Happy New Year, Everyone!! (vanity poll with a serious question)

observation and curiosity ^ | 1/1/13 | Baynative

[Baynative]

It's a two part question:

How was 2012? Do you expect 2013 to be different?

[RoosterRedux]

I am hoping that 2013 will be a little better because Obama's higher taxes and other effects of his dominion will be more visible as the manure begins to hit the fan.

Watch for the economy to contract as result.

[rolling_stone]

2012 was bad for me in many ways, and I expect 2013 to be worse in many, but good in some. I decided to go Galt, little by little and kick back and try to be less stressed by the state of things I cannot change. I will of course have to lower my standard of living (even further)but raise my mental living. I guess I will be watching more protests on TV rather than dragging these old bones in person and putting down the paper and pen and let others take up the fight. Burnout has set in. Of couse if things get really bad I always have the option of jumping back in the game, but as is I think I’ll just wait and see what happens when everything comes tumbling down. With my bad luck the S will HTF before I can bail out, hopefully I won’t be forced into changing my plans but que sera sera.

I see the country going the way of an old trusted and loved family dog, A slow demise, illness, then the decision to end the suffering, then a period of mourning, recollections and reflections, where we hit bottom before a new pup and new start can begin. Yeah I feel a little helpless about the big picture so I’m trying to change the small picture. God Bless those that continue the good fight.

[Baynative]

My wife and I are the same ages as you. This has been the worst year of our collective lives. Business gone, local economy depressed in a rural county where the main industries are welfare, food banks and second hand stores.

We don't expect any improvement in '13. Nothing good can come of Obama's second term and the turncoat republicans inside the beltway ... NOTHING!

[Tennessee Nana]

AWWWWWWWWW hes darling

:)

[Wisconsinlady]

” I decided to go Galt, little by little and kick back and try to be less stressed by the state of things I cannot change. I will of course have to lower my standard of living (even further)but raise my mental living. I guess I will be watching more protests on TV rather than dragging these old bones in person and putting down the paper and pen and let others take up the fight. Burnout has set in. Of couse if things get really bad I always have the option of jumping back in the game, but as is I think I’ll just wait and see what happens when everything comes tumbling down.”

Very good ideas above! I too am hoping to pass the baton, but don’t see enough takers in our young folks. They are so self-centered and selfish; I think it will take MAJOR lifestyles for them before they will wake up and fight back.

My husband and I are working on finding a little piece of the Gulch.

[PGalt]

2012 was good. 2013 should be better (no vacation this year). Working. Healthy. DEFUNDED everything, except essentials (+ alcohol and low-budget golf). Continued prep for the worst. More family functions together = more fun. Everyone is on the same page. Solid. Focused.

Happy, healthy and prosperous 2013 to all FReepers. If anyone can survive this socialist-induced onslaught...we can and will.

[Baynative]

"I see the country going the way of an old trusted and loved family dog, A slow demise, illness, then the decision to end the suffering, then a period of mourning, recollections and reflections, where we hit bottom before a new pup and new start can begin. Yeah I feel a little helpless about the big picture so I’m trying to change the small picture."

That's a great way of putting it. We've taken a similar strategy. We made the decision to leave California before it falls apart completely, but now we're watching America circle the drain from the Pacific Northwest. I'd put it somewhere between going Galt and becoming preppers. We've downsized and down scaled our lives a lot. It has been hard - more so on my wife than me. When it gets gloomy I repeat the words of Bay Area blues man Tommy Castro, "Ain’t what you’re missin’, It’s what you got".

In the past year I've had conversations with others who've made the decision to "end the suffering" and close their business or give up their home. Some of them are folks I never would have thought had any worries. All in all, the place we are in is one we never thought we'd see after all these years and all our hard work. But, we're getting through it and the worst part of it all is wondering about what kind of country our grand kids are going to live in.

[upchuck]

Thanks. Mostly, he’s a mess. A growing up puppy :)