Gloria Gaynor's song comes to mind every year around the holidays. Not that I'm looking at losing someone I love or anything, although when it comes around I wonder how dh and I make it through without divorce papers.

But we survived and with little stress, for the most part. There was that incident at Wal-Mart when I almost vomited on the cashier when she rang up my total, but other than that, not bad.

The in-laws even took it in stride that we weren't coming over Christmas morning. I think mom-in-law was a bit disappointed. But, hey, you get to a time in your life, when you really need to build memories with your own kids instead of jumping through everyone's hoops. Took 20 years, but I think I'm there. Thank the Lord, dh says. He's been trying to get me to see reason for years.

We spent entirely too much on Christmas. As my father says, we did our part to keep the economy moving. Hopefully it helped. Even though we spent lots of cash, it's not like my kids are overly spoiled. Blessed, yes. Spoiled, of course. But they got things they needed, like clothes and winter coats.

Anyway, I'm glad it's over with. My baby's birthday is next week, she'll be 11, so it's time to move from Christmas to birthday.

Then to the New Year, which I've already begun thinking about the things I wish to accomplish in 09. I've actually been speaking with one of my critique partners, trying to come up with an accountability system. I obviously need it.

What is you wish to accomplish? Are there things you set out to do in 08 that you didn't?