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. :-\

I can’t complain. 2011 was a pretty good year for me. I got to do some neat things, go to neat places, and meet cool people (like Weird Al Yankovic!). I was introduced to new music, made some crazy life-changing choices, and did some neat things. I got to meet my Plurk friends Jon & Rho, I had the chance to see my favorite author Sarah Dessen (and she totally recognized me!), I got to see SJ Tucker loads of times, and I got to eat a lot of sushi!

The easiest way to recap is to do a survey. I know how much you guys love those. Feel free to steal and do it yourself.

Was 2011 a good year for you?
For the most part, yes!

What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
- attended Musecon
- rode a horse

- pet a giraffe

- purchased exercise equipment
- got a passport
- Pilates reformer
- Capeoira
- got a facial
- lipolaser

Did anyone close to you give birth?
A lot of my friends had babies or are pregnant,
but I can’t say anyone particularly close to me.

Did anyone close to you die?
My aunt Lue passed away during the summer.

What countries did you visit?
None.

What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 5, 2011. I took my life back.
…and a giant leap of faith.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting into better shape.

What was your biggest failure?
Didn’t complete writing a novel. Boo.
Also falling back out of shape. Ha.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Mostly colds.
Had an incident in April that I thought might be gallbladder related,
but it was just gastritis.

Where did most of your money go?
Disney trips, dolls, clothes, sushi, gifts

What song will always remind you of 2011?
Nataraj (Dancing in the Flames) by Suzanne Sterling
Come Down by Ginger Doss

What do you wish you’d done more of?
- writing
- yoga

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Working. I worked way too many hours at Schawk.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Ginger Doss
Bekah Kelso

What did you want and get?
- new camera
- Disney trips
- passport
- exercise bike
- books

What did you want and not get?
- MORE AIDAN TIME (there is never enough)
- a treadmill (our apartment is too small for such things)
- a trip out of the country

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 37. I spent the day with my family and ate
food from Harold’s Chicken Shack.

What kept you sane?
Reading. Lots of reading.
My family. My kitty cats.
Jen and Amy and our email chain.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Matt Smith

What political issue stirred you the most?
Anything that had to do with women’s reproductive rights

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011:
Having a lot of money isn’t everything.
It HELPS.
But when making the money
is costing your health, family time,
and sanity,
then it’s time to rethink some things.
So I did.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Sweaters and jeans, or tee-shirts and jeans, or hoodies and jeans.
Grey long-sleeved tee-shirts.
Sometimes a cute skirt with boots.
Long, hippy skirts or dresses.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I love that I can’t think of an answer to this question.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Magic touched my life again
in a single breath
shining in your eyes
like a firefly
and a moment of revelation
–Ginger Doss

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

Year End Surveys!

Was 2008 a good year for you?
For the most part, yes!

Where were you, and who were you with, when 2008 began? And where will you be when it ends?
I was at my friend Heather’s. Tonight, I am likely to be on the Weird Chicago Zombie Pub Crawl, provided I feel up to it.

What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
- Put a pet to sleep.
- Drove 6.5 hours.
- Rode the Tower of Terror at WDW.
- Worked in a law firm.
- Worked for an ad agency.

Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I kinda did. And probably.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Helenboo had cute little Lily Bean, my friend Jessica had a little boy just the other day!

Did anyone you know die?
Little Lucy.

Did you attend any weddings or funerals?
I attended my own wedding in July!

What countries did you visit?
I didn’t leave the USA.

Did you move anywhere?
I moved to Chicago. Holy crap.

What sporting events did you go to?
None.

What concerts did you go to?
None.

What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
The drive to finish writing a novel; a permanent job that pays well and that I love.

What date(s) from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
March 17, 2008 – I moved to Chicago
July 27, 2008 – I married Adam.
September 21, 2008 – I went back to Disney World for the 3rd time in my life.

What were your biggest achievements of the year?
Aidan!!! That kid is soooo amazing.
No more debt!
Making it through the year with no accidents or speeding tickets.
Actually pulling off the move to Chicago!

What was your biggest failure?
Not finding a fulltime job in an acceptable amount of time. Even though I know there are many factors involved, I still feel icky.

