Where I'm At
Soul searching and wants.29 total reviews
Comment from Rachelle Allen
So, you're on a mission to be cranky, day in and day out, for two more years? What do you think THAT will do for your mental and physical health? And retirement? I have yet to see anyone IMPROVE with that state of being. Usually, it makes people go down the poop shoot. Without a time line, lives become complacent, and motivation evaporates. Without something specific to do, there's no rush to do anything. Purpose? What's that?
In everything you do in this life, Gretchen Hargis, you have the option to choose joy or choose misery. Whyever in the world would you choose Door Number Two? And you're right: you have NO IDEA when your number's up. What if it's the same day you retire? Then you'd have wasted your last two years of life being miserable, anticipating joy. Like, HUH? You're SOOO much smarter than that!! Since you don't have any clue when that metaphoric number is up, you do yourself AND YOUR LOVED ONES (include me in that group, please...) a disservice if you're miserable even one day! Why rob us of you being joyous? Why torture us having to know you're not happy? If you die miserable, that's DOUBLE the pain for us. You don't want to leave us knowing that, do you?
Time for a re-route of your observation station, Missy! Use your talents --writing and art-- to help you choose joy. Instead of "Today, I have to," think, "Today I GET to..." Start with being grateful that you ARE in relatively good health. "Today I get to go to work and make money...something I would not be able to do if I had a debilitating disease." "Today, while I'm at work, I get to think about my next art project. So I'll be getting paid while thinking about ways to engage my talents later on."
You are responsible for your happiness and contentment in this life, Gretchen. Would you tell ME to just be content to be miserable for the next two years? There's no WAY you would do that. So why would you do less for your own self?
I'm just going to nag and cajole the living hell out of you from now on until you get back on the Living Life For The Sake Of Enjoyment bandwagon. No one in my sphere of loved ones gets left behind to wallow on my watch. Sorry. You have a responsibility, as my beloved friend, to be engaged in happiness.
Now get freaking to it. I'm watching...and I'm formidable. (This is not news to you.) xoxoxoxox
reply by the author on 21-Sep-2023
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So, you're on a mission to be cranky, day in and day out, for two more years? What do you think THAT will do for your mental and physical health? And retirement? I have yet to see anyone IMPROVE with that state of being. Usually, it makes people go down the poop shoot. Without a time line, lives become complacent, and motivation evaporates. Without something specific to do, there's no rush to do anything. Purpose? What's that?
In everything you do in this life, Gretchen Hargis, you have the option to choose joy or choose misery. Whyever in the world would you choose Door Number Two? And you're right: you have NO IDEA when your number's up. What if it's the same day you retire? Then you'd have wasted your last two years of life being miserable, anticipating joy. Like, HUH? You're SOOO much smarter than that!! Since you don't have any clue when that metaphoric number is up, you do yourself AND YOUR LOVED ONES (include me in that group, please...) a disservice if you're miserable even one day! Why rob us of you being joyous? Why torture us having to know you're not happy? If you die miserable, that's DOUBLE the pain for us. You don't want to leave us knowing that, do you?
Time for a re-route of your observation station, Missy! Use your talents --writing and art-- to help you choose joy. Instead of "Today, I have to," think, "Today I GET to..." Start with being grateful that you ARE in relatively good health. "Today I get to go to work and make money...something I would not be able to do if I had a debilitating disease." "Today, while I'm at work, I get to think about my next art project. So I'll be getting paid while thinking about ways to engage my talents later on."
You are responsible for your happiness and contentment in this life, Gretchen. Would you tell ME to just be content to be miserable for the next two years? There's no WAY you would do that. So why would you do less for your own self?
I'm just going to nag and cajole the living hell out of you from now on until you get back on the Living Life For The Sake Of Enjoyment bandwagon. No one in my sphere of loved ones gets left behind to wallow on my watch. Sorry. You have a responsibility, as my beloved friend, to be engaged in happiness.
