What dreams are on your to-do list?

I think that all dreams can come to light. Great post.

i agree, with hard work and dedication there isn't much we can't do

Hi Kerrell.  What do "you" want to do?

I want to go to London, England and I intend to.

My husbands been to London several times because this mother was born there, I hope you get a chance to go , one day I would love to see Ireland where my fathers mother and father were born-I cant say I would ever visit where my moms family was born because that would be Bohemia back when it was Bohemia which I don't think it is anymore  

Hi Lori.  Thanks for the well wishes.  I plan to go this summer.  Maybe I'll take a side trip to Ireland while there.  PBS did a program on Irland not long ago and it sparked my interest.  But, London first.

There are many things I've always dreamed of doing, but those dreams are put on hold now while I try to re-accomplish things I've been able to do in the past that I can no longer do...like drive a car, have a decent job, find people who are interested in me for being me and not put off by my 'disability'.  Now, I dream of being looked upon like everyone else...as a 'normal' person.  Only my leg is missing; not my mind, heart and soul.  I hope to eventually get past this temporary set-back through the same hard work, determination and drive that got me to the point I am now as my misfortunate event.  With enough hard work, I know I can overcome any obstacle and attain the same rate of success I've had ovet the past year getting back on my own two feet once again...from one foot.

How long has it been, Rob. If only a short time, I assure you, it CAN happen and WILL happen if you feel and act like you're just like anyone else, no more special than they are. Then people will begin to not even see the disability.

I'll pray this gets better for you, Rob. It's so sad that we're sometimes guilty of dehumanizing others who are different in any way. We can forget that they have a soul and a heart and feelings. I've even been guilty of forgetting the feelings of people who seem to be strong, unbreakable people in my life. It's a horrible feeling to realize how wrong that is. We ALL hurt and love and have needs...no matter how different or strong we may be on the outside. This will happen for you. I know it will. Keep the faith. I know how hard that can be, but keep it any way. Hold it on to it no matter what.

Rob, If you have God in your heart you will overcome that obstacle. He is there for you. It may not seem like He is all the time but He is. Like Sarah said keep the faith. Praying for you.

I have a couple of things that I've always wanted to do. First and foremost I have always wanted to be a published author. Now I've been published online for articles but I want to be an author of a book and hold it in my hands. I have no doubt that this goal will be accomplished. I have a couple of books in the beginning phases but it's hard to find the time to do with with three kids (one who has ADHD and another with PDD (pervasive development disorder). We're in the process of getting my youngest help with local organizations in town and he'll be going to some kind of school within the next few months so I can't wait to devote some of my time to writing! I do think that my goal will come true.

Another one of my goals is to see the local LGBTQ family group thrive. The group is for LGBTQ people who have kids, or have a niece, nephew, brother, sister, neighbor kid that they want to bring for some kid friendly family fun. I've recently been given the green light to plan the family outings and we had our first one at the end of may. It was a success and we have another one tomorrow. My goal is to keep the group up with fun activities because EVERY FAMILY MATTERS. I want my kids to have fun activities with people that accept all of us for who we are.

I think my goals are achieveable... and I'll certainly be doing all I can to help them come true.

Shannon, in response to being a published author I have accomplished that.  email me and i will share the websites.  In response to my dream I wish I could market my book and sell it.  It is currently here on Gather and I am sharing it with my fellow members.  you can find it in my profile.  it is "The Comfort of Holding Your Hand".  Publishing it was easy marketing it is tough.  and Shannon I can hold the final copy in my hands.

i would so to take the kids to disney world.  I am not sure if it is reachable, but that is on my to do list

I remember when I thought that goal was out of my reach! A friend of mine told me that I could do it in no time if I planned it and sure enough, it finally happened 5 years later and the next year and the next and..until our son left home :) It felt good to do it.

I believe you can do it Anne. Plan for it, and be open to it falling into your lap when you are ready.