Did you suffer any illness or injury?
Just the bad sinus infection that went away at the beginning of the year. Other than that, just things I normally get: migraines, colds, digestive issues from time to time.

What was the best thing you bought?
My cute little pink digital camera.

Whose behavior merited celebration?
Aidan’s. He is doing VERY well in school. He’s advanced, he behaves, and he’s getting good grades. He’s such an amazing kid, every day I fall more in love with him.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I’m over it now.

Where did most of your money go?
Bills, insurance, car note, groceries, Christmas

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Disney World, visiting Aidan for Christmas

What song will always remind you of 2008?
Anything from the Timbaland CD, or from the Danity Kane CD, or from Circus.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier
ii. thinner or fatter? same
iii. richer or poorer? not sure

What do you wish you’d done more of?
Writing.
Exchanged handwritten letters.
Seen Aidan.

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Procrastinating.

How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent Christmas in Ohio with Aidan, Chris, Matty, Mommy, and Andy. It was awesome!

Did you send out Christmas cards this year?
Yes.

Did you fall in love in 2008?
I’m already in love with my Adam.

How many one-night stands?
None.

What was your favorite TV program?
America’s Next Top Model and Hannah Montana

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No.

What was the best book you read?
The latest Leven Thumps book. AWESOME.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
M.I.A.

What did you want and get?
A safe move to Chicago, a happy marriage to Adam

What did you want and not get?
A finished novel out of me, a job

What was your favorite film of this year?
Wall-E

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 34, and I hung out with Jen and Adam.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Finishing a book and selling it.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Sweaters and jeans, or tee-shirts and jeans.

Did you make any significant changes to your appearance?
Nope.

What kept you sane?
Adam, and writing on Live Journal.

Were you in school (any time this year)?
Yes. I was in a copy editing course from Jan-March.

How did you earn your keep?
Zaner-Bloser at the beginning of the year, and various temp and freelance projects after I moved to Chicago.

Did you have to go to the hospital?
No.

Did you encounter the police?
No.

What did you purchase that was over $500?
A single purchase? Nothing.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
n/a

What political issue stirred you the most?
The election and the way people behaved over it.

Who did you miss?
Aidan, Aidan, Aidan.

Who was the best new person you met?
All the new people I met are about equal.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
“I don’t want to survive. I want to LIVE.” – from the Wall-E movie.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
n/a

How would you rate this year with a scale from 1 (lousy) to 10 (excellent)?
9.5

———————-

JANUARY
1. Who kissed you on New Years???
No one. My fiance was in Chicago doing a Weird Chicago tour and I was in Ohio suffering from a horrible sore throat.
2. Did you have a New Year’s Resolution this year?
A few.
3. Does it snow where you live?
Oh yeah!
4. Do you like hot chocolate?
Yes.
5. Have you ever been to Times Square to watch the ball drop?
No, I’m OK watching it on TV.

FEBRUARY
1. Who was your Valentine?
Adam. <3
2. When you were little did you buy Valentine’s for the whole class?
Yes.
3. Do you care if the groundhog sees its shadow or not?
No matter what, we’re going to have 6 more weeks of winter.
4. What did you receive for Valentine’s Day?
I don’t think I got anything, nor did I get him anything.
5. What did you give for Valentine’s Day?
See #4

MARCH
1. Are you Irish?
No.
2. Do you like corned beef and cabbage?
I like corned beef, but on rye bread with yellow mustard. Hate cabbage.
3. What did you do for St Patrick’s Day?
I moved to Chicago.

APRIL
1. Do you like the rain?
No.
2. Did you play an April fool’s joke on anyone this year?
No.
3. Do you get tons of candy for Easter?
Nope.
4. Do you celebrate 4/20?
No.
5. Do you love the month of April?
It’s OK.

MAY
1. What is your favorite flower?
Wildflowers.
2. Finish the phrase “April showers…”
Bring May flowers. (And Mayflowers bring Pilgrims)
3. Do you celebrate May 16th: Mother’s Day?
Yes.
4. Is May anything special to you?
It’s when the weather finally starts warming up. That’s special.  May 30th is when I had to put Little Lucy to sleep. 

