It’s Christmas Day.
Or technically, the wee hours of Christmas morning.
(the night owl in me likes to wait up for Santa)
My mother, sister, and son are in town.
The house is crowded.
But there is a lot of love.
And food.

Aidan’s sent off his letter to Santa.
He trashed several drafts before mailing off the
perfect message.

My mom has always wanted to see Chicago at Christmas.
She loved seeing the windows at Macy’s.
She loved all the decorations downtown.
She enjoyed the cream of chicken rice soup we had at Maxim’s.
She wanted to get a picture with Santa
but the 1+ hour wait deterred ALL of us.

I have to be honest.
This past week has been a challenge.
I had a fantastic birthday. My facebook wall blew
up with nearly 200 greetings. I got really neat gifts.
But the fates thought a cold would be a good gift for me
as well, complete with coughing, sneezing, nausea, and tiredness.
I am still feeling fatigued, and the random nausea
…is quite random.

Still, it’s much better than
four years ago
When I was in month three of a four month
sore throat and sinus infection.
The pain was so bad that I could barely eat
my mom’s Christmas dinner.

It’s hard having extra guests.
Everyone has to compromise and sacrifice.
The cats are out of sorts.
Our grocery bill has probably tripled,
but it’s OK because we love to feed people.
Everyone is comfortable, well fed, and happy.

All is well.

MERRY CHRISTMAS
dear friends, readers, commenters, and lurkers.

…psst. want a copy of my holiday newsletter pdf? get it here.

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

Monday was an up and down kind of day.

BOO
- Adam was sick.
- I was feeling really depressed and discouraged about you-know-what.
- Someone broke into my car. Almost a year to the day of it getting broken in last year.
- Now I have to shell out $$ to get the window fixed again. >:(
- I went to Barnes & Noble to use my giftcard to buy THE PATRON SAINT OF BUTTERFLIES and they didn’t have it.

YAY
- I booked a nice work-from-home freelance gig for Tuesday.
- I got a package from zenosidal full of Aidan goodness. There were school pictures, handwriting, progress sheets, a Mother’s Day card made by him (best Mother’s Day gift EVER) and an interview paper about me for Mother’s Day. It said the following:

What is Mom’s name? Ronni
How old is Mom? 43
How tall is Mom? Smaller than Daddy
How much does Mom weigh? 50 lbs.
What is Mom’s favorite food? Everything and spinach
What is Mom’s favorite drink? Fruit punch
What is Mom’s favorite color? Pink
What is Mom’s favorite television show? The Power Puff Girls
What is Mom’s favorite thing to do around the house? Bake
What is Mom’s favorite thing to say? Everything
My mom is the best because… She loves me.

(The last sentence made me cry).

- Adam and I got a package from Adam’s mom and dad that included cool things such as brandy snifters, cheese, and chocolate-covered sunflower seeds.
Adam: They’re trying to turn us into alcoholics!
- There was nothing in the car that interested the thieves, so nothing got taken out of it. Although I can’t imagine why they broke in to begin with. I guess to rifle through the glove compartment. I’m glad to have disappointed them.
- Got new books out of the library. Only 15 more days until I can take out more than five items at a time.
- Adam got me some Garrett Popcorn. OK, I know I know, I normally don’t like popcorn, but this, ladies and gentlemen, is no ordinary popcorn. If *I* am eating it, you know it’s good. I like the CaramelCrisp. Mmm. *pops some in mouth*
- I took a bath with a bath bomb.
- Gossip Girl. HOLY CRAP!
- This list is longer than the BOO list.

Cut for ….

This past weekend, Rosa (meimeigui) came to visit me. We had an awesome time! Rosa is like a sister to me, seriously. The second she left, I wanted her to come back. Richard (rl337), bring her back this summer, please!

She came into town Friday, and the fun started right away with drama on the trains. I have no idea what CTA was on about, but it was weird. Once we got moving, though, the cameras came out!

Rosa does this peace sign thing in many of her pictures.

When we finally got home, we went over to Butterfly and Rosa treated us to some sushi and Thai goodness. After that, we took it easy. We watched Juno, then went to CVS to stock up on junk food and wine. Then we played Wii and got pleasantly buzzed while we waited for Adam to come home from his tour.

Saturday, Rosa and I hopped on the bus and headed to Navy Pier. I enjoy going there every once in a while. It was chilly Saturday, but we had fun anyway. Rosa braved the Ferris Wheel and didn’t tell me she was afraid of heights until we were already seated and moving.

This is Rosa’s “afraid of heights” face. She has a picture of the “I’m TOTALLY not afraid of heights for real yo” face.

This is me. Duh.

