So this new thing didn't exactly happen *today* but as a result of a Big New Thing a few months ago, I'm trying little new things daily.

In January, I accepted a job in another state and moved to a city I'd never even visited! Because the job (and move) were unexpected, my husband of five years stayed behind for six months to finish up work. After five years of marriage plus another three of living together (total - eight), I have been (temporarily) on my own to explore a new city and learn a new job. It's been a little bit lonesome but a lot awesome! I've had a chance to rediscover an introspective side of myself that I'd forgotten about, to discover (and really like) this new place and all it has to offer, and to commit serious time and energy to making a great impression at my new job.

That said, I'm indescribably happy to report that hubby, my two dogs, and all of my worldly possessions will be joining me next month. I'm really looking forward to grounding all of these New Things in my much-loved Old.

I'm so glad you tried surfing - it's my favorite outdoor activity hands down. I know what you mean about the waves being so much bigger once you're laying down on the board. It took me a good year to get over my fears and really "let go" in the water. Now my husband and I surf together regularly.

My newest, new activity: home decorating/remodelling. We just bought our first home and I've been pouring over books and magazine trying to learn as much as I can about paint, window coverings, furniture arrangement and more. I've always wanted to have a really bright, colofur home so I"m hoping I will find the courage to be bold with color!

Anna, I'm so impressed. I swear I was sore for 2 days. In my limited experience, decorating is much easier than surfing!

I started tap dancing classes about a year ago. I feel so dorky that it's cool!

I went on a mission trip to New Orleans for a week with my son, and learned how to be part of rebuilding a 3,000 square foot roof for a woman who was very close to being evicted from her home. It was incredible on a variety of levels.

Despite being an ex-college athlete, running has never been my thing. But, last summer I did my first triathlon - a sprint distance race.

This summer (in a little less than a month), I'll run my first marathon (yes, the full 26.2 miles!) in Anchorage, AK!!

I would like to ride the burros down into the Grand Canyon, spend the night and ride back up. That would prove I am as tough as I think I am, considering I am 68 years old and a cancer survivor.

Kristin, I also tried surfing (last summer) for the first time. It was a lifelong dream (I am in my early 40's!) and i happened to date a guy who surfed last year. He tried to teach me and i rode a few waves on my belly and then on my knees, but also NEVER STOOD on the board! I am glad to see i am not alone!

I love reading your editor's page in Real Simple. It is probably the only one I have ever read faithfully. I love hearing about your family -- and the "chaos." Makes me feel normal with my own crazy house with 3 boys (4 if you count the husband) and 2 dogs.

But the question was what have I tried new ....

I tend to get stuck in a rut when choosing a restaurant. My husband and I are trying to venture out into to unknown cuisines of Houston. At least the unknown to us. It is quite the adventure sometimes.

I turn 40 this year. I want to learn how to ride a bike...Harley or otherwise before I turn 41!

I have always loved to dance and am a HUGE fan of Dancing With the Stars. I would love to learn to ballroom dance. I am 62 and my bones and muscles don't operate the way they did 30 years ago, but as my Dad used to say, No Pain, No Gain. Thanks for the inspiration!

A few years ago, my husband and I fulfilled an 8-year dream of whitewater rafting down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. The 9-day nonmotorized raft trip down the lower half of the Canyon started with a sunrise hike down the Bright Angel Trail to meet the rafts, and included sleeping out in the open on the river banks each night, paddling through the rapids, daily hikes, wonderful food, and incredibly knowledgeable guides. What that description doesn't convey, however, is the overwhelming beauty and majesty of the Canyon, the way it changes every day, how many different sounds water can make, how incredibly small I felt in such a massive, ancient and mysterious place, and the way it changed me. When I hiked into the Canyon, I had worked for 7years at a job I hated and had no idea what to do next. I was miserable and felt like a failure. Somehow, by the time the van picked us up 9 days later, a calmness had developed inside me and I was absolutely certain that (a) I was quitting my job, and (b) something would come along. Three weeks later, I saw an ad for the job I now adore and have been working at for almost 3 years. I have a lot to thank the Grand Canyon for, not the least of which was a vacation against which I will measure all other vacations for the rest of my life.

