Readers share why they need a life makeover

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I would have responded sooner, but I was just reading Monday's newspaper on a Wednesday night. That's one example of our stressed-out, always-behind-in-everything lives ... . We are both in law enforcement, and live quite the hectic life. Between chasing bad guys, raising an 11-year old daughter, being involved in school functions, trying to have somewhat of a social life, family functions, and taking care of a house, a neurotic German shepherd and two cats, etc ... we really need help! We can't even get to phone calls and e-mails. We would like to change our lives so that we can be less stressed, which is very important in our professions. We also want more "kid time" with our daughter.
— Judy Harris, 39, and Mike Harris, 42, Seattle

I am a 19-year-old student at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. I have somewhere to be and something to be doing from 6 a.m. until at least 7 p.m. If I could change one thing about my schedule or life, I would like to go to sleep each night knowing that I actually accomplished something, not just that I am fulfilling the obligations set before me. I want to be able to see the benefits of my work, not just assume that they will be there, somewhere in the future.
— Morgan O'Neal, 20, Tacoma

We have set goals to be very healthy adults, yet we still continue to let the exercise sessions slip when it comes to prioritizing our daily schedules, demands and activities. We also find ourselves guilty of isolating ourselves in separate rooms for primetime TV shows that we enjoy or time on the PC! The debate that all family members are spending too much time on the computer or watching TV has definitely been discussed; however, old habits do die hard! We simply need professional help to organize our lives and to establish a balance between work, school and personal time.
— Randy Bradshaw, 49, and Denise Bartlow, 36, Duvall

We're right out of the "Baby Boomer" era (ages 55 and 53), happily married, our bills are paid, and we're both working. Life is good. Except ... it's time to shake things up. We're not striving and setting goals like we once did. We don't have children. Our needs are few, but it's time to "light that fire" we first experienced 23 years ago.
—Linda, 56, and Rich Glazier, 53, Lynnwood

My dream job is to work with artists, coaching them with their portfolios, and marketing and producing shows. I am definitely not a type-A personality, but life and times keep trying to mold me into one. I adore simplicity but haven't figured out how to accomplish it. Please help me get off the treadmill.
— Joy Bezanis, 47, Everett

What "gives" at our house? It is messy, meals are basic, the windows need replacing, floors need sanding, walls need painting, grass needs mowing, flowers need planing, and on and on and on. I could use some help ... I want to have time for some fun with my kids.
— Pamela Alspaugh, 50, Bellevue