OT: Mid-life crisis

[junietoo]

I'm not suggesting anything so pathetic as dumping my DH for a trophy toyboy and buying an Audi TT http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif , but what would you do if you were about to lose a job you weren't too crazy about, had 4 months severence pay and no real need to make loads of money (although living expenses will have to be addressed at some point), your kids were grown (and almost gone), and had no real ties to the area you were living in?

I'm thinking of running off to learn to bake for a bakery or maybe become an herbalist or start a mountain outfitter company for women professionals or...

Or, I could continue to work in the political world doing energy and environment, which I've always loved (until the last few months of this particular job.)

I'm really not asking for advice (but if anyone has any, I'll happily read it http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif )-- I just wanted to know what fantasies float around in other heads when considering winning the lottery or receiving an unexpected inheritance.

[MrsReber]

I have not reached that age yet, but I do think about it. I think if I won the lottery (I'd need at least 5 million), I'd go to school full time and learn everything I could about the things that interest me. Then, I'd volunteer my time to some cause that I felt strongly about- like volunteering at the local animal shelter (I LOVE animals) or being a big sister, or working in a soup kitchen. I'd need to do something. That's my fantasy world. For the time being, I continue to be expectant mom (who must return to work) Contract Administrator for a big utility company. Sigh.

[Kristilyn1]

Personally, I'd open either a used bookstore/cafe or I like the mountain outfitter idea.

This is of course with the caveat that I have enough money that neither of these endeavors needs to make all kinds of crazy cash.

Kristi

[Kristilyn1]

I forgot the third idea and one I treasure--teaching.

Great second career if you don't care about money!

Kristi

[funnybone]

I'd head to a warm place, and then contemplate "where do I go from here".

[gabbyh]

junietoo,
Oh boy!! This topic should be a good one for our "lively" group ;-} Glad I got the chance to get in early before I head out to work...funny you should bring this up...
I've been debating since my return from Australia just how important being a "professional" is to me, and where it fits into this "scheme" of life. I've finally met my prince...after 2 failed marriages AND kissing lots of frogs...my son is grown, educated, and working (YEA!!).
I say "go for it"...I read an article recently about a couple in their sixties that sold their home, expensive cars, and are now "wandering" across America having the "time of their lives"...they had a meeting with all their children and grandchildren, told them their plans, and everyone gave them a "thumbs up"...
My latest fantasy...move to Australia and work part-time in a winery and own an "accesories" boutique on the side ;-} I must admit, being married to a man from another culture has certainly "broadened my horizons"...I think as Americans, we have alot to learn about how the rest of the world lives...and succeeds.
...I vote for the herbalist!

[GayeC]

Originally posted by junietoo:
I'm thinking of running off to learn to bake for a bakery or maybe become an herbalist or start a mountain outfitter company for women professionals or...


My sister and I have been drooling over the one-week professional baker courses offered by King Arthur Flour. Now that would be fun! My sister is also thinking of dumping her current career and becoming a personal chef. I would love to be a writer of really great non-fiction books. But, my kids are nowhere near being "out of the house," so that will have to wait. (Didn't CL recently feature a couple that had ditched their careers, moved to NM, and started making poottery? It sounded great.) Best wishes in whatever you decide to do.

[SueK]

I would definitely do some traveling, and then take a cooking course. I would love to combine traveling and cooking, and just eat my way across America, and maybe a few other countries! It would be neat to drive the U.S. and discover great hole-in-the-wall restaurants in our country.

[Longhorn]

Oh, this is going to sound so nerdy, but I've always wanted to work at NASA (I live in Houston). I'd go back to school, get an aeronautical engineering degree and go to work on the Mars mission. I just know they've got one in the works that they're keeping quite.
Then there are the days that I hate the day-to-day drudgery of "real" job, hate having to think hard, or just generally feel like a bum. On those days, I want to take a part-time job at Williams-Sonoma selling pots to people all day. Rude customers wouldn't bother me since I wouldn't need the money from the job. I'd just smile sweetly and tell them to go to h**l. I'd spend all my salary buying items from the same store, spend my free time making all the recipes from CL that I never have time to make, and work some serious exercise and volunteer time into my schedule.
Sigh...
Back to the real world where I cook from the 30-minutes or less section...

[Julia1Pin]

I would either want to go and "work" at cooking light in the test kitchen and/or going to wine tastings/food pairings.

Alas, I'm an accountant whose need for money overthrows my culinary desires <sigh>

Did I mention that I'm only 25?

[This message has been edited by Julia1Pin (edited 03-28-2001).]

[junietoo]

I'd love to be a passenger on the space shuttle. Awesome.

I'm sure that's someone else's life though.

[SueK]

Longhorn---my brother in law works at NASA, though not in Houston. I hear you about working at some place like Williams-Sonoma. How about Crate and Barrel or the Pottery Barn? I'd never have a paycheck to take home!

