is this a mid life crisis

I think I'm having one; a mid-life crisis. Although when a person is in their 50s I don't think it's called a mid-life crisis, since I'm pretty sure I'm not going to live to be 106. So, is it called a three quarters of my life is over crisis? I don't think I'm old enough for it to be called a late life crisis.

Whatever it's called, I'm having one.

I'm not having the life crisis that my x-husband had when he came home one day and said he was leaving. I don't want to buy a boat and sail around the world. It's not a fast car I'm yearning for. I have no desire to jump out of a plane, climb a mountain or flash the tatas in New Orleans.

I just want to jump out of my safety zone and do something I've never done before. Or maybe do something I haven't done in a long time. I'm not quite sure what that is, but I'd like it to be out of character for me.

Sing a Song

When I was in high school, I sang in three or four Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. I was always the lead alto. It's been 35 years since I've been in a choir or sang a solo. I sing in the car, sing in front of my kids at school, sing with my granddaughters, and sing while I'm doing the dishes. But what I really want to do is sing Karaoke. And, I don't want to be drunk when I do it.

So, tonight I found an advertisement for singing lessons, 4 lessons at $10.00 each.

PRIVATE SINGING LESSONS
Improve range, breathing and sound quality. Learning correct vocal technique ensures longevity in singing. No more sore throats or vocal fatigue. Hear results on a CD that you take home! Gain confidence and experience in any style!

I've already emailed the teacher for more information. Maybe this could be the start of a whole new career. Or at least a fun Karaoke night!

Photography

I've discovered over the last few years that I have a good eye for photography. It's not something I've told myself, but several people have brought this to my attention. I have a few ideas that I've been tossing around in my head, and in a few weeks, when I go up north for my vacation, I'm going to set in motion one of those ideas. Without giving too much away, I'll be searching for old abandoned buildings and photographing them. I'm doing a little research on photography clubs and found one that suites my needs. Now I have to muster up the courage to attend one of their events. It would be easier for me to drag a friend along, but then where would the "stepping outside of my comfort zone" come into play?

Sunday Afternoons

Sundays are sometimes hard on me. They have been for about the last 10 years. In the past, Sunday had a lot of significance: church, Sunday School, reading Sunday's paper in bed, big breakfasts, quiet time with my x husband if the kids were with the grandparents, pot roast dinners, Star Trek, Shirley Temple Theater, going to the cottage, coming home from the cottage, homework with the kids, etc. I came to an understanding a long time ago that the past is over and I live in the present, and that's exactly how it should be. But, sometimes, I just get a little lonely on Sundays. So, instead of making Sunday my "clay day", I've been trying to get out and have a little bit of enjoyment on Sunday. It's such a simple thing, making plans for Sunday. Whether it is visiting friends, taking a drive, working in the yard or going out for dinner, I plan on making Sundays interesting again.

Adult Tap Dance

If I could be re-incarnated, I would come back as an entertainer. Some of my favorite programs to watch are old Hollywood musicals. There's nothing better than watching Gene Kelly 'Singing and Dancing in the Rain" and James Cagney tap dancing his way across a stage and half way up a wall. For most of my life, my secret desire has been to learn to tap dance. When I was younger, I would put tacs in my shoes and dance and tap my way around the basement, pretending I was in a Broadway show. No one ever saw this, no one ever knew about this. A few years ago, my granddaughter, Madeline witnessed me attempting to tap dance while we watched "Singing In The Rain." We each had an umbrella and we "fake" tap danced around the house. I'm probably too old, I'm much too out of shape, and my knee gives me a lot of pain, so I doubt I'm a great candidate for learning the art of tap dancing, but I'm going to have my eyes open for the next adult tap dancing class that community education offers. If it were cheap enough and the class was private enough, I'd consider it.

All of these ideas are within my reach. It's just a matter of taking the time to do them, possibly one at a time. They are within reason financially too. I had to take that into consideration when thinking of some things I'd like to try. As my income increases, my desires and dreams will too.
For instance, I would like to go to New England, Arizona and Montana. My biggest dream is to visit Great Britain. Aruba looks pretty nice too. But until I can afford that, I'll start with things I can do in my own back yard. (plus there's no flying involved, something I still haven't done.)

It's not unusual for me to want to try new things. Last year I bugged my kids for a guitar. My son bought me one for Mother's day, and to this day I can't get my hands to feel comfortable holding a chord. Another time I planned a trip to Maine, complete with a daily itinerary, and at the last minute canceled it. (I talked about Maine so much, people actually thought I had been there.) My heart was in the right place, the desire was great, but sometimes life just gets in the way. So, if I don't get to do all the things I'd like, I'm going to still have them as goals, and chip away at them one by one. I may have to skip a few, re-evaluate some, add little ones, and subtract big ones. But, knowing myself as I do, I'll always be taking a class, having an idea, or chasing a dream.

I leave with this quote,( author unknown)...

Life is not a Journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a
pretty and well preserved body....BUT rather to skid in sideways --
Broadside -- Totally worn out Loudly Proclaiming....
"WOW !!! WHAT A RIDE!!!!!"