Childhood dreams...

[Laiste]

When you were a young child what did you dream of being when "you grew up"? Were you encouraged or discouraged? Did you make or are you making your dreams come true now?

Here is my sad little story!! I was a cheerleader from the age of 6 until I finished high school.From the age of 16-19 I coached a cheerleading team. I had always dreamt of being a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader!! Corny, perhaps but I really wanted it. I would watch every Dallas game and practice the moves as much as I could. I was discouraged by anyone who I confided in and eventually discouraged myself and never even came close to what I really wanted! There are some days when I wonder what if??!!

Lesson learned...I will always encourage my sons dreams and help in any way to insure that he fufills them!

I am interested to know your dreams and if you have fufilled them!

[Flar's Freyja]

Hmm, good one. I didn't get to have any. My father was Satan himself, an incredibly abusive monster who told me every day that I was too stupid and ugly to be anything. I recall wanting to be a ballerina or an ice skater or a singer. I left home the day after I graduated high school and it took me about ten years to even begin to break through believing it. I ended up in an abusive marriage where I was called a stupid (well, in about a thousand words) slut (in another 500 words) for 12 years. When I finally took my 3 kids and started life again from scratch, I ended up back in school, working toward a master's degree. I'd been a straight A student in high school and had a 4.0 most semesters in college. I was awarded the most prestigious award that the graduate college gives. And dear old dad wasn't there to see it - because I haven't spoken to him in 20 years. I have worked very hard for five years in a very stressful state job - and a few months ago resigned and began freelancing. It's scary, but I know that it's going to end up being all that I want it to be. I am my own boss. After years of being controlled, you can't imagine how good that feels.

So be careful what you say to your children. It really can have a lifelong impact. My father actually was a singer. He told me that I could not sing. It was not until I got involved with my pagan group that I ever, ever sang in front of anyone. Imagine my surprise when people compliment me on my voice. Unbelievable that for 45 years I sang in the car and would have died of embarrassment if anyone ever heard me!

[Katzrina]

This may sound strange but I as a child dreamed of being a witch, and making my life and those close to me better. By being there for those who needed help.

So guess what I'm a witch and people come to me for help!!!!!!!!
sometimes it actually scares me that I didn't dream of being anything other than me.

must of had some pretty low standards set for myself, that or I'm just too crazy to try for anything else.

[Myst]

I wanted to a vet for 8 years. Then I got a job at a vet clinic and changed my mind (because of the people you have to deal with and my total lack of compassion for stupid people, which really isn't conducive when working in any such position). So then I got student loans to go to college for computer programming and I get freelance web design work where I can and loooove my work.

Everyday I think of my parents who are the light of my life and my inspiration. My mom finished highschool but my dad didn't and dropped out at 16 (he's dyslexic, and back then there was no such thing - you were just stupid and lazy). They didn't have great parents like I did and yet they're the strongest and smartest people I know.

So my dream has basically always been to make them proud and it seems to be working out (so they say anyway) :D

[Danustouch]

Hmmm...well..my first childhood dream, was to own a horse ranch, in Nevada. LOL. My Dad kinda ruined that one for me. He told me I'd have to be really good at math, to run a ranch. That was his trick to try to get me to do better in that subject, which I hated. So...being that I'm such a stubborn person, and since I hate math so very much...I gave up that dream right quick. lol.

My second dream, was to be a singer. I pursued it for quite a while. I took professional voice lessons, toured in many auditioned choirs, starred in local plays, etc. But...Then I went off to college, and the College Choir experience kinda wore me out. I didn't really want to do it for Credit, or as a major, I just loved to sing. So...with the demanding environment, I kinda lost the joy in it. And after I left college, I couldn't pursue the professional voice lessons anymore, for financial reasons, and basically just let it go.


The singing one is my greatest dissappointment, I think. But then, I look at Brittney Spears, and all those other young pop stars, and at other musical genre's..and I realize that the buisness isn't all about vocal talent these days....it's also about advertisement, marketing, and looks. And ..that's not really what I want to be a part of. I just like singing. So...It's kinda something I've just gotten over.

[flar7]

Have ranged far and wide. Always about things that were
beyond my ability. As I grew and things got better or worsened
my dreams changed and became more prophetic. I communicate
with my sister and sometimes my grandfather every now and then
in my dreams. The visits are pleasant and we have a great time
until I remember that they are deceased. If I bring up the subject
they tell me things I dont remember to reassure me then depart.
it is mostly my sister that comes to visit my dreams.

