Would the real Shelley Please step forward.

Okay, I know the title is a bit wonky (to say the least).  It occured to me, as I was going about my morning routine, that my llie is very different then what I thought it would be.

I remember sitting in a hallway in my high school with some friends (and you know who you are), talking about "the future".  What did we plan to do, who did we want to be/become?  What were our "hopes & dreams".  Looking back at that moment, the answer to those questions was very different then the life I have now.

Question:

a)  My high school self

b)  Reality

1)Do you want to get married?

a)  Yes by 20

b)  Have been for almost 10 years

2)  Do you want a career?

a)  Definitly, Doctor  

b)  Does SAHM* count?

3)  Do you want kids? 

a)  Maybe

b)  Got 3 so far...

4)  Will your kids go to daycare?

a)  Definitly!  

b)  Yeah .. no .. never ... not going there

5)  Will you be a *stay at home mom? 

a)  Absolutly NOT!  

b)  Hummm .... yeah, and loving it!

6)  Dreaming of....  

a)  Riches & big house  

b)  House (guess some things never change), babies, happy family

So Score so far...yeah no score, not "my" life...or at least the one my 16 year old self planned.

Life lesson number 1 - You don't always plan your life, sometimes your life plans you.

LL #2 - All things that are meant to happen, do...in there own time.

LL# 3 - We are only given the challanges in life that we can handle.

LL # 4 - All things happen for a reason, we just don't always know what that reason is.

LL #5 - Friends come & go in your life, some friendships last a short time, others (seem) to last for "ever".  All friendships are important, even the short ones, each has some important to offer us, and for us to learn & grow from/with.

LL # 6 - Friends are important, make time for them.

LL # 7 - Family is precious, enjoy your time with them, make time for them (even your crazyAunt "Martha") she might enjoy that visit more then you would even know.

LL # 8 - "And this too shall pass"

LL # 9 - Every stage has its merits, sometimes its hard to find them, refer to LL#8, take deep breath, take step backwards, (who would know that dry kidney bean will neutrilize the odour in Sea Boots...and that if one Kidney Bean id left in the boot while wearing it, itwould be so annoying)

LL# 10 - Life Lessons never end, you will spend your lifetime learning the lessons of life.