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You are here: Home / Archives for 2014

Archives for 2014

Summer Reading: Series Kickoff

June 3, 2014 by Tracy

Summer Reading: Series Kickoff

Photograph Credit: Fotolia

Summer has either arrived or is on the horizon, and there are more than 15 summer reading programs available.

As each summer reading program has unique eligibility, requirements, and rewards, I will take the next 2-3 weeks to highlight one program each day.

Next week, I will take a little break from this series to focus on Father’s Day, and then I will continue and complete the summer reading series.

Throughout these posts, you will find some well-loved favorite programs, a couple new opportunities, and some changes from prior years. All these summer reading programs aim to make life-long learning fun.

In preparing for our summer reading and jump starting our school year in the fall, I reserved a couple of books for Mr. 8 and Miss 6 at our library. When we stopped by earlier today, two of the four books had arrived.

Though I think I’m more excited than they are, I encouraged them to stock up on books for summer reading. While they like trying new books, they thrive when they choose their own selections.

To help them track their summer reading progress, I created the following FREE printable 2014 Summer Reading Log.

2014 Summer Reading Log

2014 Summer Reading Log (.pdf version)

2014 Summer Reading Log (Microsoft Word version)

Summer Reading log 2014

You are welcome to download, customize the Microsoft Word version, and use this FREE printable. To share this resource with others, please forward the link to this post rather than sending the file directly.

Thank you for protecting Using Time Wisely’s copyright.

For more summer reading resources, check out Shelley’s printable All-star pack with coupons and a game to help motivate less-enthusiastic readers. Another option is Allison’s 3 months of calendars listing reading activities, resources, and recommendations for each day.

As the excitement builds and this series kickoff takes off tomorrow, may you, in whatever season of life, embrace summer reading as you grow and develop from the inside out. Happy reading!

Question: What is one title on your summer reading list?

Filed Under: Rewards, Summer Reading, Family Activities Tagged With: Summer reading

LaMar’s Donuts: National Donut Day – June 6, 2014

June 2, 2014 by Tracy

LaMar’s Donuts: National Donut Day - June 6, 2014
LaMar’s Donuts: National Donut Day - June 6, 2014

Photograph Credit: LaMar’s Donuts

If you live in certain parts of Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, or Nebraska, then LaMar’s Donuts is celebrating National Donut Day on Friday, June 6, 2014.

With no purchase necessary, guests get their choice of a FREE donut. The only restriction is that the donut chosen must have a hole.

This offer is only available on Friday, June 6, 2014, at participating LaMar’s Donut locations.

In addition to offering a FREE donut to guests, LaMar’s Donuts partners with the Salvation Army to help fight child hunger.

Donations are accepted via their website or their store locations.

Happy Donut Day!

Filed Under: Going Out, Free Outings, Family Activities Tagged With: LaMar's Donuts

Dunkin’ Donuts: National Donut Day – June 6, 2014

June 1, 2014 by Tracy

Dunkin’ Donuts: National Donut Day - June 6, 2014
Dunkin’ Donuts: National Donut Day - June 6, 2014

Photograph Credit: Dunkin’ Donuts

In honor of National Donut Day, participating Dunkin’ Donuts will include a FREE donut with any beverage purchase on Friday, June 6, 2014.

Though I am not a coffee drinker, I hear that Dunkin’ Donuts makes good coffee.

If you are willing to pay for a beverage, then choose a FREE donut with your drink on National Donut Day.

This offer is only available on Friday, June 6, 2014, at participating locations while supplies last.

Happy Donut Day!

Filed Under: Going Out, Inexpensive Outings, Family Activities Tagged With: Dunkin' Donuts

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts: National Doughnut Day – June 6, 2014

May 31, 2014 by Tracy

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts: National Doughnut Day - June 6, 2014
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts: National Doughnut Day - June 6, 2014

Photograph Credit: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

Get ready for National Doughnut Day. It is coming on Friday, June 6, 2014.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, my favorite doughnut shoppe, is celebrating National Doughnut Day by offering each guest a FREE doughnut of any variety on Friday, June 6.

