Do you work at home or commute? Are you retired? How do you spend your time?
I want to know.
Tell me about it! In detail, if you have time...
|
|
|
More by Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley |
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 71
Interesting question. What do you do?
I am a lady of leisure at the moment..LOL My hubby and I recently moved to Fla. I am a massage therapist but not licensed here yet. So right now I hang out and take care of my dogs. (3) The house and am trying to finish a novel and a screenplay. I also do some volunteer work.
Today I am going out to the airport at Lake Wales to take pics of my husband and the crew doing test jumps and barrell drops for the company calender. I am very excited and a little nervous since Chip (my husband) will be harnessed to barrells that weigh more than he does!! Yup...he's my TEST JUMP DUMMY!! LOL
I build websites when there's someone who wants one... haven't built a new one since July.
: (
I'm also a singer/songwriter but haven't been musically inclined lately.
I've been writing a novel which I intend to adapt as a screenplay when it's finished. Also, due to a suggestion I got in another comment thread on Gather, when I've finished all of the final edits on the novel, I'm going to turn it into an audiobook.
: )
I only wish I were doing something that could pay the bills more immediately... but for the time being my dh has been working some OT so we're okay. It's always feast or famine here!
Ana, what genre is your novel?
I think you already know, I am a retired owner/operator truck driver. I was unwillingly retired in 1996 due to heart failure and partial blindness from diabetes. So, the government elected to put me on disability rather than retrain me in a new occupation.
Since then my health has gotten slowly but progressively worse. I've had eleven surgeries for various things. 6 bypass heart surgery, two inquinal hernias and two surgeries on my right eye. To add to my incapacities I remarried for the third time in 2001. (just kiddin, I've got a great wife) Now she has acquired cancer and we are dealing with that. She has five great children (adults) and of course they have their problems that we have to deal with also. Now one of my sons has added to the mix with a serious problem. He had to have his wife picked up and put in protective custody due to problems with bi-polar. She went off the deep end threatening to kill herself and the baby (1 year old). He went to court yesterday and he was allowed to return to his house which he had temporarily been ordered to stay away. He also got custody of the baby and now my wife and I are going to watch the baby til he can arrange for a babysitter while he is working. He is a long haul truck driver and is gone on runs up to 48 hours at a time.
So you want to know what I do? lol. Oh....nothing much, just sit around and drink coffee and gatherize a bit and watch the world go by. No, actually I am a nervous wreck but so far have been able to keep my smile.
Bless you all for listening to all my smart aleck comments and my rantings and ravings.
I truly enjoy interacting with all gatherites even though most of you are just not "politically correct". :-)
Time for another cup of crank case oil.
Harrel! Will keep you in prayer and add your stepson's family! I'm glad we can provide some pleasure in your life. Can I have a cuppa? LOL
Barbara, are you in the process of writing or is your book ready for publication?
Now I guess I know I won't be going back to work as I will be caring for our new grandson while his mother goes back to work.
I did work all of my life. It could be time to just enjoy the grandchildren.
But if you can afford to live without earning income, God bless you! I hope you get to travel to all the places you have hopes of visiting.
: )
That's kind of why I stuck with Research Manager since there's just way too much to narrow it into one job title. I actually got into this business in an odd way. I was an assistant marketing manager for a home healthcare company and my current employer was our supplier for tradeshow items and doctor gifts. I got fed up with my old job and informed them they'd soon see someone else in my place since I was going to look for a new job. Before I could even update my resume, they asked me to come work for them instead. I have to say I've definitely found a niche and love my job. There is a lot of demand, sometimes working 50+ hours a week to get every client taken care of and working late into the night to accomodate the importers in China who are on a 12 hour time difference, but worth it. I really enjoy seeing a client's face light up when I present a product that is a perfect fit for them or pull off the impossible.
I posted another comment but for some reason it disappeared.
Barbara, we just might be kin. I was born in Murray a "coupla yars" ago. Most of my relatives are from western KY, Paducah, Benton, Calvert City. My cousins owned a reataurant in Cal City. Great fish. They called it Shirley's Plaza.
: )
Jessica, you really DO sound like you've found a perfect niche. Your job sounds like a lot of work... but work is much easier when you truly enjoy it!
