Not-so ordinary.

The hubs and I had a interesting conversation over the weekend while we were on our way to visit some old college friends.  My husband and I met in college :) I always say we met over the keg. We were friends for about 6 months before we started dating and the rest is history.  I know some of his highschool and college guy friends are really competitive with status-having the best job.. the best car.. the best house and trying to compete for the best life. My husband is still really great friends with a lot of his old roommates and still goes on his yearly man man trip with his highschool boy friends. (If I call my gal pals .. girl friends. I should be able to call his guy friends boy friends *winks*)  We both come from really hard working parents and appreciate everything our parents has taught us and given us, but a few years ago we decided that we were ok with not wanting the white picket fence.  We both love to work on our businesses- in fact it consumes us! We are both obsessed with making things- and making our dent in the universe.  It's funny that we didn't really discover this until after we got married or at least our passion for it.  I think one of the hardest things in life is deciding what I like with out influence and developing independent thought and being a visionary for my own future.  

I want only a few things out of life- but I don't really need that fancy car, or that fancy house or spend my life in a cubicle hoping that one day I can break free. I want to make as much art as I can and visit as many paintings as I can.  I also want to see as much of the world as I possible- when my grandmother passed away she never set foot on an airplane.  I want to live a happy life- and grow old with my hubs.  In different parts of the world- there are places you make a wishes- there are walls you crumple a note in or maybe a fountain you throw a coin in.  It's funny because me and my husband always wish for the same thing. :) Which I am sooo not telling! Thinking about all these little things- it seems like they have nothing to do with status but more about leading a "rich" life. We both stay on budget in order to make our dreams a reality but our dreams aren't the average ones. 

Have a super Monday! Creative thoughts your way this week.

26 comments

stephanie said...

You really are inspiring, Erika.

Huckleberry Creative said...

This is a great post and wonderful out look on life!

Outcast said...

Great story about you and your husband. It's always good to see a pair of people happy with each other. I love your outlook on life!

Laura said...

Really love this post and the thoughts contained therein. I grew up in a household that was very much shaped by the typical American dream and white-picket fence ideals but I've seen and learned enough about the world to know that this isn't the only option. I love that you advocate so beautifully for forging a world and a life that is entirely of your own design!

Andi Keding said...

love your post today. My hubby and I where talking about a new car. He asked what I wanted. I can finally say what we can afford and what makes to most sense... I do not need a status car/van/crossover. It has been a while in coming, however I now feel confortable in my decisions.

Elizabeth @ Love Is the Adventure said...

I really love this post. It's so easy to get caught up in the need to have and to achieve and I think we forget why we're pursuing things!

I love your list of goals - totally inspiring.

Sara said...

This post made me click the follow button quicker than a fox. So many things are more important than a bulging bank account. <3

-Sara-

katie [the bright life] said...

I love this. Contentment has been one of my biggest "themes" this past year (if years can have themes), and I love the simplicity of living with less things and more joy. I think that's how life was intended. Xo, Katie

the southern hostess said...

Such a sweet and inspiring post. I feel the same way.

Anonymous said...

I want a life like that too :)

Kate said...

What a lovely post!
It is so wonderful that you and your hubs have the same amazing dreams!
I think it is so sad when people only live for the gain of material things. Life has so much more meaning then that. I spent 6 years traveling the world and exploring myself and even though I'm now married and baby #1 is on the way, I don't think I'm done. :)

~BB~ said...

Love this post. I'm jealous of your life - and I find it to be so inspiring :)

Amanda said...

I love this! Good for you for living the life you want!

Angela said...

Great post!! We are also not the picket fence type and love to make things! It has taken us years to figure out our lives but we finally feel like we are getting on track. Our next step is to get where we need to be so we can stop working for "the man" and live the lives we were meant to!! Good luck on your journey and good for you for making it happen!!

Unknown said...

If you don't do what makes you happy then why bother, right? Good for you guys for doing what makes you happiest!

Rose Clearfield said...

This is such an inspiring post. I'm so glad that you and your husband are such a great team and have such similar goals.

lamina @ do a bit said...

Such a great post!! I don't want much either, just a happy home with my man and little man! I so agree that "stuff" doesn't make one happy it's being creative that does it for me! :)
That is just so lovely about you and your hubs... awwwww!!! I really hope you guys continue to live your creative dreams :)

Unknown said...

what more could a person need in life, other than happiness?! and you have it...and that's great! stay happy, stay positive...it's infectious! :)

onesixthreechirp said...

I like this.Great story. :)

Connie @ Daydream In Color said...

Such a lovely post. I have many friends from high school and college that are that same way & some that aren't. We all know we are on our separate paths and we all love each other for it. It's so great that you both know what you want in life because that's what it's all about anyways. You are living life for you and not another! I love that you shared your train of thought and I have yet to really understand what I want because I want both lives!

Alexa said...

This is such a true and honest post. I feel the same way. Lots of people I know get caught up in the rat race...and frankly, it's just a little bit sad.

Christianna said...

Hey would you be my "Any Friend Of Mine" interview of this coming Monday?! Let me know and I'll get the questions to you ASAP!

Cindy said...

i love this 'visionary for my own future'! all those things are just things not experiences that enrich our lives in the end. love your self-reflection and values, which is probably why i like you!

Mandy Crandell said...

What a great conversation! My boyfriend's college friends are the same way. It seems like they're always competing for unrealistic things. You and your husband know what's important. ;)

http://mandycrandell.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/#!/MandyCrandell

Ashley Peak said...

Beautiful posts. My hubs and I feel the same way, and it's inspiring to know we're not the only ones! Ha! Love!

Jenn @ Live Love Life Now! said...

What a beautiful and eloquent post!

I loved it particularly because I also think that a rich life isn't made up of material things, but instead what you do with it...and the good you can bring to the rest of the world.

I love dreaming and thinking about all the good that I want to accomplish through Live Love Life Now and (as you say) making a dent in the world.

I think leaving this world a better place because you were in it is more important than whether you owned the biggest house out of all your friends.

It's nice to know others who feel the same way and I commend you and your hubs for pursuing those lives :) It's great when your partner shares the same ideology and I'm lucky enough to know the feeling!

Jenn xo