While preparing for our early newscast today, several members of the Fox Toledo News crew found it funny that it seems everything these days is blamed on the economy.

Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken’s sound bite is what set off this thread. He was talking about the reason why we’re not having a Children’s Wonderland display this year.

But after so many months of downturn and struggle, we sometimes don’t realize how much of our lives are affected by the economy, because it’s happened so gradually.

See if any of this sounds familiar in your life–
Sales projections are down.
All of your magazines now have headlines touting bargain gifts and budget friendly meal ideas.
Charity donation requests all say the need is up.
You’re driving your car longer and considering whether each repair is necessary.
Combining errands is the norm, forget joyrides.
You’ve gotten used to the potholes and no longer wonder when they’ll be fixed.

I’m sure you could add to this. Hang in there, and when in doubt, blame the economy.