| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| cabinmoose |
Posted - Aug 06 2007 : 07:17:22 AM
Ok I am wondering for those who work outside the home, what do you do? Why do you do it? What do you love about it? What do you dislike about it?
If you could create your own dream job, what would it be? Why?
I am doing some soul searching and just curious what others do? Why and what they love or dislike about it?
Hugs,
Lorna
Forest Hill, MD
“I laugh, I love, I hope, I try, I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry.
And I know you do the same things too, So we're really
not that different, me and you.” ~Colin Raye |
| 19 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Fire-aunt |
Posted - Aug 14 2007 : 10:49:53 PM
Hi Lorna,I am new to the farmgirls.While my kids were small i did day care for 16 years. Now i work out of the house (for the past 14years) at a dental office.I work two days a week at the dental office as a manager and i quilt the rest of the week. I like working in the dental office so i can afford to quilt the rest of the week. Quilting is what i love to do in my free time.I have sold a few and made alot for my family.My grandaughter thinks everyone i make is her favorite lol...and she thinks she needs them ALL!
Aunt Debbie |
| blueroses |
Posted - Aug 08 2007 : 10:15:24 AM
i've worked outside the home too except when my girls were babies and young toddlers. would've rather stayed home , but ex didn't seem capable of being responsible and couldn't even hold up his share of income. i've always worked as an insurance agent or in financial/investing positions. is it my dream job? no- but i know i'm good at it and i really care about helping folks. i'm not just a sales type. both my dh & i work outside the home now, but saving to one day retire (young - i hope) and tend the land and do what makes us truly happy.
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
| Annab |
Posted - Aug 07 2007 : 03:54:11 AM
I have been an animal keeper since 1989 and have had the privelage to have worked from East coast to West.
I'm now here in NC and have permanently called this place home.
I love being outsideevery day, being able to do heavy manual labor...the heavier and sweatier, the better, and of course working with and around the animals. The best parts are watching animals being born and caring for them if the mothers reject them. The zoo I worked out West at the time did not have a neonate center, so all babies had to be taken home for 'round the clock feedings. I know all about getting up at all hours to "plug in" a tiny gazelle or exotic kitten. One of my favorite pictures is of my cat nose to nose with a 2 day old gazelle.
Sometimes just the beaucracy and red tape gets me down. You would think that with just plants and poop (Horticulture and animal stuff) there wouldn't be much to debate...but believe me. You wouldn't believe the politics, and all the WASTING of resources!! It's our mission to pass along consevation messages, but just this summer, you can see big pretty 4x4 Dodge trucks being driven all over the park. Our boss just got one and we can't use it for ANYTHING! We'd have benifitted much better by purchasing a dump bed. This zoo is run by the state of NC. 'Nuff said. Other zoos are often times non profit or city run. Each has its good and weak points.
I am working my dream job and am eagerly awaiting news on a promotion.
We do hobby farming at home. I would love to slightly increase my chicken flock to maybe 30 and get serious about selling eggs outside the zoo. Same for my jellies and jams, although unprecictable seasonal changes and berry loss keep this a small time endeavor. The fields where I pick balckberries aren't ours so the threat of being sold or plowed under is always on my mind. (The fields have been untended for nearly 8 years and the old men who own them no longer can tend the ground or get there convenieltly since it's all land locked.) In a perfect world, I'd seek out the owners and make them an offer they couln't refuse. Meantime, new raspberry plants have taken off much to my surprise and i'm looking forward to getting more in the Spring. Hopefully they will start making enough for some raspberry preserves!
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| Runbikegrrl |
Posted - Aug 07 2007 : 03:26:27 AM
Great question...I noticed lots of us are in "helping professions"...wonder if that's a farmgirl trait. I have ALWAYS worked....my full-time jobs have been in the non-profit sector. I was the director of a small organization for 9 years. Got sick of the stress of meeting the budget year after year (sometimes it was month to month). I am now program coordinator for Home Share a program that matches elderly and disabled with folks who are looking for a low cost way to live....meets the needs of both. In some cases it's a pure barter. Sometimes if a senior needs lots of help the younger person actually gets paid to live with them and sometimes if the senior just wants some companionship the younger person pays a small bit of rent. Great program I love the work I do. I have also worked as a waldorf teacher, a assistant mid-wife (home birth), bartender (part-time for 12 years) and chef.
