Ringing in the New Year - 2009

Well, another year has come and gone...

This past year has brought lots of ups and downs.

A Recap of 2008:

• I graduated with my MSW - YEAH!!
• I now have a ton of debt - BOO!
• Riley graduated Kindergarten; I thought for sure her temper would have gotten her kicked out. Instead everyone raves about how great she is! - YEAH!!
• I got a JOB...a REAL JOB!!! And it's one that I like - YEAH!!
• My work laid off nearly 10% of it's labor force - BOO!
• I still have my job - YEAH!!
• I still work at the store since I have so much debt and I don't get squat for child support - BOO!
• I can count on one hand how many times Riley's dad has seen her this year...which is good and bad. The less I see him, the better. The less she sees him, the worse - she thinks he walks on water - BOO!
• I miss having 4 weeks of Christmas vacation off - BOO!!
• Jaylene is living with us and we are SO glad she is here and safe - YEAH!
• Jaylene's mom and dad are way worse than they were in 2005 - BOO!
• I am trying to buy a house - YEAH!
• I wanted to be moved into a new place by now and we're not - BOO! (Rent is more than my mortgage would be - BOO!!)
• We got a puppy in September - YEAH!!
• Elvis died in December - BOO!
• We have the two coolest cats! YEAH!!
• My weight is the highest it's ever been - BOO!!
• I have a TON more grey hair - BOO!
• I'm overall pretty healthy - YEAH!!

So, overall, 2008 was pretty good. In the scope of things, the "bad" things that happened or the things that I didn't like, weren't that bad relatively speaking. One thing I learned in 2008, which I am still working on practicing, is remembering: "Life is about wanting what you got, not getting what you want."

With that thought in mind and 2009 here, I have made my New Years Resolutions. When I made these, I tried to think of things that I didn't/don't like about my life and would like to see different in the coming year. Here they are, in random order:

1. Lose Weight - 75 lbs to be exact (yes, I am ashamed to say I need to lose that much *sad face*)
2. Treat myself better; yes this may sound trivial, but, like most mothers, I have given so much of myself to my daughter that I have left myself by the way side and subsequently have found myself with piss poor self esteem. Due to the nature of my work, I continue to give even more of myself as well. I need to take care of myself before I can help others, even if it is something as simple as exercising each day and getting my hair colored every 8 weeks and finding a hobby or interest for myself.
3. Be a better mom; specifically stop yelling so much
4. Live a healthier lifestyle; I guess this ties in to number 1...unfortunatly I started smoking again when Jaylene came to live with us and I would like to quit again and stop drinking so much soda ( I am dreading this one the most!)
5. Have dinner with my family at least one time per month... (never mind, I am dreading this one the most)
6. Have a date for New Years 2009 (keep your eyes peeled for me)
7. Buy a house before June.
8. Develope a routing for me and the girls; one that will hopefully reduce the stress in the house and allow me more time for them and for myself. One that will reduce fights over who does what; reduce whinning about chores and such. After all, according to Riley she does "everything" around the house. I can't tell you how often I hear her say "What do you think I am? Your butler?" Yes Riley, that is exactly what you are. That is the SOLE reason you were born, just to serve me. Please, give me a break Drama Queen. Maybe another resolution should be to get Riley into Drama so she can literally "Act Out" somewhere else.
9. Find a hobby/past time/sport for Riley.
10. Organize finances/pay off debt/consolidate school loans.

So, I think that is all of them. Although I am sure these will change and evolve over the next year and future years as well. As I look over these, I think, eh, these won't be so hard. I know a lot, if not all, of these resolutions overlap and affect each other. For example, if I am healthier maybe I won't yell so much and I will want to see my family more often. You get the picture... The date one, now that's a different story...kinda. I guess if I feel better, then I will be more confident and attract someone. At the same time I am totally a sucker for the whole "fate" thing. I believe "it" (meaning love or finding "the one") will happen when it's supposed to happen; no matter how much confidence I exube.

Anyways, wish me luck!! What about you? How was 2008 for you? Any New Years Resolutions? Check for future updates about mine. Maybe I will do a monthly update about my progress. I think I will do that; then maybe my fellow bloggers will hold me accountable; specifically with things like losing weight.

Here's to 2009!!! Happy New Year! I hope it brings lots of happines for each and everyone of you!