What is my DREAM OCCUPATION - Passwords will be the death of me!

So what really is my "Dream Occupation?"

My business bank account requires several "security questions" in addition to the usual "userid" and password.  Every time I log in, I have to answer one of five security questions, one of which is, "What is your Dream Occupation?"  So far, I can't figure it out.  Now I have to believe when I initially set up the online access I answered all of the questions correctly.  Any other question that comes up I get right - for example, "Nickname for one of my siblings?"  Answer, "Missy"  I always called my little sister Shannon "Missy,  especially when she was bugging me because it was quicker than saying "Listen Missy!"  Next question, "where does your nearest relative live?"  Easy.  Archibald.  And so on.  But the one questions I keep getting wrong is my dream occupation.  It sort of bothers me I had one five years ago when I entered the security information and now I have forgotten what it is - what if I never figure it out?

Since my actual occupation is attorney, I know that isn't my dream occupation.  I do love my practice and my clients, no doubt about that, but a dream occupation is one of those things you think about just like, "what would you do if you won the lotto?"  First I tried the obvious, "Rock Star."  That was not it.  Since I love country music in particular, I tried "Country Singer" "Country Music Star" and "Carrie Underwood impersonator."  None of those worked.

Then I remembered every four years during the Winter Olympics I always say I want to be an ice skater - not couples skating and NOT ice dancing.  A solo performance where I nail a triple sow cow followed by a triple toe loop followed by a beautiful glide all through the arena with a big smile, circa Nancy Kerrigan (1994), but I would be wearing a blue leotard just like Michelle Kwan (1998).

None of this mattered because when I tried "Olympic skater" I was denied.  Then I tried "Olympic Gold medal skater women's singles competition" and I was completely locked out for 24 hours.

So I just keep wondering - what is my dream occupation?  I obviously had one because I entered something.  I might have put "mom" if I was in the right mood, but not likely because although I love being a mom, my dream is for someone, anyone, to put their own dishes in the dishwasher.

I tried "writer" because I do enjoy writing, but no luck there.  So next time that particular question pops up I'll try something like "mystery writer, " or maybe something like this, "blogger."  Who knows what my dream occupation was five years ago.  My dreams shift and change like the wind.  One day I want to grow up and be a wine taster in Napa (favorite vacations spot - I never get that wrong) and other days I want to try roller derby and smash a few faces just for fun.

Maybe my dream occupation is just waking up and being thankful for my family, and saying Thank You to God.  If it isn't, it probably should be.

Free throws and chocolate chip cookies - they should be easy!

Years ago when I was a young mom I was determined to make the perfect chocolate chip cookie.  It was my first pre-school event and naturally I wanted to stand out without all the fanfare of a fancy dessert.  Everyone loves a good chocolate chip cookie.  Sadly, mine turned out flat and were left mostly untouched by the masses, all of whom went for the good looking chocolate chip cookies.  I felt like a failure took cupcakes to the next event.  Teachers hate cupcakes.  Again, failure.

Some time after that I was given the famous "Nieman Marcus $250.00 Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe."  This recipe is no small task, but I was willing to sacrifice everything for the good of the cookie.   I shredded chocolate, added oatmeal, and followed the recipe to a T.  I ignored my kids for an entire day and served Lunchables for dinner just to have the time to make that recipe.  Sure enough, my cookies were amazing.  Big and delicious.  The perfect blend of brown sugar and chocolate with all those chips mixed in.   What a hit!  But the next time I tried that recipe the cookies were not nearly as good, not nearly as big and chewy.  Flat once again.  I moved on to recipes from my friends.  Just add one cup of flour.  Nope.  Use real butter.