Im sure you can do it.  Start a little vacation fund now and put as little or much into as you can.  Every extra helps. 

Anne - you get in free on your birthday - just go on line and get your coupon. So that would be you or any of your kids - so plan your trip during one of the birthdays:)

Great tip Rose!

I have about 6 half started novels cluttering up my computer and I really want, nay need, to organize at least one of these works so that I can finish writing it and submit it to publishers. The steps I need to take? I need to outline the whole plot, flesh out the characters, and start filling in the blanks of what I started!

Don't we all!  lol  I have a (what I think is a) great book... which I started twenty years ago.  The pencil is starting to wear away... I have been typing it into Word, but something alas, always comes up.  silly.

wow, that's great! i hope you are able to pull one together and get it published.

I have always wanted to write and illustrate a children's book, preferably one about horses.  I haven't done this yet.  It isn't quite as easy to do as it looks like it would be.  Plus I have health issues that keep getting in the way.  The thing that I am going to do to try to achieve my goal is to change doctors and maybe get some better health care.  I think if I felt better physically, then I might not be such a gloomy gus and hopefully I could be more functional so I could do things that I enjoy, such as drawing and writing.  It's a goal for now.

It's hard to publish children's books. I looked into ita while ago. I wish you the best of luck - you have some of the most beautiful horse artwork I've seen.

My SIL published a childrens book but I forget what the name of it was. she gave me one.

I have a great long list of things I would like to do. The first one to be accomplished will be taking my kids on a magnificent holiday, probably still be a while before that comes to happen, but it will. One thing I have wanted to do for years is a wing-walk. I would love to do this while raising money for a charity. Certainly a personal wish that I don't intend giving up on.

Wow, sounds dangerous.

My dream is to live a long happy life with my family always near.

My goal is just to be happy!

My hopes are that my son will grow to be a strong man and experience life to its fullist.

"What is something you've always wanted to do that you have yet to accomplish?"

This is an easy one for me.  I haven't been to London, England yet.  I want to do this soon.  Woo Hoo.

Good luck with getting there! :)  That sounds like fun.

Thanks for the well wishes.  I plan on going this summer.  Woo Hoo.

... dreaming is a progressive state of mind period.  our days are our dreams ...  just like our dreams are our days.

Sometimes our dreams change from day to day too.

c.l. mareydt, as an inspirational author what would "you" like to do that you haven't done yet?  Maybe you would like to take a walk on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.?  Maybe you would like to take a long  vacation on a cruise ship? 

really Lee ... it seems we are on different thought patterns here  ...

i really don't hunger for a bunch of stuff - if i am not content today - what makes you think any dream will make me more content?  the reality is where ever you go ... there you are!  i am fulfilling the basic dream of life - daily.  BEING.

I'd say that my main goals in life have been achieved - I have a wonderful husband, 2 beautiful children, and I am able to be home with them and provide them a solid, stable homelife.  However there are still many dreams I'd like to achieve. I'd love to travel and see some of the world besides the United States.  I'd like to take my children on some great vacations to see so many things.  I would like to say that I am working on that goal, but in reality, all attempts at making or saving money are applied to just paying the bills right now.

Hi Renita. I think that sounds so great. I agree that raising your children and being a great wife are beautiful goals that you're accomplishing daily. I have a lot of great money saving ideas. If you need help figuring out ways to "trim the fat" from your budget or sock away a little vacay fund here and there...PLEASE ask me. I'm hoping I can share some solid advice with others and I'd be so happy to help. BTW...you don't even know how much I understand how impossible it feels to save even five bucks sometimes, but it can and will happen for you. Let me help.

Well, my dream is as big as the whole world. I would love to travel to every continent. Short of that, my mid-term goal is to get to see the "Big 3" in the ancient world: the Acropolis in Greece, the Great Wall in China, and the Pyramids in Egypt.

I have begun working on the mid-term goal. I made it to Greece a few years back. China and Egypt are next on the radar. I know that these are reachable.