I'm just about to start a sktech comedy writing class at the Upright Citizens Brigade in NYC. I know nothing about writing comedy, but I figured at the very least I'd have a few good laughs :)

I always wanted to paint, particularly with watercolors, but could never find the time when caring for a family and working full time. When I took early retirement from my job, one of the first things I did was purchase art supplies and "study up" by reading and watching painting videos. I'm not yet an artist, but I can see steady improvement in my efforts. Next fall, I'm planning to take lessons. And if I never produce a masterpiece, well, that's OK. The pleasure I get from trying is more than enough.

I've been skiing since I was 10 years old and have been fortunate to ski all over New England at many different mountains, but it was truly a new experience to ski out in Utah this past February - something I've been wanting to do for many years.
Best part of the trip? I went with my husband whom I taught to ski the 1st year we started dating.
Next new thing to try? Tap dancing!

I was a competitive rower in college, quite a few years ago. Then later, my daughter started rowing in high school, and continued for four years in college. I attended most of her races, and couldn't get the sport out of my system. I take out a single from time to time, even now. Recently, inspired by a friend, I started training to be a rowing referee, basically an official - they run the regatta, working on the starting line, alignment of boats, timing at the finish, and riding launches to follow the race as it progresses down the course. It's very exciting, getting to see the sport from a whole new perspective. The training takes around a year, during which time I have to observe all the different jobs that referees do, then take both written and practical tests. I'm very excited about this! A brand-new twist on a favorite sport!!

I had a milestone birthday last fall, so I went on a bike tour across Utah. I called it the Kicking 40 in the Teeth Tour. I knew only one guy on the trip, and he was a good two hours faster than me every day, so I was pretty much pedaling solo. On the plane ride to Utah, I wondered what the heck a recreational rider was doing heading to the desert by herself. But this turned out to be one of the best adventures in my life. I learned how to eat for energy. I pedaled up a mountain at 4 mph, and I flew down the other side at 45 mph -- working my brakes the whole way. I listened to my iPod while the rain pummeled my tent. And I met some interesting people.

Stepping outside my comfort zone makes me nervous, sure, but it makes me feel alive.

A few years ago I went parasailing in Hawaii. I was told that I was about 1200 feet above the ocean and I loved every minute of it. I had a camera with me and I took photos of the dolphins jumping beneath me and of the "tiny" boat that was towing me. My husband paid the boat driver to stop the boat and let me float down until I was waist deep in the ocean before he took off again and I sailed back up into the air. What a blast! The next crazy thing I want to try is sky diving. I hope to accomplish this within the next two years - before I turn 60. I just had BOTH of my knees replaced this year so my husband is not too excited about having me jump out of a plane, but if I work really hard at strengthening my legs, I may get to sky dive yet!

I want to go to venice, I want to hand stitch a quilt, I want to get legally married to my partner (which I hopefully will be able to in about 3 weeks her in CA), I want to learn to make sushi.

Kristin - Thanks for the shout out! I hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu December 2006. Not the whole thing, mind you, but the part that did go over a 13,000 ft pass aptly named Dead Woman's Pass.

I always wanted to shoot a handgun and a shotgun and I did on my last two camping trips. I felt exhilirated and empowered. I feel so much more confident in how I shoot, I look forward to doing it again in the near future. My fiance is a Marine, so I have an excellent trainer.

The next thing I'd like to do is climb a mountain.

Well, at the grand age of 61 I got my first driver's license! At 62, I'm determined to learn how to knit. Not on the same scale of adventure, but at least trying to stretch myself a bit. The driving thing has gone well, but the knitting is yet to be accomplished.

Love the addition of the Jaws trailer LOL!

My Life To-do:
Visit Australia
Read at least one book every month
Own a bulldog and train it
Visit England
Visit the west coast of the USA
Live long enough to do things spontaniously

My new thing will begin this fall, I'm going back to school for a ph.d. in education. It's ironic because the entire time my husband was working on his, I was known for saying to him and his classmates, "There is no WAY I would ever do that!". It took some soul-searching, support and many conversations with my husband and close friends but I knew that it was the right thing to do. I also realized that I want to be able to say to my own girls, "I did this because I it is what I love and what I'm passionate about."