Thursday, June 12, 2014

"What Do You Do?"

I dread that question.  These days I never know how to answer it.  Once upon a time, it was easy:  I would say, "I'm a financial analyst," and that sufficed.  That was as much as people wanted to know.

But three big changes happened the year I turned 50 (besides turning 50):
  - I became a grandmother.
  - I became a wife for the second time.
  - I left the workforce to "stay at home."

"Staying at home" has a lot of facets to it.  Of course, I cook, clean house, do laundry, run errands, shop, garden, decorate, organize the household, handle finances, care for children (his, mine and grand-), care for pets, and even pay a little attention to my husband once in a while.

I do community service work.  I serve on the board of a not-for-profit foundation.  I play music and participate in other activities at my church.

I occasionally find a little time to do fun, creative things for my own enjoyment.  And then blog about them.

I'm also, apparently, a concierge.  It seems no one else in my extended family ever has time to pack for vacation, run the car into the shop, fix the leak, take the delivery, buy the tickets, find the missing *you name it*, sew on the button, wait around on the cable company, take kids to the doctor, buy the present, etc., etc., etc.

(The funny thing is, I did all the same things back when I used to say, "I'm a financial analyst."  Go figure.)

So, how do I explain in a word all that I do?  How do I answer that stupid question so that people understand I'm not "just a..."  How do I convey that, while I don't earn a paycheck any more, I am proud of the integral role I play in the well-being of my family and my community?  How?

This is how:

This post can also be seen at some great parties.
Check them out:
Link 'n Blog Party
No Rules Weekend Blog Party
Freedom Fridays
Family Fun Friday
Fabulous Friday
Saturday Sharefest



8 comments:

  1. I'm currently a stay at home wife--people do look at you a little funny when you don't answer with a typical job title, but I don't let that bother me--I greatly enjoy my life! And come August I'll be an elementary school teacher so this is only temporary...

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    1. Sounds like an exciting phase in your life. Good luck! Thanks for coming by.

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  2. I was a stay at home mom for 17 years and loved it! Can't wait till the day I am doing it again! You were many hats and basically the house and those around would fall apart without you! As is evident when you are too sick to get out of bed which I am sure is rare as we seem to push ourselves even then!

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  3. This is a fabulous blog, im in my 50's and i can relate! Thanks for sharing this at my party
    Hugs Maria

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  4. What do you do? That's easy, you're a SAHG - a Stay At Home Granny. It's pronounced sag (tee hee!) #SITSSharefest

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