Suze, you can do anything you want to. Sounds like you're pretty busy... but never say never! Tip: if you want to write a book, start with a small booklet about a topic you know extremely well.
; )
Debbie, I hope you feel better. I hate cleaning... so that's one of the first things I'd hire someone to do if I could afford it. However, I'm more likely to join your ranks as a housekeeper/maid etc. if I don't find work and push comes to shove!
Wow, Renda. That sounds like a success story to me! I bet your patients adore you.
: )
Suze, I transcribed some audio for someone a few months ago and got about $12/hour for my effort. Not bad sitting at home with no commuting costs... I'd consider doing more of it. Not sure about the MEDICAL transcribing though. Some of those doctors, when they talk into their tape recorders, talk SOOOOOO fast!
LaRue, you're right. If you enjoy it, it's no longer work. It's fun!
Harrel, your comment disappeared? How dare it! LOL... must have been a Gather glitch.
My grandfather's family (Shaw) was from Alexandria Ky... and on my mother's side I'm a Boone descendant. So I have some fairly deep roots in the state... love those horses!
I'm a writer thanks to becoming disabled! My body wasn't working but my mind still did so I returned to my childhood love of writing. My passion is writing plays, so far I've written 9 full-length and have had 3 read or staged. The most popular one is LUMPs which deals with the realities of cancer while women wait for their mammograms and the four men wait for the women getting the mammograms. I also write poetry, essays and I've begun my memoir.
Lets see making money--too bad you don't live in Kentucky Lydia because there is a wonderful granting agency--Kentucky Foundation for Women who give a number of grants to women with creative projects. I've been blessed to have one and have applied for another.
A bit of money comes in from my essays and my plays. But nothing to write home about. (pun intended).
I feel blessed to have the opportunity to write.
If anyone feels inclined I would be honored to have your vote in the downsize a room contest.
http://www.gather.com/viewImage.jsp?fileId=3096224744457371
: )
Trish, I hope to follow in your footsteps some day, with my plans being to spend my 50's exclusively on becoming a writer/producer/director and maybe even a little cameo acting. I'd love to have the talent of someone like Charlie Chaplin, but I think I'm too inhibited to ever be a convincing actress.
I should check to see what grants etc. are available here in Florida. Where would I look? Is there a website you'd recommend? Or am I better off going to the library?
: )
One of my books was spawned by the hurricanes we've had in recent years and some entrepreneurial ideas that can also benefit charities... but I guess I won't work on that 'til another hurricane deprives me of civilization's bounty and reminds me of the need, LOL
I published my novel, The House of Annon and got good reviews, my writing is fairly well received and I am especially proud of my Thinking About series.
I enjoy posting and commenting onGather.
Blessings All,
Mary Mc
This time of year I usually get business going to client's homes to decorate for them for the holidays but haven't done much marketing for myself this year because of my pulmonary embolism. It seems I just haven't had as much strength or energy for a few months now because of it so will suffice it to say that my home will probably be the only home that I decorate this year unless someone calls me up last minute.
Interesting question. Thanks for the heads up email!
We do commercial printing for mainly big companies like colleges, lawyers, recreation parks, other printers, brokers, etc. We have won many awards with the Printing Association, mostly Pink Flamingos which is equivalent to an Oscar in the printing industry. The job is very stressful, but am surrounded by great ppl and we are like a family here.
I been thinking I should write an article about the steps you should follow when you order a print job, many ppl have no idea what is involved.
On the side I also do crafts (all kinds) and flower arrangements, which a sell.
Also for years, I home schooled my son - from 4th through 12th grade. When I was doing that, his education became the big focus and I filled in by writing, sometimes working retail (once as a store manager - Hey, Ana, have you ever been to the GiftMill in Lake Hamilton on the highway? Is it Hwy. 27? That's where I was manager.) I was a marketing director for a restaurant/entertainment center - like a Chuck E Cheese only bigger. I've been church secretary. And I've published my own newsletter about being frugal (a snail-mail type).
When my son graduated, since I had been writing letters to the editor and guest columns for the local newspaper, they hired me. First I was editorial assistant, then community news editor.
