Pipe Dreams?

Kim has posted a challenge on her blog:

"I'm going to be talking about some of my own "pipe dreams" and I would really love to hear about some of yours! What would YOU do if money was no object? What would you become if you had a guarantee that it would pay all of your bills? If you could choose to become ANYTHING you wanted, no limitations or risks included, what would you be? Or maybe, are you lucky enough to already be living your pipe dream?"

I’ve been thinking a lot about the "what if’s" of living life on my own terms without worrying about finances for at least a couple of years.

I have a vision of myself living in the country in a home with enough land for gardens (mostly for vegetables, fruit, and herbs, but also flowers), having a German Shepherd Dog, rescue space for Siamese cats, and a large, large interior space similar to what I described here a year ago...(But I have Lupus, I cannot spend time in the sun or I risk a flare, and frankly with my physical limitations, I’m really overwhelmed taking care of a small apartment and balcony garden!)

So where is this rather irrational pipedream coming from? It’s probably a throwback to my youth. I always wanted to live in the country, have a husband who was as interested in a "back-to-the-land" lifestyle as I was, and have animals all around. I came of age in the 70s and we really did believe that this was the best lifestyle for successful families...okay, I’ll admit I was a flower child.

But an unpleasant divorce killed the idea of a husband and family. I was a single parent trying to survive in a highly competitive environment with limited skills. I was a feminist. Life got in the way of my dreams.

Ok…How about another pipe dream? One that’s more in tune with who I am today?

I’d love to live in a loft in a small city, near an art and cultural center and good libraries, with lots of coffee, tea, yarn, book, and fabric stores within walking distance. I’d love to ditch my reliance on a car and use public transportation, except for unusual circumstances.

The loft would have to be large enough to accommodate my yarn and fabric stash and the business end of Nana Sadie Rose, The Meezer and a smaller dog – perhaps a Boston Terrier - and of course, the MFMPPF! I’d want the kind of public spaces in the place to be large enough to entertain for large family gatherings. (The private spaces can be cozy and off-limits to the rest of the world!) NO carpets, just hardwood floors, and perhaps a single wall of rough brick. The entire space would be easy to clean, and open, and furnished with what I call minimalist antiques like a very long, rough-hewn, walnut trestle table in the dining room surrounded by continuous-arm and fan-back Windsor chairs in a black, hand-rubbed finish with a black step-back cupboard for white ironstone dishes. Simple overstuffed couches, chairs, and ottomans in the living room, with everything covered in white denim slipcovers you can toss in the wash.

A life that allows for plenty of pleasure – reading, knitting, sewing, good food, good friends, close family. Um...may I add in a housekeeper that comes in once a week? lolol!

It’s probably a pipe dream. I’m fairly resigned to living the rest of my life working where I am (and I’m not complaining, I like my job), knitting and sewing when I can, and caring for The Meezer & Co.
(((hugs)))