I have always wanted to travel the world and explore other cultures.  To complete that goal, with very little money I decided that living with a host family and working would be a feasible way to accomplish my goal of traveling the world. So in 2001 I began my quest to travel the world and experience other cultures. In 2004 & 2005  both my husband and I were excepted into the teacher exchange pprograms and taught in both Mexico & Costa Rica. The birth of my handicapped grandaughter has way layed my goals temporarily as she was born drug addicted and is blind but doing fabulous.  She will soon be in a special school program and I will then be free to persue my goal of traveling the world and learning other cultures.  I have also been looking into Earthwatch and applying for the teacher grants in their program so that I can  join an Earthwatch expedition with scientists and others to help our environment in another year or two.  I also have a goal to have my childrens books finished and published. The first part of that goal is easy I have planned to work on my books at least one hour a day  and then I must research how to get them published.

My dream has always been to visit Australia and see some of the unusual animals in their natural habitat. I'm not sure I'll accomplish this goal, since I'm already 55 and the economy has destroyed both my inheritance (that I invested in stocks) and a lot of my pension. The only way I can see to meet this goal is to find a way to either become famous (and be invited there) or do something to make a lot of money. On the becoming famous front, I'm becoming more known in the ferret community and gave a talk at a symposium that was very well received. I've also been on national TV on a PBS special on ferrets (singing no less). On the idea of making money (and maybe becoming famous, but that's a real long shot) I'm trying to start writing more and getting up the courage to send it out to paying markets. If I do it well, I might be able to save up enough to take the trip.

Frankly, I'm probably just as likely to win the lottery. :) But I can wish, right?

Barb, you are a most talented author.  Publish Launa's story in novel form.  Your collaboration with Donn F. on Launa's story is a winner.  Keep writing you are too talented to ignore this talent and treat it as a sideline.  Don't ignore the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  Your fortune is just sitting there waiting for you to claim it.  Write.

Why thank you, Lee! That is so sweet! I really appreciate the encouragement. :)

I agree Barb. Now's the time - carpe diem! :) As I mentioned to another on this page, if you have questions about how to save more money or improve your budget - anything! - please ask me. I'd love to help you make a great plan. I have ideas to share people! :) It would make my day to respond to your question(s).

What is something you've always wanted to do that you have yet to accomplish?

I'd like to travel in Europe someday (though I need a passport first)....and I'd like to go back on stage in plays, like I did in high school.

Jax,

Can  I go to Europe with you???

Sure....I speak a little German, so we'd be okay in about 4 countries...LOL

I have always wanted to travel the united states by rv and go state to state seeing the things that makes each state special.  I have been to many states but not all and i havent spent a lot of time in very many states. When my dh retires one of our goals is to get an RV and go traveling. 

Ashley, you'll love this.  This is something I have done (but not in an RV) and I can tell you that there is not a place on earh as beautiful as our beautiful United States of America.  God bless America.

My Big dream is to own a really nice big old home and turn it into a small Inn or BB .I would want it to be really different with room themes that feature different times in history like a Renascence room , medieval room, A Victorian room, civil war room stuff like that where people could be surrounded with art and antiques from each period they enjoy. I would do gourmet home cooking and have a big library for reading and relaxing some place where you could come to relax and get away from everything .I would attach a separate spa for a more modern touch as well.

If I really had money to burn I would have a different form of entertainment each night that had to do with the theme of the day , like a jousting competition, a civil war reenactment (on a small scale) or maybe just a nice Victorian ball room dance and there would always be afternoon tea partys in the big garden  lol

Im not to sure how I could make this happen ,its been a dream of mine for a long time . I guess I would have to save and work hard to make it happen but like many big dreams I would probably just have to win the loto or something because the way I would want to do it would really cost some high dollars :) 

I love tea parties.  May I attend one of yours?

