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Wednesday, January 9, 2013

What I’m Gonna Do


What I’m Gonna Do

Here is a nice thing about getting old; there are so many less things for me to be jealous about. 

When I was younger I used to admire other peoples large beautiful homes.  Now I think how glad I am to not have to heat that mother, clean that bugger, and maintain that monstrous yard.

There was a time when I wished I had that big yacht to go cruising or fishing whenever I wanted.  Now I wince just thinking of the time and effort it takes to keep a boat running and seaworthy. 

I once wanted to learn to fly and own a plane.  Now I think, “What a lot of work.”

Back in the days when I desired stuff…stuff I could never afford, I had to settle for what I was “Gonna do.”

When anyone visited my house I would tell them what I was “gonna do.”  “Oh yes, the house is small, but I'm gonna blow out the kitchen to add an eat-in area, and put in all new restaurant quality appliances.  The master bed room is gonna look great when we add the walk-in closet which will set over the new recreation room we are gonna add off the dining room.  The grass in the back looks awful, but you will not even notice it after we put in the pool and patio.  As soon as we get the time we are gonna do all that and more.”

People were never impressed with my house, but they thought the stuff we were “gonna do” was terrific.

There was a time when I was gonna own a house at the shore, on the bay side, with a dock and a 32 footer (those really big boats were too much trouble.)

I was gonna have a plane so I could play a different golf course every weekend…when I had the time.  Oh yea, I was gonna start playing golf again and get my game down to a 10 handicap.

I was gonna do all these things as soon as I had the time (and the money.) It seems I never had the time (or the money.)  Now that I am retired and have the time, I just do not have the desire or the inclination (or the money) for any of those things.

Mrs. C and I are perfectly happy with our two bedroom town house.  Yard maintenance is done for us.  When it snows, the walks and the driveway are shoveled by elves.  We have a community pool which we seldom use, and tennis courts which we never us.  The town house is just the right size; were not gonna do anything to it.

We enjoy our little vacation trips, going out to dinner and watching TV.  Then there are grandchildren.  I have five.  I am very proud of them all.  Tommy is gonna be a lawyer, Halley is gonna be a ballet dancer unless she becomes a Senator, Graham is gonna be a doctor, Cole is gonna be a major league baseball player and Connor is gonna be an architect.

Gonna be pretty impressive don’t cha think?

11 comments:

  1. Right there with you Cranky! If my wishes had come through back when I wished for those same things you mentioned, I'd have been absolutely miserable. I'm completely happy with as little as I have today. By choice. ;)

    S

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  2. Ah yes, we can move our goals to those who follow. Good luck to them all.

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  3. You're a bit older than I am, Cranky. I still have things I'm gonna do. I don't know what my 5 grandkids are gonna do, but I know it will be amazing!

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  4. Your housing situation sounds similar to ours. We also live in a town home, having given up the big house a few years back. But I do envy you your grandchildren. Our son and only child keeps dating but can't seem to find the "right one." He's now thirty-two and I'm beginning to wonder if the "right one" will ever come along.

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  5. Oh, I am a dedicated practitioner of the 'gonna do'. I was 'gonna' add on to our old house - add a bedroom, finish the attic, etc, etc, etc. 'Cuz, y'see, we just kept having kids; when we had seven of 'em in a house that could comfortably fit four, my wife finally said forget it, we need a bigger house. So we moved. We've actually made some nice improvements to the new place, but it was a real fixer-upper when we bought it.

    Dang, now I suppose I'll have to write about that someday. . .

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  6. I had the house and the yard just last year. It was huge and a pain to maintain and expensive. Now I live in a little trailor that comfy, my kids are closer, we spend more time together as a family and to be honest with you I have never been happier. When we do move it will NEVER be to one of those monster places. I like my life. I have learned contentment with less and found it more. So good for you for realizing that it's all just stupid expensive stuff that really would just make you miserable anyway. :)

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  7. Being rich does NOT make you happy! That being said, it IS nice to be able to hire someone to cry for you when you're upset (after they finish the yard work, of course)!

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  8. I remember your "Gonna Do" list and it was most impressive. Having said that I am even more impressed with "what I have done" list!

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  9. I'm gonna clean my house one of these days, then I'm gonna write a book. Not about cleaning the house, of course.

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  10. I'm at a different life stage to you, but in the same state of realisation.

    My little house just needs a cat run and a driveway that goes all the way to the shed... and then I am done.

    Glad you are enjoying what you've got in the way you want. Those snow elves are seriously impressive!

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