Posts filed under 'Lists'

A Dozen Benefits of Reading

Books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labeled “This could change your life.”  ~Helen Exley

Reading is obviously useful for day-to-day life. I.e. We need to read in order to . . .

  • File our taxes
  • Fill out a library card application
  • Understand the employee handbook
  • Check out the sports stats for our favorite hockey team
  • Choose an appropriate birthday card or the correct type of oil for the car, and
  • Buy the beans, meat and tortillas we need for dinner.

But reading can bring more than ease to daily living or increase our competency at work.

Below are a dozen reasons I’ve found reading to be beneficial. Reading . . .

  1. Helps us develop better vocabulary and grammar
  2. Exposes us to novel ideas, actions, geography and people so that we become more culturally & historically aware
  3. Energizes us for action or destresses us after an action-packed day
  4. Improves our general knowledge and imagination
  5. Clarifies difficult topics (If there is a children’s book on the topic, I always read that first so I can get a simple overview.)
  6. Gives us the opportunity to learn from the mistakes and wisdom of others
  7. Encourages us to be the best we can be
  8. Is a fun way to spend our time and/or learn
  9. Enhances our creativity and concentration
  10. Shows us how we can do life, work,health, relationships, etc.  better, easier, faster, cheaper
  11. Increases family bonding when the reading is done out loud
  12. Alleviates loneliness

What would you add to this list? How is reading beneficial to you?

Related Posts

Brad Isaac at Persistance Unlimited has two good articles on reading. (1) Click here to read “The 26 Major Advantages to Reading More Books and Why 3 in 4 People Are Being Shut Out of Success.”  (2) Go here to read “5 Sneaky and Underhanded Methods To Add 30% More Time To Your Daily Reading Schedule.

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23 Things I Want My Kids to Learn From Me

  1. Don’t take life/people so seriously.
  2. Respect authority.
  3. Share your thoughts and heart regularly.
  4. It’s okay to ask for help from store clerks, mental health professionals, teachers, family and friends.
  5. Life is not fair or predictable.
  6. Having a critical spirit damages you more than anyone else.
  7. Walking closely and in obedience with/to God is worth it.
  8. Embrace people of other cultures: this pleases God and enriches you.
  9. Use money wisely.
  10. Be generous and wise with your possessions, time, words and love.
  11. No one is perfect, not even you, so accept it.
  12. Have fun daily.
  13. Work harder and give more than asked.
  14. Search for the silver lining.
  15. Tithe.
  16. Be a life-long student of the Bible.
  17. Be a good example.
  18. Think outside the box.
  19. Don’t let fear make your decisions.
  20. Chase after your bliss and do it.
  21. Get a college degree.
  22. Eat dessert first.
  23. Being different is okay.

I’m still learning to implement many of these things.  I am a work in progress and so are you my two precious (adult) children! And I have to admit that I’ve learned and am learning much from you two.

What are you hoping your kiddos will learn from you?

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14 Things I Wish I Could Do This Weekend

690470_a_little_pincushionWouldn’t it be awesome to spend the whole 3 day weekend crafting? What follows is a list of 14 things I’d do if my to-do list was empty. Let me know if you want to make any of these too. Let’s make a date and craft a while.

  1. Cut out squares for a blue jeans quilt for my son. Brooke Reynolds from inchmark made a quilt for her son out of his father’s old work shirts. I love that idea too. Go here to see her post which includes pictures and tips.
  2. Make a trash bag for my car. This one  hangs from the headrest. Chica and Jo have step-by-step directions on their blog.  Go here  for the directions. Do you think this could be a good bed treat for retreat some year? Or maybe I’ll make these as Christmas pressies.
  3. Sew a snuggly for one (all) of the babies at church. Both my kiddos slept better when they were swaddled nice and tight. Lotta Jansdotter created this pattern. Go here to download it. 
  4. Reinforce my tissue patterns so they’ll keep longer. Go here to Christine Sews to find the directions.
  5. Sew a Bitty Bug Pincushion. I have a tomato pincushion which is functional but NOT cute. This idea is functional and CUTE. And I want one. Here are the directions at Goody Goody by Lauren.
  6. Lauren also has a pattern and directions for a matyroshka tooth fairy pillow. Let me know when you make one. I just printed out the pattern and I am sooo tempted, but I must focus on what’s already on the to-do list.
  7. This might be my request for virtual quilting bee , a block o’ string pattern. Rachel Griffith from p.s. i quilt gives step-by-step instructions here.  She says this is a super easy method!
  8. Make a fabric corsage for me. These would be cute to give out at Mother’s Day. Leigh Ann describes her idea here. Check out the rest of her blog, the object project for lots of ideas.
  9. Brew a better cup of coffee. McAuliflower at Brownie Points gives 7 tricks on how to enhance the flavor of coffee. I don’t drink/make a lot of coffee so my coffee -making skills are negligible. These tips just might make me a popular barista in my crowd.
  10. Quilt a fabric tic-tac-toe game. Amy from During Quiet Time fashioned this nine patch pattern into a cool game. Go here for the directions.
  11. Improve my health. One habit at a time. Dr. Nicole at Kitchen Table Medicine writes many of the articles at this site. On one post she lists 14 habits that when followed will make a big difference in our health. I’m checking into the flaxseed idea.
  12. Take an online knitting class to make socks. Go here for the instructions.
  13. Scrapbook. Go here for 12 ideas presented by Shimelle.
  14. Create sparkle strawberries. These would make a  wonderful snack or addition to a breakfast meal. Be Different…Act Normal give the details and picture here.

