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Ten years ago, with Domino and one of the Diet Cokes from my empty refrigerator

What a difference ten years can make.

When I was 25-years-old...

I was single, but dating and madly in love with the Golfer.

I was a fifth grade teacher.

I had no children, except for my 20 students who I loved as if they were my own.

I was a blonde.

I was about 30 pounds lighter and always wore a belt.

I had no mortgage.

I had very little debt.

I went to the grocery store once a month.  I hated spending money on food.

My refrigerator was filled with things like Diet Coke, Slim Fast cans that I never drank, and Lean Cuisines for my lunch.  (Maybe that's why I was 30 pounds lighter.)

All of my household appliances were hand-me-downs and I could have cared less.

My frames included pictures of me and my best friends from college.

I had time to lie around and watch T.V. or read a book all evening.

I could talk on the phone for hours to girlfriends without being interrupted.

I spent my extra income on clothes for myself.

Now that I am 35-years-old...

I am married to and madly in love with the Golfer.

I am a newspaper columnist, author, and blogger.

I have two children that are all my own.

I am 30 pounds heavier and I haven't worn a belt since 2001.

I am a brunette.

I will soon have a mortgage.

I have debt.  Too much debt.  Enough debt to choke a small farm animal.

I go to the grocery store at least twice a week.  Shopping at Whole Foods is my idea of a good time.

My refrigerator is filled with juice boxes, Go-Yogurt, Diet Coke, and the same cans of Slim Fast that I never will drink.  (Probably explains why I am 30 pounds heavier.)

I get really excited about spending ungodly amounts of money on fancy new appliances.

My house is filled with pictures of my children. 

I never get to lie around and watch T.V. or read a book.  By the evening I'm way too tired.

I am constantly interrupted while I am on the phone trying to talk to my girlfriends.

I spend our extra income on clothes for my children.

And you know what's crazy?  I'm happier now than I ever thought of being then.  Change.  It's what makes life more interesting.

Anybody want some Slim Fast?  I've got a six-pack that you can have.