Atlanta's Frugal Mom

I recently hinted on Facebook that I participated in a Locks of Love haircut.  Hair donation is an easy way to give back big time.  Your hair can go to someone in much greater need, while also “lifting” you of the extra weight — figuratively and literally. For the last two or three years, I’ve really slacked on getting my hair cut.  So I decided to just grow it out long enough to donate when I *do* get it cut.  I did so last year (on Super Bowl Sunday 2012), about six weeks after my son was born, so I had a rich, long head of hair to donate.  This year -after growing it out for 14 months- it wasn’t as long (or lush), but it was a good 10 inches that I don’t miss, but will make a world of difference for someone else. Hair donations typically benefit children with medical conditions resulting in hair loss. There are other organizations that accept hair donations, including Pantene Beautiful Lengths  and  Wigs for Kids . If you’re looking to donat...

The folding, padded potty seat As you may recall, I just recently finished a successful (and short) stint potty training my two-year old daughter  back at the end of May.  She took to the task like a pro, which gave me the confidence *I* needed to take her out and about, and know we could minimize accidents.  However, my biggest hang-up had long been the dreaded public restroom. Need I say more?  A curious toddler’s small hands simply can’t contain themselves in a new environment, and -well- the nastiness that you likely conjured up at the mere words “public restroom” are enough to send one sprinting for a can of Lysol, right? The bulky “on the go” potty seat — BOO! Furthermore, any mother will attest to the amount of STUFF one must lug around, even with a potty-trained child: your own purse, a (former) diaper bag, and miscellaneous other bags, depending on the occasion and the circumstances.   For me, shopping entailed the addition of my bag fu...

Lessons Learned and Reflections Made for 2010 2010 was a passionate year for me. Rather, it was a year in which I actively pursued my passions, or rekindled or maintained the things about which I have long been passionate. In February, armed with a stack of resumes and a fiery red-head’s legs loyally clamped to my hip, I set about to re-enter the workforce, pursuing an old flame of mine: working with the Little Ones. Through a long process, much hand-wringing, a few interviews here and there, and turning down job offers that simply were not right for myself or my family at the time, I found myself working at my old church. The church where my passion for the Little Ones all began. I have yet to be disappointed, and continue to marvel that I am -once again- getting paid to do something I love doing! After much prodding by friends and family, I also found myself starting up a blog, so that I could share another of my passions: frugality. Thus, Atlanta’s Frugal Mom came ...

Lessons learned from years past: The Archive The tradition began many years ago, back when I emailed them to friends and family. For this archive, I simply copied and pasted, deleting any phone numbers I had attached to my signature at the time, but preserved the names and quotations accompanying. At the very least, it was neat for me to see my evolution over time. :o) 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 (must not have learned much in ’05?) 2004

Okay folks, it’s that time of the year again. For those new to my inner circle, I annually compile a list of important tidbits -life lessons, if you will- that I have picked up along the way each year. (And for those of you on MySpace, you will be receiving this through a bulletin as well… twice the joy, right?) I find this more enjoyable than making new year’s resolutions, since I marvel in seeing what others have learned during the year. So, I will list below what I’ve learned, and you are welcome to read, make your own list of things you’ve learned (and -my lord!- it certainly doesn’t need to be as long-winded as mine), and feel free to share with your friends and family. In years past, this has sparked some interesting discussions amongst my friends, some of whom have never met, except for being on the same “sent to” list on my emails. Without further ado, here’s what I have learned in the year 2006: Al...

So as 2008 starts to rapidly roll forward, it is time that I get on in sharing my Lessons from 2007.  I encourage you all to share with me, and other friends and family, what you have learned the past twelve months as well. 1.  First, I must open with the chilling realization that no one is safe.  Period.  In recent headlines, the citizens of Georgia have see an apparently charismatic, lovely young lady go from missing to dead to tortured and decapitated by a crazy old man.  Then, on a more personal note, I watched as a young girl I went to high school was found lifeless at the bottom of a lake (pond?) where she was last seen jogging with her dog in Athens.  Details still unfolding.  And, still very tragically, I cannot forget or dismiss that a friend of mine lost her brother to the inexplicable tragedy at Virginia Tech.  She and her family are turning that mess into a forum for gun control reform, and rightly so.  The point of al...

Believe it or not, I began this edition in July…  There were many little tidbits that I knew I wanted to capture before I forgot them!  So, here we go, Lessons Learned in 2008: 1)  I’ve worked with soo many kids over the years that never fit neatly into any one “label” or category.  He or she may display strong characteristic of this or that label or diagnosis, but doesn’t quite fit the full definitional criteria.  Therefore, I have learned that a label is just that: a label.  Instead of treating someone based on the label, it is better to treat the person with which we are working.  (Actually, I learned this MANY MANY years ago from my amazing mentor during my undergrad days.  It’s just been so greatly reinforced lately, that it’s worth adding to the Lessons List.) 2)  I believe my friend Lauren said this one best, if you ever want to make God laugh, just tell him your plans....

Lessons Learned in 2004 I had such meaningful responses from this last year, so much so that I felt compelled to start forming my thoughts for this exercise in October!!   (Unfortunately, between classes, exams, and the holidays, I haven’t had a chance to sit down and FINISH this until a few days into the New Year.)   I want to keep this tradition going, so feel free to respond either just to me, or simply to those with whom you choose.   (Start your OWN tradition!!) I must begin by stating that, once again, in the span of a year, my life has drastically been altered – and for the better!!   Specifically, in the span of about a week, my life was changed permanently!   Around the middle of March on a Thursday, the job that I had poured my heart in to for over a year was cruelly and abruptly ripped away from me.   This was mainly due to poor communication skills amongst those above me.   This left me in a panic that weekend.   I wa...

Check out my Lessons Learned and Reflections Made for 2010 , on my personal blog.   This is a yearly tradition I began about 7 years ago, and it’s sparked quite a few interesting discussions over time. I’d love to hear y’alls thoughts, and any lessons or reflections you care to share for 2010. Happy New Year’s y’all!  May 2011 hold wonder, excitement, and a few frugal lessons for you.  :o) **This post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click/purchase/sign up for this offer, I may receive a small amount of compensation for it.**