Now get freaking to it. I'm watching...and I'm formidable. (This is not news to you.) xoxoxoxox
Comment Written 20-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 21-Sep-2023
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We are sorely under staffed. I'm starting to make mistakes. I would like to go to part-time. Financially, I can't go cold turkey. I'll work on my attitude, Miss Bossypants. Lol. Gretchen
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HAHAHAHAHA!!! It is my birthright as a Jewish female!!
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
Try looking for part time jobs. I was a substitute teacher until it took a security guard, the school psychologist, and the principal to save a kid who climbed nine feet up a wall and was screaming. And all the little girls were crying. I do a little work at a museum teaching children about Native Americans, wild animals, dinosaurs, and other subjects. Hubby and I have a few rental units we bought and fixed up in our fifties and sixties, but you have to do all the fixing work yourself to make money at it. You are such a good writer you might be able to get a local newspaper to buy a column you write, maybe about drug interactions, identifying your kids illegal drugs, etc. Or more in-depth coverage on local festivals and clubs. We are creative people, get creative. I can certainly identify with your feeling but at 77, and no one thought I would live through childhood, I take each day as a gift. Best of luck with your future. SS doesn't get much better if you wait longer.
reply by the author on 21-Sep-2023
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Try looking for part time jobs. I was a substitute teacher until it took a security guard, the school psychologist, and the principal to save a kid who climbed nine feet up a wall and was screaming. And all the little girls were crying. I do a little work at a museum teaching children about Native Americans, wild animals, dinosaurs, and other subjects. Hubby and I have a few rental units we bought and fixed up in our fifties and sixties, but you have to do all the fixing work yourself to make money at it. You are such a good writer you might be able to get a local newspaper to buy a column you write, maybe about drug interactions, identifying your kids illegal drugs, etc. Or more in-depth coverage on local festivals and clubs. We are creative people, get creative. I can certainly identify with your feeling but at 77, and no one thought I would live through childhood, I take each day as a gift. Best of luck with your future. SS doesn't get much better if you wait longer.
Comment Written 20-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 21-Sep-2023
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Thank you so much. I've still got a while to go. Gretchen
Comment from Annmuma
This is just so honest and touches my heart. I can identify with every word you. No one can tell you what to do, but I urge you to follow your heart. Don't leave things unsaid or undone that you want to say and/or do. That, of course, is so much easier said than done!!!! Living in the 'now' is a goal that I have and it's almost always just on the edge. I once saw cartoon that illustrated living in the now: This guy had fallen off a cliff; about a third of the way down, he grabbed a plant root extending from side of cliff; it was slowly becoming dislodged. He looked to the other side and saw some beautifully ripe berries.. He reached for one and enjoyed its sweet juice as he waited for whatever happened next. I try to keep that picture in mind as reminder not to miss the good stuff all around me while I have little control over the mundane,
Great writing. ann
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2023
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This is just so honest and touches my heart. I can identify with every word you. No one can tell you what to do, but I urge you to follow your heart. Don't leave things unsaid or undone that you want to say and/or do. That, of course, is so much easier said than done!!!! Living in the 'now' is a goal that I have and it's almost always just on the edge. I once saw cartoon that illustrated living in the now: This guy had fallen off a cliff; about a third of the way down, he grabbed a plant root extending from side of cliff; it was slowly becoming dislodged. He looked to the other side and saw some beautifully ripe berries.. He reached for one and enjoyed its sweet juice as he waited for whatever happened next. I try to keep that picture in mind as reminder not to miss the good stuff all around me while I have little control over the mundane,
Great writing. ann
Comment Written 20-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2023
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Thank you so much. This review made my night. Gretchen
Comment from JT traveller
I hear you, Gretchen. My husband and I will be celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary in November. When we married in 2000, I was 25. He was 49. We were both doctors and we planned to retire early and spend as much time together as we could. He worked for 10 years, myself 13. We have been retired since 2013. It was hard. We had tough decisions to make. No kids, no pets, no debts. We did it and are now living the life we dreamt about. You can do it too. Just decide. We never know how long we have. Great read. Thank you for sharing. Jacqui xx
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2023
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I hear you, Gretchen. My husband and I will be celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary in November. When we married in 2000, I was 25. He was 49. We were both doctors and we planned to retire early and spend as much time together as we could. He worked for 10 years, myself 13. We have been retired since 2013. It was hard. We had tough decisions to make. No kids, no pets, no debts. We did it and are now living the life we dreamt about. You can do it too. Just decide. We never know how long we have. Great read. Thank you for sharing. Jacqui xx
Comment Written 20-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2023
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Thank you, Jacqui. I'm trying to get some things squared away. I write, Paint, work full time at the pharmacy and have an antique booth. Not a lot of down time. Not complaining, just tired. I know one thing, I can't go on much longer. Gretchen
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Oh Gretchen. You definitely need some "me" time. Prioritise what is important and brings you joy. It took me a long time to learn how to say no. Take care, Jacqui xx
Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose
I think that if we lived closer we would be best friends. I love the way you write and your sense of humor. Laughter is so important for a happy life. I remember laughing so hard ith my sister .... I peed myself or when we went to the beach laughing hard because the waves pushed us down under and almost drowned in two feet of water.
