Multi generational workforce {come see where we work}
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It’s April vacation week here so we have been doing some fun things and enjoying the beautiful weather here in New England! Our blog was switched over to word press this week and this is my first post in it! It only took me 7 hours over 3 days to figure out how to post! I thought I would share something new with you all…….some of us work together.
A couple weeks ago, someone emailed me and said, “oh how cool, you all live together…….atleast you get a break when you go to work! ha ha”. That was the comment. Well, I kind of laughed and emailed back saying, “well, you laugh but four of us actually do work together! 🙂 “. I think I scared her off because I never heard back! She was probably thinking, “what kind of a freakazoid lives with her parents and grandparents permanently and also works with them!?
Before we go any further, let me clarify a few things.
Meet uncle Louie. He’s not a blood uncle but he’s just one of those people. Ya know, a family friend that has been there forever. You have any of those? My dad has worked here at his construction business forever along with my gramp. Yes, my 82 year old gramp goes to work EVERYDAY at 6am. This is where I worked during high school and summer breaks during college as well.
This was Louie’s response when I told him I sawzalled my couch in half. Don’t get him confused with my dad, they look a lot alike!
When I became a stay at home mom and left Corporate America in 2005, I was encouraged by my dad and Louie to get my real estate license. They are in the construction business and thought it would be a good fit for me. So I got my license and worked part time for a very “short” time 🙂 Then I was out of there! 🙂 I do still keep my license active for personal real estate purposes and for future job opportunities but for now, I am a MOM! Although, I do go into the office and hang out and keep up with what’s going on.
My son and my dad hard at work in the VERY messy area my dad calls his desk. He loves to answer the phone!
My gramps going on a coffee break and my dad and son driving around 🙂 The golf cart is my sons favorite thing to do at work. My dad is laughing hysterically because I am yelling at him (as I take the picture) “don’t get run over by the other generation!” My gramps is driving in the pickup truck (not looking where he is going) but focused on me and why I am there taking pictures!
His second most favorite thing, looking in the mail box,
My son and my gramps cleaning up! Pssst, don’t tell anyone, but I love to come in here and hang out when they are building and use all the cool tools. It’s DIY heaven!
At 11am, my gramps heads home and like clock work, he pulls in the driveway of our house and honks his horn. It’s to alert my gram that he is home and lunch is to be on the table! I kid you not, e-v-e-r-y single day the man pulls in and blows his horn and my gram gets the food on the table before he even gets in the house. Can you imagine if your spouse did this? Hello generation from 4000 years ago! If my husband happens to be home in the morning and he hears the horn blowing, he laughs hysterically and says, “Jess, can you imagine if I did that?”. ha ha
He still carries a thermos and lunch box 🙂
So, let me quess, you really think I have lost my mind, right?!
About The Author
What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.
Not crazy! I think it’s awesome!! I think I told you we used to live with my parents; now we are a house a way and wouldn’t have it any other way. My parents and I are working on starting a little business together; so I fully approve of your living/working situation. 😀
Hi Jennifer! Sorry if you are getting duplicate responses from me. I am trying to figure out my new comment system. Yes, I remember you! Oh my goodness that is so great about starting a business with your fam! Come back and share and keep me posted 🙂
Hi Jessica!
My husband and I worked together and got to do a lot of traveling. We mainly went to northern California. It was great! We loved it! No one could believe we were married when we both showed up on the job. “You work together!?!” We heard that all the time.
I quit working when our daughter had our first grandbaby. Wouldn’t have it any other way. I stayed at home and had my own drapery business while our children were young.
Now off to tie up the loose ends on our last project…and, of course, plan the next one. 🙂
Oh my, I don’t think I could work full time with my husband. Oh boy 🙂 Have fun and thanks for stopping by!
I think it’s awesome! I love it!
Debbie
Thanks Debbie! I’m glad the commenting system is working 🙂
I love it! It’s unbelievable that you’re able to work in the same environment and live together too. That’s a true definition of a family. I love the love you all have for one another 🙂
Pamela
Nope, not crazy. Pretty sweet. Like the Waltons (which I loved when I was a kid). Your gramps reminds me of my Grandpa, who had his own machine shop. Every night he drove in at the same time, and my Grandma would fuss at him to clean up, and she’d have a drink and appetizer waiting for him when he emerged from the bathroom with clean fingernails. Thanks for sharing and bringing back fond memories.
Hey Rita! That is such a cool story! You made me smile 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!
I am truly happy that this works for you.
When I was growing up I could not live with my dad… just a bad situation.
But my mom and her parents! Now that’s a different story I could live with them in a heartbeat!
I’m glad you keep up your real estate license… can we become best friends? 😉 (just teasing!)
Ha, you are funny! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing!
I think is simply awesome! =)
Thank you Emily!
I think it is so wonderful !! I miss my daddy so much !! I love reading your blog – it is so heartwarming and not to mention I love your DIY projects !
Have a great day,
Karen in Texas
Oh thanks you so much Karen! I am sorry about your dad :(. I’m sure that is so difficult for you. Hoping you have wonderful memories that live on in your heart 🙂 I am so glad you read and love our blog. We are pretty new at this so thanks for letting me know you follow along with our crazy little life!