From a crème-filled, jelly-filled, hot and ready glazed, or cake doughnut, you can try a new variety or choose a favorite.

Speaking of new varieties, have you tried the limited time birthday cake batter doughnut or the brownie batter doughnut?

I might need to try one of these before they remove them from the menu. I am still hooked on the chocolate iced crème-filled as it is my favorite.

As we plan next Friday, a visit to our Krispy Kreme Doughnuts will definitely land on our schedule.

Most locations are open from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., but check your local store in the United States or Canada for their participation and operating hours.

Happy Doughnut Day!

Question: What is your favorite Krispy Kreme Doughnut variety?

Filed Under: Going Out, Free Outings, Family Activities Tagged With: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

Guest Post: Mastering the Art of Speed Cleaning

May 30, 2014 by Tracy

Guest Post: Mastering the Art of Speed Cleaning

Guest Post: Mastering the Art of Speed Cleaning When someone has ideas about increasing efficiency while using time wisely, I perk up and absorb the tips and tricks from her experiences.

Getting the cleaning done in the least amount of time is my ideal goal because I really like the result, not the process.

In our guest post today, Silvia Marks shares how she started many projects and completed none. Many of you have expressed how you can relate to that scenario. Well, help is near.

Thank you, Silvia, for showing us how to prepare for mastering the art of speed cleaning. Happy cleaning!  ~ Tracy

Mastering the Art of Speed Cleaning

Guest Post: Mastering the Art of Speed Cleaning

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

It is true, that cleaning is the most time consuming and arduous household chore you can do. But that shouldn’t deter you from doing it.

In fact, if you take some time to learn and practice this art, you will see that a job which previously took you hours to complete will seem like a 10-minute Power-Point presentation.

There are numerous factors that must be taken into consideration when attempting anything resembling speed cleaning. For example, you must be a physically active individual, who is inherently good at multitasking and logical thinking.

The more you develop these skills, the better you will become at cleaning like a pro. But talent isn’t everything – far from it. In order for you to become truly proficient at speed cleaning, you must familiarize yourself with the experience. Let’s have a look:

Assess the Premise

It doesn’t matter if you are cleaning your whole house, a particular room or just the stove, you must always know exactly what it is that you will be cleaning.

You should take into account the size and shape of the object that needs cleaning, as well as the level and nature of the contamination. For example, cleaning grease off your kitchen floor is quite different from cleaning the attic.

Choose your Tools

Everything, from brooms to brushes and mops to dusters, must be readily available for your convenience. The trick behind doing anything fast is being prepared beforehand.

That is why after you have assessed the very thing that you are going to clean, you must know which tools are appropriate for that particular scenario.

Floors are swiped with a broom, mopped with a mop and vacuumed with a vacuum machine. Kitchen tops would require either soft or hard brushes (depending on the surfaces). Gather all your tools in one place and begin sorting out your detergents.

Select your Detergents

Like pieces of a puzzle, you must now connect the proper tool with the proper detergent. And again, bathroom tiles are best washed with bleach and ammonia.

Carpet cleaner Lewisham says that carpets and rugs can be treated with white vinegar or baking soda. Hard wood surfaces are handled with the proper hardwood detergents. Usually a bottle of all-purpose detergent will be sufficient to clean most parts of your home.

Put your detergents next to your tools and move on to the next step.

The “Pyramid” Approach

Imagine the room or appliance you are cleaning to be the shape of a pyramid. But unlike a pyramid, we are going to go contra-intuitive in our cleaning endeavor and start from the top. This is logical if you think about it.

Whatever you clean and however you clean it, gravity will always push the dirt and contamination right back down on the floor. That is why starting from the top and working down will be your best course of action.

Cleaning is an Elimination Match

When I first started cleaning on a professional level, I had difficulty finishing projects because I was too concerned with doing everything fast. I would often start cleaning multiple things all at once and finishing none!

When you clean, make sure that you finish one project before jumping onto the next. This approach will not only save you valuable time, but it will also break your work into smaller chunks.

Filed Under: Cleaning, Household Tagged With: cleaning

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