As soon as I get it finished I will send you a invite LOL

Lori - what a lovely big dream I could see it as you were describing it. Perhaps now is a good time to look around for a big place and start working on it?:)

Thanks Rose ! I did see a beautiful big old house in St Augustine I would love to fix up maybe one day I will be able to :)

what is something you've always wanted to do that you have yet to accomplish?

Get a college degree.  I won a full scholarship my senior year of high school, but I denied it.  At the time I was having anxiety problems and I would have done a bad job.  I am happy that I denied it though.

Within two years I was married, and within three I had my own business that does moderately well most of the the time.  I have begun freelance writing now, and I have many other concepts on the bunner.

But I still want that degree.  From the time I was seven and knew what college really was, I wanted to be a college graduate of some sort.  I hope to get a certificate in personal training within the next two years to make that dream a reality.

I don't know how old you are, but getting a college degree is an obtainable goal.  I read an article the other day where an 80 year old lady got her college degree.  Why?  Because she wanted to of course.

There are so many dreams that I have...

I want to travel...  I want to have a child...  I want to be happy...  I want to buy a home...  I want to finish my college degree...  I want to own horses again...

I am confident that all of my dreams will come true with HARD WORK!  :)

what is something you've always wanted to do that you have yet to accomplish?

well, since i have all these medical problems and social security does not feel that i can work as a nurse but i still should be able to do something. nursing was all i have ever known. i have always wanted to get my bsn. after being a nurse for 27 yrs. i know it is long over due. but now i just want to live a happy life and give as much as i can to others

Hi Tammie, I wonder if you would be able to help people with medical advice online or something. I don't know for sure, but WebMD may have online chat with a live professional. ??? I would check it out! That way you could help others and use your knowledge of nursing. There are lots of nurses in my family and all have such caring souls. I hope you can continue to share your gift.

forgot to answer the how will i got about making it happen part;)  Dh and i are saving now for his retirement.  We have money we in investments, money in savings and we will have our home paid off before he retires.  We also will buy the RV before he retires and have it paid off so that all we need to do is pay for gas.  By planning ahead of time and saving and paying things off now we will be able to do a lot more when dh retires. 

Wow - Ashley, your dream is practically a reality with all that planning.

this is really interesting to see what others want to do in there lives.

Hi Tammy.  What do "you" want to do?

I want to go to London, England and I plan to do so.

That sounds wonderful, what would you do there?

what is something you've always wanted to do that you have yet to accomplish?

I'd love to skydive but I'm too chicken!!

I have set the goal to get my bachelors degree before I die and I'm slowly working on that!!

I have always wanted to jump a train.  I also am to chicken.

Before losing my son, I always dreamed of traveling, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, to name a few. After losing Dustin, my life as I had always known was changed forever. Now I must start over with goals, dreams, accomplishments...all without him. But it can happen.  Now.. one of my dreams/goals in life, has been to reach out to as many people as possible about suicide awareness and prevention. I also want to finish a book I have started about the 16 years I had with my son. I want others to know him as Dustin, the loving son I had, not as my son who took his life.

I am sorry you lost your son, Carol. I can't imagine how that must feel. I think you have beautiful goals and that God is working thru you in an amazing way. I bet He will use you to save others from the hurt you've felt. As hard as it must be, please stay positive - your work is very important. Thank you for what you're doing.

I've always loved the French language.  I took it in high school and then again in college.  I would love to become fluent in French and take a trip over there!  I would be in heaven if I could just go to Paris.

 what is something you've always wanted to do that you have yet to accomplish?

I want to build a green home.  Solar power, grey water recycle system, etc.  We've started working on this dream.  We found some land, and we've started the home design.  We won't be able to go totally off of the grid at first, but we hope to eventually.  The house is being designed with that in mind.  Now we just need to sell our house here so we'll have some money to work with!

Another goal I have is to take a few months off from work and travel across the U.S. with my family.  I think it would be a great experience for Little Miss! 

We recently bought a motorhome, so taht puts us one step closer to that goal!

what is something you've always wanted to do that you have yet to accomplish?

