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For the week ending April 1, jobs reports show unemployment dropping a little, trying to stay ahead of population growth; pending home sales show a glimmer of hope for the single-family market; and will the federal government shut down?

For the week ending March 25, U.S. GDP was revised upwards, but other than that the news was mostly negative, highlighted by uncertainties on the world stage, such as a debt crisis in Portugal. U.S. housing is in a serious trough, and workers over 55 are working longer, not because they want to, but because they have to.

For the week ending March 18, the tragedy in Japan carried an economic dimension: The Bank of Japan flooded its economy with liquidity; industrial facilities were shut down; and the Group of 7 took action to stabilize the yen. The United States saw decline in housing starts, rise in food and gas prices, and Congress passing another temporary spending bill.

For the week ending March 11, retail spending was up, partly due to the payroll tax cut and partly due to increased borrowing. A quarter of residential mortgages are underwater; state attorneys general are attempting to revise foreclosure practices; and we wait to see if the price of oil will derail the recovery.

The week ending Feb. 25 was a tale of ups and downs. On the rise were job creation, income levels and oil prices. On the descent were unemployment and construction, with world events keeping things interesting by mixing in a general sense of unknown.