A new year’s resolution that I didn’t mention is that I want to start blogging here more regularly and with more gusto. I used to be such a good little blogger! And now I have somehow turned into a depressed, sour, middle-aged boring woman who writes nothing… occasionally. I can’t have that! I want to be lively and fun again!

I followed my dad into NYC today. We’re fighting the Man together. Didn’t take that long this time. Unfortunately there was no ruling today so we may have to go back later for the verdict. We’ll see.

I haven’t been making that much headway this week in my goal to de-clutter my home. I may have to hire someone to help me. Good news is I am back to writing my book… or at least expanding it for publishing. Anyone ever self-published a book before? I am probably just going to go with Lulu.com but am curious to know if there’s a better way.

What else, what else? nuthin’

One of the blogs I subscribe to on Google Reader is Zen Habits… which I RARELY read. Yesterday I felt compelled to read it and found some really awesome posts.

I really liked this:

the brief guide

less TV, more reading
less shopping, more outdoors
less clutter, more space
less rush, more slowness
less consuming, more creating
less junk, more real food
less busywork, more impact
less driving, more walking
less noise, more solitude
less focus on the future, more on the present
less work, more play
less worry, more smiles
breathe

I am really trying to get out from this giant fog of clutter and Zen Habits is giving me some good tips.

How to Declutter
Keeping a Stress Free Clean House

It’s hard to believe another year has passed.  They fly by so quickly.  Can you believe little Bo is 6 years old today?  Why it doesn’t feel like 6 years have gone by since we made that crazy trek out to Amish country to pick between him and his butter-colored brother.  It’s over a year since I started my own business.  Over two years since I was laid off…. the second time (and I rarely think of the third time).

What did I accomplish in 2010?  True autonomy and independence.  I relied on no one- not a person, not a company.  And I discovered that I actually have marketable skills.  And I am going to keep this going for as long as I can.

How did I do on those 2010 New Year’s Resolutions?  Let’s see:

Donna’s Resolutions for 2010

Independent Business Success
2009 saw me start my own business. 2010 will be the year that I become totally independent. My business will be enough to support me. I will make enough money from it to live comfortably and save for the future. I will work with people and businesses I like. I will work on projects that I believe in. I will be comfortable with my decisions. I will love what I do.

SUCCESS!  I hit a couple stumbling blocks where I took jobs with people that I don’t like/trust/believe in and I now regret it but I will do better next time.

Stay Calm, Have Fun, Enjoy Life

No need to get worked up over silly things. Stay calm and enjoy your life. Get out. Push away from the computer. Have fun! Spend time with friends and family. Pet Bo.

Semi-Success.  I was doing better with this toward the beginning of the year.  Sometime in mid-summer all hell broke lose and I became a raging workaholic and everything I strove for in terms of staying calm, having fun and enjoying life went out the window.

Travel More
I will explore. I will go places I haven’t been. I will see different places and meet new people.

Success.  I traveled a bit.  Pookie and I went biking in Jim Thorpe, we toured Quebec City, we visited Myrtle Beach and roamed Charlestown.  We hit NYC and Pittsburgh.

eBook
I will write an eBook. I have a subject in mind, just gotta sit down and do it.

Success!  I wrote my eBook and have actually sold copies of it!

Course on Graphic Design/Website Design
I will take a class or two and really solidify my knowledge on these subjects.

Epic Fail. Didn’t do it at all.  Didn’t even attempt it.

Artistic Endeavors
I will draw, sketch and paint more. I will sing. I will write. I will go to concerts. I will express myself creatively.

Semi-Success.  I sketch a bit.  I rarely paint.  I can’t remember the last time I turned the radio on and unabashedly sung along while wiggling my ass.  I went to some concerts– The Red Elvises… was that it?!?!  No way!  Okay, turns out this resolution was an Epic Fail.

Invest
Keep aware of my money and invest wisely.

Epic Fail.  I don’t wish to discuss.

Exercise, Be Fit, Feel Good
Last year I began exercising and it did me a world of good. I will continue to exercise and eat right.

Success that turned into an Epic Fail.  I was doing well.  I was exercising 3 – 4 nights a week and loving it.  Then my Zumba instructor quit and work became overbearing and I no longer was looking forward to going to the gym without Zumba to tempt me and so I didn’t go and next thing I know, I haven’t been to La Fitness in over 3 months.  Dang-it.

Law of Attraction
I’ve decided to really use the Law of Attraction. I will wallow in positivity. I will attract my dreams. I will vibrate at a high, healthy frequency.

