Living (reasonably) well

We understand that our time is counted on this earth and should value our remaining time accordingly. In fact, the less time we have, the more it shoots up in value. We try to focus on what counts most and on what procures us the best return on our money measured in the pleasure and satisfaction we draw from it. That's how we try to lead our lives and this seems to be working well for us.

So last night when we stopped by some neighbor's home and listened to their plan to refurbish part of their home, I couldn't resist but suggest what we had done in a similar situation, stressing of course the many years of pleasure and enjoyment we've derived from our initial investment. The effort was twice the initial cost but the end-result more than tenfold based on our experience.

While the story seemed to appeal to the husband, it wasn't well received at all by his spouse who saw the devil in me and my money-sucking suggestion. Truth is, she preferred total denial to possible consideration of a proven idea, akin of sticking her head in the sand. For us the rewards have truly been more than ten times whatever little money we payed for the improvement years ago. To her, my casual suggestion was tantamount to arm robbery; something like “better die rich and unhappy than destitute and fulfilled.” Well, I just disagree with that!