Prompt: Make a list of five ways you've changed in the last five years.

Five Ways I have changed in the last five years...

Wow, this is a good one. I can barely remember the last five years! It's a blur! Let's see, five years ago, was 2003... Arianne in her first year of high school and Sheridyn in her first year of middle school...

Getting Arianne through high school has changed me quite a bit. I am sure I have changed a lot as a mother, in letting her grow, and letting her go... It was easier than I thought it would be in that I feared all the things that I worried about would keep me from letting her grow up...

Admittedly, I have always been protective, I hope not over protective, but I think I eased up quite nicely and allowed her to mature into a beautiful young lady who has a lot of confidence in herself and a bright future. And Sheridyn is right behind her, growing each day, maturing. They are both fine young ladies that make me very proud.

Another way I have changed in the last five years is that I have really molded myself into my job as a trainer. I just love it. I love helping people, I love sharing what I know and I love being around so many neat people. It may sound a bit arrogant, but I don't mean it to be, but I know I am very good at what I do... I get so many comments from students at how I put them at ease, that I have a great personality and that they learned so much from me. So improved teaching skills is definite a change and a good one at that.

Another great change you'd notice in me would be how much I have traveled around the USA! With my Harley job, I have amazed myself at how much I have done this, how comfortable I am going through airports, being in strange places and very independent when out of the road. I think that's been a huge growth opportunity for me, exploring the country. And the job has been challenging but the whole experience has been great.

A not so good change over the last five years is my health. My weight being the biggest enemy. I weigh more than I ever dreamed I would and I take blood pressure medicine, anti-depressants, cholesterol medicine. I am ridiculously out of shape. It's just wrong. If I'd get off my ass and take care of myself, I am sure I could be medicine free eventually. If only... I don't know what it will take to get motivated. I hope I don't run out of chances...

The fifth way I have changed in the last five years is that unfortunately with all of the high costs of living, having teenagers in high school and college and intermittent work has taken it's toll on our finances. We are in bad shape there too. That has brought on much stress which doesn't help change #4, my health. But all things can be remedied and that's what we are determined to do...

A lot can happen in five years, it was easier to think of five things than I realized. Let's see how things look five years from now... hopefully things will just keep getting better!

'chele