"So many interests so little time!"
http://lovelifelivegrrl.blogspot.com/ |
| Cheryl |
Posted - Aug 06 2007 : 6:11:13 PM
I also, out of the home. I work at the Cancer Center of the local hospital. I am their tumor registrar. To put it into a nut shell I code, report and track cancer patients. I love my job. I know that no matter how bad my day gets it's nothing compared to what some of the patients deal with. I have learned to live each day at a time.
I have been working full time for 27yrs. I have be playing with the idea of retiring in a few years. I would stay home and be crafty! There are also a few organizations I would volunteer at.
Cheryl :) |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Aug 06 2007 : 6:10:32 PM
I work part time as a substitute teacher at the elementary school. I LOVE my job!! It is wonderful to be able to say no if I have other things going on, but can count on working as many days as I want usually. And..it is at the school my youngest kids attend. This will be my last year with kids there (the last 2 will be 5th graders this year and 6th grade is when middle school begins here) I love that I never have to work on school holidays, get to go to assemblies and fun stuff, and KNOW all the teachers and what goes on at the school at all times. I have always volunteered alot...so this was a natural progression for me. I won't be going to subbing at the middle school next year..I will stay with the elementary school for sure.
Over the years I worked at home doing child care for many years..full time..and loved that at the time...I am not set up for it right now, but would do it again if I needed to. I do love to work with kids alot.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Past Blessings |
Posted - Aug 06 2007 : 6:01:54 PM
I guess I "sort of" work outside the home, but it is the best of all worlds. I have done antique shows for the past few years, but am taking a break from that at the moment, but am still doing "Past Blessings Junk Warehouse" sales every few weeks (the goal is to average about 1 per month) at a little old garage in Spokane. It is fun and allows me to be creative and yet do it on my own time frame. I also do the production for our Real Estate Guide (one of the free monthly publications you pick up at grocery stores, gas stations, etc.) This is not my dream job (in fact I really dislike it!) but my husband hasn't found anyone else willing to work for free! LOL! Someday I hope we can hire someone to replace me.
Brenda
Past Blessings . . . Celebrating Life as it used to be . . . when people loved God, loved their families and loved their country. |
| therealshari |
Posted - Aug 06 2007 : 5:50:00 PM
My situation is a little different... I'm part of a group of "Country Girls"... kind of a modern-day version of "The Golden Girls".
I don't personally work outside the home, as it's my "job" to take care of the animals (horses, sheep, chickens) and to create our "online markets" for products such as our black Merino fleece.
Cindy works for a neighboring farm, so she can learn as much as possible about organic farming. She has been a commercial pilot, police officer and dock superintendent at "Put In Bay, Ohio".
Bev drives the local Senior Citizen bus part-time. She's a retired police officer, and is a cancer survivor.
Mom is totally retired.
Both Bev and Cindy work to pay our bills. What I earn goes to improving our little plot, and to help feed the animals.
I personally (being single) have been an employee, a manager, and a business owner.
We all do what we do because we're tired of the rat-race and felt that if we were going to "work ourselves to death" it would be on our own terms.
Shari Thomas
farmer, web copywriter, blogger
Shari's Gone Country
Vote for me at "Blog for a year" |
| Pearlsnjeans |
Posted - Aug 06 2007 : 5:05:38 PM
I have worked outside my home for...ever (sometimes it feels like it). I work for a major utilility in the apprentice training program. What I like...being around people, the steady income and benefits; these have been necessary while raising my boys. What I don't like...the long commute every day and corporate politics. Like Jonni, I recently took a week off to get some things done around the house. It was great to get up, sew a little, read a little, sew a little more, fix a snack. It was surprising how much I got done, but it was also very relaxing. Would love to be able to always be that way!
