve spent $725 so far this month on groceries/out to eat for our family of four. For us that signifies a HUGE slide of the wagon. There is also money I have yet to figure out where it went over the last couple of months. Not a lot mind you, but enough to know the harried lifestyle I was striving to get further and further away from came slamming back.

I have missed many of you tremendously as I’ve generally found these forums as a tranquil spot for me to just be me. Truth be told I was a little disappointed to only see 1 PM but then again I haven’t been gone very long at all, it just feels like its been forever. Well I’ve got lots of catching up to do, and life hasn’t really slowed yet, so I’m going to read some and play catch up. I apologize in advance if I post to a thread that intigues me that you all were done with weeks ago.

**madhen** · 05-23-2009, 10:35 AM

Welcome back, RootedNomad!!

You made the mistake of slipping out the back door while we were all suffering from spring fever. I apologize for not checking up on you.

There seems to be a huge flux in FV, with a lot of new faces showing up and several of the (I won't say old) more long-term residents fading out. I have noticed a lot of once-regular posters disappearing, but I chalked it up to nicer weather and more time outside than sitting in front of a glowing computer screen!

Anyhoo, I am glad you are back, and I hope to see evidence of your return in multiple threads.

**elphie** · 05-23-2009, 11:25 AM

Glad to have you back GG!!!

**Michelle** · 05-23-2009, 11:29 AM

Welcome back :howdyhi:

**khjmom** · 05-23-2009, 12:02 PM

Welcome back. I went back into lurking mode myself..it was just easier for awhile. Glad you're back.

**nancycg56** · 05-23-2009, 12:05 PM

Welcome back! I'm lurking more than posting these days myself.

**Sara Noel** · 05-23-2009, 12:34 PM

Welcome back.

**TheRootedNomad** · 05-23-2009, 01:55 PM

Wish I could say I'd even truely been lurking. I think I got to lurk about twice for just a few minutes. I plan on popping in and out several times this weekend catching up though. :smile:

**LuvMyHubby** · 05-23-2009, 02:00 PM

Welcome Back... I have also been more lurker than regular these days but sometimes life has a habit of sneaking up and smacking us on the back of the head.

I'm sure you will quickly get back into the swing of frugal once your life gets more settled.

**fixer** · 05-23-2009, 03:00 PM

Glad to see you back. I empathize with not having enough hours in the day.

**dean** · 05-23-2009, 05:19 PM

I guess I'm one of the newbies that came when you were away.
Anyway, welcome back and hope to hear alot from you on the frugal front.

**Debbie-cat** · 05-23-2009, 05:23 PM

Welcome back! We missed you around here. I chalked your disappearance up to nice weather.

**Judi Dial** · 05-23-2009, 06:09 PM

Welcome back; you were missed.... Glad things are a bit saner if not resolved yet. I hope you get that grocery bill, etc. under control soon!

Blesssings and it's nice to "see" you!

Judi

**sueh** · 05-23-2009, 07:19 PM

Welcome back!

**Dancing Lotus** · 05-23-2009, 07:24 PM

I haven't been around much myself. Things got easy around here. Hubby got a secure job and I make some money now so it was easy to slip back into old habits. I need to come back more , this place keeps me grounded. I did notice I didn't see you but I figured it was because of my absence not yours.