I laughed a lot with my last husband and with a friend.
Anyway... I got sidetracked... retirement and hating work.
I had my share of jobs I hated but also jobs I loved, like teaching and social work for homeless people or victims of rape or molest.
I think you know I'm bipolar. For many years I refused to take medication and ended up in mental hospitals several times so eventually I couldn't work anymore.. I went on disability when I was close to 60 years old. I'm 65 now. Luckily I have enough money to live comfortably.
Now I take medication and live with my family. Life is good.
Well done. I loved it.
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2023
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I think that if we lived closer we would be best friends. I love the way you write and your sense of humor. Laughter is so important for a happy life. I remember laughing so hard ith my sister .... I peed myself or when we went to the beach laughing hard because the waves pushed us down under and almost drowned in two feet of water.
I laughed a lot with my last husband and with a friend.
Anyway... I got sidetracked... retirement and hating work.
I had my share of jobs I hated but also jobs I loved, like teaching and social work for homeless people or victims of rape or molest.
I think you know I'm bipolar. For many years I refused to take medication and ended up in mental hospitals several times so eventually I couldn't work anymore.. I went on disability when I was close to 60 years old. I'm 65 now. Luckily I have enough money to live comfortably.
Now I take medication and live with my family. Life is good.
Well done. I loved it.
Comment Written 20-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2023
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Thank you so much for the review and the extra star. But a special thanks for the personal review. I'm sure we could be friends. Living well through modern medicine. That's something we say at work. Gretchen
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
I feel for you Gretchen. Retirement is fantastic and I recommend it. The only problem is that if you can't afford it, then it could make you miserable. The alternative is to get a job with less hours and something you enjoy. I have been retired since 2010, it has been 13 years of bliss. Not having to answer to anyone else and having all my time to myself. I never seem to have enough hours to myself and I don't know how I managed to work at all back then.
I never take my situation for granted and I am never lazy and like to be productive every day. I sometimes give myself a day off on rare occasions. When you can do what you want with your days, they are precious and fly by quickly. I hope you can retired soon and enjoy your free time. This is a well written piece Gretchen. Your opening paragraph is magical, I adore your writing, you make everything sound interesting and you earned my last six of the week, love Dolly x x x
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2023
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I feel for you Gretchen. Retirement is fantastic and I recommend it. The only problem is that if you can't afford it, then it could make you miserable. The alternative is to get a job with less hours and something you enjoy. I have been retired since 2010, it has been 13 years of bliss. Not having to answer to anyone else and having all my time to myself. I never seem to have enough hours to myself and I don't know how I managed to work at all back then.