I have become who I want to be for the most part. I dont do
what I want, but that is not who I am. I am a loving human being
with his share of faults. I have tried and believe I am successful
at forgiving anyone whom I believe has wronged me. I have a
large collection of friends including you all. I am poor in cash but
rich in spirit.

The things I can still do, I do. The rest, I dream of doing someday
or in the afterlife. To be at peace with myself and everyone else
is my ambition. I hope I am there.

[Nyx]

I guess I'm lucky, in a way. I'm following my childhood dream of becoming an artist. My area of focus changed a bit over the years, but I always wanted to make a living drawing. No one really encouraged me though. My mom would throw away my drawings, because they caused clutter, and were fire hazards. She also banned me from drawing in certain places, since I might mess up the table! My friends always thought I was just joking around, and were never really encouraging. (The exceptions being my best friend and my boyfriend)
Last year, one of my instructors basically told me that I had no chance at becoming an artist. He basically, in a very RUDE way, told me to change my major. He was a very bitter man, who didn't like my style of drawing or painting, and barely passed me.
Poop on him. I plan to dip my butt in paint, plant it on a canvas, and send it to him one day, with a note that says "kiss my butt", :devil: just for my own personal amusment.
But, all joking aside, lack of encouragement is probably the biggest reason why I'm in school, studying art. This way I can prove to everyone, including myself, that you can be happy and successful making a career as an artist.

[xjsjaglvr]

When I was growing up my heros were Joshua Slocum, Sir Francis Chichester, and Robin Lee Graham. All were sailors who by themselves sailed around the planet. I wanted to follow in thier footsteps. After high school I went to a Maritime Academy to learn the skills I would need. Life and reality raised its ugly head and I had to "do the right thing" for my long time girlfriend. I did however manage to find a career that let me sail anyway. I finally accomplished my goal in 1979 when I arrived in Diego Garcia, sailing from California, (an atoll in the Indian Ocean), that I had visited sailing from the East coast 4 years before. So I got around the world, I just did it in segments.
Like others, I found that the way we get to the dream is not as important as not giving up. The path you take may not be the one you choose but it will get you there.
Jag

[Danustouch]

Hmmmmm...I neglected the part about who I looked up to..who was my hero.

That would probably be my Uncle. Musically, he was my hero. He had a voice like an angel. To hear him sing a Hank Williams or Marty Robbins song, would bring tears to your eyes. He almost had a recording career, but gave it up when my Aunt became pregnant, deciding that fatherhood was much more rewarding then touring.

He was also a deeply spiritual individual. Much of his views on life, and love, and religion formed who I am today. He never believed in the Christian version of Religion...or followed any organized religion. Instead, he lived his life in a quiet manner, his God was the World. He saw God in every person on this Earth. He was charitable, kind, compassionate, and giving to the core.

I think the most wonderful quality of his, that I have tried to apply to my own life, is his forgiveness and tolerance. I sometimes fall a little short, but then, I'm sure he did at times, too.

So...He was the person I called my hero....the person I wanted to be "like" when I grew up. And I think that if he were still around today, he would be proud of me.

[WolfWoman]

Originally posted by Freyja
Hmm, good one. I didn't get to have any. My father was Satan himself, an incredibly abusive monster who told me every day that I was too stupid and ugly to be anything. I recall wanting to be a ballerina or an ice skater or a singer. I left home the day after I graduated high school and it took me about ten years to even begin to break through believing it.


Very heartbreaking indeed, considering this very thing came from my MOTHER. My parents were divorced (hence the 'your just like your father' and 'you'll never amount to anything' statements). My childhood dream as it were was basically to have a happy marriage where there was no alcohol, no arguing and no namecalling. At the age of 27 I quit my job, went back to school and got a degree in culinary arts & restaurant management. I'm also the ONLY one in my immediate family with an education/degree. I'm 34 now, and I've NEVER been married and strangely, I'm fine with it - cuz I'm finally happy with MYSELF...

I'm glad you broke free of it too :thumbsup:

[rainmaker]

Well, I've always wanted to be a successful musician (re: rock star) so I started taking guitar lessons when I was 12 and havn't looked back since. After several variations of my band, I got fed up with the Florida scene and made my exodus to the Northwest. In the 2 years since then, my brother and I have been through hell with setback after setback, but things are looking up now, and we hope to start booking shows very soon! :)

I refuse to not live my dream. :thumbsup:

[Laiste]

Thank you all for sharing your personal stories. I think we are all always searching and growing and finding our true path. Letting go and leaving the past behind is a major part of the process. For me being able to talk about my past enables me to let go of it!
Like so many ohters I came from an abusive home...my father being the abuser. He was extremely verbally abusive and occasionally physically abusive as well. My parent divorced when I was 10 and everything was so much better untill the step-father entered into the picture and he and my mother began abusing drugs. There was never any money for anything and we were evicted several times. I moved out right after my 17th birthday and never went back.

