Thinking back and then forward again.

Saturday, I listened to my friend Karen Ramos talk about her goal of buying a house...saving money, looking for the right one. Over the years, I know she has hit many of her goals - taking tennis lessons, buying a nice car, buying every Richard Gere movie (that's the guy with the gray hair now who was in Pretty Woman, right? Is it spelled Gere or Geer? Whatever.)

So I think, what are my goals? My dreams? Then a little voice says, "Who has time for goals?" - When I get out of work and run into Walmart to grab a pound of hamburger for tonight's dinner of "la Hamburger Helper" and a T-shirt on sale hoping I can get away with wearing a $14.00 (excuse me, $13.95 at Walmart) top to work, am I suppose to have a goal? A dream? You mean my dream is suppose to be more than having the laundry caught up, the moldy stuff out from the back of my refrigerator, and my oil changed every 5000 miles. (I know it's suppose to be 3000 - but let's be real here.)

But I do see the need in my life for goals and dreams so could someone give me some? Maybe you have an extra one that you don't need. I know, I know. I'm suppose to come up with them on my own? Somewhere along the way, that got lost - ya know, the direction map to the interesting and vibrant and independent me. So this, now annoying, voice says, "Think back...back...back to when you had those goals and dreams...think...think..." In between checking my wall on brainless Facebook and putting a load of laundry in the dryer, I think. What were my dreams and goals?

Well, a long time ago, there was Marcia Brady. I wanted to be like her. Pretty with long blonde straight hair and great grades - who wore these really cool clothes. But alas, I was destined to be Cindy - curly hair, the youngest, who just didn't have the glamour the older sister possessed.

Then, I wanted to be Mary Tyler Moore. Remember her? She was an independent woman who worked for Lou Grant. I wanted to have my own apartment and be working in some fulfilling job. She had a funny friend named Rhoda (who reminds me of myself at times, but that's another story...)

I think my hormones took control of my brain and I lost about 8 years somewhere in between David Cassidy and Magnum PI. I don't really remember a whole lot.

So here's my current list. I made it tonight so please grade on a curve:

1. Wear cool clothes like Marcia Brady. (Well, I think I'm cool, but I know my friends think differently at times. Remember the jacket that looked like a craft sale threw-up on me? I still have it. And this whole label thing – I just can’t get all wound-up over Veronica Bradley purses. Vivian Bradley?)

2. Find a movie star I really like - I have no clue on this one, but it seems like all the girls have that. I need some suggestions.

3. Get a cool car - My '96 Buick Regal with 2 front doors that don't open from the outside doesn't quite live up to "cool"

4. Travel – Pennsylvania is nice this time of year. Maybe the Erie Canal on the Sam Patch.

So I’m working on it and thinking about it. That’s progress! Let me know how you are coming along on your goals. Maybe you’ll inspire me. I hope this inspired you.