"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

"Well I don't know." she answered. Exasperation ringing in her voice.

Don't you remember Uncle Yayhoo asking you this when you were like, six? What were you supposed to say? The usual canned six year old answer. If you were a girl, it was probably nurse or hair dresser,(that must have been what I said), or if you were a boy, a fireman. All noble, hardworking, and necessary professions.

But now the question comes around again. "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Well crap! I am grown up! But I don't know what I want to do. And I have my doubts about how "grown up" I am. Being in my 40's has done nothing for the ease of decision making. I think it's harder. If I make the wrong decision, it will rise up and bite in the... well, you know.

I think to myself, "what do I love" Well, I love photography. But it also stresses me WAY out. Also the competition in my area is harsh. As I sit here at my desk, I could throw a rock and hit the homes of two other, far better, photographers. Besides, photographers here are closing studios left and right. So, really that is just a hobby.


What else? I love to read. Could I make a living doing that? Yes a proofreader, or editor. Hmmm, that might be interesting. But, there are not a lot of publishers here in Springfield, Mo.

I love to write. I could do that from home and be here for my kids. But this is going to scare the wits out of my husband. He is currently laid off from his job and trying to decide what HE wants to do when he grows up. Here is the problem with that. Due to current economic difficulties, his employer has laid off a huge portion of their work force. Randy made $22 an hour. Where can he go now and make the same money. I told him he could be a stripper. The potential for $500 a gig is there. Women will pay big bucks just to see a man on the dance floor. The popularity of "Dancing with the Stars" stands testament to that. He just rubs his burgeoning belly at me and smiles. Mmmm, that's my man.

Really I think my decision is made. Now, I just have to make it work.

Wish me luck.