My adulthood dream is to be the best person, Mom, Wife and friend I can be. To love my self unconditionally and accept and learn from my mistakes.

I wish all of you the best in life...may all of your dreams come true!!:)

[Lavender]

I love reading this thread. All the ideals that we had as children. Do you think your childhood impacts how you're raising your kids (if you have them)? I know it does for me.

As much as my parents loved me & gave me a good home, they weren't very encouraging when it comes to unconventional dreams. I love making things but it wasn't considered by them as any kind of artistic abilities because I couldn't draw - like my brother. He got the art classes which he had no interest in & I got piano lessons.

I don't know what age I was when I decided that all I wanted to be when I grew up was to be happy. I think, overall, I've achieved that.

[Lunamoth]

*ahem* Anyway...

I always knew since childhood that I wanted to be creative in some way. I've always been a writer in some form or another, my first year in college was as a Drama major with a minor in voice and dance...then I left school because of my parents.

They had always said, "You need something solid to fall back on, even if it's just sweeping floors!" I remember that quote so vividly, it haunts me. But the stories in my brain haunt me more and I can't stop them... My parents stopped all funding for college (because they did not agree with my choice of major) and I couldn't get enough financial aid because they both earned too much...I was kind of dumb about it and didn't work hard enough to look for grants and scholarships (if I knew then what I know now...). SO I left school and took a class at community college here and there, just to keep my brain active. I took computer classes and got into the field of IT, supporting computer systems at a very large corporate behemoth. I hate it.

It's funny that you bring this up, Laiste, because I decided just this past weekend that if I am to be happy, I must be a writer. So, within the next year, I plan to leave the super-expensive city I live in now and head to more affordable places. There, I can persue the dream. :)

Blessings - Lunamoth

[Old Witch]

My dream was simple. Grow up and surround myself with the things I loved most in life.................animals. I did it. I am surrounded by loving animals. My family ain't half bad either. And I have started painting (animals) again after about 8 years. Yep, I live my dream. I am a blessed woman!

[Flar's Freyja]

You too! Sounds like many of us had similar experiences, and it thrills me to see that we are making it anyway. I, too, am the only one with a degree. One of my dreams was also to give my kids a normal life, and I had to accept that it wasn't going to happen. But there is no better reward than when your son says to you that he's glad he's not like all of his spoiled brat friends. And that despite it all, they're all past 18, they're all employed and nobody's in jail - and I'm not even a granny yet! Who says that single moms can't raise good boys?

[WolfWoman]

Sounds like you did a good job with your kids :thumbsup:

Incidentally, my sister has 1 daughter and another on the way and she's doing a great job!!!!

[Pagecrd]

Freyja*******************HUGS******************

MY DAD WAS THE SAME WAY SO I HAVE EMPATHY.......




I NEVER HAD DREAMS AS A CHILD ABOUT GROWING UP..BUT I DID HAVE A RECURRENT *DREAM* ABOUT A MONSTER WHO USED TO COME OUT OF THE MIRROR AND STEAL MY EYES...I SAY *DREAM* BECAUSE AFTER YEARS OF HAVING THIS DREAM AND NEVER TELLING ANYONE MY SISTER TOLD ME SHE HAS THE SAME DREAM. ODD

[Flar's Freyja]

(((((Hugs)))))) to you, too.

And I didn't tell you guys that I grew up to work with abused children! Very emotionally draining at times, but worth it.

[Laiste]

Originally posted by Freyja
(((((Hugs)))))) to you, too.

And I didn't tell you guys that I grew up to work with abused children! Very emotionally draining at times, but worth it.

Kudos to you Freyja!! It's a wonderful thing you are doing. I am sure that it is draining but it must also give you a lift at times to know that you are helping these children!:)

[SpikesPet5150]

My dream was simple. To be a rockstar. When I was 6 years old, I was watching Mtv (back when it actually stood for MUSIC television).. and Poison's "Nothin But a Good Time" video came on and I looked over at my 2 older sisters and said, "Thats what I'm gonna be when I grow up." I borrowed a guitar from my boyfriend when I was 14 and started playing, and never stopped. Although I've never performed live in front of anyone (except friends and family) I still know that someday I'm going to be a rockstar.

