How to Survive Life in the Suburbs

I Have The Gimmes

in Everyday on

I gave up my career more then eight years ago and I rarely regret it.  I know I did the best thing for my family at the time.  When I figured out commute times, daycares, business clothes and lunches, I wasn’t exactly making a ton of money. 
Suddenly today, I’m wondering if I made the right move.  How much further ahead would we be if we had that pay cheque every two weeks for the past 8 years?  Then again, I have always been happy that I am the Mom that could always be counted on for field trips, that I could always be reached if one of my babies needed me, and that I always know where my kids are and what they are doing.  I digress.  This is not about justifying to myself why I quit my career, or to examine the road not taken, it’s about the fact that today, I have the gimmies.

This next year is a big one. I will turn 40.  NEXT May!  Gulp.  Suddenly I have all kinds of things I want.  Need! Kind of like a mini bucket list playing over and over in my head. 

I want hardwood floors.  Yesterday.

Hardwood

I want to re-decorate the girls bedrooms.  Now.

I want to remodel the main floor and master baths.  Today.

I want granite in the kitchen and a gorgeous backsplash to finish it off.

I did not want to replace the air conditioner and furnace.  I did not want to fix the roof.  I sure as heck don’t want to spend money resurfacing the driveway.  This house is a money pit.  Sometimes being a responsible suburbanite sucks. 

I want our annual trip to Florida for March Break.

I want that 40th birthday trip to London and Paris with my Hubby in May.  Oh to buy shoes in Paris!  Le Sigh.

parisFod

I want to go to BlogHer’11 in San Diego.  That’s August.  Air fare is outrageous from Ontario!!

I am a greedy girl and have the gimmes. 

Hmmm….. Guess I will just be thankful that the house is still standing, my  kids are healthy, and I still think my Hubby is kinda hot.  I’ll plan that dream vacation to Europe….even if it’s only to dream and never happens, I’ll let the rest go. 

For now!!

Someone pass the cake. I’m having a pity party.

Linky love: Maybe I can give a couple of you a little something.  Canadian Friends, don’t miss the fabulous giveaway I have going on!  Ends Friday. 

*Photo credit to Fodors

    • Comments

    2. Put up a Paypal donate button, I will put something in! I think that the best thing you can do is be home with your children. Maybe I can meet you in San Diego. Do they let people go who don’t have ads? I am only 2 hours away. Remember that things are just things, having your family well and happy is important.

    5. I’ve been going through this right now especially when I see my older brother whose children are now in their times, thriving financially with all the toys. Our rolls used to be reversed. I keep hovering between going back to work to help out but then struggle because my youngest would end up being the only one that had to go daycare. How fair is that? He finally gets me to himself and I go back to work?

    6. I have had the gimmes for a couple of years now!! Gimme a new roof! Gimme a good paint job! Gimme a new car! Gimme some new clothes! Gimme a landscaped backyard! Gimme!!!

    8. I sooo know what you mean! With the budgeting and everything, I feel like we deserve to spend a little, but I guess it’s the end goal in sight that keeps us motivated.

    9. It is OK to have the gimmies…every once in awhile. You have made the right choice – raising children is the most precious, demanding, rewarding job ever. I watched a documentary once about couples who both worked (they were not CEO’s raking in 6-7 figure salaries of course) and what is cost them in day care and family time, etc. their actual income was like $150 more.

      I’ll send cake…I have lots of pity parties myself.

    10. I’ll take some cake. While I eat it I’ll think about all my gimme’s too. Then I’ll let some of it go as well. Maybe two pieces of cake 😉