Navy Pier

After Navy Pier, we headed to Millennium Park so Rosa could see Cloud Gate (aka The Big Bean).

We saw a little boy get “spit on” from the giant fountain thing:

After Millennium Park, Rosa and I walked down Michigan Avenue.

I popped into Payless to use my giftcard and finally get a decent pair of professional-looking shoes that didn’t kill my feet. We also popped into Garrett to get popcorn. I didn’t buy any because I was still operating under the fact that I had never cared much for popcorn. Rosa let me try a taste of hers and OH MY GOD. Heaven! *pops more in mouth*

We made our way down Michigan until we finally found our way to the Hershey store. Rosa had a BLAST in there. I was happy too because well, who can’t be happy around all that chocolate? But also, my first character greeting in more than a year!

After a dinner at McDonalds, we headed back to The Krookery (my and Adam’s place) to rest up a bit before the Weird Chicago tour. Because I make all my friends go on the tour. Here is Rosa doing 1-2-3-BAM, something from the early cycles of America’s Next Top Model.

Adam was excited about the tour because he got to work with Hector for the first time in about 18 months.

Sunday morning, Rosa had to go “sniff, sniff,” but Adam had gone out and bought back a dozen donuts from DD. Woo. I loved having her here and can’t wait to see her again.

And on a more introspective note…

I realized how hard it is for me to simply be happy. I think people might have a certain emotional climate, and mine tends to hover more toward the melancholy. I feel really depressed and hopeless about something every single week day. It might not last the whole day, but it comes. I worry and fret and panic and start to beat myself up. I tell myself that I’m unlucky and that I’m just going to bring down everyone around me as well. I see the gas prices going up 10 cents a day around here and the salaries on the job boards going down, and then I remember that I’m still in the hunt and I feel myself sinking lower and lower. I have to really WORK hard to remain hopeful about things, to concentrate on the positives, to keep putting myself out there, to keep trying. It’s work. Some people just seem naturally happy and it seems like good things rain on them. I try to stay happy and attract happy things, but if something unhappy happens in the midst of all that hard work, I am 389494 times more devastated, and it’s that much harder to pick myself and start again. And I feel guilty about any sort of random things 99% of the time. Does anyone else have that tendency? My back is in knots from how much I tense myself up all day every day.

Sometimes, I will sit here and suddenly think to myself “I feel weird. What is that? Oh. Wait, I’m happy. No wonder I feel so weird.” Then I get nervous. Because I have this mindset that for everything good that happens, there is going to be payment required from me sooner than later for it. And I no longer feel unconditionally happy. Instead, I start worrying again.

I’m trying to concentrate on the positives of not working full-time now. I have freelance work, which means a little bit of money is coming in. I’m not living alone, so I don’t have to do it all alone (although living in Chicago is so expensive that my monthly basic expenses are more than what I was paying alone in Columbus–but I knew that was going to be the case), and I can sleep in (I try to get up by 9:30am), I can spend hours bonding with Lucy (although she never moves from her spot on the bed), I can read, play Wii, watch America’s Next Top Model marathons. The problem is that I kind of feel like a deadbeat, like I’m not contributing. And I’m not going to lie. I want to go shopping. I spent the past 18 months pinching every penny until they screamed, and I just want to shop without being so worried and guilty for one day. I want to be able to treat myself to cookies or a candy bar without feeling guilty about it. I’d love a pair of boots (the kind that girls wear with skirts and dresses), a Dooney and Bourke bag, some stuff from LUSH, and one or two of the more nerdy Wii games. There are a few books I want to buy and there is a bottle of Black Cherry Effen Vodka with my name on it. Aidan’s coming for the summer; I want to be able to take him out for ice cream and to McDonalds and out for pizza. I want to be able to buy him cute little outfits and treats. I want to clear up all my obligations once and for all, get a massage, get some new glasses, and get my hair done. Not only that, but wedding plans have come to a stand still because what’s the point of looking when I can’t do anything concrete?

I hate when people ask me “Have you found a job, yet?” It just makes me feel even more like a failure. And I feel like so much is just hanging while I keep trying and trying to find full-time work, preferably with benefits and an amazing salary; a job that I love and get excited about going to every day. Or at least, most days. But for now, I’m trying to be patient. I’m trying to not sit around moping and wishing I worked. I have free time now, I should be rejoicing in it, not trying to rush it away. But I can’t help but worry. Bills don’t stop just because the income has, and it is even more depressing when the phone rings and it’s not someone calling for an interview, but rather a bill collector.

I need to go to bed. I’m getting tired. So, ’til next time.

(Originally posted at Anywhere Is...)

