Playing grown up :)

Funny most of us live for the weekends....or should I say, sleeping in, staying up later, setting an alarm, college football games, morning kids soccer games, eating out, and sometimes just staying in for a quiet weekend at home. Not having one single commitment, pantry stocked, pajama pants and sweatshirt clean, remote control in hand, that is what we have planned!

When our children were at home it seemed our weekends just blasted by and was always filled with a thousand and one plans. It always seemed that just when I was getting settled down to relax one of the kids would remind me of all the things Monday and the following week would hold. For most of their childhood I was a nurse. One day I woke up with two toddlers, nothing but a high school diploma and I was suddenly the head of the house with no real way to feed, clothe, warm or bathe us. Seriously, I had to do something.

Honestly, I never really wanted to be nurse. Surprised? Here's the scoop. Read some of the other posts and you will understand why this was a natural choice for me. Plus, I had the kids in my life at that point and attempting to follow my dream was not really a choice.When I was a little girl and people would as what do you want to be when you grow up a nurse was never my choice.

Being responsible and knowing we had to eat and have electricity I rushed off and enrolled. Being a single mother I knew I had to make good money and find a job with a dependable income and nursing offered that. Plus, the variety of jobs gave me options to explore and hopefully not become bored with my choice. It did that. In my nursing career I was, a pediatric nurse, did home health, worked in the major hospitals pushing that medication or treatment carts. I worked in private offices, and my favorite of all was Cardiothoracic surgery. Being the best nurse was never a choice, it was my goal. Striving to fill my head with all the knowledge and applying them practically was the only way I could be a nurse.

Now that everybody is grown and my David, who I met just shortly before I graduated and took my boards, takes care of all those extra living expenses. Lucky, yes I am and I thank him bi-hourly for doing so. I always had issues with their dad and doing his fair share. Many of you know what that is like. Seems the kids priorities just weren't his. I needed to be able to pay for their childhood expenses: book fairs, field trips, school clothes, then movie and school game ticket money and, the many more expenses that I just don't want to ramble on about.

When Chelsea the baby graduated from high school, enlisted in the Air Force, I decided it was time to put away the nursing cap, scrub pants and medication resource book. I would miss my patients and the daily mental challenges offered to dealing with the human body and all its mysteries, but, I was ready for a change. It only took 17 years. Knowing I would be bored I spent several months before investigating doing something part time, fun work. I knew I had found that in Zumba! But, allowing that to be "my" only source of income was a little scary. Being daring I gave it a try. Now, one and half years later, I dance a little, encourage a lot and give the good nutritional advise and the healthy information my students need. Getting to let off some steam and dance with a room full of ladies is awesome. Plus, I can make some grocery money while I am doing it.

Someday's I think I would like to go back to school and become what I always wanted to be? But, then I realize I am, and I cannot believe I am typing this, to old. I know I can learn all the information and would like to think I would be one of the top of the class. I am just not prepared to compete with the young, eager college graduates to get a job. Most people in my dream profession that are my age have peaked and are focusing on retirement. Why would I put myself into that position? I will just keep my Zumba certifications and keep adding to them as well continue teaching. I get to pick my playlist, set and choreograph my own numbers and I have the flexibility of traveling with my husband when I want.

Have any of you guessed what I really wanted to be when I grew up? Take a guess in the comments sections......