Ronni's Journal | Anything But Ordinary

The original plan wasn’t to finish all my holiday prep today. I had planned on doing it all tomorrow. However, I got bit by the bug at about 10:23 a.m. and so I headed out about 11:24. First stop was the post office. I’d figured I’d just use the APC, as that’s available afterhours. But the post office was actually open, which I’m sure was nice for the people who wanted to deal with an actual clerk when mailing packages and such. I got all my grocery shopping done, and I finished all my holiday shopping. I really wanted to get Aidan an argyle sweater. I just think he’d look so cute in one. Unfortunately, I found a couple at Old Navy that were way too big for him, and one at GapKids (this one) which was WAY too expensive. No almost-five year old needs a $35 sweater. I don’t even spend that much on MY sweaters.

Here’s my to-do list, revisited:

- renew driver’s license (12/20)
- renew license plate tags (12/20)
- clean my room (that includes finally unpacking my clothes from my Atlanta and NYC trips, changing the sheets, and general tidying up)
- finish Christmas shopping (Aidan’s all that’s left—I want to get him an argyle sweater!)
- Christmas cards
- insulate windows with some of that plastic stuff you use with a hairdryer
- hair
- clean little Lucy’s litter box (thorough cleaning, not just litter exchange)
- burn a Christmas CD
- wrap gifts
- get groceries

I should probably do a load of laundry, too.

I really want to get my hair done. At a salon. I just can’t justify spending $70 for a service I can do myself, though. Even though doing my hair annoys me because it takes so long and I rarely get the results I want, spending $8 for an at-home kit is a lot more economical than the whole $70 at the salon thing. I was going to do my hair today, and I still might later on. Or I might wait ’til tomorrow. Or Tuesday.

Oh, and here’s the question. Adam says NO. I want to get other opinions. There are nine days until Christmas. Is it too early to wrap presents? *eyeballs pile of stuff on floor behind me*

I love this season. Nine days.
Four ’til my birthday. And ’til Adam gets here. ♥

(Originally posted at Anywhere Is...)

So, I’ve been sick like whoa and that pretty much shot my weekend to H-E-Double Hockey Sticks. Aidan is off to stay with his grandmother for two weeks. Before he left, he hugged and kissed me a million times and said “I’ll be back soon, Mommy.”

I slept most of yesterday. I honestly felt so horrible. There was so much I wanted to do: start wrapping presents, clean, go hang out with Rob (who was making steaks and mashed potatoes!)… but I could barely sit up without feeling dizzy and weak. So back to bed I went, and I stayed asleep until about 11:30am. I got up, bathed, and went to Best Buy. Mr. Laptop is gone until about January 5th! They’re going to try to fix it all up, though, so that will be good.

I also stopped in at Taylor Square, finished up most of my Christmas shopping (yay, all done itskels), picked up a few lots more decorations. Then I came home and rested a bit.

Holly and Robert came over about 3. I’d forgotten they were supposed to come over so I could fix their computer. It was majorly infected–lots of spyware and viruses. I cleaned it off the best I could, and their pop-up frequency went from an insane amount to none. So yay for me.

We ate and Holly helped me with some of the decorations. Now I’m feeling LOADS better (thank God) but will be turning in early so I can get through a full workday tomorrow. I’m still coughing a lot–so I won’t be surprised if they send me home again. I can’t smell a thing, I can’t taste a thing either. My nose is permanently stuffy. And did I mention the coughing? Yeah, it’s pretty much relentless. :\

Anyway, I hope I feel better really soon, I have lots to do:

- Pay cable bill
- Buy stamps
- Mail 2nd round of Christmas cards
- Wrap presents
- Clean master bedroom
- Clean my closet
- Put away laundry
- Mail packages

**sigh** So much to do. Being sick really, really throws a monkey wrench in one’s productivity. At least I got to finish another book, though.

G’night.

(Originally posted at Anywhere Is...)

Busy week!! I haven’t had time to sit and properly finish Order of the Phoenix so I can move on to Half Blood Prince. Some of my friends are getting antsy–they want to talk to me about it and I refuse to let them.

Christy totally fooled Chris and told him that Harry dies in the 2nd chapter of HBP. Chris believed her! HAHAHAHAHAHA.

I declare, I am booked every night this week. Monday night was boating, last night was drama rehearsals, and tonight is life group. Tomorrow is hanging out with Megan (megnita). Oooh, shiny! I’m keeping Friday open because Rob usually cooks something up for me/the gang to do. Saturday, we’re dropping Aidan off at my mom’s and he’s going to stay with her for a week. I should be back that evening, though. Maybe I can see a movie with some folks? And Sunday–well, who knows?

I’d like to thank God for a few things:
- Granting me that one last chance;
- Finally showing me the truth in a way that it sunk in;
- Letting me squeak by the pass two weeks;
- Exciting opportunites and learning experiences;
- Libraries;
- True friends;
- AIDAN!!

I’d like to ask God for:
- Patience in every area of my life;
- Perserverance;
- Faith;
- Guidance.

Um… my reading list is HUGE! I need to stay out of the library for a while–I have so many books and more coming in on reserve! Melissa De La Cruz, Francesca Lia Block (Ivy, I decided to try one out! I’m excited!), and two for my YA Chicklit writing course which will be starting in about a week and a half. Then there is the Tightwad Gazette I and II (so I can learn to be thrifty and get out of debt!), and all of my writing books. Not to mention Harry Potter which moved itself to the top of my reading list for the time being. Mmmyeah. With Aidan out of town next week, I’ll be able to get caught up and even do a bit of cleaning on the side. I’m hoping the weather is nice–sitting on the porch and reading or going to a park and reading under a tree sounds divine. Books, journal & pens, iPod, rotisserrie chicken sandwhich and pringles, and my camera. That’ll be nice.

We’ll see.

Oh who am I kidding? I’ll probably sleep. A lot.

I did get a few projects done:
- Surprise for certain someone has been completed and delivered;
- Online photo albums are current;
- House is at a manageable level of clutter.

But I still need to:
- Do laundry;
- Wash the car;
- Clean out the car;
- Get an oil change;
- Return laptop bag to Disney Direct;
- Give (or get Chris to give) Aidan a haircut;
- Mail surprises to a select few people;
- Go to Best Buy. I have $10 to spend there and one of the $5s expires Saturday;
- Update Writers’ Ink website;
- Send Ivy’s package. I am truly ashamed that I haven’t gotten that out yet.

Eventually, I’d like to:
- Start on my Disneyworld 2005 Scrapbook;
- Make a new Aidan scrapbook;
- Finish my current novel;
- Freewrite more;
- Download the Gavin DeGraw CD;
- Make and hang the Disneyworld collage;
- Move the white shelf and cabinet from the kitchen to the guest room.

Groceries:
- buns;
- lunch meat (mm chicken!);
- Pringles (if they’re on sale).

Other Stuff:
- New sandals for Aidan.

I have been commanded by Chris to bring back a case of Chocodiles from Los Angeles. I’m scared he’s going to eat all of mine! :[

I’m still very excited about going to Disneyland with Aimzy!! I can’t believe it’ll be here before I know it! About 6 weeks! YAY!! ºOº

As of today, I have to be committed to NEVER using credit cards again. This is going to be so weird–they have been such a crutch for me. I want to get to the point where I won’t ever need them–I’ll have the amount of money in cash to get what I need and want. There is nothing good about credit cards if you don’t have good spending habits or tend to be impulsive, both which are characteristics of myself. I’m finally FED UP and ready to take charge. I refuse to be in that bondage any longer.

DEBT BE GONE!!!

That is all.

(Originally posted at Anywhere Is...)