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2014: Valentine’s Day Activities

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2013: Valentine's Day ActivitiesLove is in the air! My children put together their Valentine’s Day gifts for their classmates over the weekend.

They chose the candy and wrote their friends’ names on the cards.

Now, we are hoping they get to give them out on Friday with all the snow we are expected to get today and tomorrow.

With so many wonderful Valentine’s Day activities, I chose only the FREE options.

Having posted party ideas in 2012 and then a list of Valentine’s Day activities in 2013, I am adding to those posts with the following Valentine’s Day gifts, deals, crafts, recipes, cards, and packs:

Valentine’s Day Gifts

Valentine’s Day Restaurant Deals

Valentine’s Day Crafts

Valentine’s Day Recipes

Valentine’s Day Printable Cards

Valentine’s Day Printable Packs

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. These FREE resources are just suggestions. Paul and I get a night out for Valentine’s Day. 🙂 We purchased a Groupon a few weeks back which we plan to use before heading to a production of To Kill a Mockingbird.

Whether you plan to stay in or venture out, may you all have a wonderful Valentine’s Day and a special celebration with those you love!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Question: What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts: FREE Valentines with Purchase of any Dozen

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Krispy Kreme Doughnuts: FREE Valentines with Purchase of any Dozen

Photograph Credit: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

The sweetest doughnut maker, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, is offering a sheet of 12 Valentine’s Day cards with each dozen doughnut purchase. Each card is a coupon for a FREE doughnut of your choice.

In using a coupon received at Christmas, I purchased a dozen of the chocolate iced creme-filled doughnuts and received a FREE dozen of original glazed.

In addition to saving $7.99, I was given 2 sheets of Valentine’s Day cards. 😀 With this promotion, my children have enough coupons to give each of their classmates a FREE doughnut for Valentine’s Day.

If you are needing some sweetness, then head to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts for FREE Valentines with purchase of any dozen, while supplies last. Happy gifting!

Question: Do you have a local Krispy Kreme Doughnuts?

Changing Weather Patterns

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Changing Weather Patterns

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

In preparing for the changing weather patterns as snow is coming this week, we stopped by Aldi and Walgreens today for the essentials.

I also finished the loads of laundry for our clothing and put off the towels and linens in case we lose power before I get to those loads.

With a busy week on the horizon including science fair and Valentine’s Day, I knew I needed a jump start on the week. In alternating between a headache and a runny nose, I decided to get some extra rest this afternoon.

After rising from my 2 hour nap, I still felt sinus pressure. In concentrating on staying well and warm, I am taking time to get my rest.

With our downstairs picked up and our upstairs a work in progress, I am choosing only the important tasks. While I rest, I am taking in the Olympics. How impressed I am with the new snowboarding event where two Americas took gold in both the men’s and the women’s freestyle!

As you prepare for the change in weather patterns this week, listen to your body. If you need the extra rest, take it. Better to be proactive in your health, then working to heal after a cold or infection takes hold. Stay healthy while using time wisely!

Question: What changes in the weather patterns are the meteorologist predicting for your area? 

Olympic Lessons: Inventing on the Spot

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Olympic Lessons: Inventing on the Spot

Photograph Credit: NVT Office Clips

I’m hooked! Watching the events of the Olympics’ first day, I am glued to the television. What a thrill to watch the first gold medal of these games hang on American snowboarder Sage Kotsenburg!

In an event where each participant gets two attempts, Sage had a perfect run to earn a gold medal on his first try. Of course, the other snowboarders completed their runs, but his score remained at the top.

Later, during his interview, Sage explained how he had never tried the trick he executed perfectly to win. Wow! Talk about confidence.

I’m so impressed by those who know their craft so well that they can invent on the spot even on the world’s greatest stage of competition.

Though I will not be winning any household maintenance awards, I love how Sage inspired me to know my craft, and never be so comfortable with the routine that I cannot add in a new method.

As a creature of habit, I get stuck in ruts. Doing the same routine in the same way may get the task done, but is it memorable?

For me, doing laundry, washing dishes, dusting, and cleaning bathrooms are done according to my efficient routine. But when the task is finished, it is just done. Watching Sage use his skills to try something new inspired me to add a little flare to my daily routines.

Whether I encourage a child to help, try a new product, or change the tasks order, I will add spice to my craft. Making this change won’t get me any medals, but I can bring a smile to a child’s face.

Branching out of my comfort zone to invent on the spot may spur me on to more adventures. In using time wisely, I desire to accomplish tasks efficiently and intentionally. A little flare and spontaneity is good and beneficial which is exactly what I need.

Thanks, Saga, for inventing on the spot and inspiring me to do the same. Happy inventing!

Question: What are you finding inspirational from these Olympic games?

Take Time for You

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Take Time for You

Photograph Credit: Flickr (slgckgc)

For the past four months, I have been taking more time for myself. When I feel tired and worn out from a busy day, I rest in the evening and go to bed early. When my schedule gets overloaded and I need time to think, I stop.

By listening to my body, I have stayed very healthy. Besides a small cold and a day of achiness, I have not gotten sick. My family has suffered through the flu and week-long colds, but I was able to care for them without succumbing to their illnesses.

As I usually would just run myself into the ground trying to get it all done, I have found freedom in letting things go. Having read Say Goodbye to Survival Mode, I can turn a blind eye – without guilt – to the pile of dirty dishes in the sink, the mound of paperwork on my desk, and the 30+ e-mail messages staring at me from my inbox.

For my Type A personality, where I stop to organize something immediately before moving on, this has been a learning process. I don’t have all the answers, but I’m mellowing out. Not sure if it is because I turned 40 last year or my perspective on life has focused more on the big picture than the present moments, but I like the new me.

By concentrating on getting rest, good nutrition, and some fun, I have been more patient with my children, planned more outings, and have more free time to relax. This is possible because I have not taken on any projects. I have concentrated on my family and our home and declined other opportunities.

In seizing 2014, I am enjoying the more simple life without the distractions and expectations of others. I love it and will continue taking time for myself.

If you are feeling frazzled, exhausted, and impatient, please take time for you. When you are whole, then you can fully address your responsibilities. In using time wisely, take the time you need to heal, rest, and rejuvenate. I’ll be taking time for myself also. Happy resting this weekend!

Question: How are you changing these days?