Vicki
who says Farmgirls aren't elegant |
| mkmomus |
Posted - Aug 06 2007 : 4:11:24 PM
What a great question Lorna!
I teach computer programming at a community college. What I love is the students (well not ALL of them). I love showing them something they didn't know. I can actually see that light bulb go on! That is the best part. I also love to talk to them. There are so many who's heads are screwed on straight. They know it's not all about money. And speaking of money, I love the paycheck and benifits. Pay is not great, but I do have a pretty good schedule and I don't work summers.
What I don't like is all the politics and red tape. The suckups always get the good stuff and the rest of us are left with you know what. It has been pretty bad for a few years because of bosses. Seems it's a man's world there. But, this too shall pass.
My dream job would be animals and crafts. I don't know what but I woud love it. I love to be home and get together and yak it up with the gals while making crafts. I just love animals but to late for me to be a vet.
Merle |
| sherone_13 |
Posted - Aug 06 2007 : 4:06:08 PM
I work as an office manager for a natural gas production plant. I have always worked outside the home. I often wish for a simpler life, but can't seems to get off the employment track. They pay me waaayyyy too good. :o)
Sherone
www.taylorscountrystore.etsy.com
http://sheronesgarden.tripod.com/
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| gateway girl |
Posted - Aug 06 2007 : 3:06:11 PM
I'm an armed guard for a large corporation. I have never wanted to wear a gun on my hip for any reason but circumstances forced me to seek a better paying job. I had a mentally disabled husband and 4 kids at home. I went from working in nursing homes as a CNA to a prison guard to where I am now. I've been here now going on 18 years. The first husband died in 2000, the kids are grown and here I am. The only good thing about this job is I met my soulmate here 5 years ago, married him 4 years ago, and the pay here is excellent. I do regret having to work and leave my kids to be raised more or less by their Dad, but someone had to bring in some money and most of the time I was working 2 jobs to keep us going. That is my major regret but my kids survived and they love me and know I only did what I had to do, for us.
I'm hoping to start my dream life soon which will be retiring with my husband in 3 years. He is a blacksmith by trade and I'm just full of crafts. I'm adding blacksmithing and soon glassblowing to my craft abilities. We are working towards "getting off the grid" and organic gardening. We only have 3 acres and it's all wooded except for the pond which we will be filling in and building a larger smithy for my husband and a good sized garden for me. I can't wait! Life is Good!
Shari
Life is a chain of moments of enjoyment, it's not just about survival. Live every second to it's fullest!
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| janetinva123 |
Posted - Aug 06 2007 : 09:44:50 AM
I used to be a computer specilist with the fed government until i became ill that left me with a mild brain injury. so i retired early and have a small pension. I now depend on my craft business to make ends meet.
Jc
http://beloved-creations.blogspot.com
http://beloved-creations.com |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Aug 06 2007 : 08:57:03 AM
My day job is a k-12 Art Teacher. I truely enjoy what I do but it is not where I want to be forever. On the side I am running my crafting business mainly through my website www.willowtreecreek.com. My goal would be to eventually quit teaching and do crafting and homemaking full time. Since I have LOADS of college debt to pay off it will be a few years!
Felt and Fabric Crafts
www.willowartist.etsy.com
www.willowtreecreek.com
BLOG
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com |
| Sarah Blue |
Posted - Aug 06 2007 : 08:52:40 AM
I've always worked outside the home. I'm a case manager for homeless youth who are trying to get on their own two feet and out of the cycle they've been stuck in. I really enjoy my job and enjoy the income. I have a great boss and co-workers. The agency I work for is very family oriented, offers great benefits, and gave me amazing flexibility when I was experiencing a family crisis and needed a lot of time off. I commute though, 45 minutes each way, and I feel like so much of my life is wasting away when what I really want to do is be here on the ranch, but I can't afford it. While part of me thinks we could stay home and support ourselves with a diversified little farm, a practical/negative side of me always reminds that it would be non-stop work and no profit. Until I can come up with a better plan, I feel stuck working full time in town.
