Tuesday 4
Just four questions weekly
Work!
Hello and welcome to Tuesday 4 where we honor the memory of our friend Toni Taddeo by continuing her 4 questions each week meme! It is wonderful that so many are joining in and I do hope more will come as well. Toni would love that.
(I'm glad that this is not really one of MY pictures...but it would be fun to be snowed in at a little cabin in the woods, as long as we have plenty of wood for the fire and tea for the teakettle and yummy things to eat!)
Let's talk about work!
1. What kind of work does not bother you at all?
Of course, I am retired now, and I love it! I've worked many kinds of jobs in my lifetime, mostly in either schools or churches, doing everything from being a teacher's aide to being a school bookkeeper, a head of the housekeeping department at a beautiful resort in New Hampshire, a marketing and reservationist for a stables at a Bed and Breakfast in NH, a District Manager for Fuller Brush in Ohio, bookkeeper for a Christian camp, and my final job as a Church Administrator for a large church. Not to mention being a Pastor's wife for close to 30 years, while also sometimes working full time and raising 3 sons. I also used to sell Stanley Home Products, Fuller Brush, and Watkins Products door to door. I even tried my hand at selling Encyclopedia Brittanica...but that's another story!
My favorite "job" was being a mommy and wife (now going on 52 years!) My husband's work in the ministry meant that we moved quite often...but God always provided the right jobs for me as needed. I am thankful that when our babies were small and before they went to school I was able to be home with them most of the time, except for those little part time sales jobs where I was able to work around my hubby's schedule so we never had to put the kids in daycare. That was a huge blessing. We didn't have a lot materially, but we had what was most important to us...family time together.
Here's a few of the many examples of what the Bible has to say about "work":
Now that I am retired I don't mind "work" that is taking care of my home and family...preparing meals, doing laundry, keeping the house reasonably cleaned...and I especially don't mind it if people come alongside and help out now and then. I enjoy it when my hubby helps with the laundry by folding clothes or shifting things from the washer to the dryer, etc., or vacuuming the house, or coming alongside me to help dry the dishes. I also love it when our son (who lives with us) helps out with washing the supper dishes and taking out the garbage...or helps with the cooking when he is home in time to help...mashes the potatoes, cooks food on the grill...little things that mean a lot and help me not to feel overwhelmed. I love our home and enjoy doing things to make our home more comfortable and welcoming...decorating for holidays...entertaining friends and family...even though as I get older my body wears out quicker, I still enjoy doing these things and wish we could do more of it.
2. What kinds of work do bother you and why? Anything stinky or extremely dirty/nasty. I probably wouldn't do well slopping hogs or cleaning other people's houses.
3. Is there a job you've had you loathed or perhaps one you loved? Why was that?
4. Do you have a job or kind of work you wish you were doing? What would make it attractive to you?
This is my work nowadays:
I think I am preparing breakfast here. This is my typical "winter" inside look...
This picture was actually taken last February, before the "pandemic" hit and we couldn't do so much entertaining. These two gals (& their hubbies) came to help celebrate my hubby's birthday. This is just a small example of the kind of "work" I enjoy doing...having friends over to celebrate special days...
2. What kinds of work do bother you and why? Anything stinky or extremely dirty/nasty. I probably wouldn't do well slopping hogs or cleaning other people's houses.
3. Is there a job you've had you loathed or perhaps one you loved? Why was that?
I can't say that I ever "loathed" any job that I did. Some were very difficult and I often wondered why I was doing it, but I did the best I could and watched for something better to come along. There were a couple of times when things were so bad that I felt I needed to leave a job without a place to land...but God always provided exactly what I needed when I needed it...and sometimes that was just to stay home for a while and rest.
