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Now & Then... Then & Now... whatever!

Could YOU shoot this?
Hubby is threatening to do battle with the beast...
for my birds benefit!

Then: August 1999

1. Age: 42.

2. Romantic Status: Married to Dennis. (it occurs to me that doesn't really answer the ROMANCE part of the question!) LOL!

3. Occupation: Substitute school teacher - Middle school level.

4. Fun night out: School events or Little League Baseball/Soccer games.

5. My BFFs: Gail, Judi... my kids.

6. I spent way too much time: Trying to be in control.

7. I spent not enough time: Relaxing/chilling.

8. I wanted to be when I grew up: I was already grown up and ALL I wanted to BE was a Mom! I didn't want to BE anything ELSE!

9. Biggest concern: Keeping my kids out of trouble.

10. What my biggest concern should have been: Teaching my children about God and WHY they should stay out of trouble.

11. Where did I live: Southern Maryland.

12. Dumbest thing I did that year: Can't think of precisely which one, but I'm sure it was a parenting mistake!

13. If I could go back now and talk to myself I would say: Get it straight Melli. Get back to God, and take care of this mess.

14. Picture of me then: It would be a lot of trouble to find one... and I haven't changed much.

Now: August 2009

1. Age: 52

2. Romantic Status: Still married to Dennis... (still not answering the ROMANCE part!)

3. Occupation: Caretaker to MIL.

4. Fun night out: Dinner and ANYTHING with my kids.

5. My BFFs: Gail & Judi are still friends... but we're not close like we used to be. Mostly I just hang out with my adult children. I also have some on-line friends who have become very close, and have acquired church friends that I like to spend time with too!

6. I spend way too much time: Sitting at the computer.

7. I spend not enough time: Exercising.

8. I want to be when I grow up: I'm still grown up -- but I haven't figured out yet what I want to be! I have time yet, I think!

9. Biggest concern: Is between me and God - and He'd rather I forget it and let Him handle it.

10. What my biggest concern should be: Forgetting about my biggest concern and just letting Him handle it!

11. Where do I live: Same place - same house!

12. Dumbest thing I have done this year: Hmmm... the year's not over yet! Ummm... OH! It was just yesterday come to think of it! While at the beach... I bought 6 - EXACTLY 6 - very special little treats for Luz & her guests at her birthday party next weekend! For a few minutes I bounced around the idea of buying an extra one or two - but they were kind of expensive, so I said no... I'll just buy 6. I FAILED to tell my darling daughter that I had done this... and TODAY Amanda invited a 7th child to Luz's party! Now, I can't drive back up to the beach to get another one... and I can't give them to the SOME and leave one out! GREAT!

13. What I think I would say to myself in 10 years: You're making progress!

Summary:

1. What do I miss most from 1999: I honestly DO miss Little League & Soccer.

2. What do I miss least from 1999: I do NOT miss worrying so much about if my kids were getting involved in drugs or alcohol, or what their grades would be. I think obsessing about it may have pushed them more toward it than keeping them from it! But who knows?

3. What have I accomplished in 10 years that I am most proud of: I don't know that I'm "proud" of it... but I'm very HAPPY about it -- renewing my relationship with Jesus.

4. What have I NOT accomplished in 10 years that I wish I had: Well... I think the goals that I had were inappropriate. God had different plans for me than what I had for myself... so I don't think there is anything that I wish I HAD done that I haven't. But I think I need to continue in the direction I am moving ...

posted by Melli at 3:30 PM