"i believe in god, only i spell it nature." - frank lloyd wright
http://www.myspace.com/svgrrrl |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Aug 06 2007 : 08:31:46 AM
I worked outside the home when my youngest was in high school, after being a SAHM for over 20 years. Although I loved my job (I was a home visiting family development specialist for immigrant and refugee families), it was the biggest mistake I ever made, concerning my son. His whole life changed when there was noone home after school. Got into some major trouble that I don't believe would have happened if there had been more accountability in his life. |
| RachelLeigh |
Posted - Aug 06 2007 : 08:00:48 AM
I also work outside the home. I am Human Resources Generalist for an auto parts manufacturer. It's certainly not my dream job, that's for sure. I don't mind it at all because I'm a people person and in my job, I interact with every single associate we have. I start working on my Masters of Science in Management in two weeks and I hope, SOMEDAY, to own my own handcrafted crafts/gifts/organic food store........ SOMEDAY! Working is a requirement...we have bills out the wazooooo!
my blog: http://catholiccountrygirl.wordpress.com |
| La Patite Ferme |
Posted - Aug 06 2007 : 07:54:06 AM
Lorna,
I have worked outside the home for the last six years, out of necessity since my divorce rather than desire. Prior to that I was a stay at home mom with a full day of child, animals, gardens, volunteer work etc.
Today, I am a Development Director for a non-profit in our area. Fancy title for fundraiser. I can't say I love it, but I do enjoy the challenge and meeting all kinds of new people; and of course the paycheck. What I don't like is the constant poverty mentality that most people in non-profits have. I tend to be a very creative positive "can do" sorta person and to hear, everyday, we can't because... is a real downer. I also had to give up most of my clubs and activities that I enjoyed attending because they fall during working hours.
The thing that bothers me the most is the feeling I am short changing my daughter. When I didn't work I attended all her activities and we did all kinds of projects together. Now, I have to juggle when I'd prefer to be with her. On the positive side I made it perfectly clear that I was not going to turn my child into a latchkey kid just to take this new job. So far it's worked out, even though the Executive Director would rather I be there 24/7. I was off about 12 Fridays over the spring and early summer so DD could show her lambs. And, today we are leaving for our county fair for a week.
It's little ironic in a way, because I work for a youth organization trying to give kids positive reinforcement and hope for the future and they don't understand how important it is for me to be involved with my daughter. Go figure.
If I could create my own job it would be do what I have to accomplish today then stop. If that means working until 10 am or 10pm fine because not everyday will be the same. I could work late if there was something I wanted to do during the day. As long as I got my job do it would be fine.
My sis gave me a book "the 4 hour work week", which I'm reading now. I'm going to try to incorporate some of the ideas into my day.
Even with all that, I'd rather be at home doing my thing rather than having to fit it in around my job. I don't want to wait until I retire to live my life the way I want to.
Hope this helps Lorna. It's a tough decision.
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| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Aug 06 2007 : 07:35:02 AM
Hey Lorna--
This is an interesting question since I just returned from a week's vacation of hanging around my house and doing whatever I felt like (baking bread, taking long meandering day trips through rural Kentucky, gardening, canning, etc..)...
I do work outside the home (and inside the home when I return)...I'm a paralegal and work at a nice, small law firm. What I like: steady income and benefits, fast paced changing work environment, great boss. What I don't like: working 40 hour weeks, and trying to cram "fun" into two days on the weekend.
I also noted, while out and about in stores and various towns this past week, how many women and men DON'T work, or work from home and have flexibility. I was fairly jealous the first part of the week, and by the end, determined to make a change for me.
My ideal job would be having a small farmette, and going to college to become a large animal vet. We have a deficiency of them in the state, and if ONLY I'd been smarter as a younger woman, I wouldn't be starting so late!!!
"She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian. |
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