You know the old Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times"? 2009 could be described in many ways, including "interesting." I must say that I never ran out of things to write about, and some of you had some pithy comments on my posts as well. In case you missed some of these posts and the lively discussions that ensued, here are the ten blog posts that elicited the most comments in 2009, beginning with the most popular. Be sure to check out the comments by scrolling down after clicking.

• Dec. 5: Did Scrooge Have It Right the First Time?
• Dec. 13: Does Pink Stink?
• Oct. 12: Line-Drying Laundry Creates a Flap
• Nov. 17: What Should a Grandparent Be?
• Oct. 16: Balloon Boy Saga Raises Questions About Parenting
• Sept. 28: Parents, Grandparents and the Sugar Wars
• April 5: Share the Magic of Poetry With Grandchildren
• Aug. 7: Should Grandparents Pay for IVF?
• June 12: Bad News and Good Advice for Grandparents
• Oct. 10: Discussion of End of Life Issues Shouldn't Die Down

I didn't include my Wordless Wednesday or Thrifty Thursday posts, but if you missed any of those, you can catch up by taking a look at the Wordless Wednesday image gallery and the archive of posts for Thrifty Thursday.

Thanks to Denise Witmer, Guide to Parenting Teens, for the idea for this 2009 wrap-up. Check out Denise's list as well!

Forget losing 10 pounds or training for a marathon. Experts are predicting that this year's New Year's Resolutions will be focused on finances. I don't know what big changes you need to make in your financial situation, but little changes can give anyone's budget a boost. One of your New Year's Resolutions should be to identify and eliminate expenditures that seem small but that can really add up--what author David Bach calls the Latte Factor®. Now a lot of people have poked fun at Bach's ideas, but here's what I know for a fact: the people I know who have achieved financial independence through their own efforts all practice small economies. So perhaps you should give it a whirl. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Don't pick up that magazine positioned next to the check-out lane. Never pay cover price for a magazine. If you really enjoy a particular magazine, purchase a subscription.
• Don't make the coffee shop or convenience store your first stop when you leave the house. Leave with a cup of coffee, water or juice, bought at grocery store prices or drawn free from the tap.
• Turn the thermostat down one degree. Put on an extra pair of socks if you need to. Turn it down five degrees at night, and put on an extra blanket, or snuggle.
• If you don't watch it, read it or use it, cancel it. This goes for premium TV channels, newspapers and magazines, gym memberships, phone services and the like. Forget what you intend to do. If it's not being used now, today, cancel it.

What small expenses have you been able to trim? Leave a comment below.

See more Thrifty Thursday hints:

• More Thrifty Thursday Blogs For Grandparents
• Use Facebook or Twitter to Ask for Advice About Repairs
• Print Your Digital Pictures for Pennies
• 5 Frugal Tips for Your Teen's Birthday Party
• Use Freecycle.org to Stock Up on Free Baby Clothes
• Save Money on Taxes with Pregnancy Related Charitable Giving

Yes, I do resolve to lose ten pounds and get to the gym more regularly. My most important resolution, however, has to do with making time for my grandchildren. My oldest granddaughter will be graduating from high school in May. She makes it to family gatherings about half the time, which I understand is fairly good for an older teenager. Still, seeing her begin her journey toward independence reminds me that I had better spend some quality time with all of my grandchildren while they are still young.

I also resolve to make our time together more meaningful. I enjoy playing games, both outdoor and indoor, with the grandchildren. Being an ex-English teacher, I also love reading with them. If I'm tired or have other things going on, they sometimes end up in default mode--watching TV, playing video games or doing something on the computer. I resolve to let that happen less often. I also resolve to involve them in our everyday activities--also known as work! Before Christmas, the boys helped their grandfather work in the yard and put up Christmas lights, and one of my granddaughters helped me with wrapping. Helping with chores is a good opportunity for bonding and for teaching small skills.

I sometimes get caught up in cleaning, organizing, socializing and a million other activities, all worthwhile, but those opportunities aren't going away. I need to remember that the opportunity to be with my grandchildren when they are children will definitely go away.

Have you blogged about your New Year's Resolution? Share it by joining the All About Parenting Blog Carnival for January. The deadline is Friday. Read more about it.

When buying gifts for grandchildren who are very close to the same age, do you buy different models or colors, like these ladybug and bumblebee ensembles? The hidden hazard is that the ladybug may prefer the bumblebee, or vice versa. On the other hand, if you buy items that are exactly alike, it's difficult to determine the ownership of stray items. A Sharpie is one solution. Buy identical items, and mark them with the appropriate initials in an inconspicuous spot. That's a hint that I hope I can remember for next year's holidays. Come to the grandparents forum to read more or to tell us what worked well or didn't work at your holiday celebrations. Photo © Susan Adcox

Wordless Wednesday Photo Gallery
Wordless Wednesdays on About.com
Wordless Wednesday on the Web