I have always wanted to own my own home.  Don't have to be very nice just something to call mine.  I would love for it to be in the country.  I am trying real hard to do just that even if its this mobile home I live in now and move it to the country.  I am hoping if my disability goes through to buy this. 

I have wanted to keep James safe from his abuser for the rest of his life since he was dropped off at my home at 2 weeks of age.  I am trying to finalize that and working on the adoption.

Renee as you may have heard, there is the potential for an $8,000 first time home buyer's credit you can apply toward a mortgage before the end of this year. Also this is such a good time to buy. Start looking. Even if you start with something small and simple it will make such a difference to have a home to call your own. If you can't do it now though, remember...home can be anywhere if you're with those you love. Just be sure to bless any surroundings with the love you have to share and it will be a special home wherever you are.  

my goals in life are simple  and that is to make at least one person smile every day that i am alive so far so good I am not a rich person but then again who is i have but yet a smile to share and if i can share that with some one then my life is full of hope and love I just want to make a diffrence is all

You are a very rich person, you are happy.  You made me smile. 

what is something you've always wanted to do that you have yet to accomplish? Do you think you can make this a reality, and if so, how may you go about doing it?

I've always wanted to travel across the United States on an unrestricted trip, and it's something my husband wants too.  It probably won't happen until our children are older.  We plan to start saving now, so we have the funds.  As far as planning, I just want to have a general idea of places we could visit--I don't need anything set in stone to have a good time.

Get out your road atlas.  Plan short trips close to home with your children to start your life's journey.  They will enjoy these trips too.  After the children grow and began lives of their own they will remember these trips and you will be able to take longer trips at that time.  Do it one trip at a time - go one way and return another way.  It's fun.

That's actually what we're doing this summer.  I'm pregnant and don't want to spend long hours in a car, and my son is only 2 1/2 we're doing day trips.  We've been to the aquarium and zoo, and although that's pretty ordinary for most kids, we don't have them in our area, and he loved it!  I'm not sure what else we'll end up doing this summer--hopefully some state parks here in WV and maybe KY.  I have only lived in this area for a few years, so I plan to do some research to find some places that will work for us in the near future.

what do i want to do that i have not yet accomplished ?? i would have to say i want to make every one in the world smile at least 1 time i know this might sound silly but i want to be remembered as the laugh lady

I'm smiling.

I would want to take my kids to Disney Land before they get to the age of 18 and I am still saving up for that because they are the most important thing in my life. I pray so hard each day to be able to do this for them.

I'm a little stuck right now. I need to start dreaming again, it's the first step in making anything happen. My life is good, my wishes are for my son that he will live a happy life.

Good point, Rose...start dreaming again. If it's too hard dreaming in a huge way...start small.

Well my goals at this time are rather immediate.  I'm 29 weeks pregnant and have a 14 month old and am trying very hard not to gain the 50lbs I gained with my first child.  Right now I'm going to Stroller Strides 5 times a week and so far I've only gained 13 lbs!!! So I'm making my goal a reality as we speak!  Then we're also trying to pay off the rest of our credit card debt so I do all I can online to make a little extra cash to pay that off and I've cut out trips to the nail salon etc and just opened up another credit card with a 0% APR so I can transfer my higher interest rates to that.  I should see this come to reality as I'll have another income tax return before the 0% interest deal expires so once everything is transferred I'll have no more annoying credit card interest each month! Yahoo! And we're also in the process of finding a house to rent since our one bedroom apartment wont cut it with two children...it barely cuts it now! So I've got two more months to get that done and I'm sure I'll see that happen too! So instead of just dreaming about things happening I'm being proactive and getting what I have to get done....DONE!!!

Sounds like you're making some smart choices, Michelle. And doing instead of just thinking is a great way to live too (when you're doing positive things, that is). Be proud of yourself and keep it up!  You're teaching your children some great examples, too.

I gave up on my dreams a long time ago...

