By Shauna Scott Rhone
The Cincinnati Enquirer

New Year's resolutions have always been an ambitious and iffy endeavor. To quit smoking, lose weight or get a new job are frequent choices.

Members of the Enquirer's parents and singles panels submitted their promises to themselves for a story that ran on New Year's Day.

So, how are they doing?

Chris Lemmon's resolution was to eat only at "mom and pop" non-chain restaurants when dining out. The Milford mom reports that the road to supporting small business has a few potholes, but she's been able to hold to her pledge.

Lemmon reports: "On Jan. 1, my daughter's boyfriend informs me, I blew it immediately by eating a LaRosa's pizza, but since one can get LaRosa's only in (the Cincinnati area), I figured that's not really a chain! (Help me here, I'm begging forgiveness).

"We eat out about once a week and I've been going to the mom-pop restaurants about three-fourths of the time," says Lemmon, 45. "I have to tell you, it's a hard resolution to keep," especially, she says, since the new restaurants she's tried have been generally disappointing.

Family time

"Slow down, look around and enjoy the smaller things in life" was Julie Levis' resolution.

For the Mariemont resident, "slowing down has been the hardest part! I have, however, taken a good look at the things that are most important in my life. Since January, I have put aside my fear of flying and my daughter and I have spent lots of time traveling to spend time with family."

She and her daughter Kristin attended a family wedding this year in Texas and took a spring break flight to Salem, Ore., to visit a brother and his family.

"This has allowed a closer bond to form between my daughter and me and for us to see different parts of the country," says Levis, 36.

Maintaining ties

Darren Cordrey of Westwood wanted to renew some of his childhood friendships that faded.

His resolution was to "stay in touch with some of my old friends. I have e-mail and know their address and phone numbers, but I want to keep that friendship instead of just sending Christmas cards."

Cordrey, 34, says he's pleased with the efforts he's made to strengthen ties to friends.

"I just sent a birthday card to a friend I haven't talked to in a while," he says. "I went to a Reds game with some friends from high school."

Cherie Derby of Batavia resolved to pay off her bills, exercise more often and have a more positive outlook on life.

Any luck, Cherie?

"It's working out pretty well," says Derby, 50. "On keeping the positive outlook, it's been difficult but we're trying to do that, too. I've kept about 50 percent of my goals. At least I got my finances in order."

E-mail srhone@enquirer.com