About Me

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Recent retiree--35 year's experience teaching reading, English, adult basic education and volunteer leadership skills. Started this blog to exchange ideas and commentary with friends and others having an interest in joining the discussions. Greatest life accomplishments include: 1.organized my 3rd grade class to check out library books for me to get around librarian's weekly limit--Amazon.com, the Mullins Elementary 3rd Grade Class of 1956 is still waiting for "thank you" notes; 2. volunteered in the Peace Corps, island of St. Kitts, West Indies; 3.taught adults to read, earn their GEDs., and speak English as a second language; 4. bought a border collie puppy for $6, got evicted rather than give him up, and began a life-long love affair with all things "Dog"; 5. joined a physical fitness boot camp in my mid-50s--don't mess with someone who's been doing regulation pushups in wet grass at 5:30 a.m.; 6. walked across Northern England with best friend Sally--over 80 miles from the Irish to North Seas; and 7. travelled to many foreign countries for pleasure and work.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Fun Monday -- Reality doesn't Bite

Our host for this week's Fun Monday is the DIY Queen Sayre over at Sayre Smiles . Today she's handing out DIY fantasies, allowing us to live any way we want--what would our home look like? where would it be? who would we share it with? how would we spend our time? Well Sayre, at my age things are pretty good as they are. However, since it's not good to pass up a fantasy at any age, here's a couple of changes I'd make:

I've lived in a little white frame house built in the late 50s for the past 25 years. It is a functional but not very soul satisfying place. The house is on Summit Court, a little cul de sac where the neighbors go about their own business but can be counted on in emergencies like when we have a storm or need a dog sitter.

The house sits on a corner lot which means there's entirely too much lawn to mow. Over the years I've let what was once a very nicely landscaped lot with good trees, shrubs and flower beds get away from me. Now, with spring just coming on, I am dreading the months of mowing and weeding while still not having a place that's pleasant for outdoor living. So, with Sayre's permission, I got on the Internet and found this little jewel of an English cottage. Love the house color, small size, the paned windows and entrance with personality plus. And then there's the ivy covered walls around the yard and lovely shade trees. I'm also imagining that there will be a pleasant porch in the back of the house where Willie and I can sit and read while looking out over a small flowering garden.


When you step in the front door of my English cottage, this is what you'll see for my living space. It will be one huge room filled with low tech but functional appliances and old-fashioned furniture in sunny colors. My current home is broken up into many rooms which is a great waste of space since it's only Willie and me living here. We prefer to hang together in the office/hidey hole so most of the house doesn't get used--or get a lot of attention. My decorating style is pared down with lots of earth toned colors. The places doesn't say much about my personality. In the past I've lived in small one-room spaces and I do love having everything right around me. Too many rooms are just a burden to keep up when I'd rather be doing other things.

What would we be doing in our fantasy life? This is where reality doesn't bite. I have a good retired life. I enjoy spending my days chatting with you through our blogs, watching good films, reading, visiting with close friends, learning new things--right now it's a knitting class--doing a bit of volunteer work. I'm always plotting the next travel adventure so a fantasy world would allow me to take off at any time--right now that would be Greece and Turkey--with no worries about expenses or responsibilities left back home. As for a life companion, Willie the pit bull is hard to beat. He keeps me company, gets me moving every day and makes me laugh with his antics.

So there you have it Sayre. My fantasy island. Which lucky for me is not too much different from reality. Be sure to check out Sayre's place for the list of other Fun Monday players who are looking to escape reality.

8 comments:

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

My fantasy place is in a gothic folly in the middle of a woods with a stream running nearby.

I've no idea why I picture myself in this place, because I live in a house built in the late 60s and am very happy here.

Jan n Jer said...

I am living my fantasy life right now. Been retired now for 12 yrs and want for nothing. Have the pleasure of family n friends near by, a house I love and a mate that is well suited for me. The best thing is relatively good health. Your fantasy Faye sounds a lot like mine. It really does come down to the simple things in life.

Jill said...

Sounds like there's some contentment going on here. I'm starting to know the feeling, they are setting our house tomorrow! yeah!

Sayre said...

Isn't it lovely when fantasy is so close to reality? You can always hire Armando the lawn man to trim your hedges, cut your grass and tend your beds. Then having such a large yard won't be such a hassle... Oops. My fantasy...

karisma said...

Oh I love your little cottage. I could see myself living somewhere like that too! :-)

Living Life said...

I would pick a cottage like the one in the photo too! At first, I thought it was your home! The ivy growing up the house is so cool. You seem very content with your life, Faye. You are truly happy.

Faye said...

debs--so you want to be Catherine Morland in Mansfield Park with all your gothic fancies? :-)

janis--yep, I think both our realities are pretty satisfying. Like you, I count good health at the top of the list.

jill--you'll be so surprised at how good it feels to be living in your own home.

sayre--Armando sounds very
"handy." I'm actually thinking about calling Mr. Reed (very capable but not as exciting as A) to mow the lawn this year. I "fired" him when retired thinking that I should save the money and get the exercise by doing the mowing myself.

karisma --yes, my fantasy cottage does not have garages for machines so you would be very happy in it. :-)

church lady--I'd love a house that is so settled into the landscape--not at all like the one I live in.

Gattina said...

When I saw the picture I thought what a lovely house she has, lol !
Houses can be changed and rooms too, so make your dream come true ! Start a dog collection, lol !