I never take my situation for granted and I am never lazy and like to be productive every day. I sometimes give myself a day off on rare occasions. When you can do what you want with your days, they are precious and fly by quickly. I hope you can retired soon and enjoy your free time. This is a well written piece Gretchen. Your opening paragraph is magical, I adore your writing, you make everything sound interesting and you earned my last six of the week, love Dolly x x x
Comment Written 20-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2023
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Thank you. This was such a lovely review. I'm happy you are enjoying your retirement. I hope to join you soon. Lol. Gretchen
Comment from Ric Myworld
I guess we all look back and don't particularly like the paths we've taken. I spent my whole life chasing what I was programmed to believe was important, missing out on everything that should have been. I worked from 3:30 every morning until late at night, seven days a week. Then, I set the ex for life and walked off with the clothes on my back. I retired after my second broken neck. Then, within months, was pulling my hair out. LOL. I hope you find what makes you happy and gives you a break from the grind. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2023
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I guess we all look back and don't particularly like the paths we've taken. I spent my whole life chasing what I was programmed to believe was important, missing out on everything that should have been. I worked from 3:30 every morning until late at night, seven days a week. Then, I set the ex for life and walked off with the clothes on my back. I retired after my second broken neck. Then, within months, was pulling my hair out. LOL. I hope you find what makes you happy and gives you a break from the grind. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 20-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2023
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Two broken necks? Yikes. That's scary. Glad you woke up before it was too late. I'm sure I would work part-time. I get a lot of characters from the pharmacy. Lol. Thank you, again. Gretchen
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Oh, I understand everything you were saying. Sometimes it's just time for a change. And I'm sure dealing with characters in the public is a chore. LOL.
Comment from LJbutterfly
Hahaha! You make me glad I'm older than you and already retired. But, three years after retirement, I went back to work in a different type of fun job of my choice. I understand how you feel, wanting to be off EVERY day to decide what YOU want to do. Yes, the pay sucks, but it's not so bad if you have a pension plan in addition to Soc. Security. Until your retirement, fully enjoy weekends and days off.
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2023
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Hahaha! You make me glad I'm older than you and already retired. But, three years after retirement, I went back to work in a different type of fun job of my choice. I understand how you feel, wanting to be off EVERY day to decide what YOU want to do. Yes, the pay sucks, but it's not so bad if you have a pension plan in addition to Soc. Security. Until your retirement, fully enjoy weekends and days off.
Comment Written 20-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2023
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Thank you. This time of year is always hell. Immunizations all day on top of our other duties. Gretchen
Comment from w.j.debi
Such honesty. I love it. I was planning on working until October 2026, but with the passing of my father I've had to become caretaker for my mom. I thought I had the perfect job working from home and moving in to take care of her. She requires more attention than I counted on. I quit my job and was planning on finding something part time. I'm finding the longer I look the more I don't want to. Living off savings for the moment, but I am enjoying life a lot more and getting to appreciate my mom.
Laughing at your statement about doctors and drugs. I have followed that same strategy myself after seeing my parents take prescriptions only to have side effects that required more prescriptions.
Anyway, I'm happier than I've been in a while, feeling healthier, a bit worried about the finances, but it's working out.
Best of luck in your decision. All I can say is do what is right for you. And good luck with the lottery.
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2023
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Such honesty. I love it. I was planning on working until October 2026, but with the passing of my father I've had to become caretaker for my mom. I thought I had the perfect job working from home and moving in to take care of her. She requires more attention than I counted on. I quit my job and was planning on finding something part time. I'm finding the longer I look the more I don't want to. Living off savings for the moment, but I am enjoying life a lot more and getting to appreciate my mom.
Laughing at your statement about doctors and drugs. I have followed that same strategy myself after seeing my parents take prescriptions only to have side effects that required more prescriptions.
Anyway, I'm happier than I've been in a while, feeling healthier, a bit worried about the finances, but it's working out.
Best of luck in your decision. All I can say is do what is right for you. And good luck with the lottery.
Comment Written 20-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2023
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Thank you so much. It will work out if it's meant to. Gretchen
Comment from John Ciarmello
You'll make it, Gretchen! It will amaze you what kind of money you can get by on when you put your mind to it. Especially if it has to do with until death-do-us-part-FREEDOM!
If you feel like that at work then it's time! Best, JohnC
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2023
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You'll make it, Gretchen! It will amaze you what kind of money you can get by on when you put your mind to it. Especially if it has to do with until death-do-us-part-FREEDOM!
If you feel like that at work then it's time! Best, JohnC
Comment Written 20-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2023
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Thanks, John. I'll probably go to part time next year. I'll make it. Gretchen