HERE is a LINK to a post I wrote a few years ago about my most "interesting job". There were some aspects to it that I didn't like much, but as you will see when you read the post it was a job that I truly enjoyed and was sad to leave. Here is a picture from that post to give you a clue:
4. Do you have a job or kind of work you wish you were doing? What would make it attractive to you?
We talked about our Dreams last week, HERE If we could afford to do so, I would still love to have our own little retreat center or guest house where people could come and stay a little while and just relax...kind of a B&B, but not really open to the general public...it would be privately run and "guests" would be selected on a "need" basis. More like a "respite care" kind of place, for people who really "need to get away" for a little while.
(Pinterest photo)
I Corinthians 10:31
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
Proverbs 16:3
"Commit your works to the Lord,
And your thoughts will be established."
Titus 2:7-8
7 "In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you."
Okay, now that our work is done, let's go over and see what others are writing about today: http://tuesdaysplace.blogspot.com/2021/01/work.html Thank you, Annie, for being our hostess once again!!
The kind of "work" listed on your sign is the kind I like, Pamela - lol! Yes, it's such a blessing to be retired and simply taking care of our home. You certainly have held lots of interesting jobs over the years, and it's good to know that you found most of them to be rewarding - and that you still had time for your family. That's the best!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Yes, life was pretty interesting even if the jobs were mostly low paying, but fun. I tried to make the most of any job I had and was thankful for the ways that God provided for us so we could pursue our main "job" of serving the Lord in the ministry. I tried to work jobs where I could have the same schedule as our kids when they were in school, so that is why I worked in the school system most of those years, or at a church that had more flexible hours. And yes, it is wonderful to be retired now and the only "work" I do is what I really want to do...writing this blog, reading my friends' blogs, keeping house and serving in various ways in our church. So thankful!!
DeleteI would like to join you in following the Porch Rules! Maybe when I retire.
ReplyDeleteYes, when you retire you can make up your OWN "porch rules", or whatever kind of rules you want! You'll be your own boss finally! LOL. It will be the best job you ever had!
DeleteWhile I don't have a porch, per se, I'm living most of those 'rules' right now ... and thanking God for allowing me to be right here, right now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this link to Beth and Curt's happy place. Even at this 'advanced age', my horse-crazy self's feeling a little envious. And now I know how you happened to lead a resort's housekeeping team! Having worked 15 years at a Phoenix resort -- and sitting through monthly safety training classes -- I know that's a serious (and potentially dangerous) job. Your friends sound like wonderful folk, and I'm glad to hear you're still in touch with one another!
Wow, I didn't know that about you, Myra! Resort work can be very interesting, but it is still WORK! I enjoyed the atmosphere, however. Yes, my friends are super nice people. I miss them. They are in Maine and I am in Florida, but at least we can communicate on FB occasionally. Thank you for visiting today! Hope you are enjoying your "porch" rules!! I am!! Just came in from watching the sunset. Glorious!
DeleteBeing a wife and a mom was all I ever wanted :) I'm living the dream!
ReplyDeleteColletta
It is a most wonderful dream and blessing to be able to do that. God is so good to take care of us when we put Him and our family first.
DeleteLoved your post... I was reminded of the many seasons of work life I have had after all these years.I havent done my Tuesday post and yours gave me some ideas! I am always so inspired by your writing. I look forward to the new year blogging with such wonderful Christian women!! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you, Schotzy! I will look forward to reading about your "work". It is fun to learn about our friends' lives before blogging! Many of our life's experiences is what helps us to have something interesting to write about! I'm so glad we all found each other!!
DeleteGlad you joined in and enjoyed reading the answers.
ReplyDeleteThank YOU, Annie, for being our hostess and coming up with fresh ideas each week. I am trying to follow through each week...if I don't forget or get too busy with my "work" of sitting on the porch...LOL.
DeleteI think a get away cabin would be so great! Loved your answers! Have a nice week!
ReplyDeletehttps://lorisbusylife.blogspot.com/
Thank you, Lori. Yes, it would be...I would use it myself if I had one. I keep hoping and praying this will happen someday, but I'm about to get too old to manage it. I do have a guest room, but I also have an adult son living at home so one would have to share a bathroom with him and it may not be that conducive to private relaxation. So...oh well, God knows my heart and if He wants it to happen He knows how to do it. I'll let you know if it happens!
