My Dream Job

By Day: Professor of Nursing

By night: A musician at a piano bar, you know the type where you are handed a stack of napkins to write requests on. Everyone sings along. I have been to some of these places and they are always a hoot. It's a real social atmosphere, and I have met people from all over the globe.

During summers off: A world traveler, a nurse on medical missions

I am currently a nurse in a hospital. It is my second career, and one of the driving factors in becoming a nurse would be to travel to third-world countries and provide medical care to those who so desperately need it. Our health care system in U.S. may not be perfect, but we have systems in place for children to receive vaccinations, and if you have a medical emergency, no hospital can turn you away. I have a friend who went on a medical mission in Belize to do dental work. People started lining up outside the tent at 2am for medical care. Lines stretched out as far a they could see.

So, it's more of a lifestyle choice I am striving for. To be a nursing professor, means I would have the schedule I need to pursue my other dreams. Currently I am in school working on furthering my education.

As far as my night job? Well maybe when I'm retired I can be a coffee shop musician.

My secret

I am a wife, a mom to one child and a dog
I own a home--the american dream
I have a career
I am grateful for the many blessing in my life
I smile at my family, I cook the meals, do the laundry and
I try my best to play the role of good mom & wife

YET

I'm really not all that good at doing the former
I feel like I'm an outsider looking in
I don't feel as though I belong in this life
I spend alot of time giving myself pep talks
I know the grass is always greener on the other side
I can be honest now, but still
I will keep my secret

Second Chances--sunday scribblings

"It's never too late to have a happy childhood"

"Grower older is mandatory, growing up is optional"

These are the quotes that came to mind when I saw the Sunday Scribblings prompt. It took a more than a day to find them in my over packed brain, but as I enjoyed my tranquil sunshine filled bike ride this morning, I realize that right now I am enjoying a second chance at childhood.

I was one of many who never really had a happy childhood, it was packed with worry and fear and not much time for fun. I grew into a busy worker bee adult, and anxiety and the need to prove myself consumed much of my time. Somewhere along the way, I picked up some hobbies I never had as a child--bike riding, attempting to learn the piano, and two years ago, I got my very first dog, who is the best friend I have ever had. Reminding myself daily to take some time to have fun and be carefree has enriched my life immensely and fills me with inner peace.

So to those of you filled with worry and to much to do, remember to find you inner child, and go play in the sunshine. And to all the parents out there, bring your children out to play with you too.

Flying Pigs

This is one of the prints in my living room entitled "When Pigs Fly." I haven't a clue why I was drawn to this painting, I find it cute and humorous. The pig looks so darn cute and free (the image above is a poor example). When I looked at this weeks Sunday Scribblings prompt, its the first thing that came to mind. When pigs fly of course, as we all know, is the thing that will never happen. This little pig in the picture above is flying in his own way. Perhaps I feel drawn to this little piggie because in my life, I am trying to fly, despite what the naysayers say. To fly outside the box and do a little more in life than my traditional role as wife, mother, and employee. To recognize my dreams of becoming a musician, and a writer. Like the pig, I am running free, taking the plunge, and make tiny little flights in my own way.

A married woman's little helper

Sunday Scribbling response # 47

Crushes, when I first saw this topic I thought, ah, crushes aren't for me, the married woman. Truth be known, my "crushes" help me keep that sexy feeling. I have had crushes on the richer, older, and more attractive. Crushes on the younger, naive and inexperienced. An adult crush, for me is that innocent flirtation thing that happens with the various men I have met. I can instantly develop a crush on someone with a sexy foreign accent. I have witnessed my husband experience "crushes" or flirtations with people. Once it would cause me wild jealousy, but now I have mellowed with age and experience. I know these crushes are part of marriage. Part fantasy, part reality, totally harmless.

Passing up the driver

"I don't want to be a passenger in my own life." ---Diane Ackerman
--Response to this Sunday Scribblings prompt

A passenger is something we all may be
From time to time
Or shall we drive
Be in control
Call the shots
Perhaps its better
To chase the wind
Follow the dancing leaves and become caught
In an intoxicating dance
Possibly finding
A welcome surprise

STOP
Not I, the strong mind
Shall join the dance
The dance is scary
Dancing unknown
I am content
To follow
My own road

WAIT
If for once I could dare
To trust
To sit beside a dear friend
With an open mind
Perhaps I could find
An old dirt road
Where sunshine is
And the proverbial greener grass
Really grows

Sweet Bedtime Memories

Once upon a time there was a little curly haired girl named Abigail who loved to read stories at bedtime. Her mom would snuggle into her little bed with her and they would read story after story. She particularly love one named When Momma Comes Home Tonight

Abigail and her mother would read books so many times over that soon Abigail would "read" the books with her mommy. Then one day Abigail came home from school and she was really reading bedtime stories by herself. This was a joyous occasion. Abigail and her mommy would read bedtime stories together for many happy years. Then Abigail and her mommy would each read their own books snuggled in Abigail's mommy's bed. Abigail's mommy would usually fall asleep and Abigail would use this opportunity to turn off the lights and stay in her mommy's bed all night long.

Well times have changed, Abigail is a tween now, and straightens her curly hair, and would rather read on the internet or play video games than read a bedtime story. Abigail's mom still tries to encourage her to read, but not too much because Abigail wants to do whatever her mom says not to do.

Abigail's mommy is no longer a friend, or a reading buddy, but a parent. A full blown adult who in Abigail's eyes is not as cool as Hannah Montana.

Just when Abigail's mommy thought all hope was lost....................she saw Abigail..................snuggle up on the couch....................and read a bedtime story...............to her little baby cousin.