Last night was a good night. My friend Sarah has been in town since Wednesday night which has been great, but last night was the first night we were able to really relax and enjoy the evening without obligations and whatnot. So, what did we do? Go on a Weird Chicago tour, of course! To make things even more fun, we met up with Jen and magecky413 at the tour site. The Ohio transplants were taking over the bus!

Me (in my big ass coat), Becky, Sarah, and Jen in Death Alley

The tour, as always, was fun. I’ve been on tons of them, but each one is different because you never know which stories adamselzer will tell. I heard at least three new ones last night.

Jen in the Gold Room at the Congress Hotel

Sarah in the Florentine Room at the Congress Hotel

After the tour, we grabbed some food at Portillo’s and then came back to the apartment to eat and hang out. Then we decided it was time to teach Adam how to drop it like it’s hot.

Jen also astounded people with her amazing ability to put away large amounts of food in short amounts of time:

Then we put on some Michael Jackson music and videos, danced and moonwalked and yelled “WOO” and “OH!” before finally calling it a night. All in all, a very fun Friday in Chicago. YAY.

(Originally posted at Anywhere Is...)

I’m in Chicago now. Wheeee!!!

I got in early yesterday morning, and I’m having a fun time. Of course, as it’s my favorite city ever.

( Read the rest of this entry » )(Originally posted at Anywhere Is...)

Yo ho yo ho!! I’m back from Chicago!! Had an absolutely AMAZING time. That city is simply unbelievable, with mostly friendly people, things to do and see, things to EAT. Oh my gosh. Some of the aromas wafting through the air while walking down the block–so yummy. Freshly baking bread. Pizza everywhere. Mmmmmm.

Got to hang out with quality people while there. Spent some time with the awesome Adam (adamselzer) and Jen*Jen (jebbyk–but don’t bother to go to her journal because she never uses it), ate some really good food (Pie-Eyed Pizza, a neat candy/ice cream shop to name a couple of places)… DUDE, I TRIED THAI FOOD for the first time ever! It was so good. I went easy, got the Pad Thai. I mean, what could be so scary about noodles and beef, right? It was delicious.

Highlights:
- Southwest Airline Flight Attendant: Thank you for flying Southwest. Now get out.
- Seeing Who Framed Roger Rabbit at The Music Box. The Music Box is a beautiful theatre. Here is Bizzy and me clowing around in the lobby before hand:

- The cab ride after Roger Rabbit. Apparently Chicago cabbies are insane. They don’t speak much English, but they do have the cuss words down. One memorable thing the cab driver blurted: Learn how drive, mother fuck!
- SEEING JEN!!! Spending time, catching up, drinking wine (goooood wine) and taking pictures while wearing tiaras.
- The Ghost Tour. Always a good time. We were wild and crazy! Adam was great as a tour guide. The last time I went on a tour, he was tag-teaming it, but this time, he was solo. Good times.

- Tried Stout. Liked it. The first beer I’ve ever actually liked. It’s a miracle, I say!
- FOOD! Pie-Eyed Pizza! Goood coffee and hot chocolate.
- Wearing a tiara during the ghost tour. While nicely buzzing. Then heckling the tour guide.
- Old Town Arts Fair. Yummmy food. I had a boneless BBQ rib sammich. Yummm.
- Corned beef sandwhich from a shop in the airport. Sooo good.
- Finishing CRUSH! Came in at over 50,000 words. WHEW!!

Lowlights:
- Bizzy losing her camera. BUT, this story has a happy ending! Jen, Bizzy, and I had to backtrack (a LOT of walking, mind you), search all the stores we’d been in. The last store we had left to check… wait for it… HAD THE CAMERA! Some nice person had just turned it in! Let me tell you how awesome Chicago tends to be in that regard. People there are generally nicer and friendlier than in Ohio.
- Getting yelled at by some PRICK in some stupid thrift shop for taking photos. Okay, firstly, I had no idea that I wasn’t allowed to take photos (and seriously, wtf kind of rule is that anyway?), secondly, HE WAS A PRICK. He didn’t ask me nicely, he screamed it at me. So I was done in the store. I really wish I’d had some merchandise to throw down to the ground. Asshole. Anyway, I got a picture of the stuff anyway. I’m sorry, it was a terrible error and I had to document it. And this picture was taken before the asshole yelled at me:

See the error?
- The BROWN LINE being delayed! Sooo delayed!!! Ack!
- No orbage action on the ghost tour so much this time around.
- Flights back to Columbus being delayed like WHOA.
- Time went WAY too quickly. The weekend sped by.

