Then and Now

This was me, give or take 10 years ago.

Living it up at a wedding.

And here was me that same year, going on a “team building” event with my fabulous coworkers (no, seriously. We all hung out voluntarily, and most of us are still in touch).

Oh, and here’s another one of me with some coworkers at California Adventure. Another team-building event.

I was a year into marriage, was about to buy my first home, I had a fantastic job and life was good.

This is me now.

Some things haven’t changed, and some things in my life are a 360 from where they were just 10 years ago.

Then, I was still paying off $72K in law school student loans. Now? They’re gone.

Then, hubs and I could pick up and go wherever we wanted, when we wanted. Like the time we discovered we had two days left to use some Southwest free flights, so we flew to Vegas for lunch, and flew back 3 hours later. Now? Every time we go out the door, it’s a major production to round up slow-moving kids, straighten up, grab the camera, put directions into the GPS…and the list goes on.

Then, we were driving a brand-spanking new Jeep Grand Cherokee. Now? My husband is driving that not-so-new Jeep Grand Cherokee. With 170,000 miles on it. (we got our money’s worth)

Then, we could split 3 bottles of wine between the two of us and call that a good time. Now? We split 3 glasses and pray to God it’s not past 8 p.m. or we’ll have raging hangovers.

Then, we hosted fabulous dinner and holiday parties that would make Martha Stewart envious. Now? Our parties normally consist of family movie night with popcorn and blankets. And I like it that way.

Then, I had no facial lines or wrinkles or sagging anything. Now? Well…the question is what ISN’T wrinkled or sagging.

Then, we lived in California and loved every second. Now? We’ve just moved BACK to California and we’re loving every second.

Then, I couldn’t cook anything but spaghetti and couldn’t take a good photo to save my life. Now? I’m a pretty darn good cook and was smart enough to buy myself a really good camera.

Then, I didn’t have these two rascals.

Now? I can’t imagine life without them in it.

The last ten years have been a wild, crazy, fun, scary ride – and I wouldn’t trade them for the world!

I’m joining in other Microsoft Windows Champions today and posting about what life was like 10 years ago compared to now. Microsoft is celebrating the 10-year anniversaries of Windows XP and Office!

As part of the Windows Champions program with Microsoft, I received free products and Microsoft information. I was not compensated for this post, and all opinions herein are totally mine. I do love the peeps at Microsoft and always love joining in on a party!