JUNE
1. What year did/will you graduate from high school?
1993.
2. Did you do anything fun during this last June?
My family and Adam’s family came to visit, and Aidan was in town.
3. Have a favorite baseball team?
No.

JULY
1. What did you do on the 4th of July?
Jeff and Deborah came over and we cooked out, and then we all walked down the block and watched the locals put on some impressive fireworks shows. Then we got back and ate ice cream.
2. Did you go to the fireworks?
Didn’t have to.
3. Did you blast the A/C all day?
Yeah, can’t imagine that right now.

AUGUST
1. Did you do anything special at the end of your Summer?
Well, I got married in July.
2. What was your favorite summer memory of ‘08?
Marrying Adam!
3. Did you have a sunburn?
No.
4. Did you go to the pool a lot?
No.

SEPTEMBER
1. Are you attending college/school?
No.
2. Do you like fall better than summer?
Yes.
3. What happened this last September?
I went to Disney World!

OCTOBER
1. What did you do for Halloween?
Stayed home and relaxed. Adam had to work.
2. What is your favorite candy?
Reese’s and Whatchamacallit.
3. What was your favorite thing about October?
I was making a lot of money.

NOVEMBER
1. Whose house do you go to for Thanksgiving?
This year, Adam and I stayed home and made dinner, and Jeff and Deborah came over.
2. What are you thankful for?
Adam, Aidan, my friends and family, having my basic needs provided for, books
3. Do you love stuffing?
I like dressing better, but I can’t seem to get the consistency right when I make it anymore.
4. Anything special in this month?
Aidan came to visit! That was awesome!

DECEMBER
1. Do you celebrate Christmas?
Most assuredly.
2. Have you ever been kissed under the mistletoe?
Not that I remember.
3. Get anything special last year?
All my gifts are special.
4. What do you want this year??
I had a hard time making a list this year. I really want a good permanet job.
5. What do you love most about December?
It’s SO PRETTY everywhere! It’s all decorated, the festive music, the giving.

———————-

IN 2008 HAVE I:

Hugged someone? Of course!!
Gotten into a fight? No.
Cried? Yes.
Smoked? A bit.
Drank alcohol? Yes.
Kissed someone on the cheek? Yes.
Reunited with an old friend? Yes.
Let something go? Yes.
Been whipped? No.
Learned any important lessons? Yes.
Got a kiss on the cheek? Yes.
Kissed someone on the lips? Yes.
Considered suicide? Not seriously.
Cut/dyed your hair drastically? No.
Flirted? No.
Been backstabbed? Yes.
Missed someone? Yes.
Hit someone? Oh yeah. >:)
Broken something really important to you? No.
Cuddled with someone? Yes.
Broken somebody’s heart? Doubt it.
Done something you really regretted? Don’t even get me started.
Laughed so hard that it hurt? Yes.
Cried so hard that it hurt? Yes.
Got cheated on? No.
Gone on a date? No.
Got dumped? No.
Dumped someone? No. More like stepped back for a bit.
Made a new screen name? No.
Lost a friend? Yes.
Gotten any tattoos/piercing? No.
Been in a love/hate relationship? Eh?
Loved someone so much that it hurt? No.
Been grounded? Nope, LOL.

FRIENDS:
Lost: I’m not going to list them because it doesn’t matter anymore.
Drifted: Can’t really say because friendships are so static.
Found: Grew closer to Sarah.

BODY:
Weight: 110-115 pounds.
Piercing/tattoos: N/A
Height: 5′1″
Hair: Short. Boo.

BAD THINGS I HAVE DONE:
- Gossipped.
- Didn’t write.
- As if I’m going to admit the others here. >:)

GOOD THINGS I HAVE DONE:
- Made Aidan’s Christmas!
- Cat sitting.
- Donorschoose.org.
- Loved Adam.

THINGS I HOPE TO DO IN 2009:
- See Aidan more often.
- Write a novel.
- Sell a novel.
- Travel.
- Get a great job making good money.
- Go back to a Disney park.

* * *

Looking Ahead:

In the year 2009…

Will you be looking for a new job?
Yes.

Will you be looking for a new relationship?
No.

New house?
No.

What will you do different in 2009?
I will try to be more positive. Try to write more. Try to write more in my paper journal. Try to have more faith in myself.

