So today I changed my blog name, as I am officially out of my 50’s.  I have reached the half way mark!  If I live to be 120, and with medicine being the way it is, I may just do that.  So, I thought I would take some time and not reminisce (because I have already done that over the last month as I worked my way through a million photographs from birth to present)  but instead, I am going to set up some goals for the next couple, 3-4 decades. 

Where I want to go is a list that keeps changing from year to year, but I think the following are realistic for my pocketbook. I have been to every state in the union except Alaska so I would like to see that. I would like to visit Britain, France, Italy, and Germany.  I never got around to visiting mainstream Europe and would like to do that soon.  As far as the USA, I want to see Yosemite National Park, which means another trip to California.  We can definitely do that!  Acadia National Park in Maine is an experience I have wanted to share with Gary for a long time. I want to see Glacier National park in the summer or early fall.  I want to go back to Charleston South Carolina because it was the most magical city I have ever visited.  The Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island would be on the list.  Everyone should see Mackinaw Island even if you can’t afford the Grand Hotel. I want to see Vermont in the fall.  There is so much here in the states, so much beauty.  Have I ever mentioned that I love this country?

What do I want to do?  Even though I joke about retiring I don’t have any plans to end my nursing career anytime soon. I would like to stay in the position I am in for the time being and continue honing my craft.  As I approach 70, dropping down to part time would be preferable to quitting work. I get so much satisfaction from caring for people. On the other hand, my art means a lot to me and having just started working towards my BFA at NIU, I hope to hone those skills as well. I don’t think I could make a living at it but I love to paint.  It’s good to have a passion.  I guess I plan to stay busy.

Mostly though, I just want to continue growing with Gary.  Notice I didn’t say grow old.  The parts may start wearing out but many are fixable.  Our brains though need everyday stimulation.  I think we can become as lazy with our brains as we do with our bodies.  I want my brain to function as well at 80 as it is at 60, God willing.  I want to stay abreast of current events.  I want to read every book I can get my hands on.  I want to move somewhere that doesn’t have as much traffic but not to a 55 and older community.  I want to build my own house.  And I want to find a church that fits.  I want to continue to help others whether it is with my nursing skills or with other life skills that I have. 

This brings me to my final statement, because my husband is waiting for me to soak in the hot tub.  We all love to give advice and I am no different.  My advice is a saying that rings true for me and really you should try it.  “The more you give, the more you get.”  Always be generous to others and do it without expecting anything in return.  The joy of giving outweighs any joy you get from receiving.  There you go, sage advice from a woman celebrating the 21^st anniversary of her 39^th birthday.