Mari! C'mon...don't give up. What dream did you give up on?

There's a lot of things that I want to do but haven't yet.  I'm a dreamer so there's a lot I want to see and do.  My biggest dream is to travel.  I love learning about other countries, learning foreign languages and learning about other cultures.  Japan is the first place that I want to visit.  I can speak the language (sorta, still learning), I have 100's of books about Japan or written in Japan.  I watch shows from Japan and movies, I play games, I love the culture (food, clothing) and just anything about Japan.  Hm...maybe someday I'll teach courses on Japan.  I really want to visit but sadly time and money haven't allowed me to yet.  But, someday I will!  I always would love to visit Germany, if I can just visit Japan and Germany in my life, my travel dream will be complete =)

My main goal in life is to move to Eufaula, OK into a nice home and find a great job. I am going to complete the moving goal soon. My husband has a job in the next town over and he is finding us a home. We are networking with family and friends to help us find our dream home. I have worked in the town before and I know I can find a good job in the area It will take some searching. I think that all of these goals are attainable with a little effort on my part.

I WOULD LOVE TO TRAVEL THE WORLD--MY DREAM WOULD BE TO DO IT WITH MY CHILDREN AND TEACH THEM AS WE GO, WHAT A BETTER WAY TO LEARN WORLD HISTORY THEN TO BE THERE!!!

I have always wanted to work in a library ever since I was little.  I have the knowledge but not the experience that is wanted.  So I guess the first step would be to start volunteering in the library to get some hands on experience.

That's a great way to approach it, Kylee. Lots of organizations give preferred treatment to volunteers. Plus you'll learn so much and be able to share your enthusiasm with those around you.

My biggest dream is to own my own restaurant.  Even tho my family would be part of it and would work in it, I would hire people down and out on life.  I would see to it that they had what they needed to work.  If they needed clothes, a bed to sleep on, or a ride back n forth to work, I would help them.  I've already hit bottom in my life, and I know that one day this will turn around and I will be able to achieve what I go after.  As Norman Vincent Peale says, "If you dream it, you can achieve it". 

I heard about an awesome organization in Chicago that serves the homeless like a normal restaurant. They serve gourmet meals and diners get to choose from a menu, etc. I think you're goal of hiring those down on their luck is really special. As for you...if you've hit bottom you know what they say - now you can only go up. Sometimes bottom is a blessing in disguise for that very reason. I wish you the best on your way back up!

I have always wanted to work in a library as well. Now that I live in a small town that has a library I am waiting for an opening to apply for. And..since moving to Missouri I have found that they have no used bookstores. We had a few in Arizona that were great you could buy or trade used books/magazines/cds and games. My latest dream is to open a used book store here. I suppose I am on my way as I just purchased over 1000books at an auction (quite a steal at $8!) I have now been looking into just what it might take to get this started. I am on my way to my dream!

I have always wanted to visit all 50 states to learn more about each state.  Many states I visited while to young for them to be remebered now and this would be a great opportunity to use my video camera, so generations in the future could enjoy something from me.

Going to Scotland is one of my dreams I would hate to give up. My grandfather was from there and I always wanted to see where he grew up. More practically I would like to go to culinary school and open a catering business that specializes in theme events.

I would really love to go back to college for Psychology and specialize in helping women and children who have survived abuse, and children with behavioral disorders/ADHD like my daughter.  I want to help them re/build their self esteems and move forward into successful and happier lives.  I also want the books I am writing to sell and do well and bring laughter and entertainment and hopefully inspiration to others.

That's a wonderful goal!! I'm a mental health nurse, and if I could find a job that focused more on that population, I would be there in a heartbeat.

Have you thought about volunteering at an abused women's shelter? You would have an opportunity to help those women and children without the degree, until you can get your schooling.

We donate money, clothes, food, old cell phones etc. to them until my kids are older and I get more time to donate too! :)

One thing that I would want to accomplish would be to own and operate my own (successful) home business.  I'm not even sure what I want it to be, I just know that is what I want.  I wish I knew how to sew because I would try to make clothes and other things to sell.  I like to make crafts from random things lying around- it's fun and VERY affordable! 

