Well, OK, I am kinda jumping the gun a little, but it will be Saturday by the time I get this done and FTP'd to Kspress. I'm too excited to go to sleep, however. I'm really geared up about not smoking! I smoked my last cigarette about fifteen minutes ago, then threw the rest of the pack, (about 15 cigarettes) and my lighter into the park. It was a really good throw, too.

Then I came in and brushed my teeth really good and used the waterpick. And mouthwash. Got all of that yukky taste out of my mouth. Karen said that she was sure I could make it through the rough parts, and I replied that I already had. The smoking, the coronaries, etc. Now comes the good part... not smoking!

A little more sober news... Karen and I are in a position where declaring bankruptcy is a necessity. We really hate to do it, but I can see no other way of getting out of the financial bind that we've worked ourselves into. If we would spend money on nothing but necessities, we might be out of debt in about fifteen years, well into retirement. That's barring any emergencies or further erosion of wages. Which leaves us flat broke. For fifteen years.

There's no one to blame but ourselves, of course. It's hard to believe that Karen and I grew up unable to manage our money with parents like ours, who are all penny-pinchers from 'way back. Went through the depression, and all that. Some people are just irresponsible, and I guess we are. I never thought I was, 'til recently, though.

It seems like we aren't worried about it as much as we should be, either. I don't know why, except that we've seen this coming for quite a while... and not been able to do anything about it. I guess we've accepted it, and in fact are kind looking forward to getting it over with. Our financial troubles started about five years ago when my job was eliminated and I took about a 20% cut in pay. Then last September, my hours were cut by 10%, but there wasn't any way to reduce the house payments or utilities... sad story, probably just like millions of others.

We'll get through it somehow, together. We've talked a lot about it lately, and will be seeing a lawyer Monday, as well as talking to friends who have been through this recently.

Changing the subject again...I guess all I have left now is sex and food.

I'll keep you all informed about the smoking. Check in Sunday night...and...