So, what’s on your list of things you’d do this weekend if you could?

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Accepting Honest Scrap Award Means I Share 10 Honest Things

 honest_scrap_awardHonestly, I’ve been nominated! Here are the rules . . .

A) List 10 honest things about yourself—and make them interesting, even if you have to dig deep!
B) Pass the award on to 7 bloggers who you feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap and whose blogs you find brilliant in design or content.

Thank you, Spring, for this nomination. If you all like the design, the applause goes to Jenny. If you like the content, the applause goes to me.  :-)

I’ve thought long and hard about this post as I wanted to make sure I didn’t repeat things I’ve already written. Not that I expect you all to have memorized it all.  :-D

  1. I love to garden especially when the yard has plenty of sun and lovely soil. When I lived in CO I used to shop at a super store that had a garden centre. Every week I’d come home with another plant and sneak it into the ground. Usually my dh noticed weeks later. To his question, “Isn’t this new?” I’d reply, “Oh, no. We’ve had it for awhile.” Seriously, if I stayed there, I would have had to enter a treatment facility or join a 12 Step 5350_passed_out_on_couchprogram for gardening addiction. Honestly.
  2. I prefer sleeping on the couch.  It makes me feel all snuggly and safe.
  3. I’m an out-of-control snacker when I write papers. I get myself all stressed out and to relieve the stress I eat. I only do this when writing papers. So I wonder how much weight I’ll lose once I’m done with school.
  4. I’m more of a listener than a talker and more serious than fun. I find small talk difficult.  Once in awhile I do get quite chatty and silly. Some people, like my Sista and Lorna, seem to bring this out in me.
  5. Even though I’m 51, I’ve only had one job in my “career.” That’s right here at CNC as director of women’s ministry and small groups. It will be an honor to be able to work there full-time come September. During my adult years I’ve mainly been a stay-at-home, home-school mom. That was also an honor.
  6. One of my favorite things to do is to snuggle with my god-son, Lennon. I love it when he falls asleep in my arms, even though he’s getting so big that he doesn’t really “fit” in y arms. He’s sprawled all over me. He’s about 18  months old.
  7. I love the idea of being connected to a small group of people. You know like a Cheers or Friends type group. I am attending a family friendly small group through church. I haven’t been going very long, but I think that this group is morphing into such a connected group. I’m the only “single” in the group, but they really seem to like and love me. Cool.
  8. I am a terrible pack rat. I don’t know why. It caused quite a few dissensions in my marriage. But you know what? I’m ready to get rid of that compulsion/habit/need/whatever it is. I’m ready to streamline. I’m ready to let God provide instead of me hanging onto stuff just in case I need it someday.
  9. When I research something, I go all out.  I read lots of library books and lots of sites on the web. I buy lots of books through Amazon one-click and of course read those. I want to know all there is to know about that topic.
  10. 351809_oink_oink_piggy_bank_310. I am compulsive about paying with exact change.  COMPULSIVE. Well, I was until about a year ago. Someone challenged me to put any loose change into a piggy bank and see if I missed paying with the change. I didn’t. WHAT a surprise. My pink, plastic piggy is about full. When I cash it in, I’ll use that money for my short-term trip to Jordan in July.

I tag the following peeps because they are honest in their communications about themselves (some are on FB only) and/or their site is brilliant and  because I think they’d play along:

Maybe those of you only on FB could list 5 honest things about yourselves. That is if you think 10 things  takes up too much room.

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10 Things I Like About My Best Friend

416459_friends_on_skates_when_you_need_a_hand_I meant to write the following list for Valentines Day. But the week around this love holiday holds sad feelings for me and I’m usually sad/depressed. Even though I don’t want to be. This year was no different.

Anyway, this post is dedicated to my best friend with love and thanks for helping me grow and get through my rough patches.

  1. She faithfully engages in prayer.
  2. She believes the best about me.
  3. She brings the silly and slightly naughty out in me. (We have fun together.)
  4. She likes herself.
  5. She is devoted to her family.
  6. She has an ongoing, growing, love/grace relationship with Jesus.
  7. She has a sense of humor.
  8. She is honest and vulnerable about her growth areas. (This makes her approachable.)
  9. She tells me when I am wrong or need growth in an area. (She gives godly counsel.)
  10. She loves me according to my love language. 