Today, I write, but I cannot even think about doing something that requires short deadlines, or write on command. I never know if/when/how/how much the firbomyalgia symptoms will surface. :) I've tried volunteering in our church office, but I cannot be scheduled for a particular morning, 'cause I don't know if I can be available.
Life will surely be easier - financially, and therefore less stressful - if the government every decides that I'm disabled. Then, perhaps, I'll be able to write even more.
Meanwhile...you've reminded me that one of the projects I want to do is to write about every job I've had since I started working in 1970. Why? Well, I've had some interesting ones. Like I was the entire personnel department for Yellow Cab in Pittsburgh - when I was just 18-19 years old! I think we had about 600 cab drivers.
As I've talked with other fibro sufferers, I've discovered one similarity that I'm not sure researchers have considered. Most were very busy individuals, very driven, many were type A personalities. In fact, I've never met a single fibro patient who used to sit around and eat bon-bons. Most were sooooooo busy that being unable to do what they used to do is probably the real cause of depression in fibro folks.
Oh yeah. I am writing a book, but it's a difficult one. It's going to be a fictionalized version of my and other women's experiences in abusive relationships.
Esther, that sounds wonderful! I'm sorry to hear that you've been sick... is it something you picked up when you were in China? I hope not!
Decorating people's homes for the holidays isn't a bad idea... for people that are too feeble or busy I'm sure they'd be grateful to pay some young, strong folks to help. Hmmm!
Virginia, you should write that article. I have some friends in the neighborhood who are print brokers. I've tried to get THEM to come on Gather and post articles about guidelines for printing and how to manipulate your graphics prior to sending them for printing etc. and so on but their loss is your gain. Write away!
: )
Ginger, it's only boring if you think so. It sounds interesting to me! I like origami and old cars!
Fascinating stuff Marilyn. Have you applied for grants? Private charities are often easier to get money from than the government. Not that you can live for long on grant money but it might pay the bills while you prepare something for publication!
I have written 4 books that are ready for an agent to represent. One was published but without an agent and I got ripped off by a crooked publishing co. out of Salt Lake City, named Northwestern Publishing. One of my books will probably neve be published unless I am dead because it containg information that is highly classified. It concerns my own career in the military. Another is the true story of my youth that I wrote as fiction because no one will believe it in todays environment anyway. The other two are pure fiction but do have an element of truth as all good fiction must. I will not do the vanity, self publishing thing. If my work is good enough to print they can damn well pay me for the oportunity.
My main focus in life right now is working to get RON PAUL in the Oval Office. If anyone out there don't know why I do that they have not been paying attention.
: )
Have you seen the phonomenal fundraising the Ron Paul campaign has been doing?
I have discovered in the past few years a passion for taking pictures.
I'd like to find a way to earn extra money at home but not sure what to do about that.
; )
My experience as a grandmother has been wonderful. The love, kisses and hugs I get from them are balm for my soul and joy for my heart. It's the best thing in the world to know how much you are loved.
It's a great time of life.
Thanks for asking
God bless you all!
: )
I have what is called PPH or Primary Pulmonary Hypertension - a terminal lung disease. Then recently they diagnosed me with COPD, and my liver has started to fail, and get fat, and I also have high blood pressure that thankfully just got under control after my very first stroke....and I'm ONLY 47 years old....but they say my line of work was high risk and very stressful, although I loved it and thrived on the challenges it gave every day......so needless to say I stay home and do nothing...mostly sleep, read a few, go to doctor visits, and when I get well rested get on here and type my life away, becuase although my body is failing my brain is very active as it always was......so there you go...that is MY life. Oh and feeding my feral cat colony when I can, and watching my four act nuts and entertain me throughout the days. Were it not for my cats and my hubby I'd have died a long time ago....as it is they say I have about 5 years left...but what do they know huh. :)
I don't think I am staying sane. My collegues and I spend a ridiculous amount of time venting about her. I spend time looking for a new job.
When I'm not at work, I like to just hang out with my dog. Work takes so much energy right now, I don't want to do anything at the end of the day but sit and stare at the TV and play with the dog.
I was a SAHM about four years ago. Then, we got the bright idea to cash out of our house in the Denver area and head east out to "Middle of Nowhere", Kansas, and start our great real estate empire!