[CAROL ANN]

I also would like a bookstore/cafe. My two favorite things. Books and food.

[valeriek]

If I had all the money in the world....

I would buy a houseboat and just sail around - maybe even start a charter excursion diving company or become more involved in cleaning up our wet lands and coastal areas.

Then I open my mail - which seems to consist of all bills these days! Oh well, it is nice to dream.

[KValley]

AH, the "if I won the lottery fantasy" in which I indulge at least once a week...

Aside from becoming a Russell Crowe groupie (I'm fairly certain my darling darling H doesn't read this BB http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif ), I would open a wine shop, DH would start his own winery, and we'd travel travel travel. I'd like the time and $$ to take piano and voice lessons, to do intensive language courses abroad (Portuguese in Bahia, anyone?, to read read and read some more, to teach family planning and research population growth, to take cooking classes, to have facials, to home school my eventual children.

I suppose I could attempt some of these instead of posting to this BB. Oh boy...

[Longhorn]

Aaaaahhhh...
A facial every week...
In Switzerland...
After I've spend the whole week skiing...
That's the life!

[Ohioan]

Sigh ... I wish I were young enough to have a mid-life crisis... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

Pay no mind to the Old Curmudgeon,
aka Phoebe

[SueK]

I just thought of something else I'd do. I'd sign up for one of those race car driving courses they offer. That would be a blast. Bear in mind that I am a very safe, careful driver, but nevertheless, I think it's in my blood and I also think I'd be pretty good at it.

[LGBurns]

I'm going to sound like a total nerd, but recently I've been thinking that if I had all the money in the world, I would continue my schooling until I got a PhD and be a historian. I'm not sure which kind of history but probably European colonial history, maybe.

The fantasy that my husband and I would share together is to own a little bed and breakfast somewhere like... oh... say... Vancouver Island (if they'd let us in to Canada). My husband could work on his music all day and his band could pay a studio to cut their cd and... Well, I guess you get the idea.

[donleyk]

I would hike the Appalachian Trail.

[junietoo]

After reading the suggestions and taking more from those in my office, the possibilities have expanded and I'm less focused than before. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif

Maybe I should just buy an old VW van, paint flowers all over it, and....oh, wait, I've already done that. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

Perhaps this isn't something you can plan for. Maybe I should just let it happen. Maybe at the end of June, I'll just pack my VW (updated to a Passat) and drive West and see what unfolds. My DH says he'll join me wherever I end up.

I'll let you all know what transpires.

Barbara

[This message has been edited by junietoo (edited 03-29-2001).]

[This message has been edited by junietoo (edited 03-29-2001).]

[BethH]

Barbara--

I, for one, can't wait to hear where you end up and the adventures that got you there. You go girl! (Gosh--I swore I would never use that phrase but it just seems so appropriate here!)

I am constantly considering running away and doing something crazy yet completely enjoyable. Have fun and fill us in!

[Hoosier65]

Oh, gosh! The possibilities are endless. I would probably travel throughout the west. I have done the eastern half of the US now I want to see the west, including Alaska. And I always thought it would be fun to have a little gourmet restaurant, but that sounds like too much work now, maybe in my younger days.

[SandyM]

I'd sell everything I own, move out west (Washington or northern California) and open a bakery and wine shop. Odd combination, yes, but it's what I dig. Man.

[MrsReber]

Move out west, Sandy? Closer to Gail? Hmm....maybe you are a stalker..... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[SandyM]

Ummm.....I meant Florida......great wine country........

[phantomcg]

Originally posted by SueK:
I just thought of something else I'd do. I'd sign up for one of those race car driving courses they offer. That would be a blast. Bear in mind that I am a very safe, careful driver, but nevertheless, I think it's in my blood and I also think I'd be pretty good at it.

Sue - I sent my husband to one of these classes last year for our anniversary. My MIL also sent my FIL, so it was a neat "guy thing" for them to do together. It was just a one day event in Orlando. He absolutely loved it. I'm saving up to be able to send him to the one at Daytona (of course, the ultimate would be able to send him to the week long class is France). I would recommend that you do even one of the single day classes if you get a chance.

Cheryl

[phantomcg]

There are a couple of things that I would like to do if money were no object. I would like to go back to school - either photography or maybe a Vet. Tech. On the "fun" side, I would love to take a vacation following the sun. I love tropical locations and hate the cold and snow. I would love to spend the entire winter island hopping (so to speak). There are so many places I'd love to go. Of course, there's also opening a "collectible" book store with first editions, proof copies and other collectible books - probably wouldn't make much money, but how fun would it be to spend all day surrounded by all those books, not to mention the interesting people you would meet.

Cheryl

[ebobbitt]

It would be pure joy to spend my days doing something in the equine industry. Not much of a need for that here in Arkansas.