Scandals:
- Bizzy and I using the bathroom together not once, but TWICE.
- Being hit on outside The Clark Bar.
- Bizzy scandalizing random statues and sculptures:

- Bizzy scandalizing ME:

Click here for more (not necessarily scandalous) pics.

Okay, I’m falling asleep here, so I’m gonna go. But yeah… Chicago was an amazing time. It went way too quicly.

‘Til next time!

(Originally posted at Anywhere Is...)

[X-posted at bananagirl19]

Hello! I am back from an amazing, exhausting, completely fun weekend in Chicago! The Chicago-North RWA chapter is incredible, and so are the people I met there.

FRIDAY

Mandy (mandywriter) picked me up from the airport and it was like we’d been friends forever, which we pretty much have. We started talking and joking right away. She took me to the hotel and chilled out while I unpacked in my VERY NICE hotel room. Let me tell you about this room. It was more like a suite. 25 inch TV, desk, easy chair, couch with a foldaway, king sized bed. Beautiful. I’d ordered strawberries and champagne, but I didn’t open it right away, and I’m glad I waited. More on that later.

Mandy and I registered for the conference (we were the first two!), then went out to lunch at a place called RAM. I’d never heard of it, but it was pretty nice. Of course, I got the messiest meal ever, but it was really yummy. By the time we got back to the hotel, Sara (sbennettwealer) was there! We went up to their room and hung out for a while, then headed down to the conference. I spotted Dia (agentobscura) right away, so we went to say Hi. She gave us all a group hug and seriously, we all hit it off right away. I felt like I’d been hanging out with these women my whole life.

The first thing we did was attend a “panel” of sorts. Four authors, open dialogue. It was interesting. Alesia Holliday, Mary Alice Monroe, Jennifer Crusie, and Bob Mayer spoke and it was funny and really nice. Afterwards, I went to Alesia to introduce myself and she recognized my name from the Yahoo! teenchicklit loop. She was awesome, and here I am with her:

We had a HUGE break, so Sara, Mandy, Gail and I went to an Italian restaurant. It was yummy. I got a half order which turned out to be a good decision, because it was the perfect amount of food. When we went back, there was class. Sara and I went to “Get Out of Deadwood” where we met Stephanie Hale (stephhale) and a really cool girl named Carmen. We went and had chocolate at the Chocolate Reception (um, check out this damn sign:)

DESERT????????

( More pictures.... )

(Originally posted at Anywhere Is...)

I got to Rob’s about 6ish Friday night. It had started to snow really badly which SUCKED! But Rob and I had a few moments of quality time before Becky got there. Then Bizzy showed up. Rob and Bizzy rode to Tyler’s together and I drove myself and Becky there. We gathered Tyler, used the bathroom and we were on the road about 7ish.

The weather was iffy and traffic was a little slow. Becky, Bizzy, and I sat in the back with freezing feet until we took off our shoes. Funny how that made us warmer. The boys were cracking me up.

Tyler: I would like to respectfully request that no one opens their butt also.

Rob: If I say I have to puke Tyler will have this car on the side of the road so damned fast…
(it’s funnier if you have a mental picture of Tyler rushing to move the car over…bah, never mind!)

Tyler (talking about pooping twice in one day): The second one was mostly chili.

As we got into town, the weather had gotten really bad and the car windows were a mess and people in Chicago drive like MANIACS. Holy Aggressiveness!!! I’d never survive there!

The lights on the buildings were green. St. Patrick’s Day is a week-long event in Chicago. It’s kind of cool.

We got to Mark’s place about 12:30 CST, which was 1:30 EST. But the night was YOUNG! Rob had called Mark and demanded pizza and that sweet guy delivered. I wasn’t hungry, but I hopped in the shower almost immediately. Tyler followed suit. Please read those sentences carefully so you don’t get the wrong idea.

We were all tired and kind of slaphappy and very excited to see Mark. And his roommate Nick, who was really cool as well. At some point, Rob and Mark went to Dominick’s (a store) and how many times did they forget to bring Bizzy and me Ho-hos? Hmm…I’m not even sure what they bought to be honest.

Rob (talking about dying): My time may be sooner and that’s okay, because I’m at peace with the Lord.
Laughter from kitchen.
Bizzy: Yeah, right!

Mark (after Rob kicked the white trash can AGAIN): You kicked that for the fifth…second time!

I haven’t talked about Mark much because he lives in Chicago and I don’t get a lot of time to hang out with him. But I got to very quality spend time with him this weekend and he’s truly awesome.

Mark lives right by the El tracks—I mean, look out the window and they are there.

Me, by the tracks. I’m standing on Mark’s back porch!