Can I make this into a reality?  I don't know.  I've tried direct sales to start and had a miserable time.  It makes me wonder if I'm really cut out for working for myself. 

How I could go about doing it and really making it work: finding something that I really, truely love to do would be the first step.  Having some money to start up would be really helpful, but I guess it isn't entirely necessary.  Starting small would be important for me, because that is how I work best.          

Sewing really isn't hard, especially if you're already a crafty type, as you are.  Our local fabric shop holds classes; I bet you could find a sewing class at a fabric store or community college.  Or, if you're good at figuring things out on your own, there's sewing at about.com: Learn to Sew.

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs, ask what makes you come alive. Then go do that. The world needs people who come alive." Harold Whitman

What I really want to do is to improve my skills and situation in life. I want to finish college so I can have a better life for myself than I currently have. I am in the process of straightening my student loans out so I can accomplish this. I also want to continue to commit to write as well.

This has been an inspiring post.  Thank you Gather for offering this topic.

What is something you've always wanted to do that you have yet to accomplish?

I want a play of mine to open in New York City.   The play I am writing right now may very well be the one to move toward New York City.  What I need to do to accomplish this is:

Finish the play

Secure a public reading so I can hear it and understand how I need to edit  the play

Once I edit the play I need to find contests to enter it in.

Once the play wins a contest I will use that to propel me toward a reading at "Friday Nights" in New York City sponsored by The Dramatists Guild.  (As a member of Dramatists Guild I can secure a spot for free in this venue.)

I will publicize the reading with the hopes of a produceer coming to "Friday Nights"

Then we will sign a contract for a New York City production

This is important to me for many reasons.  One being, it would bring positive attention to the Kentucky Women Playwrights' Seminar I created and lead yearly as a way to work with strong Kentucky women writers and introduce them to the genre of playwriting so eventually Kentucky will become recognized as a place of strong women playwrights.

I also hope this success will open up opportunities for me to travel to Ireland. 

Hey, a girls gotta dream!

Trish it sounds to me as if you already have an excellent plan to accomplish your goal.

Sorry about the bold type! 

I came to a huge realization in college, when I found out that I was pregnant. For some reason being pregnant changed so many of my dreams and goals for the future. The dream of traveling the world as a journalist was discarded, and it seems as if I have struggled to find my way ever since. While I did finish my degree in journalism and communication I decided to specialize in political science, and I found work in the non-profit field after graduation, yet I still do not feel like I have found my niche.

For now I am happy being a stay-at-home mom taking care of my two - soon to be three - sons, but I do have goals that I hope to achieve as they get older.

I would love to own my own home, with lots of room for the boys and our constant growing guest list. I imagine a tropical garden, where anyone can find their own secret spot to recharge. I even dream of having a guest house, where I am sure my Jamaican mother-in-law eventually will move in.

I also have a goal of becoming a published author, and while it still seems far reached I have used my time as a sahm to start four novels. Three are finished, but I feel like I never finish with the editing part.

My third and last goal is to return to school part-time for my masters. It seems that after being out of my field for 4 years, I feel very rusty, and although entering the workforce is far out in the future, it is still a scary thought to return after being gone for so many years.

Have you checked into the blog contest I told you about?  That's the way to go these days.

Yes, I checked it out Trish. Thank you! Once I get settled in again, I am going to have to enter the contest. Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention.

My goal is to purchase a cottage style home for my little family of three and 'go off the grid;' meaning solar energy, green house gardening and the like.  I will make this happen..... begging, borrowing... working my tail off!

I dream of cultivating my tea rose hybrid.  I have been reading and learning a lot about this for about a year.... I just need my green house!

As for hopes.... that my daughter to always be healthy and for science to find a way to correct my husband's spinal injury.  He lives in constant pain. 

