Another New Years Survey

Found this one and couldn't pass it up. :)

In 2011, I gained new friendships, new experiences, and a bigger appreciation for online shopping, ebates, and free shipping. A new kitty cat family member. 

I lost a lot of free time due to the job I was working.

I stopped letting people walk over me (as much).

I started being more honest and assertive. I started taking better care of myself, rather than sacrificing my sanity for everyone else (see previous point).

I was hugely satisfied by my getting more involved in the Moksha Yoga community. I need and want to do even more in 2012.

And frustrated by: the job that I finally left.

I am so embarrassed that I ...

Once again, I read a lot of books. Also did not finish writing my own book. Dammit.

Once again, I did not stick to a solid workout plan, or practice yoga consistently. Finish writing a novel. 

The biggest physical difference between me last December and this December is I suspect I weigh more, and my hair is a lot longer/bigger.

The biggest psychological difference between me last December and this December is I am definitely more of a "cranky old person." I couldn't care less about partying and all that stuff anymore. Give me my computer or a good book, a candy bar, a glass of Kool-Aid, and a couple cats purring close by and I'm happy. 

I loved spending time with my friends. With Aidan. At Moksha.

Why did I spend even two minutes 

I should have spent more time with Aidan the summer of 2011. Writing.

I regret buying a few items of clothing.

I will never regret buying my Disney Designer Princess dolls. My trips to Disney World. Gifts for everyone I love even though with that money I could have saved and saved and saved even more.
 
I worry and procrastinate way too much

I didn’t write or exercise enough.

The sounds of women in high heels at Target, or the sounds of ANYONE chewing, and the traffic in Chicago drove me crazy.

The most relaxing place I went was probably one of the many spas I went to for massages.

Why did I go to Old Navy so much? Oh yeah, because their clothes are cheap and cute.

The best thing I did for someone else was leave that job.

The best thing I did for myself was leave that job.

The best thing someone did for me be there for me, and be real. Support me, stand by me, take care of me. Thanks, Adam. :)

The one thing I’d like to do again, but do it better is try to write a novel. This time I'd like to SUCCEED. We'll see how THAT goes. :-\

Quiet Around These Parts

Aidan is back in Ohio now. He flew out this evening. Some goodbyes are a lot harder than others. For example, over the summer, he cried as he was getting on the plane. That made ME cry. But tonight? The pilot took him to the plane, which Aidan always loves. And we’d laughed our fool heads off during dinner, because he and I are silly and wacky like that and I know for sure that Adam often looks at us like “What the hell?”

aidan’s dinner.
a rather large slice of pizza.

Tonight’s goodbye was a little bit easier. There were no tears, just lots of hugs and cuddles. It’s always hard for me, though, not to have my little boy with me all the time. At the time when his dad asked for residency, I didn’t belive I was in shape to be a good mom, plus I didn’t want to screw up Aidan’s life and his routine any more than I already had. But now, I want him here with me…but I don’t want to uproot his life. He’s doing well there. He loves school (and he is KICKING BUTT at it if I do say so myself), he’s got his friends, he’s got a life there. And he gets to spend all his vacations in a cool city.

Still. Sometimes I miss kissing that little face so much it aches. I love hearing him laugh. (He’s got the cutest laugh.) And let’s not go there with the guilt.

So, for now, Adam and I will go back to our quiet little life here. And I’ll go back to counting the days until Aidan’s next visit.

(Originally posted at http://anywhere-is.net. Comment here or there.)