Where I Thought I Would be in 2010

Lee Ryan from Occasional Notes had a post the other day about where he thought he would be in 2010 a year ago up through 35 years ago. I was entertained by it & decided to steal it for my blog. Although, frankly, my imaginings aren't nearly as interesting as his. But they're written & ready to post & that's the important thing. Really.

One year ago: I thought I’d still be living near Cincinnati because it looked like Dr. M wouldn’t be able to get a new job (the job market SUCKED last year).

10 years ago (2000): I thought I’d be living in a small college town walking to work while Dr. M was teaching. It could still happen – if I get a job near his new school. If the economy ever gets better in that area.

15 years ago (1995): I thought I’d be living in western NC somewhere while Dr. M taught high school.

20 years ago (1990): I was terribly afraid that I would be a pastor’s wife.

25 years ago (1985): I was a junior in college & figured I’d be a high-powered CPA in 2010 (although frankly I couldn’t even IMAGINE being this old!).

30 years ago (1980): I was going to be a librarian! Never mind that I could not figure out the Dewey Decimal System to save me…

35 years ago (1975): I was almost 11 & really couldn’t think beyond my next book. But I’m pretty sure that when I imagined a future career it was in a library.

I’m noticing that all of my dreams after I met Dr. M revolve around his career. Hmmm. I’ve always had trouble figuring out what I want to do with my life (ever since I nixed the CPA thing – whew!). Perhaps now, at 45, it’s time to clean the rust off that area of my brain…

P.S. When  I scanned in the 4th grade picture I realized that there is a blob of ink on my nose. I can't tell if this ink was put on the picture after the fact or if I actually had ink on my nose when the picture was taken. Guess I'll have to see if there are other copies at Daddy's house. Heh. I tried to fix it but all my efforts made me look like I had three nostrils. I decided to leave it, because I was the kid who might have absent-mindedly put an open pen in my nose. Just sayin.

Yeah, it's the post about resolutions - sort of

So, are you in the camp of folks who are glad it’s a new year and a new decade? I’m ambivalent – Dr. M finished his dissertation, graduated, and got a job doing what he loves in the 2000’s. I finally started making real money in the work place (don’t get excited – it’s not that much! But for most of the 90s I was making $18,000 - $20,000 per year). I lost 50 pounds & gained them back. My mother died, & Dr. M’s mom was placed into a nursing home. I watched a friend’s baby die, & another friend had twins. It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. Wow – really applicable to this past decade!

I try not to

look over my shoulder -

it’s all awkward

and I tend to trip.

I need all my

graceless focus

to take that next

step skip giant running leap

Where in the world

will I land?

It makes me weary

to contemplate.

I probably just

need a little more caffeine.

Here are my wishes for 2010:

1. Financial Responsibility
2. The Usual Thing (darn 50 pounds!)
3. To Be as Green as I can Be
4. Marriage Equality in All the World (I can dream, can’t I?)
5. Peace on Earth (I know I’m not a beauty contestant – I really mean it!)