My parents were (and are) amazing. They always told us that it didn't matter to them what we grew to be, as long as we were happy. My oldest sister is in college, majoring in science (she wants to work for the Centers for Disease Control and find cures for all sorts of diseases)... she's a straight A student, pays for college herself, and she is brilliant. The middle sister is in the process of starting her own montesory preschool. She's so good with children, I can't wait until she has her own. :) And then there's me.. the high school dropout who always played her guitar too loud in the middle of the night, unemployed, divorced... not exactly the poster child of good people. But they've never made me feel like my sisters are better or smarter or prettier than me. They've always been proud to have a musician in the family (even though I play too loud for them hehe).

of course when I was a kid, I also wanted to be a marine biologist... until I came to the realization that I am scared to death of water. Then I wanted to be a firefighter... until my best friend died in a house fire in 1994 and I became scared to death of fire. I'm thinking of maybe starting to act. Taking some drama classes at the art center maybe.... I'm not sure. The only thing I know for sure is, I was born to be a rockstar. :)
~Bree

[WolfWoman]

Rock On SpikesPet5150!!!!

[Flar's Freyja]

Bump

[Euphoria]

well

i always dreamed of swimming with dolphins ... and i have lived that dream many many times ....

2ndly i dreamed of being a partner in a law firm .. so after about 9 years of getting various law degrees etc ... myself and a couple of friends who also did law setup an international law firm

my final dream was that i would get to see as much of the world as possible and i am making that dream happen thanks to my job i am constantly travelling ... it has its downfalls though ... i hate leaving my fiancee and it gets quite lonely

[Flar's Freyja]

:) Wow, your dreams have come true! Had to start my life all over again in my thirties, have had marriage, kids, jobs...right now a little confused and not sure what I want. I have a good life, just started freelancing in my profession. I do love the flexible hours and such but financially it's been a struggle.

[Euphoria]

yeah they have havent they ... i am very lucky to be able to say that

and freyja i wish you all the luck and success in your life

[phoenixsong]

I've always wanted to become a writer. I've copybooks from when I was about six filled with stories and scraps of stories. I stopped writing, though, for several years, and when I started again at the beginning of this year, it was so amazing. It was rediscovering a part of myself I'd forgotten about. Now I'm probably the only person in my class who looks forward to getting stories to write in English class! :D

Also, I always wanted to have magical powers. I read one (fiction) book where people got magic powers on their thirteenth birthday and lost them on their fourteenth. So I was disappointed when nothing happened me in my 13th year. Then when I was 15, I found out about Wicca and Goddess religion. Oh well, better late than never!

[Annika]

My first childhood dream was to become a vetrinarian. I used to "pretend" this dream when I was about 8 years old with all my stuffed animals. Then I realized that I have no stomach for the medical profession, and out flew that little dream. Why it never dawned on me that a vet performed surjery on these animals is beyond me.

So the next dream, which I had since High School was to work in the field of psychology. For most of my life friends have often come to me seeking advise. And I enjoy providing an outside perspective on different troubles. Plus every single class I've taken on psychology has absolutely fascinated me. Unfortunatly, after High School, I made a few not so great life choices and didn't go back to school until I was 29 years old. Now I'm attending the local community college and very slowly working my way towards that degree. It seems like it will take forever, but I'm going to get older anyway....I might as well get older with the college education instead of without.

Recently, my grandfather passed away. When the family got together to pay our respects, we naturally discussed his life. Grandpa lived through some really tough times, yet he always made the best out of any situation. He didn't let life's challenges get him down and could always see the silver lining behind the clouds. Even a few summer's ago when he had his second major stroke, the Dr. informed him how serious his situation was and all Grandpa said was, "Hmmm...I guess that will set me back a few days." And he meant it. He was out of the hospital, literally, within a few days. My dream now is to learn from him. I admire him greatly and would like to find some sort of happiness no matter what difficulty I may be facing.

Blessed Be.
Annika

[chocochu]

For a long time I wanted to be a Life-gaurd(brought on by the one-and-only Baywatch). And then an astronomer. And then a cartoonist. I got so discouraged at my drawing that I gave up ever being a cartoonist, and my Math skills are pretty much non-existant. XD

SO now, I want to be a published author(and be interviewed. You have no idea how much I want to interviewed.)! I already have an idea for a story. I don't really see it happening, but you never know. ^_^

I also want to have children, which is odd, because up until a week or so ago, I was pretty adamant about NEVER having kids. I seriously hated kids o.o And then BOOM! I want to have kids and name them!