The trains aren’t annoying, though. You get used to it quickly and it can be soothing. Becky, Bizzy, and I stayed up really late talking. Ah, I love girl talk. I know Rob could hear every word we were saying even when we were whispering. Tyler says he was sleeping but I truly doubt he was. Although he is an abnormally silent (and still) sleeper….

Saturday, we got up around—not sure, actually. I talked to Jen*Jen a bit on the phone. People got ready and we headed to a place called “Nookies, Too” for breakfast. Yummy! I had Belgian waffles with strawberries, and bacon. Apple juice to drink. I got flirted with by the waiter. I think Mark may have drawn his knife but I’m not sure… (just kidding!)

Mm, yummy food!

Tyler, me, and Becky.

Mark and Bizzy study the menu. Anyone notice anything weird about this photo?

After breakfast, a panhandler begged for change. I gave her fifty cents. She then went off on everyone else I was with because they didn’t give her any money and she and Rob got into an argument. It was kind of amusing.

We walked back to the apartment and warmed up a bit, then went to Dominick’s and got public transport passes. My first time on the El. Woo-hoo! It was cool. No joke, though. You have to get on and get off like NOW or else those doors will close and you’ll be out of luck. You get a few seconds to act. It’s wild.

We went downtown! Saw the green river, the Navy Pier, went to the Water Tower and ate. LOTS of walking. Especially from the river to the Pier. We were tired! I was so cold I was getting mad. Ack.

The river is GREEN! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Tyler, me, Mark, Rob, Becky (Bizzy is the photographer here!)

Went back to the apartment to get ready for Jinnie’s (Mark’s girlfriend) 21st birthday party. The train ride back was quite adventurous. Some girl bent down in front of us and we could totally see the top of her butt. She didn’t even have on thongs or a t-back. With jeans! Gross!

Random Guy on Train: HE EATS HIS OWN FARTS!

We girls looked HOT when all was said and done! Rob told me that I was going to get hit on by so many guys and he’d be ready to beat them down for me.

Becky, me, and Bizzy.

The party was okay. It’s always awkward when you know no one! Tyler hit it off very well with a certain girl, though. Some of the people in our group got a kick out of how he was “macking.” I hit it off with a girl, but not like that! She was really cool and I want her to move to Columbus! She has such a beautiful soul. I liked her a lot and I miss her already. Here we are:

Liz and me.

Aside from Liz, the party wasn’t much fun for me though. I got sick (possibly from dinner—could not have had anything to do with the two Amaretto Sours, the Fuzzy Navel, and the two Apple Jack shots I did, right?) and spent a lot of time in Jinnie’s room being the drama princess I am, and yes, I ADMIT that I’m a drama princess. Not a queen, but a princess. Or maybe a duchess. Whatever!

Went back to the apartment, wrote in my journal, and went to bed.

I got up early Saturday morning and did more journaling. Did a word find. Did some stretching while no one could see me. At least, I think no one was watching…and I read some Scripture. It’s rare that I do that on my own accord but I needed it that morning. God and I had some serious conversing to do. And when I say serious conversing I meant raging (on my part) but I am not going to go much further into that.

People woke up around eleven or so? Ack, I’m not sure what times to use! I’d been up and I was ready and was actually falling back to sleep about this time. But everyone got up. A couple of people got showers while Rob, much to most people’s chagrin, recharged his camera battery just enough to take millions more pictures. (I actually don’t mind the pictures). I checked my email on Mark’s computer.

We left Chicago about, oh poop, I’m not even going to try to figure it out. The ride home consisted of music wars, Becky and I playing games on paper, me getting pouty during that dang “green glass door” game because I couldn’t figure it out, and us eating McDonalds for dinner.

Rob: Did it seem like cars were blurring as we passed them?

OMG, that McDonalds—albeit cool-looking, had terrible service. They forgot to give me half of my order and I had to ask for the rest of my food, and man. It was BAD. I said that the sixteen-and-under crew must be working that night. No offense to the responsible teens who read this—but I know that I couldn’t have cared less about anything other than getting paid at my job when I was sixteen. That’s that attitude they had. Not good.

And the nuggets didn’t taste that great either.

Ronni (sing-song voice): I have an extra cherry pie for anyone who wants it.
Rob turns around with cute face.

Of course he got the pie.

Can I say that I love my girls? Bizzy and Becky are amazing. I’m so glad they were there with me!

So that’s my trip in a nutshell. Woo-hoo! I can’t wait to see Mark again!

More pictures coming soon in a photo album… just wanted to give you a taste, though. Hope you enjoyed!

(Originally posted at Anywhere Is...)

I’m so excited for this weekend!!!!!

(Originally posted at Anywhere Is...)