My Journey

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.

Comments

[Tammy]

What a great challenge. I was just sitting here trying to remember things like that in my life. Loved reading yours.

[Jennifer R.]

Wow, love the timeline! I definitely need to do one of these on a layout! :)

[tanaya]

Donna,

Wow, I am so glad that you did this! Thank you for sharing this peek into your life, what a pleasure to get to know you better.

Isn't it amazing how different out journeys have all been and yet, how many similarities we have as well. I think there just must be something that bonds us (women) together, no matter the path we've taken.

Much love, Tanaya

[SarahB]

Amazing timeline---it really is something to sit back and think of how much things change in our lives over the years.

Hope you get over the sinus infection and are feeling more energetic soon!

[lorig]

I think this timeline is a great way to give a glimpse into your life. It would make great journaling for a page in an "about me" album. Hopefully the sinus infection passes quickly without flaring the fibro.

[Victoria]

The timeline is such a fabulous idea. I read your link to the original blog, too!

I hope your sinus infection clears up soon! Best wishes on your health!

Thank you for commenting on my blog, too! :)

[Elaine Brady Smith]

Donna,

Your timeline is a great idea! What a wonderful way to keep tabs on where we have been, and remind us of how fast our "time" does go by. I am going to try this in one of my journals.

I just wanted to thank you for the mention of my web site in your post. That and the mention on A Scrapper's Tale site has brought alot of traffic to my web site. I really appreciate that! Be sure to give a thank you to the person who mentioned me on that site.

I appreciate the kind comments about my collage and mixed media work. It is wonderful to have people viewing my work and enjoying it. I would also like to invite you and your group to visit me at my blog: http://www.paintedcottage.typepad.com.

I am about to embark on an endevor as part of an online marketplace: http://www.mmcamarketplace.com and I would like to invite you all to visit the new site which will be officially launched in a few days. There are many very talented artists and I am sure you will enjoy seeing their work.

Thanks again,
Elaine Brady Smith

[Kate I]

Donna, thanks so much for your kind comments on my blog and I would LOVE to see Kentucky someday and go to the races with you!

This timeline is a great idea and such a good way to get to know each other. Take care of that sinus infection and get well soon.