Two Local Students are Contestants in the National Spelling Bee

Congratulations to two local Denver students that are contestants in the National Spelling Bee.  They are two out of the 278 contestants this year competing in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.  The bee started with a computerized test yesterday and finishes with the championship Thursday.

Two of the competitors in the Scripps National Spelling Bee this year are from Colorado.  Eva Kitlen, 13, of Niwot, and Frank Cahill, 14, of Parker, are among the 278 competitors this year.Kitlen is a seventh-grader at Sunset Middle School in Longmont. Her biography on the Spelling Bee website said she is a talented musician and member of her school’s band and jazz band. Kitlen plays clarinet, baritone horn and piano.
Kitlen also swims on both the Longmont Redtails year-round swim team and the state swim team. She is interested in astrophysics and hopes to someday pursue a career studying the universe.Cahill is an eighth-grader at Ave Maria Catholic School in Parker. Like Kitlen, he is a musician. He plays violin in the Colorado Youth Symphony Orchestra, as well as piano.Cahill is a 4.0 honor roll student, a Boy Scout and was a Colorado state finalist in the MATHCOUNTS National Competition in 2011 and 2012.Cahill participates in theater and has played the lead roles in "Dracula" and "Oliver Twist." He is also a defenseman on the Parker Hawks lacrosse team and a member of the varsity basketball team at his school.In his spare time, Cahill likes sculpting and reading.

Bee Competition

The 2012 bee starts on Tuesday with a computerized spelling test of 50 words. Only half of the answers will count toward each speller's preliminaries score. The computerized test score will be combined with the results of rounds two and three to determine the semifinalists.The preliminaries will be held Wednesday, the semifinals are Thursday morning, and the championship finals are Thursday night.Learn more about the competition on the Spelling Bee website.

For more information check out The Denver Channel.

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Five Minutes to a Clean Bathroom

Keep your bathroom clean in five minutes.  Are you thinking it can not be done?  It can just follow these steps and keep your bathroom in tip top shape.

The truth of the matter is, you can get a great deal done in 60 seconds when you don't have distractions. It's why the 5 minute rule works so well. Even if you don't have 5 minutes back to back, there's a good chance you have 60 seconds here and there throughout the day. Want to see how it's done? Check it:

MINUTE ONE:
Minute one is dedicated to clearing off surfaces. Put away your straight iron, find a new home for your SPIN magazine, toss your makeup back in the drawer and grab that old towel off the sink. Dirty clothes should be off the floor and those bobby pins that never seem to have a home should find one.

MINUTE TWO
Minute two is all about surface cleaning. Drop in some toilet bowl cleaner and let it sit until the last few seconds and then wipe down the countertops, sink and toilet tank and seat. Give your shower a spray with either store bought or home made daily cleaner (or white vinegar). Run your toilet brush around your toilet and you're done. It's a busy minute but it can be done in that time frame.

MINUTE THREE
Your third minute is dedicated to straightening. Refold your towels and pull your shower curtain closed so it can air out. Check to make sure you have toilet paper and even take a few seconds to straighten the bottles on your countertops and those that live in your shower.

MINUTE FOUR
You're on the downhill stretch and now it's time to check your mirrors. It's easier to get toothpaste spittle on them than you think and a quick wipe or spray with your favorite cleaner will keep them clean in a jiffy. If the mirror is already clean, take a moment to wipe down your sink and bath fixtures and make them shine.

MINUTE FIVE
Did you panic at minute two when I said clean all the surfaces? Maybe you have kids that make things messier or you just don't move at lightning speed like I do. Take an extra 60 seconds to assess anything out of sorts and finish up.

IN CONCLUSION
To make this system really work it has to be used EVERY DAY. If you skip a few days here and there it's easy for your bathroom to get that layer of dust and grime that takes more than just a few minutes to remove.
Once a week, skip cleaning your mirrors and fixtures and take a moment to sweep or mop the floor and wipe down the outside of your toilet. It can be done in a minute (ok, maybe two or three) if you mop with something easy like a Swiffer — if you can squeeze in the time to do it more frequently, great. Likewise, you can give your shower an actual scrub down — just use your time wisely and don't let it intimidate you!

For more information or other cleaning tips check out Apartment Therapy.

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Martha's Spring Cleaning Checklist

Over at marthastewart.com, they've posted a useful checklist for spring cleaning, which you can grab as a full, printable, PDF here.

There are few rites of spring more satisfying than the annual clean. For many people, however, the pleasure comes only after the work is finished. Your spring cleaning may never become effortless, but you can make the project more manageable --  and even enjoyable.

After you read through the tips and techniques, tailor the list to your home and yard. Create a realistic schedule, keeping in mind that a single weekend won't suffice, as you'll need several days for more involved projects, such as shampooing carpets and organizing closets. Whether you prefer to proceed from the attic to the basement or start outdoors and wind your way inside, focus on one task at a time. And be sure to enlist the help of family members.

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