I can't believe that school starts on Wednesday. I also can't believe that I will have two in school...pre-k and 2nd grade. So..this weekend we are finishing up buying school supplies and school clothes. I have always loved this time of year. I can remember going to buy my school supplies at the local TG&Y and being super excited. So...since I am in the mind set of "Back To School"...it is only appropriate that I give you some fun ideas for study spaces for your kiddos. This week I will be dedicating all my blogs to Back To School!
Check out this fabulous article by Tabitha Sukhai, This Old House online.
Bring Home the Good Grades
A top-notch education starts at home, and a dedicated homework area could help your kids complete their assignments efficiently and successfully—with the least amount of kicking and screaming. Whatever your space or budget limitations may be, any devoted space for study is better than sprawling out on the floor in front of the television. Not convinced? Build it—whether it's a nook in the kitchen or a room all its own—and the good grades will come. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind as you get started.
Consider your kid's age and learning style when deciding where to site a study space. The U.S. Department of Education recommends a quiet, well-lighted place that’s fully stocked with the necessary materials and supplies for your child's grade level. Younger kids who need homework help and supervision, for example, might benefit from working in the kitchen, where rolling out a supply cart can indicate the start of study time, and you can do quiet chores or prepare dinner while they work.
Keep It All Quiet on the Homework Front
Older kids might do well with a bit of privacy and isolation, so carve out space in their bedroom or the dining room, where you can hide the work area with a room divider if necessary. Above all, make sure you respect your kid's academic efforts by mandating household quiet time while schoolwork is being completed, especially if he or she is working in a common area. You may be winding down after a long day’s work, but it'd be hard for anyone to concentrate while overhearing half of a lively telephone conversation or the latest episode of Wheel of Fortune.
Do Homework in Timed Heats
A consistent study routine with about 30 minutes of downtime before getting started is widely recommended. "Use a power period of 45 minutes of work and 5 minutes of break time to promote productivity and efficiency. Create a workflow process with your kids and it will make all the difference," advises Ellen Delap of Professional-Organizer.com.
Elizabeth Hagen, author of Organize with Confidence (and mom of five!), suggests supplying kids with a timer so they can learn to focus on their homework for an allotted period, and work toward finishing so that they can watch their favorite TV show or go play.
Lay Out a Power Desk
A spacious, flat surface (desk or table) and a comfortable chair that suits your child's height will encourage neat handwriting. For desks, opt for a lamp with a built-in holder for pencils, scissors, and other supplies. A small bookcase or wall-mounted shelves preloaded with an atlas, dictionary, and thesaurus wouldn't hurt, either.
If you have the wall space, hang a corkboard or inconspicuous magnet strips for posting those A+ exams and a calendar for keeping track of assignments, school events, and extracurricular activities. Mimicking this school feature is a fun way to put kids into student mode at home.
Thinking about selling your home? Well....let me just tell ya.....YOU NEED TO CLEAN YOUR HOUSE from top to bottom.....I mean DEEP CLEAN it! I'm really not the one to be preaching this to you right now since at the moment my house is super messy with dust balls galore creeping around everywhere. :)
But...right now sellers have alot of competition.A seller should make DEEP CLEANING a top priority when getting their house ready to sell. I found this great article by Jane Hoback about how to make your house sparkle with a little bit of elbow grease. Check it out..and get to cleaning. Oh..and then..can you stop by my house too..cleaning house is not my favorite. ;)
Cleaning House: Secrets of a Truly Deep Clean
By: Jane Hoback
Published: January 14, 2011
Deep clean your house and you’ll brighten rooms and help maintain your home’s value. .
Deep cleaning your house is that top-to-bottom, take-no-dust-bunny-prisoners, mother-in-law-quality cleaning that truly maintains the value of your home. Here are frequently overlooked areas that a little spit and polish wouldn’t hurt.
De-bug the light fixtures
See that bug burial ground within your overhead fixtures? Turn off the lights and carefully remove fixture covers, dump out flies and wash with hot soapy water. While you’re up there, dust bulbs. Dry everything thoroughly before replacing the cover.
Vacuum heat vents and registers
Dirt and dust build up in heat vents and along register blades. Vents also are great receptacles for coins and missing buttons. Unscrew vent covers from walls or pluck them from floors, remove foreign objects, and vacuum inside the vent. Clean grates with a damp cloth and screw back tightly.
Polish hardware
To deep clean brass door hinges, handles, and cabinet knobs, thoroughly wipe with a damp microfiber cloth, then polish with Wright’s or Weiman brass cleaner ($4). Dish soap shines up glass or stainless steel knobs. Use a Q-tip to detail the ornamental filigree on knobs and handles.
Replace grungy switch plates
Any amateur can wipe a few fingerprints off cover plates that hide light switches, electric outlets, phone jacks, and cable outlets. But only deep cleaners happily remove plates to vacuum and swipe the gunk behind. (OK, we’re a little OCD when it comes to dirt!) Make sure cover plates are straight when you replace them. And pitch plates that are beyond the help of even deep cleaning. New ones cost less than $2 each.
Neaten weather stripping
Peeling, drooping weather stripping on doors and windows makes rooms look old. If the strip still has some life, nail or glue it back. If it’s hopeless, cut out and replace sections, or just pull the whole thing off and start new. A 10-ft. roll of foam weather stripping costs $8; 16-ft. vinyl costs about $15.
Replace stove drip pans
Some drip pans are beyond the scrub brush. Replacing them costs about $3 each and instantly freshens your stove.
Happy Sunday Friends! I hope you have an awesome and relaxing day today. Check out this new property that I just listed. If you would like to take a look at it, please call me or send me an e-mail. I would love to show it to you.
- $159,900
- 3 beds/2baths
- 1639 Square feet
- Large Open living Space
- Beautifully landscaped
- One Owner Home that has been very well loved and adored
- Quiet back coverd patio
Check out this great article by John Riha about adding an attic bedroom........
Attic Bedroom Remodel: Return on Investment
An attic bedroom remodel adds value and extra living space without increasing the size of your house
An attic bedroom can become the extra room under your roof that hosts teenagers, guests, or even the masters of the house. An attic bedroom remodel is a good way to add space without adding on, which would be a much bigger investment of time and money.
Attic bedroom investment
Attics are penny-wise candidates for remodeling projects because the basic structure—a roof and floor—already exist. Although the pitch of the roof usually dictates sloping interior walls and restricted headroom, people often find these quirky characteristics charming and desirable.
According to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report, a midrange attic bedroom remodel costs $51,400 and returns more than 72% of the investment, based on national averages. That’s down nearly 11% since 2009.
Attic bedroom requirements
An attic bedroom has special requirements:
- Stairway from the floor below
- Dormer windows for air, daylight, and emergency egress.
The cost of these projects, plus standard costs for installing heating and cooling systems, finishing surfaces, and adding a bathroom, is $198/sq. ft.
The return on your investment in an attic remodel varies by region. In the Pacific region of the country, the return on investment is almost 80%. In the central Midwestern states, such as Iowa and Kansas, the return on an attic remodel is 63%.
National average cost, 15x15 ft. attic remodel, with 5x7 ft. bath:
Job Cost: $51,400
Resale Value: $37,100
Cost recoup: 72.2%