[Rubi Waters]

wow many people wanted to be vets..so did i...well I'm not a vet but I'm the next best thing, I am his right hand. I do almost everything he does. i do surgery and administer meds, I also clean kennels and fill scripts. I just don't have the over all responsibility.. so actually my job is better than his! I knew when i was little I'd be working with animals in some way. I've been doing this for 15 years now and i still love it!!!!

[Azure]

Well, I'm pretty lucky - all I ever wanted to do was act, and that's pretty much how I make my living now - although I still have to wait tables on ocassion. Of course, I lived in denial for awhile, and likewise have a double Masters in Medieval English Lit and Theatre both, and am a PhD candidate in Theatre - but I won't ever be a professor. . . I learned that from spending my twenties in academia. But I've been acting all the while on stage and in films, and with any luck, I will get to spend my 30th birthday this fall doing an Off-Broadway play that was written for me (we have the funding, but there's lots to be done yet).

Live your dreams. They can come true.

[AradiaSupernova]

since I could remember, being a singer was my only main dream. hehe. I remember singing infront of couches full of teddy bears and various other stuffed animals *giggle*. My parents were pretty much supportive. Still are if I get the wild idea to audition for something.

[Psyche Ague]

I remember wanting to be a (in order, somewhat): hula dancer (all right, I was 3 or 4 years old...!!!), veterinarian, marine biologist, writer, singer (pop...later rock), actress, teacher, Broadway star, psychologist, and my interests are still changing. I was discouraged from being an actress, a psychologist, and a singer by my father, but the others were encouraged (well, they knew the hula dancing thing was just a phase).

I also wanted to be a gymnast when I was about 5 years old, but my mom wouldn't let me take gymnastics. I had to settle for swimming. Ah, well.

I think I've turned out pretty well. I don't listen to other people if they discourage me. I just say, "thank you for your opinion" or "f- you" and just do what I want to do. I guess I'm lucky that way.

[Sequoia]

my dream changed every couple of months, mostly. . . about the only thing I ever wanted that stayed steady was that I wanted to be a mother and have a family, and have a house somewhere in the woods or near the ocean. . .

it's still really the only true dream I have. . . to be in love, have a family. . . :) I just want to be a mother.


unfortunately, these days everybody's got to work! >.< so I've gotta figure out a job. . . hehehe

[Élistariel]

in slight order, from what I remember, thanks to a bump on my noggin when I was 5.
a horse, yes folks, I wanted to be a horse. I was also about 4 years old.
vet - yep, me too. I even helped out at a vet's office once. My
lack of math skills, and inability to harm an animal, (cutting
it for surgery) pretty much ended my wanting to do that.
astronomer - again, the math. I'm in college and I still have
difficutly multiplying. I'm not even going to get into division
What I find annoying about that, is that the year after I graduated high school, they offered it.
graphic artist - the wonderful field I discovered in high school. It's
what I'm college for now. My local (hour from home home, so I have an apt.) community college has a great G.A. program that even the state college talk about. I don't like every class though. I'll be taking typography for the third time next year. :razz: I'll leave out the details. I also almost failed drawing because I overloaded myself with class. I've learned that 2-3 classes a semester is my limit. For me, free time is a necessity for my sanity, not some weekend privelege. In short, the 2nd time I took typography, I had a nervous breakdown, and dropped it, 9-13.
Non career dreams : own a horse, a cat, maybe a dog, some ducks. Live near the water. Ocean, lake, pond, whatever. Have kids. The kids thing is further away than the horse. :p I also came from an abusive family, then my parents divorced when I was 7, and my mom moved further north, then at 13 she let my "grandparents" have custody of me, because she had no insurance. I have little memory of my past, but life now is great. Of course all life has its good days and bad days.

[PrincessHLHofMW]

first i dreamed of becomming a teacher....then i wanted to be an actress (still do and am talking a class in highschool but my terrible stage fright has held me back im overcomming it with this class though!)...then a singer (choir for 8 years first solo was at my last concert)...and now a chef and restaurant manager/owner...i have been accepted to NYIT for a culinary arts/ baking pastries degree but had to turn it down becuse i had to repeat my sr. year...they are holding my place for me though i am thinking about attending a different school now!