New Year’s resolution(s)?
a. Take better care of my teeth.
b. Going to bed at a decent hour.
c. Write a new book.
d. Stick to my budget, even if I start making more money.

What will you not be doing in 2009?
Spending gobs of money.

Any trips planned?
California – Jan 8-12.
Indianapolis – April (to get Aidan)

Wedding plans?
Nope.

What’s on your calendar?
Disneyland, Aidan for spring break, summer break, and winter break!

What can’t you wait for?
See above.

What would you like to see happen differently?
I’d like to see things in a more positive light.

What about yourself will you be changing?
- I hope to become more assertive, less likely to freak out.
- I will be doing better financially once I settle down.
- I will be able to write once things settle down.

What happened in 2008 that you didn’t think would ever happen?
- We got a black (well, mixed) president.

Will you be nicer to the people you care about?
Yes.

Will you dress differently this year than you did in 08?
Doubt it.

Will you start or quit drinking?
I usually drink socially.

Will you have better relationship with your family?
*shrug*

Will you do charity work?
Perhaps.

Will you go to bars?
Only if I’m on a Weird Chicago tour.

Will you be nice to people you don’t know?
I usually am.

Do you expect 2009 to be a good year for you?
Yes.

How much did you change from this time last year til now?
I changed a lot. I’m a little bit more optimistic now.

Do you plan on having a child?
Just the one I already have.

Will you still be friends with the same people you are friends with now?
Not sure.

Major lifestyle changes?
No, I think my lifestyle changes will finally settle down.

Will you be moving?
No.

What will you make sure doesn’t happen in 2009 that happened in 2008?
Dunno.

What are your New Years Eve plans?
Weird Chicago Zombie Pub Crawl–as long as I feel OK.

Will you have someone to kiss at midnight?
If I go on that crawl, yes.

Wish for 2009:
Success, security, good friends, happiness, love, passion, positivity, and lots of trips to Disney parks!!! YAY!!

Happy New Year!

(Originally published at Anywhere Is…)

(Originally posted at Anywhere Is...)

Time for the end of year surveys!

( Read the rest of this entry � )

(Originally posted at Anywhere Is...)

It’s Christmas Eve 2005. Can’t believe it’s here already. In a few hours, we’ll be heading up to see Aidan and celebrate Christmas with my mommy and stepfather. Then we’ll come back with presents and my little boy. It will be weird, getting back into the swing of things after not having to worry about him for two weeks. I miss him but not the work and I know I say this every time my “vacation” comes to an end.

Bizzy came over and we exchanged gifts. She got me stuffed a Mickey and a stuffed Minnie all dressed up in Christmas outfits. They’re on display in my family room. I got her a gift card to Forever 21. Then we ate spaghetti for dinner, watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and a bunch of Food Network/HGTV.

Going back to normal after the holidays will be hard, as it always is. I was spoiled the last week–early release days, parties, presents, treats, food. I hope things will be slow next week, but we’ll see.

I did this last year and wanted to see how my answers changed:

Original: http://www.livejournal.com/users/lilrongal/129462.html#cutid1

Current:

bolded ones have changed from last year…

LAST…
movie you rented = I don’t rent movies
movie you bought = Finding Nemo and The Sword in the Stone
song you listened to = Popular – Wicked Soundtrack *
song that was stuck in your head = Let’s Just Get Naked – Joan Osborne
CD you bought = probably a Christmas CD
CD you listened to = one of my many Harry Connick Jr Christmas CDs
person you called = Bizzy
person who called you = Chris
tv show you watched = $40 A Day
person you were thinking of = Aidan

DO…
you have a crush on someone = NOPE
you wish you could live somewhere else = somewhere it doesn’t snow
others find you attractive = I guess…
want more piercings? = navel
you like cleaning = not really
you like roller coasters = yup
you write in cursive or print = a mixture of both
long distance relationships = I’ve done
using someone = I’ve done
killing people = no
teenage smoking = nope
driving drunk = not a smart thing to do
soap operas = no

HAVE YOU…
ever cried over a boy/girl = yes
ever lied to someone = yep
ever been in a fist fight = nope
ever been arrested = no

