TBD on Ning
The Swimming Pool Theory of Life, Parts I and II
Someone dear to me mentioned my Friends Theory that I have posted on my profile: "My life is ever being enriched by runaways, strays, throw-aways, stow-aways, drop-ins, drop-outs, escapees, evacuees, rebels, renegades, reprobates, rogues, and Rennies. I have loved you, each and every one, and wouldn't have it any other way."
Another way I live I call "The Swimming Pool Theory of Life, Part I."
When I was about five, a couple my parents knew bought land to build a house. A huge lot, because they knew they wanted a nice swimming pool. The Mrs insisted that they build the pool and the bath house first. She knew that if they built the house first, they might never get around to building the swimming pool OR the nice bath house she wanted, but that if they built the pool first, they would surely get around to the house.
They put in the pool and the VERY nice bath house first. They "visited" their pool regularly in the next couple of years while they were saving for and building the house. As a guest of this "swimming pool in the middle of nowhere," this made a huge impression on me.
When it came time for us to buy our first house, the real estate agent realized just before closing that the actual square footage of the house was smaller than advertised. She offered to void the deal and find us something else, or sign over her commission check to us. We took the money.
The only appliance the house didn't come with was a refrigerator. My husband had paced off the living room and knew it would fit a pool table, his lifelong dream. So we took the "found money" and bought the biggest, baddest fridge we could find. Then he balked at buying a pool table. We needed to replace the drapes, and a thousand other little things that make a house Your Home. I explained the Swimming Pool Theory of Life to him, and insisted that he buy his pool table right then.
Twenty-five years later, he still loves his pool table. Our children and all their friends have loved his pool table. I don't play pool, but it's been the best surface I ever had to lay out quilts and sewing projects.
Those original drapes still hang in the living room. Thanks to the Swimming Pool Theory of Life, no one even notices.
"The Swimming Theory of Life, Part II"
Just as an added thought, there is a flip side to this Theory. It also means you have to wash the sheets and towels first, because you KNOW if you leave them for last, you will wash the clothes, but the sheets and towels will pile up forEVER. :)
Another way I live I call "The Swimming Pool Theory of Life, Part I."
When I was about five, a couple my parents knew bought land to build a house. A huge lot, because they knew they wanted a nice swimming pool. The Mrs insisted that they build the pool and the bath house first. She knew that if they built the house first, they might never get around to building the swimming pool OR the nice bath house she wanted, but that if they built the pool first, they would surely get around to the house.
They put in the pool and the VERY nice bath house first. They "visited" their pool regularly in the next couple of years while they were saving for and building the house. As a guest of this "swimming pool in the middle of nowhere," this made a huge impression on me.
When it came time for us to buy our first house, the real estate agent realized just before closing that the actual square footage of the house was smaller than advertised. She offered to void the deal and find us something else, or sign over her commission check to us. We took the money.
The only appliance the house didn't come with was a refrigerator. My husband had paced off the living room and knew it would fit a pool table, his lifelong dream. So we took the "found money" and bought the biggest, baddest fridge we could find. Then he balked at buying a pool table. We needed to replace the drapes, and a thousand other little things that make a house Your Home. I explained the Swimming Pool Theory of Life to him, and insisted that he buy his pool table right then.
Twenty-five years later, he still loves his pool table. Our children and all their friends have loved his pool table. I don't play pool, but it's been the best surface I ever had to lay out quilts and sewing projects.
Those original drapes still hang in the living room. Thanks to the Swimming Pool Theory of Life, no one even notices.
"The Swimming Theory of Life, Part II"
Just as an added thought, there is a flip side to this Theory. It also means you have to wash the sheets and towels first, because you KNOW if you leave them for last, you will wash the clothes, but the sheets and towels will pile up forEVER. :)
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Quilty on
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Even more poignant to me, this lady was killed in a car accident less than a year after the house was built.
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Permalink Reply by Dazzling Zoomer Gal Diana on
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Quilty ~ this is lovely, uplifting, inspiring, and delightful! You have a true gift with words. This is a wonderful addition to our "quilt" - so in keeping with the "wise women storytelling" aspect of our "quilting circle".
Thank you! More!
Let's see if everyone can add a wee story, a slice of wisdom handed down, learnt from our friends, read and remembered, or learnt by trail and error on our own. -
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Permalink Reply by Suuse on
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I'd never thought through it this way, but it does rather describe the way I've gone about my life. What a wonderful story...and beautifully told.
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Permalink Reply by BlueHera on
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Thank you for sharing this! This is very timely to hear this -- to place what you really love first in your life. It resonates on many levels. I love it.
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Permalink Reply by WS on
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I really like the preamble and the part about the reprobates and renegades. This is the way I try to live my life (while also being one of the"runaways, strays, throw-aways, stow-aways, drop-ins, drop-outs, escapees, evacuees, rebels, renegades, reprobates, rogues, and Rennies.")
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Permalink Reply by Chez moi on
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Yes, I agree, though so often in my life the physical things did wait to get done... as my house is awaiting funds to be finished now... but at least I'm here! We took early retirement to do what we wanted to do, and it was the best possible thing - my husband had a full ten wonderful years of retirement here, and I wonder if we would ever have gotten away from our comfortable rut if we had waited a few more years? It is truly a gift to recognize what is important in life.
Gotta go wash my sheets... ,-) -
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