As a mother, I can only take care of Katie as much as I can and teach her how to properly take care of herself and set a good example. 

But, for my spouse's spinal injury... all I can do is be there for him.  To help him get out of bed, massage his cut muscles, offer emotional support....

what is something you've always wanted to do that you have yet to accomplish?

I would like to take the kids to the water park this summer.

If the water park is too expensive, maybe a slip and slide, a few water guns/balloons or a garden hose could offer you some good old fashioned fun. That also never gets old - you can do it week after week and the kids will love it. To make it more of an event, they could pack a picnic lunch for before or after you're all soaked.

One of my goals and dreams in life is to do medical mission work in Africa, preferably with AIDS orphans. I know I can make this happen. I've been a registered nurse for a year now, so with my degree, I have qualifications to do medical missions. The two obstacles right now are that I have young children, and money (of course). I've been doing research, and there are some short-term mission trips out there which would be much more doable for me right now. I could find care for my kids for 2 weeks. Some of them are only around $2000, which I think I could save up by next summer. I know I want to do work like this in the future, and I am seriously considering a short trip in the next 1-2 years.

Learn to play the bagpipes. I love the music from them. Not sure I have the "breath" for it though!!!!

 what is something you've always wanted to do that you have yet to accomplish? Do you think you can make this a reality, and if so, how may you go about doing it?

A not yet accomplished goal is to open a 24 hour child day care.  When my girls were young; I worked as a nurse but always got stuck on the afternoon or midnight shift.  It was hard to find reliable & safe child care for those shifts.  I would love to purchase a house in a nice neighborhood to house this day care; make it a second home for the kids.  A place that parents feel comfortable bringing their children.  I had the business prospectus drawn up; had a few people interested in investing; a few people willing to work the day care.  State licensing; city rezoning....political stuff pushed the idea to the back burner.  Maybe some day.

I dream of traveling where ever the road takes me.  I think I'd like to take my significant other with me!!  He comes in handy!!

My hopes are for each of my Grandbabies to have a long & happy life.  They fill my life with joy & hope everyday.

Thank you gather for letting us all dream!!  :)

I'm still pretty young (22) but I think my biggest dream is to get settled into a stable career (in this unstable time) and be able to provide a comfortable life for myself and those around me. This seems to be getting harder and harder each day. I am currently in college to become a medical transcriptionist and am working very hard knowing that this could provide such an environment for us. I never want my family to have to know the anguish of losing their home, or my young siblings having to find out first hand how harsh things are without the basic necessities of living. It isn't an extravagent dream, but I believe family and caring for those around you is a big one.

tjobs.com has a lot of work from home jobs for transcriptionists. So does ifreelance.com.

I truly wish to become a published romance author. I joined Gather in hopes of getting great critique on my work. And, so far, it's been a great learning experience.

So many others have helped me see what my mistakes were over and over again. I've learned to self edit more and more.

With continued help and guidance, I do feel I can accomplish my goal one day.

Remember not to change too much based on other's suggestions...keep your unique qualities in your work - that's important for the success to be your own. Although constructive criticism can be a great thing too - just don't change too much!

I've got quite a few dreams in mind.  I guess one of my biggest is to eventually move back to Minnesota.  As much as I love parts of NJ, I'll always have MN in my heart as "home". I don't know when this'll ever happen as my hubby's never been too interested in the idea, but lately he's been more open to thinking about it.  So my first step is to convince him how great it would be.  Then we'll need to find jobs, housing, etc. and sell our house here.  THis probably won't happen any time soon, but it's something I keep hoping for.

I just want my family to be safe and to live a happy life. I would love my daughter to go to college and be successful and my foster daughter and grandbaby to get on their feet and live life to the fullest!

It can be done, and I am working on it.

I've always wanted to publish a novel. I have one I wrote and finished and just haven't had the time to do the last edit and think about mailing out queries. I will get around to it one day and then yes, I hope my dream will be realized.