2013: Happy Veterans Day!

November 11, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

My favorite advertisement this Veterans Day is from Walmart. I love how Walmart is committed to hiring 100,000 Veterans over the next 5 years. Showing their support, Walmart has setup a page to honor your favorite Veteran.

My uncle is my favorite Veteran. He served in the Marshall Islands when I was a teenager. I remember him missing the first year of his oldest child’s life to serve our country. He was away from his family which was a sacrifice for him and us.

Honoring those who served, many businesses are offering deals todays. For deal details, check out these posts from Sheri Miller at Swaggrabber and Jenny Martin at Southern Savers.

To all military, both active and retired, we salute you.

Thank You for your Service!

Happy Veterans Day!

2013: Happy Thanksgiving!

November 28, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: NVTOfficeClips

It’s Gratitude Day! Though showing gratitude and expressing gratefulness is routinely practiced in our household, I especially enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday.

How different and blessed we are today in comparison to the first Thanksgiving celebrated in America. From the blessing of cooking on a stove with a delicious feast completely prepared in about 2 hours to having my family gathered around the table, I will be counting my blessings and showing my gratitude.

In using time wisely, our family is choosing to bypass this evening’s After Thanksgiving Sales and waiting in line at the stores for the Black Friday steals. When we were young and without children, Paul and I survived the thrill of Black Friday. We huddled together to keep from freezing while waiting for Best Buy to open at 5 a.m. 😉

With our turkey brining, potatoes peeled, and sweet potatoes and stuffing prepared, we are on schedule for our Thanksgiving feast. In using time wisely, we have family and friends coming to celebrate our many blessings. The pecan and blueberry pies are baked along with a chocolate cake for dessert this afternoon.

As the preparations commence, I look forward to watching my children participate with Thanksgiving printable activities along with place cards and coloring pages. Though the day is filled with details, I plan to relax and enjoy the day. All the prior preparations provide a path to a success feast while using time wisely.

Wishing you all a blessed day of gratitude! I’m very thankful for each of you, and the blessing you are to me.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2013: Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Ewan Traveler)

Did you hurry and scurry this week to get ready for today? I did. With help, we cleaned the house, worked on laundry, finished the shopping, looked at Christmas lights, wrapped the presents, did more laundry, baked cookies, attended Christmas events, prepared the reindeer food, and still working on laundry.

In all the bustle, I was not finding peace and joy in the sibling quarrels, the constant chatter, or the work at hand. Not because peace and joy could not be found, but because I was too busy to stop and enjoy the process. I focus too much on the task at hand when Christmas is not about the doing but rather about the giving.

Entering into this Christmas Day and reflecting on what Christ gave, I stop amazed. Giving up the glories of heaven, He was placed in a dirty manger that no mother would choose for her newborn baby. Though manger scenes display the baby all snug in the straw, the reality is that straw and hay are not comfortable – even for a baby. Yet, He allowed the barn atmosphere to be his first home with pokey straw and smelly animals.

As my children are snug in their comfortable beds in a heated home and dreaming of the gifts under the tree, I am blessed because of Christ’s gift – Himself. As Isaiah prophesied, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6 ESV).

God sent His only Son, Jesus, to a dirty stable in lowly Bethlehem. He entered this world for you and me. May you find the peace and joy of Christmas from the gift of Jesus Christ. This greatest gift is better than any possession you will find under the Christmas tree this morning. All the hustle and bustle items will fade away, but Jesus is eternal life, joy, and peace.

Wishing you a Christmas filled with peace and joy because of God’s gift to us, Jesus Christ!

Merry Christmas!

2014: Happy New Year!

January 1, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

One of my favorite parts of New Year celebrations is viewing other countries’ fireworks and light displays.

Seeing the Sydney Opera House and Eiffel Tower glowing in the background amid the beautiful light displays mesmerizes me as I bask in the splendors of all the color combinations.

Planning to spend time with my family ringing in 2014, I am taking the day off. As we enjoy watching the bowl games, playing games, and hanging out together, I wish you all the happiest of New Years as we venture into 2014.

My heart is overfilled with gratitude for each of you. I am amazed at your kindness in reading and commenting. Using Time Wisely is a great place because you are here. How blessed I am to be a part of the Using Time Wisely community. I look forward to learning more from you in 2014.

Happy New Year!

Happy 3rd Blogiversary, Using Time Wisely!

February 13, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Look who’s turning 3 today! My husband jokingly refers to Using Time Wisely as my fourth child. In some ways, he is correct. In other ways, I do abandon the blog when life happens, and I never would abandon a child.

Gratefulness doesn’t seem to fully express how much I appreciate each and every reader. I am so honored you would use your time to subscribe by e-mail, follow on Facebook, and visit the website.

You amaze me with your consistent reading.

I am still very much learning how to blog. Having spent some time in the past week updating the Using Time Wisely sidebar, I have come a long way. I am thrilled with the progress made, but I have much I still want to do.

The site in general needs updating, and I would love to roll out a new look this year. With the program purchased, I might have to build the site back up from the ground. I am still in the research phase which is why the design has not changed.

On this third blogiversary, I am making some noise and celebrating you! Thank you for being part of the Using Time Wisely community. I appreciate the accountability provided within our community as we journey on to using time wisely. Happy celebrating!

Happy 3^rd Blogiversary, Using Time Wisely!

Question: What do you like or dislike about Using Time Wisely?

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