You know how much you make me laugh girlfriend!!! If my husband honked at me and expected lunch he’d get soooooo chewed out!! LOL. My grandparents were the EXACT same way. Heck, my inlaws are the same way! I didn’t know you were a Realtor! So am I!! I knew I liked you. (wink)
I think that is so sweet!
Thank you 🙂
Jessica, you know how I love your Gramps. After the “honkin’ horn” story I may need to start lovin’ your Grandma a whole lot more!
Ha Nancy! 🙂 Can you let me know if you got this commment?
Sure did!
I think it’s pretty great! Besides all the cute DIY stuff, your family connection is one of the reasons I started following your blog. Your grandparents seem sweet, not many still work at 82!
Thanks so much Barbara for the sweet comment 🙂 I’m glad you follow us! I think he will work until the day he dies.
I think it’s great you’re so close to your family. And as aggravating as it can be sometimes, you’re so very lucky!
And welcome to the WordPress family 🙂
Thanks Bella! I think my WP is fixed. Can you let me know you got this? Thanks!
I think it’s great that your family is so close. There is nothing better for children to have such a close relationship with grandparents and great grandparents.
I think it’s kinda funny that we have somewhat of a similar life. I got my real estate license, sold homes for 5 years and just this last March, I called it quits but have so far retained my license (just in case). My husband is in construction (heavy equipment, moving earth, kind of construction). I do the book work for his business. For 20 years we (myself, my husband, and our 4 daughters) lived with my grandparents whose home actually shared a driveway with my parents. Our home was just a mile up the road from my husbands parents and his aunt’s and 1/4 mile down the road from my uncle’s home. 10 years ago we built our home in the backyard of my grandparents and my oldest daughter now lives in my grandparents home with her husband and their 3 daughters. Confusing? Funny how history seems to be repeating itself.
Anyway, I do love reading your blog. I’m working on starting a blog myself but have yet to get it to the point where I feel comfortable publishing it. Your story about the sawzawed couch was really funny. After 10 years, I’m not yet brave enough to hang a picture on my sheetrock walls much less brave enough to take power tools to my furniture.
Thanks for the laughs.
Yes, your dad needs to clean up his desk!
ha!
How did the wordpress switch go? I’ve been thinking about it, but I haven’t gotten the guts up to do it yet.
This post was too funny! I love that your family is so close. I’m sure you get sick of each other, but it’s rare to have a family that’s so close that you can all live and work together.
I think that’s awesome! My dad, two of my brothers, my sister-in-law, and my nephew all used to work for the same company. Since they all had the same last name it got a little confusing to people who *only* remembered the last name of the person they talked to, but not the first name, lol!
My dad retired, one of my brothers got cancer and had to quit working, the sister-in-law quit to stay home, but my other brother and nephew are still working together!
I thinks it’s awesome that you all live together and work together. Nothing weird about just…. love : )
We have 3 generations under 1 roof It i`snt working How do you make it work. there is only one income-retirement social security.
Hey Colleen. We try to create spaces that allow for privacy. That is the big key to success for us. We all do split the bills though so I can understand how one income may be difficult. Hang in there and good luck .
Enjoyed reading your story – I have my Father living with us – built a detached garage/apartment for him after having him inside the house for 10 years – I also have built 2 and 3 generation homes for Clients but no 4 generation Clients yet – It is going to be a large part of society in the future – Keep up the good work
Thank you for stopping by! That is great you have your dad living with you and were able to create spot for him in the detached garage. Personal space is what makes it work 🙂 Good luck!
You are so fortunate – all of you are! (I was going to say “all y’all”, but thought it might be a “scratch your head, what did she say?” moment.) What sweet memories you all are making. . .Happy New Year.
ha, you are funny Judeene! 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by and Happy New Year to you as well.
I love your blog and think your living plan is awesome …all those different members are ” a different piece of fabric in your family quilt”. What a wonderful way for your kids to learn and experience different family members!
Love your DIY projects. My girlfriend and I love repurposing and making new projects in spaces and organizing!
Your projects are beautiful and I cant wait to follow your blog
Thanks!
Allison
Thank you Allison! I agree, my son has the gift of many family members at his disposal 🙂 That is great that you have a friend who shares in your DIY passion. It’s always fun to do projects with others 🙂
New visitor. Love your blog! You are so lucky to still have your grandparents around. Cherish them everyday! You will miss them when they’re gone.
Thank you Bridget. I couldn’t agree more. I (we) are very fortunate to have this opportunity 🙂
I also live with my in-laws, we are a three generation house! It is said to be temporary while we save for a house but we love it so much we joke about not leaving! My mom in law and I sort of work together, she watches a baby from the house and I am a stay at home mom (I work part-time) So we are together often! My son loves every second of it and it is really nice to have family there. We definitely have our arguments and I look forward to your updates on how to handle multigenerational living. We have another 2 years, maybe more left!!
haha, that is what we said five years ago! 🙂 We are still here. Good luck with your arrangement and keep me posted on your updates as well. It’s always fun to compare notes in multigen homes 🙂
I. LOVE. IT. ♡
And…we are getting ready to become a 3 generation home, not by necessity, by choice 🙂
Yay! 🙂