Using Time Wisely

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Mimi’s Cafe: Free Soup – February 1, 2013

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Mimis Cafe - February 1 2013

Photograph Credit: Mimi’s Cafe

In honor of National Wear Red Day, Mimi’s Cafe is celebrating with Mimi’s Goes Red Events.

On February 1, 2013

On February 5, 12, 19, and 26 (every Tuesday)

  • Visit Mimi’s Cafe.
  • Donate to the American Heart Association.
  • Receive a free cup of Mimi’s signature soup.

If you plan to visit Mimi’s Cafe, then check out their other promotions. Their eClub offers monthly promotions. At our last visit, my daughter and I enjoyed breakfast using a buy one, get one free offer from the eClub.

In celebration of Go Red for Women Month, take care of your heart, go red, and enjoy these special savings. Sharing the love!

Home Depot: Valentine Card Holder – February 2, 2013

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Home Depot: Valentine card holder

Photograph Credit: Home Depot

On the first Saturday of every month, Home Depot hosts a free Kids Workshop. At the workshop, each child is given the monthly kit to build and keep, a free Kids Workshop apron, a commemorative pin for that project which can be pinned onto his apron, and a certificate of achievement.

The February project has a Valentine theme for all those juicy love notes that are coming your child’s way. 🙂

What: Valentine Card Holder

When: Saturday, February 2, 2013

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (noon)

Where: Your local Home Depot store

These workshops offer enjoyable family time at an unbeatable price. If you are looking for other family weekend events, check Using Time Wisely’s event page for other options. While you are there, “like” the page to stay updated.

Enjoy your weekend while spending time with those you love. Happy planning!

Question: Does your family enjoy these free workshops?

IHOP: National Pancake Day – February 5, 2013

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IHOP - National Pancake Day

Photograph Credit: IHOP

On Tuesday, February 5, 2013, the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) celebrates National Pancake Day by raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network. To encourage donations, every guest receives a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes.

Our family loves this event as we eat breakfast for dinner, dine out, and give to others while staying within our budget. Yes, I said dinner since mornings are hectic enough without adding a restaurant visit to our routine.

With the IHOP event running from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., you can choose a time right for you. Wait times will vary, but in our area, the event is well attended.

In using time wisely, enjoy a fun, family dinner while supporting the Children’s Miracle Network. I’m looking forward to adding this event to my menu planner since Tuesday’s dinner is planned. 🙂 Thank you, IHOP, and happy National Pancake Day!

Question: What is your favorite topping for your pancakes?

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts: 12 Free Valentines with Dozen Doughnut Purchase

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Krispy Kreme DoughnutsA new Krispy Kreme Doughnuts location opened nearby within the past two weeks. As our family is a fan of their chocolate iced creme-filled doughnuts, I have exhibited great self control in passing by each day. However, this promotion defeated my will power. 🙂

With any dozen doughnut purchase, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts will gift you a dozen Valentine cards. Each card is a coupon for a free doughnut of your choice. I was giddy as last year’s Valentine’s coupons were limited to glazed doughnuts.

On Wednesday, I waited patiently in the drive-thru for more than 10 minutes. When I placed my order, I requested the Valentines as I was unsure if I needed to ask for them. To my joy and delight, the employee not only handed me the dozen of  warm chocolate iced creme-filled doughnuts, he also gifted me a few sheets of the Valentine’s Day cards due to the longer wait times.

Though your Krispy Kreme Doughnut location may not be as generous, you can still get a great deal. My son has already written out his Valentines and put together the little packages for his class. My daughter has her packages together, but we are still working on writing out the Valentines.

As to the doughnuts, we enjoyed them with breakfast Thursday morning before heading out to our museum field trip. We even had a few more remaining, but they will be devoured by the time this post publishes. I don’t have that much self-control. 😉

If you are looking for a sweet excuse for some doughnuts, then seize Krispy Kreme Doughnuts’ promotion before their supply runs out. Enjoy!

Question: What is your favorite variety at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts?

Planning for Success: Document Family Holidays – Day 25

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Planning for success - Day 25

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.

Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.

Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.

To receive a daily e-mail around 11:00 a.m. with the new posts of each day, subscribe to my free daily newsletter. In case you miss a post in this series, I will provide the link to each day as the month progresses. 🙂

Day 25: Document Family Holidays

Our family loves holidays. If no holidays are on the horizon, we have been known to make up our own. For example, we are hoping for a snow day tomorrow. In celebration of the possibility, our family did a snow dance at bedtime tonight. We wore our pajamas inside out and started on our left foot. Besides all the laughter and silliness, we made a memory while exerting the last remnants of energy before going to bed.

Though I will not schedule possible snow days, as we know not what tomorrow will bring, I will document family holidays. With the social media explosion, I love the weekly e-mail from Facebook informing me of my friends’ and family’s birthdays.

With the reminder, I can post or message  birthday wishes, but not all of my family members use Facebook. To verify that I don’t forget someone, I document the following types of family holidays in my calendar:

Family Holidays

          • Anniversaries
          • Birthdays
          • Deaths

Remembering both the ups and downs of life keeps our family close. Though the anniversaries and birthdays are preferred, I know the notes of remembrance on or near the home going of a loved one are treasures to hold.

In planning for success in 2013, document your family’s holidays both the ups and the downs. A simple e-mail, card, call, or visit on those special days encourages your relative and brings your family closer. In using time wisely, you cannot afford forgetting your family. Happy documenting!

Question: Where do you record all the dates of your family’s holidays?