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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

give me the simple life

Ella Fitzgerald - Give Me the Simple Life

I don't believe in frettin' and grievin';
Why mess around with strife'
I never was cut out to step and strut out.
Give me the simple life.
 

Some find it pleasant dining on pheasant.
Those things roll off my knife;
Just serve me tomatoes; and mashed potatoes;
Give me the simple life.

A cottage small is all I'm after,
Not one that's spacious and wide.
A house that rings with joy and laughter
and the ones you love inside.

Some like the high road, I like the low road,
Free from the care and strife.
Sounds corny and seedy, but yes, indeed-y;
Give me the simple life. 


Strangely enough, I love Ella Fitzgerald but never really knew of this song before....This has been on an episode of Family Guy that I've seen 100x or so and it was on again last nite and I just had to look up the words.

I am honestly very glad Josh live as humbly as we do.  If anyone knows us, our house isnt put together at ALL.  Our living room is near 90+ year old woodwork, yellow walls, a blueish gray recliner/rocker, an  olive green couch that is beat to hell, a tan ikea coffee table, and scattered toys.  There is a giant lamp on a bookshelf and a vaccuum and exercise ball in the next corner.  On one wall there is a map of the Nassau County bus line with photos I took in Northern Ireland and Dublin surrounding it.  On the opposite wall there is a photo of my grandma and grandpa's wedding day and underneath that there is a photo of the 42nd Ave subway entrance that I took in 12th grade.  We have no dining room table and have left that room for traffic and tatami's.  Audrey's room is yellow with pictures of kids we know and furniture that we received from friends or found in the garage.  Our upstairs is just a place for a bed and a tv and some clothes.  Our bathroom has no theme and nor does our kitchen.  But, we're happy.

The only things we splurge on are food.  We got our bigger (yeah it's just big-ger, not big) tv on craigslist and our bed was on clearance.  We like to eat.  We like to feed other people.  Most anyone who has been to our house knows how much Josh loves grilling (and even THAT thing we got on sale after Thanksgiving last year) and loves people coming over.

I'm glad that it takes little to keep me smiling.  Give me coffee and some cereal in the morning and I am the most content person (as long as Josh or Audrey dont disturb my 20 minutes of "me" time).  Give me a car that gets me to and from my job without breaking down, and I am happy.  Give me a job that pays me enough to take care of bills and things, and I'm happy.  Give me a responsible and trustworthy day care, and I am happy.  Give me smiles and laughs throughout the day, I am happier than a pig in mud.


I'm glad that I was given such a poor example as a kid.  I'm glad I was taught to live outside my means and be scraping to just get by.  I don't want that for myself.  I always vowed when I had a child that she would be my #1 priority always.  I always want to make sure she is clothed, fed, and taken care of before Josh or myself.   I'm also glad my dad was so hard on us too.  It was the whole "do it right or don't do it at all" kind of ethic.  I'm glad.  I might not have a great job but I put this attitude into everything I do.  At least I have THAT self fulfillment. 


I also like that I am a bill collector because it keeps me humble.  I can't complain about the minor things in life because I have a one up on so many people.  I have a job and a family and a support system and a house that is being paid for, bills that are not months behind....




So back to the song.... "sounds corny and cheesy but yes indeed-y, give me the simple life!"

3 comments:

  1. Awesome post girlfriend. People matter, not things. Glad I have a fellow believer in the house! ;)

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  2. Love it. Perspective, though easily lost, is so valuable when kept. = )

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  3. Well, it was bad when I was younger. My dad was a hoarder of money and his house was just tacky and overloaded with stuff and my mom just ran credit cards up to the max with crap and tried filing bankruptcy and was denied. I just figure it is unwise and not fair to do that to my kiddo. Plus, people NOT THINGS do matter most. Well said Casey! I could care less if when I'm 65 I remember that awesome bedroom set we bought when we were in our 30's....

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