DeleteAdorable post,I am glad I stopped by!Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I am glad you came by too.
DeleteGreat post, Pam, and I love the porch rules! I also love that horse you are with!! xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terri. Yes, I try to abide by the "porch rules" as much as possible. And I loved that horse too. He was a beautiful draft horse, and it was like riding a cadillac...so smooth (and high off the ground too! Wow!). It was a lot of fun while it lasted.
DeleteWork is good and necessary . it helps when we enjoy it. I have enjoyed 41 years as a school bus driver, but so happy to be retired.
ReplyDeleteYou must have been a wonderful bus driver...I am sure those children felt safe and happy riding your bus. It takes a lot of courage and fortitude to drive a school bus these days. It is wonderful that you were able to do that for so long. I am sure they miss you, but I know you are happy to be retired and enjoying your peaceful days!! God bless you for being so faithful!
DeleteGoodness, you have had a lot of jobs! They all sound pretty nice...except maybe for the door-t0-door sales. I can sell in a store, but door-to-door just doesn't fit with my personality. Of all your jobs I would have loved working with the horses! I was a horsey girl growing up. Crazy for everything horse related and I loved to ride. These days your porch job sounds the best to me.
ReplyDeleteYes, I had a lot of jobs because we moved a lot while hubby was in college, grad school, seminary, and then churches...we normally pastored smaller churches that couldn't pay well, so my hubby was bi-vocational as a teacher and preacher, and I worked at whatever I could find to do. God always provided exactly what we needed and we were well taken care of. I didn't much like the door-to-door aspects of sales either, but we were mostly in rural areas at the time and it wasn't too bad...and also we did parties sometimes too, which was more fun. Yes, I do love my current job so much more...doesn't pay much, but I sure do enjoy it! Have a blessed day!
DeleteAs a teacher for many, many years I had a few teacher's aides (we call them para pros), and I sooo appreciated their help. You have certainly had a lot of interesting jobs though!!! How wonderful that y'all carry on the memory of your friend with these Q&As. I wanted to answer you question on my blog about the BELIEVE mug. (I wrote a reply there but wasn't sure you would see it.)
ReplyDeleteHere are 3 links for the mug:) https://www.christianartgifts.com/Mug-Butterfly-Pink-Believe $7.99
www.christianbook.com (type Believe mug in search bar) $6.99
Amazon (type Believe Butterfly Mug in search bar) $8.99
Thanks for such a lovely comment on my blog:)
Thank you for the info on the mug! I may have to get one! I love mugs that have verses or positive thoughts on them...and that one would be perfect for this year! I enjoyed being a "para pro" (yes, we were called that later, or a paraprofessional) and always had wonderful teachers to work with. I enjoyed working one on one with the children, often doing special things with them individually that the teacher was unable to do...help with reading in particular. I enjoyed it and missed the interaction with the children when I moved "up" to be a school bookkeeper...which was challenging but also a good position. God was very good to me to place me in wonderful school and with good people to work with. Thank you for visiting here, Cheri! Have a blessed and wonderful day.
DeleteI enjoyed your answers to the questions and seeing what paid jobs you have done. I can't say I've ever had a job I did not like. I enjoy working both with my hands and with my brain though these days I'm a lot slower. I like your dream of having a retreat for people who need it. I'm sure you would make a beautiful place of rest.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Penny. I agree with you about working both with my hands and my brain...and that these days I'm a lot slower as well. I guess that comes with retirement. I try to keep my brain challenged by writing and working on other little projects, but the body doesn't keep up as well as it used to. Yes, I keep dreaming about my little retreat place...someday it will come together, but in a much more scaled down way than when I first wanted to do this when I was younger. And actually, I find that we do provide this kind of "retreat" for friends and those in need of a place to get away when they come and visit even for a day. We always want people to know we are here for them if they need someone to talk to or just need a change of pace for a spell. This COVID thing has put a damper on that for this past year, but hopefully that will get better soon. Praying so!
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