WHAT…
shampoo do you use = Optimum Care
shoes do you wear = my oxfords from Target, my pink and grey Champions from Payless
are you scared of = something bad happening to Aidan

NUMBER…
of times I have been in love? = 3
of times I have had my heart broken? = too f—ing many
of hearts I have broken? = *shrug*
of times my name has appeared in the newspaper? = at least 3
of scars on my body? = 1
of things in my past that I regret? = shutup

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE…
funny = sometimes
hot = sometimes
friendly = yes
amusing = sometimes
loveable = umm…
caring = very
sweet = yes
dorky = oh FOR SURE!
humble = yes

PERSON WHO LAST…
slept in your bed = uh… me?
you went to the movies with = Tina
yelled at you = not sure…
sent you an email = Ivy!

HAVE YOU EVER…
said “I love you” and meant it = yes
gone out in public in your pajamas = not yet
kept a secret from everyone = yes
cried during a movie = yes
planned your week based on the TV Guide = no
been on stage = yes and I miss it
been to New York = not yet
been to California = yes!
been to Hawaii = not yet
been to Japan = not yet
been to Canada = not yet
been to Europe = not yet
been to Asia = not yet
been down South = well, I’ve been to Florida by way of Georgia–does driving through it count?
what time is it now = 2:08AM
apples or bananas = BANANAS. of course.
blue or red = blue
walmart or target = Target!!
spring or fall = fall
what are you gonna do after you finish this = sleep or read or write
what was the last meal you ate = spaghetti
are you bored = no
last noise you heard = my typing
last smell you sniffed = what the f— kind of question is that?

FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE…
do you believe in love at first sight = lust, for sure!
do you want children one day; if so, how many = I have one. THAT’S ENOUGH
most important thing to you in a friendship is = loytalty and fun

OTHER INFO…
criminal record = no
do you speak any other languages = no
last book you read = Shopaholic Takes Manhattan
name some of your favorite things in your bedroom = my laptop, Pandernoodle, books
who you love = some people, Jesus
who you miss = Monica, Katie, Jennifer
nickname(s) = Ronni
initials = RLD
how old do you look = HAHAHAHAHAHA. About 16, SUCKAS
how old do you act = the question is how YOUNG do I act! Hmm, probably between 12 and 19.
glasses/contacts = yes
braces = no
do you have any pets = 3 cats
you get embarrassed = mmmhmmm
what makes you happy = my friends, music, shopping, computers, gifts
what upsets you = hurt, being told what to do or being judged, cruelty, and yeah.

Have I ever mentioned how much I love my little Lucy? She’s the sweetest little kitty ever. When I got home from work, I immediately changed into some comfy clothes and climbed into bed. She was right there, cuddling with me and purring. I just love holding her and petting her little head.

I also love Iron Chef–the original one. I mean, I like Iron Chef America, but it’s not as good as the original–and the American version doesn’t have the guy calling out “Fuki-san!” every thirty seconds or so. Tonight’s battle was lobster. Some of those dishes looked unbelievable and delicious. I don’t even really care for lobster, or any seafood, actually. I do like fried flounder from Red Lobster, and from time to time I enjoy crab legs or cooked shrimp. Oh yeah, and orange roughy, but it has to be fried as well.

Anyway, why am I on the subject of seafood? I once worked at a seafood counter. From that job, I remember:

- Swordfish or tuna steaks marinated in teriyaki sauce = YUM
- Boston Scrod often comes in with worms in it. If the worms are alive, the fish is fresh. If the worms are dead, throw the fish out.
- Scallops stink to high heaven, as does creamed herring.

I got loads of Christmas cards today, and Aidan got a package from Aimzy! I set it on his new Ohio State table and chairs set so he can open it when he comes home. Ooo, my little guy is going to be so spoiled. And the ironic thing? He and I had this conversation a few weeks ago:

Ronni: Do you want Santa Claus to bring you toys for Christmas?
Aidan: No, I already have toys.
R: How about clothes?
A: No, I already have clothes.
R: How about candy?
A: No, I already have candy.
R: How about chicken and french fries?
A: No–mmmhmmm.

HA HA HA. I can’t wait to squeeze him tomorrow today.

Anyway, I’m going for now. ‘Til next time!

(Originally posted at Anywhere Is...)