The End of 2009

Well, here we are at the end of another year.  Have you accomplished your goals?  Are you more ahead than you were at this time last year or have you fallen behind?  I am uncertain where I stand on this.  On one hand, I have managed to keep my children from killing themselves and each other.  I would think  that was definitely an accomplishment!  I have succeeded in keeping Little Man from acquiring any broken bones as he climbs tables, TV stands and multi-tiered shelving units.  I have managed to keep all children from escaping thru doggie doors. 
I have also managed to not pummel my spouse with the nearest club-like object when he pisses me off.  Instead, I have perfected the look of “WTF are you doing??” and “WTF are you talking about??”  I have taught him to not leave his stubbles behind after trimming the facial hair that I so adore.  I have taught him to leave a spotless countertop after making his lunch (although he doesn’t always follow through, I have to believe the intention is there). 
I have passed on to my tween the ability to whine for what she wants, and she does it quite well.  I have taught her the art of “out-of-sight-out-of-mind-and-my-room-looks-clean” strategy when it comes to straightening up her room before having any friends over.  Apparently, without even knowing it, I have taught her how to stand up for her beliefs when it comes to dealing with the opposite sex….namely, her step-father.  I must say, she has learned to speak her mind, turn an argument around so that she always appears right, and make the other person forget what the hell the argument was about in the first place.  THIS is the heart of a “woman-in-training”.
I have encouraged my middle child to be the woman she was born to be.  She shows her independence as she wakes up each morning on her own, gets her own breakfast of Oreo cookies and a Tupperware container of water that she drinks with a spoon. Her intelligence shines through as she shows her PaPa how to navigate through Pixie Hollow on her Nintendo DS.  She has shown she has high self-esteem as she refuses to sit on the potty because it “hurts her [precious] butt”.  By the way, this little “woman” is three years old.
So….looking at all my accomplishments over the past year, have I really failed at anything?  Haven’t I shown progress in SOMETHING, for Pete’s Sake??  Of course I have, but there are some failures.  I have NOT lost one bit of weight despite the membership to Weight Watchers, the cutting out of carbs, the recent fast from Diet Coke, and the decrease from 10 white chocolate mochas to 8 each week…..
I also have not managed to get my children on a sleeping schedule that allows the spouse and I to have any alone time.  I once bragged what a great sleeper the Little Man was, but then all hell broke loose and he has learned to manipulate us the way his sisters do.  I have not managed to get the tween to accept any chores for pay.  I have not managed to get the Lil Lady to sit her princess-ass on her potty more than a handful of times.  I have not managed to get the tween and spouse to see eye-to-eye on even ONE topic.  And, last of all, I have not won the lottery (this was number one resolution of 2009). 
So, for the coming year, I am not going to set specific goals or make specific resolutions.  I am aiming just to be the best wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend that I can be.  I will give my all to everyone.  I will not be selfish.  I will keep my mouth shut in the grocery store when some rude bitch takes off my Achilles tendon with her shopping cart.  I will not flip off the person that feels the need to honk and pass me when I am going the posted speed limit.  I will keep a straight face when the people of Walmart so totally amaze me with their mind-blowing stupidity.  Most important of all, I will love my children and spouse unconditionally despite the fact that they have perfected getting on my last nerve, and I will be happy in 2010…..
How about you?  Do you have any resolutions or are you happy with who you are??