If I were a rich (wo)man...

That money talks
I'll not deny,
I heard it once:
It said, "Goodbye."
~Richard Armour

There are so many things that I want to do, so many places I want to go, and all that's holding me back is money. I find it somewhat disheartening how much money dictates our lives. Sure, there are plenty of "free" forms of entertainment and "cheap" means of meeting our basic needs, but to truly live without a second thought requires an unlimited supply of money.

So, what would you do if money was no longer a factor? If you woke up tomorrow morning, checked your bank account, and saw a beautiful symbol, would you live your life any differently? Let's live in this imaginary world for just a moment and see what I would do, shall we?
1. Wake up my husband (I wake up long before him every morning) by pouncing on the bed much like a jungle puma.
2. Call my parents (probably waking them up, too) and somehow manage to share the good news between shrieks and sobs.
3. Call the bank, just to make sure it's not someone's cruel, cruel joke or perhaps a computer glitch.
4. Begin making a list, prioritizing the necessary payments to be made immediately. The list would most-likely include my car, student loans, credit cards, our house, and any looming debt my parents, my in-laws, or my siblings (both blood and marriage-related) may be currently experiencing.
5. Start booking trips to every continent, strategically planning to visit different regions during the optimal season in order to fully experience the area. For example, Christmas in Australia, summer in Ireland.
6. Completely remodel our house, putting in every bell and whistle we could ever want.
7. Select 6-10 important charities to fully and completely support, and select a different charity each week to make a sizable donation.

Really, the possibilities are endless. It's almost exhausting to think of all I could and would do if it weren't for the minor detail of financial responsibility. But, money is the reality of life, and we must make adjustments in order to live within this reality. I guess money doesn't really dictate our lives, it simply gives us guidelines to live within. Can you imagine the chaos that would ensue if everyone could do whatever they wanted? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Supersize Me

I really don't think I need buns of steel. I'd be happy with buns of cinnamon.
~Ellen DeGeneres

I was blessed with an amazing metabolism in my youth. I used to eat anything and everything I wanted and never worried about gaining weight. This was, of course, until I turned 18 and went off to college. All of a sudden, I weighed more than I ever had. I attribute it to a combination of lack of dancing and no change in my diet. Since then, I've gone through spurts of being "dedicated" to getting back in shape yet it has never lasted more than about 6 months. When I recently reached my all time high of almost 190 pounds, I knew I needed to get myself back on track.

Now, I want to be sure we're all on the same page. I know "beauty is only skin deep" and "it's what's on the inside that counts". In reality, there is nothing socially wrong with being overweight. That being said, there are several reasons why I know I need to make a change. Reason #1 - none of my clothes fit. Honestly, I can't afford to buy a whole new wardrobe every time my thighs enlarge and my hips inflate. Reason #2 - my body hurts. Being an ex-ballet dancer, I'm already prone to hip and knee issues. Packing on the extra pounds has definitely increased these problems. Reason #3 - um...it's the healthy choice. I've taken my share of health classes and I've been a devout watcher of "Biggest Loser", so I know being the weight that I was would eventually lead of bigger health issues.

I feel very lucky to be married to someone who feels the same way I do. He has made it very clear that he loves me no matter what I look like, but he is definitely supportive of both of us making a change. Today, we went to the gym at his (or should I say, "our") office building and did a little workout. I can say it was not as terrible as I thought it might be, but I know I have a long way to go. My goal weight is 150, and I know it will take a lot of determination. I'm hoping by making this goal public, I'll be more likely to hold myself accountable.

So, here goes nothing!