[Flaire-FireStar]

Originally posted by Laiste
When you were a young child what did you dream of being when "you grew up"? Were you encouraged or discouraged? Did you make or are you making your dreams come true now?

I wanted to be a nurse... My parents really encouraged me. Whenever someone was hurt in the family, I got to put on the bandaid, or whatever they needed. Heh.. I figured, after I started to get older that I couldn't really stand to be in hospitals, or around sick people all day long. It just frustrates me and makes me sick myself (not only that, I'm REALLY not a people person). :lol:

[SerenityMoon]

i always wanted to teach and write. right now i'm in teaching college, and got my first poem published. weee!

[Tiana_Ecarias]

My dream was to become a write and an artist, go figure. My mother told me from almost as far as I can remember, that I wasn't good enough of an artist to get anywhere, and I didn't have enough ambition or drive to take the classes to succeed at writing.

My father, told me when I was little, to do what I felt was best. Unfortunetly, when I was a little older, he also told me I might as well drop out of school, cause I wasn't smart enough to go anywhere's, and my mother agreed with him. *sigh* Such are parents, I think they said ti to try and spur me to do better, but it just made the whole situation worse.

The only 2 people who really supported me was my best friend Micheal(who my son is named after, by the way). But, just before I turned 13, he died in a car wreck, and what made it worse, was that I was in the car with him, as well as 3 other friends. He had been the only one that had been killed.

Anyways, the other person, Tommas, left soon after Micheal died, because he lost his mom in a drunk driving accident, with her as the only victum. So, my dreams of becoming a writer and an artist started to fade and decay.

As did my wish to survive. I started drinking with a few of my friends, and not caring if i lived or died. Even tried to kill myself a few times. I got into more fights, causing my parents a lot of pain and misery, and I didn't care about that either.

Then, I meet Nathan, and Jamie. WEll, I meet Jamie first, and then Nathan. Jamie was a girl who was slated for death, but had a hell of a better look on lilfe then me. She had HIV, got it from a blood transfussion when she was a baby.

She saw a few of my old drawings, and asked me to draw her a mermaid. I just stared at her, and then shrugged, figuring, "hell, why not? If it's no good it won't matter." I didn't even think of the possibility that she might like the drawing, or that it was good.

WEll, needess to say, she loved it, and she hung it up in her room, she kept at me to keep drawing. Nathan(who is now my husband,) he saw some of the poems I wrote, because he was a teacher's aide(it was a credit you could take at our highschool). He asked me if I had anymore poems, so I gave him my old poem book, which had a few short stories in it. After that he kept at me to write, and to stop drinking.

Well, Jamie died, she got pneumonia, and it got so bad that she was taken to the hospital, and there was nothing they could do for her, the infection got so bad. When I walked passed her casket, I put the drawing of the mermaid I drew her, in the casket with her. I kept on drawing, in her memory.

Anyways, Nathan and I started dating my junior year, and when he left for the Navy, I ended up pregnant, and we got married. We were engaged since I gradutated from highschool, so it didn't matter in that sense. When Mike was born, I had to cancel the plans of going to college, but i'm slowly working on it, through internet courses.

WHat I do, that I also love, is work with animals, wether helping kids in 4-h, or my mom and dad on their farm(yes, I am still speaking with them).

Tiana Ecarias

[Armitage]

I've wanted to be (in order from earliest that I remember) a bird, a faerie (yes, to a five year old, those are jobs), an ornithologist, a wildlife artist, a singer in a band, an FBI agent, and a comic and fantasy artist. I'm working on making the last work for me.

[earthcat]

Another child from an abusive home here.... But I am happy to say that my Dad & I are on good terms now; he acknowledges his being abusive to my siblings, Mom, and myself, and is very very sorry for it. He has been married to his 3rd wife for 21 years, and has never struck her or her son.
My childhood dreams involved animals and mud. (And I realized I was a witch at a very young age....) I made some awesome mudpies as a kid....

I was a mechanical draftsperson for 9 years, and loved it; but it was never a dream of mine to be one. My Sis and I showed and bred dogs for 10 years; that was very fulfilling. (Except the human element- a lot of politics in the dog-show world.) I did love architecture, and studied that for awhile, then suddenly fell into the ceramics class at the local community college, and was home again...
So, my dream of mud came true; I'm a potter. I have an Akita and 4 cats, and I married at the age of 36 to a wonderful man. (I swore I'd never get married...Met Tommy, and married him 4 months later. Never say never...)

I've always loved horses, so with the exception of never getting to be a cowgirl,:bigredgri I'm very content in my life.