We went on a buying frenzy, and bought up a bunch of rental properties with not much down, and started fixing them up and rented them out. I was also using the local laundramat while we got our bearings, and found out it was for sale. I made a deal with the owner and bought it and proceeded to fix it up. I learned about putting a business plan together, and how to finance a business, and now, almost four years later, I'm still keeping it going. So, I manage my own rentals and I manage my own laundramat.
My husband was in remodeling when we moved here, but after Katrina, he decided to switch careers and become a catastrophy adjuster. I learned how to estimate damages and package claims. So now, I am his "virtual assistant" I learned how to do a lot of neat stuff on the internet last year, while I took a break from helping him, and worked as a virtual concierge for an online company that operates a virtual call center. The hours were too difficult because while hubby is away, I'm it for my kids, and we don't have school buses in town here (they are only for the kids in the country), so I had to pick them up from school every day, and I could not get the hr people to understand my needs...other than that it was fun.
I also volunteer with my church and I go to meetings....Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, PEO, etc. I love to be a "stage mom" when my kids have productions at school too.
I write in my spare time. I've never been paid for it yet, but someday, when the kiddos are grown and I can go on the road with hubby, I would like to be a "real" writer, and do freelance travel pieces.
Lots of ambition. Not enough time.
I send western unions, answer all the personal, and business phone calls, for our fellow employees (ummm, team members). I sell money orders, and collect the funds for a number of untility companies. I handle collections of NSF checks, refunds/returns/voids, I cashier, do the daily books, and the weekly totals. I balance the days tills, I send faxes, and make copies. I order supplies. etc...
For example, we have received 1.8 MILLION dollars in grants for training workers and unemployed people. We have all kinds of new programs, but nobody knwos about it. So I blog along, and hope I move us up on google when people are lookign for the subjects we care about. Today I was on page 4 : -<<br>
In some ways it's a sucky job, because I am not full time and coudl be replaced, but in others, I hve a lot of freedom and get to learn new things all the time--like how to get reports out of our CRM software. I am an English teacher by training, just so you know. .
With regards to grants, check arts foundations etc. in your state and then the good old internet is a good place to look for grants.
William, it sounds like you've developed a very comfortable routine! It's better to be occupied too much than to be bored, right? You set a good example.
; )
Mother, it's great to have you drop in any time. Look how late I am in getting back! LOL
Keep up with your writing. I think you could rival the likes of Erma Bombeck if you give yourself half a chance.
Jennifer, do the surveys really bring much income? I've been considering those. How time-consuming does it get to be?
Veronica, when are you going to start giving success seminars? I want to sign up when you come my way.
; )
Dorothy, my hat's off to you. I am NOT a numbers person and could never do what you do without serious anxiety! Sounds like you have a good handle on the situation!
Charlotte, is my spelling and grammar okay? LOL My mother was an English Major with plans to teach but she changed her mind somewhere along the way. My granny taught... First Grade (until she got too deaf to hear her students well!)
Sounds like you have a pretty comfortable position, to be sure!
Erin, you sound incredibly active! I feel like a lump by comparison. I "sold" Avon for a while. Sold is in quotes because I never made money at it... I started with $1500 in the bank and ended with none. I bought stuff for gifts, for myself... had a blast, but alas, did not "earn"!
I've since taken a few personality-based aptitude tests which told me I am not well-suited to run a business. In fact, every test I took pointed to one thing: writing. So here I am!
Trish, thanks for the tip!
: )
I've had my business for more than 15 years now and I hire other experienced gardeners as contractors to work with me. I am not a landscaper or lawn service - my forte is shrubs and flowers and how they grow.
I've always loved photography and started out doing garden photography. I hope to someday add photographer to my resume. I have fixed old family photos for people, I have made and sold garden scene notecards. I've done some work at Christmas making family photos into cards or a photo of a home into a card. I used to make victorian cards from old postcards I scanned.
I don't have room here for all the different jobs I've done through the years. I was primarily a mom when my kids were growing up and had lots of part time jobs - many having to do with flowers and plants. Oh, and I sold on eBay for a few years when it was only a couple of years old and no one I knew had ever heard of it. I did really well back then but things have changed so much now I couldn't even tell you the last time I logged on.