Busy, Busy, Busy

We've had people comment from time to time on how busy we are. We're always doing something. It hasn't always been that way.

Before our daughter was born, we both worked and struggled just to pay the rent. On the weekend we'd go for a drive or go see a movie, but that was about it. We stayed home weeknights. Then, after buying a house and having a kid, we struggled to pay the mortgage and take care of Debbie. Good thing we were young.

When Debbie was four we moved from Southern California to Northern California. Despite my hermit-like nature, I made it a point to get involved in things like Toastmasters and the Civic Arts Commission, to improve myself and the community, but also to meet people in the area. On weekends we'd explore our new home, or see a movie, but we mostly did things we could take Debbie to, and we still stayed home weeknights.

The things that limited us was what we could afford, what we could do without getting a babysitter, and what we had energy for.

Things have changed. Debbie is out on her own, and we no longer struggle to pay rent or mortgage. But I'm over 50, and I feel a little like there's a train bearing down on me. My mother is gone, my stepmother's in a convalescent home, and my dad's not doing too well. I know that life is finite, and we never know how much is left. So I'm enjoying life as much as possible.

What limits us now is mostly time and energy. There's so much you can do that's free or cheap. Free festivals. Free music. Folk dancing and drum circles. Hiking and exploring and whatnot. We've started going out weeknights. What we've learned about energy is that the more you do, the more energy you have to do things. So even if we're feeling tired, we'll sometimes go out anyway, and somehow we find the energy, and the more we do stuff the more energy we seem to have.

We love Central Oregon, we love the people, we love the activities. We're enjoying it while we can. And... it gives me stuff to blog about!


Posted by Dave    Blog Tag: Opinion