I love the writing on The Mad Ones blog. Today, its creator ran a timeline of her life and invited readers to create one of their own. So, here's mine:
30 Years Ago
I was sitting in Journalism Class at Eastern Kentucky University when I spotted this great-looking guy in the back of the room. When I discovered that he was also smart and funny, I moved to the back of the room, too. We've been together ever since, and married for 27 years.
I took a weight-lifting class, and started running for the first time in my life. I was stronger and healthier than I had ever been.
25 Years Ago
I was an up-and-coming young writer for an electric utility. I was making good money and spent most of it on clothes, and movies, and eating out. I wore the power suits of the 80s. If you looked up the word Yuppie in the dictionary, my picture would appear next to it.
20 Years Ago
I'm the mother of a toddler, and I've bought a duplex next to my parents. My commute is 45 minutes each way, but it's worth it to have a good job and still be close to family. I feel very fulfilled.
15 Years Ago
This is the dream life. I have two beautiful children, a great husband, a 4-bedroom house next to the country club, and a great job.
I'm working hard to stay fit, and still wear a size six.
10 Years Ago
I've taken a job only a few miles from my home, working as a VP of Communications for an electric utility. I'm glad to be closer to home because I'm busy with PTA meetings, community activities, and running my children to and from from soccer, ballet, and t-ball practice.
My son is ill all the time, but the doctors don't know what's wrong with him. He's gone from 50 pounds to 40 pounds in the past year. I worry all the time.
Five Years Ago
We've found a doctor who has diagnosed my son's eosinophilic disorder, and he's on the road to recovery. He's being homeschooled, but I still have to work in order to have insurance. I'm starting to have a lot of pain in my joints, and my doctors fear that I may have had a mini-stroke. I've had to give up my daily walks because they leave me exhausted.
One Year Ago
I'm a grandmother now. What an amazing experience that has been. There's all the love you had for your own children, but none of the day-to-day worries.
In the past few years, I've been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME) and fibromyalgia. I'm at home on disability. I'm still struggling to find the balance between being productive and caring for my health.
To keep my mind and hands busy, I've taken up art and scrapbooking again. It's filling a void in my life that I didn't know I had. This is one of the good things that have come as a result of my illness.
I've become very active in the online communities of Digital Art Quirks and Scrapbookgraphics. Most of my friends are now online.
Yesterday
The doctor says I have a nasty sinus infection. I've slept most of the day.
I finished the first three books of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series, and I watched an old mystery movie on Netflix.
Today
I don't want my fibro to flare up, so I'm taking it easy until I'm over this stupid sinus infection. I'm working on a layout in the style of collage artist Elaine Brady Smith. I'm not very happy with it, so I may toss it and start over.
Tomorrow
If I'm feeling better, I really need to clean my house. If not, I'll putter on the computer and read. I've been meaning to start Weight Watchers again, so I may pull out my old cookbooks and try to get started.
Five Years From Now
I hope to be healther. My kids will be on their own, and I'm looking forward to doing more travelling with my husband. As for what I plan to accomplish, I really don't know. For the first time in my life, I'm living day to day. For someone who has always been so goal oriented, that is a remarkable thing.
I just love all the bright summer colors. Here's a layout of my grandson.