 What are some things you like @your best friend?

Writing prompt is from here, Creativity Portal.

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10 Things on My Pessimistic List Which Hamper Resolutions

2009-resoluI love to write New Year’s Resolutions. But I always have these nagging feelings about how I won’t succeed. So why try? This year I am jotting down 10 things on my pessimistic list, although all are written as an hyperbole because that’s how I think sometimes. 

These are  things that make it difficult for me to follow and succeed with resolutions/goals. Maybe once I’ve put them on paper, I can leave them there.

  1. I am a natural born messy who doesn’t think to put things away.
  2. I love food too much to say no.
  3. I hate to throw things away because of sentimental attachment and/or as soon as I throw it away I need it.
  4. There are so many things to choose from, I can’t pick the right thing.
  5. To be confined to a schedule is like wearing a corset or tie.
  6. Even though I was born in the Year of the Dog, I think it should have been the ostrich (head-in-sand is a natural pose for me).
  7. I’ll never be addicted to exercise, fresh air and sun or sweat. I’ll probably not even come close to a like relationship either.
  8. My brain is too cluttered  and clumsy to be able to write well.
  9. I’m too scared to buy my own home.
  10. It takes too long to make changes which probably won’t stick anyway.

Can you relate to any of these? What absurd thoughts do you harbour which make it difficult to actualize your resolutions?

The idea for the article came from a promt here.

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One Word Answer Meme

1013170_new_homes_constructionThis is hard to do, especially with some originality. Lynette is the instigator of this. Go here to read her answers. Go here for some mood music while reading my litany.

Where is your mobile phone . . . non-existent
Where is your significant other . . . Illusion

Your hair color . . . Clairol (nice’neasy)
Your mother . . . Strong
Your father . . . Provider
One favorite thing . . . Pondering
Your dream last night . . . Fast-paced

Your dream goal . . . Contentment

The room you’re in . . . Cosy

Your hobby . . .  Reading-minds
Your fear . . . Differences
Where do you want to be in six years . . . Home-owner
Where were you last night . . . Zzzzzzzz

What you’re not . . . Funny
One of your wish list items . . . Here
Where you grew up . . . Everywhere
The last thing you did . . . Prayer
What are you wearing . . . Regrets

Your TV . . . Enticing
Your pets . . . Comforting

Your computer . . . My Precious
Your mood . . . Excited

Missing someone . . . Two
Your car . . . Mazda
Something you’re not wearing . . . Frown
Favorite drink . . . Water
Your summer . . . Speedy
Love someone? Many!
Your favorite color . . . Fall
When was the last time you laughed? Yesterday
When was the last time you cried? Yesterday

Did you learn anything new about me? I had to include some links because sometimes one word is not enough.

Now it’s your turn. Fill in the answers and I’ll learn something new about you.

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No Matter How Hard You Try, These 6 Things Will Not Be At Women’s Retreat June 5-7, 2009

perect-womenHere you have it, 6 more things you won’t find at women’s retreat at Zephyr Point.

1.      Platitudes

2.      Plastic mattresses

3.      200 bff’s you’ll never see again

4.      Long walk to meeting room & dining facility

5.      Lingering smoke in your hair & clothes

6.      Perfect Women

Put this date on your calendar. Start saving (about $5 a week) for the Retreat cost of $155.00. Registration forms are coming in December.

Have any questions? Contact Susan  or Reggie at the church office.

 

What do you hope to not find at your women’s retreat?

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Kitchen Labeling Tip & Past Posts for WFMW

Today’s Works-For Me-Wednesday is topic day: kitchen organization. I am not all that organized, but my daughter is. In an attempt to help me to remember WHERE to out the various items on my pantry shelves. She came up with a simple, simple labeling tip. She wrote on the shelf contact paper the type of good that goes in that row. Broth and tomatoes are the ones you can see. Some cereal and veggies have sneaked into those columns.

Note: My dd used a blue sharpie to label the product types. When I took the first picture broth was all smudged and looked more like brothe with a hint of an “r.” I went over the word in black sharpie.

I wonder if I should be worried? She does have a pesty brother.

NOTE: I should let y’all know that the categories are broad. Like all my soups go into the Broth row. In the Tomatoes row goes sauce, paste, salsa. I also have rows for Fruits, Veggies, etc. Yes, it probably does seem anal, but it helps me to keep the cupboard tidy (usually) because the food boundaries are clearly marked.

Go here to see other helpful kitchen organization ideas at Rocks in my Dryer. So far there are 220 posts to check out.

I have finally organized my past WFMW posts according to topic. See below.

Backwards Edition

Beauty

Cleaning

Education

Food

Frugal

Health

Organize

Relationships

Shopping

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