HI Bren,
Welcome from Washington State.
I think you rintro is about the longest I have seen. Very interesting. We all need to learn to conserve a better.
Things are not looking and I think things are one ther way to worse times that some can imagine and you already know how to conserve and make do. My dh and I both grew up in the lower class as for wealth. We have had to work hard for what we have and we feel blessed. We never expected hand outs or the system to take care of us. I sometime am thankfull and feel I have more comon sence than if I'd hade it handed to me on a silver platter. I am humble. Will be nice to see you in the chat sometime. Many blessings to you. ConnieF