Favorite Things in 2009

As I reflect on this past year, I realize that I have mastered one important thing that had never mattered to me before... before my husband was laid off in 2007, before I faced potential lay-off myself last Spring, and before I decided that I would rather splurge on lessons, family get-a-ways, and delicious meals than on clothing, shoes, or basic groceries. I have mastered "The Art of the Deal," and in doing so, I discovered my favorite websites, sneak peaks, and bang-for-your-buck purchases.

MWM's 3 Favorite Websites:
1. People (www.people.com) At 7:00 p.m., I am usually cleaning up my kitchen after dinner, checking papers, or bathing my daughter. I don't have time for ET or TMZ! Instead, I spend two minutes browsing this site every few days, and it brings me totally up-to-speed on celebrity news and gossip. That way, I am not totally out of the loop when someone makes a joke in the staff lounge or at dinner with friends.
2. Google (www.google.com) Whether I am searching for free printables for my classroom or a recipe for the slow cooker, I always begin by keying in to Google. I like the way that results are formatted, I appreciate having access to international sites, and in general - I am a believer.
3. Retail Me Not (www.retailmenot.com) I have to give credit to my colleague and friend Karen for sharing this site with me during the month of December. Although I haven't used it for long, I love that it can save me money when I order online. Every Mom in America (well, perhaps not Lady Obama) needs to have this site bookmarked!


MWM's 3 Favorite Places to Shop For Bargains:
1. Outlet Malls From Stride Rite (half-off the retail price for children's shoes) to Old Navy, I rarely walk away from a store empty-handed due to pricing or supply. One good thing about living in the Mid-West is that there are plenty of outlet malls to choose from!

2. Mom 2 Mom Sales I was unaware of this phenomenon until Isabelle was over a year old. I remember the first time that I'd heard of one. I thought, "You mean there are rummage sales with nothing BUT children's clothing and furniture?! How exciting!" These are excellent places to look for gently used play clothes and rarely worn dress clothes (holiday outfits, anyone?). Plus, you can resell your things when your little ones outgrow them... all in one day!

3. Public Libraries It may sound silly - or obvious - but what price is better than free?! We rent children's DVDs anytime that weather calls for indoor entertainment, I borrow books for use in my classroom, and we even check out cookbooks just to see if anything looks good... all for free! Did I mention the word "free"?


MWM's 3 Favorites - Other Edition:
1. The Upper Room For a Christian woman struggling each day to take time for prayer and meditation, this is a wonderful printed source of guidance and direction into the art of daily talks with God. The stories are personal and meaningful, the scripture chosen seems to speak to me each day, and the prayer focuses are often something that I have not yet thought to consider. I feel that I wouldn't be complete without my daily dose of U.R.

2. Great Neighbors A person rarely chooses his/her neighbors, just as we don't choose the members of our family. How miraculous it has been to have purchased our first home in a neighborhood full of friendly, caring, and generous people! We baby-sit one another's kids, we share toys and pools, and we have parties to which everyone (of every age, race, and religion) are invited. I am grateful for my neighbors, and I am trying to be a better one myself each day.

3. Starbucks What is there to say? I like the taste, the ambiance, and the convenience. I know that a latte in Detroit will taste the same as a latte in Grand Rapids. I love having something to count on... even if is a somewhat overpriced cup of coffee!

I intend to remain thoughtful and frugal with my money and energy in 2010. I have to be... I am a MWM.

MWM Turns 30

One Day Left...

2010 will arrive in my Mid-Western home as it always does - cold, cloudy, and ho-hum. We may sleep in a little, and we'll probably watch a re-run marathon of some trashy television show that we'd normally not have time for. Mainly, though, we'll be excited about the opportunity that ringing in a new year brings to our family, our careers, our finances, and our general health and well-being.

Our precious son Henry died unexpectedly during the final days of my pregnancy last Spring. A cord accident (true knot) proved to be the cause - a simple, natural, occurrence that takes the lives of some, but not the lives of others. Even with nearly 9 months of perspective, I still don't know why our family was chosen. After doing the hard work of achieving a new "normal" for myself and for my family, I continue to lament the loss of the privilege of knowing and raising my son, and of giving my nearly 3 year-old daughter a sibling and playmate. 2009 will always be a landmark year in my life - one during which my son both lived and died; and so did I in some ways.

Join me as I spend a year blogging about being a Mom in the Mid-West, parenting a toddler daughter, expecting a SPAL (subsequent pregnancy after loss) baby, and guiding 26 fourth graders into a new decade of being. 2010, here I come with almost 30 years in tow and friends by my side!

MWM Turns 30