Monday, April 08, 2013

G. Get Busy Living.

(I wrote this, and wasn't sure if I should publish it.  I sound sort of poor-little-me, and that wasn't my intention.  It was sort of a stream of consciousness thing, and I am not sure how to improve it.  Please take that into consideration when you read.  Thanks...) 


So, what are you going to do with your life?

How many times have you heard that, or variations thereof?  I'm not asked it as directly anymore, but I still hear it from time to time.  I suppose, since I don't have what is a "normal" lifestyle, by some lights, is the biggest reason.  I was surprised one time, to almost get into a fight with a woman.  My husband had invited a gent and his wife on our fishing boat.  I had asked about what she did for a living, and she'd mentioned her job, and that she was going to be retiring from it in the near future.  I told her that sounded good, and then she asked what I do.

I told her my volunteer work, and hobbies, and things I do for family and friends.  Her casual manner faded, and she looked furious with me.  You don't work?  You don't have a job?  What do you DO with your life?

I really didn't know how to respond, having just answered her question.  But, in varying degree, I have had a somewhat similar response from many people.  My husband and I work on paying cash for what we get, we have no debts, (which, I might add, we worked and scrimped to do this), and we don't have a lot of frills (internet is the rare exception...).

I knit, spin, raise chickens, and garden.  Husband and Dad can repair just about anything short of a warp drive, (I suspect that would just take them longer), and Mom can cook and sew beautifully.  So, we trade between us.  I raise llamas.  I watch the animals, threaten continuously to give lead poisoning to deer that get into my garden, (people who know me, know that won't happen, I just need to vent somehow), and take care of volunteer things, my house, and myself.  Husband works part time, and we budget, so we can live on one income.

I am not bragging.  I never intended to start a fight with this, but it is so strange to have the reactions that I do.  It makes me even more hesitant to talk about what I do to people, even on my blog.  Folks that I am more acquainted with have acted strange, when they comment on things like house payments. They ask about it, I tell them we don't have one, and off they go.

I have decided that I like my life, (see B entry), and am going to continue what I am doing.  If someone asks a question, I will just see if I am going to be bitten for answering.  Then, perhaps, go on to a less touchy subject, you know, like politics, religion or sex.

Sheesh.


(Get Busy Living)

10 comments:

Lisa said...

Some people are all about their work. I'd rather be doing something enjoyable and useful instead of sitting behind a desk for 8 hours a day.

I honestly envy what you get to do. It sounds like you're in a good place in your life that not many people reach even if they wanted to.

Sally said...

Good for you. Enjoy your life. It sounds as though your 'friend' may have been a teensy bit jealous.

Inger said...

You and your hubby have created an enviable lifestyle and perhaps that is the problems for those other people. Working hard at a job to make money to have more and more is an American idea that never took hold in Europe. To me is it totally insane! So, please don't worry about these people.

Andrea said...

This is fabulous! What a truly interesting life you lead, and I do mean that in a good way...I am interested! I used to feel a somewhat similar case when I told people I was a stay at home mother.

messymimi said...

Sheesh is right. The women's movement was fought so women could make choices, not so we could tear each other apart over which choice each of us makes.

You have the best life, for you! Good for you.

M Pax said...

Why apologize for who your are and the life you lead? We don't live for other people.

stephen Hayes said...

People who give you a hard time because they aren't able to manage life the way you do are probably just jealous.

Mary said...

Oh my gosh! This is exactly what happens to me! Exactly. In fact, i just might write a blog post of my own about it, but i don't want you to think i'm a copycat. I am retired at 49. I spend 3 days a week doing volunteer work, i take classes, write, walk my neighbor's dogs. (The ones who are unable to walk their own, and might have to give them up if i didn't help out..) I pet sit, etc. I do plenty with my life. My husband is a hardware design engineer at a well known high tech company. His income is such that i don't have to work full time. Our house is paid for, our vehicles are paid for. I worked at jobs i disliked for a loooong time, more or less because of others' disapproval when i suggested i might retire. No more. No guilt here, people! Hear that? lol. But the reactions i get are outrageous sometimes. I just don't get it.

Anyway, sorry i wrote a book there. You and your husband are happy with your life together the way it is. That's wonderful. Others can kiss your ***. You've worked hard to have the life you have, and you deserve to do what makes you happy. One day, a friend said to me.. 'i could never retire so young, i wouldn't know what to do with myself! What do you DO?" (She knows what i do.) I responded, 'well guess you better work forever then!' With a smile on my face.

Bhavya N said...

There have been moments when I have picked up fights for the most trivial of reasons. But then, its not my fault... I console myself by that sentence.

Bhavya from the AtoZ Challenge blogging at Just Another Blog

Sandra Tyler said...

If people ask me that they get a door slammed in their face.