I feel like I have done a pretty good job with this… but I could do better.  It’s true I was cornered the other day and told that it’s clear I am in the midst of a depression.  And I am sad that certain things haven’t gone the way I intended.  But, on a whole, I have attracted A LOT OF GOOD!  I am proud of what I have been able to achieve.

Donna’s Resolutions for 2011

Continued Independent Business Success

My business will continue to support me.  I will make more money than I need.  I will work with people I like, respect and believe in.  Clients will seek me out.  I love what I do.

Paid Public Speaker and Join Toastmasters

I will continue my public speaking, the main difference is I will get paid for my engagements.  I will also join Toastmasters to improve my speaking.

Published Author

I wrote the eBook, now it’s time to get it published for real.  Plus, this is what will get me paid speaking engagements.  DEADLINE: FEBRUARY.

Course on Graphic Design/Website Design

Just do it.  Figure it out and do it.

Stay Calm, Have Fun, Enjoy Life, Paint, Sketch, Sing, Dance, Walk, Breath, Smile, Love

I will push away from the computer.  I will emit a Buddhist-like serenity and calmness.  I will smile and be happy and enjoy myself.  I will say yes to opportunities and have fun.

SIMPLIFY!  DIVEST!  GET RID OF THE GARBAGE!

Stop collecting. Stop hanging on to things I don’t need.  Release items back into the world for others to enjoy.  Clear out clutter and distraction.  It’s time to make my world easier to render, kill old tasks, free up computing resources for newer, better, richer experiences.  (Thank you Steve Pavlina)

Do things quickly, despite initial discomfort

Yeah, I am talking about this insane procrastination.  End it.

Exercise, Be Fit, Feel Good, Move, Stretch, Eat right

Good things happen when you move– so do it.

Determine exactly what I want– and make it happen

Know the answer to What would I do if I won a million dollars?   And then rather than wait until I have a million dollars– just do it now.

And Lastly…

My favorite entry from the last year? There was no competition… hands down this doozy was the winner.

Year end is approaching.  I gotta get on those resolutions.

I want to be on top of my life. I want the kitchen sink to be empty of dishes. I want my invoices sent after finishing jobs. I want my clothes hung in the closet. I want to live without the crap. When mail comes in, I want it sorted and the garbage tossed. I want the food in my freezer labeled and usable.

It seems so easy and yet I struggle. I keep telling myself, “A place for everything and everything in its place.” Yet the place for everything seems to be in a heap in the middle of the floor. And I can always find a reason NOT to do it now.

How can I not find 10 minutes to do the dishes? Why is my will so against hanging up clothes and sorting socks?

Things must change!

I spent all day working on my side business’s Website. My intention was to just do some minor housecleaning but somehow I got sucked into doing some major rework. I am happy with what I did– and clearly inspiration struck and I was able to go with it… but I wish I hadn’t spent all day glued to the monitor. I wish I had gone to TJMaxx. Christmas shopping.

Yesterday I went into Philly and visited the Christmas Market. I was surprised to see that they ended up using the word Christmas since there was some hoopla over whether they would use it or not. It was fun walking around the booths and drinking hot spice wine. Reminded me of a Christmas Market I went to in Berlin… it was in a small neighborhood and I remember snowflakes falling. It was really lovely.

I also went to Macy’s. It was too crowded to see their Dickens Village or Holiday Light Show. But I did find a gorgeous dress that fit me to a t. I used the 20% discount coupon I had PLUS the gift card I had unused since last Christmas so I ended up spending about $35.00 on it. I have a speaking engagement in January and although I thought I already had a dress for it– it’s going to be a tough choice. The other dress is one I got at a boutique through a client. That’s what happens when you work with personal stylists. I think both are gorgeous. I am leaning towards the gray dress but who knows. It’s an audience of over 200, maybe more… I want to look my best.

I have three presents bought. Well, actually two. I got a little something for Mr Poopie, I mean Pookie Bear and something for Rosa. I still have mucho more shopping to do although I don’t plan on spending much. I kinda miss the days when I had money shooting out of all orifices… but when that was happening, I was a pretty miserable individual. It’s all give and take, I guess.

I’m watching a La Femme Nikita episode… the one co-starring Nigel Bennett as the Russian replacement to Operations. You know Nigel… he played the master effing vampire LaCroix in my favorite tv show of all time, that is, next to La Femme Nikita… FOREVER KNIGHT!!!!!!! Gosh I miss those days. MISS! But they are over.

I am tired. I try to understand the ephemeral nature of existence. I try to realize this is all temporary and yet I still sometimes feel I am stuck in some odd No Exit reality. l’enfer, c’est les autres

This week I shall try to take it easy. Some Christmas shopping. Lighting the fire in the evenings. Spending time with family and friends. And back away from the damn computer and the incessant urge to make money.