Tuesday's Top Ten PLUS Ten: Reason's I'm a "Lister"

If it weren't obvious enough by these Top Tens...I am a "lister" :) I have been for really as long as I can recall-and until now, I'd never thought about why I am. Reflecting on it has actually been interesting, because all of the reasons make perfect sense, they appeal to details about my personality. Don't forget to read BecKyle's list as well! :) 

1. Remembrance 
With all of the things running around in my mind, lists are helpful for remembering. I can only imagine how much more I'll use them (Lord willing) in the future being a wife and mother. They definitely are and will always be a good tool for helping me remember.

2.Motivation
For me, when I have a busy week, day, etc. ahead of me, and lots of things to do...it can be hard to get motivated. When I have a period of time that is going to be filled with various activities, I can get tired just thinking about it...but lists help me with that. Usually being overwhelmed consists of having so much on your plate that it seems like there's more than there actually is..just because you're stressed. And with a list made, I have things in sight and I remember what really needs to be done, its easier for me to de-stress and get motivated.

3.Daily Work
When getting into new regiments or when I'm just getting out of old ones, a list helps me to develop good habits and to have a more disciplined attitude.

4. Prioritize
With an overall more disciplined attitude, priorities are going to more easily stay in check. Listing helps me instill those attitudes in my daily routine, and with those attitudes, prioritizing is more successful.

5.I'm Passionate and Dedicated
My personality is one of passion. I am the kind of person who is usually all in or all out, and I'm also competitive.  Listing appeals to this quality of mine, because I want to work to get everything done, or to complete everything on my list.

6.Accomplishment
Because of my dedication and passion, I also enjoy the feeling of accomplishment I get by just having a finished list.

7.Eases My Mind
If I don't make a list, whether it be things I need to pack or just things to accomplish that day, I will feel like I'm forgetting something. Even if I'm not, I will doubt myself and feel like something was left incompleted. My mind is eased when I have a list because I'm less likely to forget, especially something crucial.

8. Accountability
When there is a tangible list of what needs to be done or remembered, it can help keep me accountable, because it's right there in front of me. I'll be kicking myself later if I purposefully neglected something I needed to do, and if it's on a list, I'm less likely to do so.

9. I Like to Cross Things Off
Again it's that feeling of accomplishment, or completion. A few days ago my mom was laughing at herself and sharing with me the fact that she will write things on a list that she's already done, just to cross them off! I found myself laughing with her, and then realizing, I do the same thing myself!  I like to cross things off and get that sense of completion.

10.Organized Ideas
I like to organize things- rearranging and making situations more functional is fun for me. I tell my mom all the time how I'm sure I'll enjoy couponing when I have my own household, because it's planning a trip, making a list, just getting everything lined out..etc. I just like to organize things, and I'm sure that plays a role in my list-y habits :)

I have many notebooks that look like this :) 

"Heartless"

The title to this blog may be deceiving, I promise I'm not whining about the fact that it's Valentines Day (I've always loved this Holiday, it's not just about significant others) I speak of something much more wonderful. Today I finished a book that is a new favorite of mine. It is called "Heartless" by Anne Elisabeth Stengl. With today being Valentine's Day, it is very fitting, because this whole book is centered around love. And not just any love, but the love of Jesus Christ.

"Heartless" is a fantasy with incredible illustrations and parallels to Christ. I can not count how many times I read a part of it, and had to just sit back and reflect. Wow. Of course it is not a perfect example of Jesus, because it's just an illustration, but it is phenomenal. Constantly throughout the book I was reminded of Christ's: patience, love, forgiveness, mercy, perfect plan and victory. Another big thing that stuck out to me was how personal salvation is. This book reminded me of the fact that Christ died for me. No, it was not only me that He died for, but His love is and was (and always will be) so great, that it is not just general. He loves each and every one that He died for, in such a way that is personal.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy. It is for a very wide range of readers. There is not a single inappropriate thing, and the only reason it would have age boundaries is for intensity. It could be frightening to one too young, and is commendable because that's the only reason it would be. I myself am a huge fan of fairy tales- give me a good story with kingdoms, a knight in shining armor and a princess, and I'm happy..but I feel like this would appeal to a wider range of readers, because it's not all princesses and princes. There is action, romance (not the sappy kind, but the true definition of love-another commendable detail) and to top it off, dragons. I mean who doesn't love a good story with a dragon :)

It kept me on the edge of my seat, and I found it difficult to put down. It is the kind of engaging story where you have a hard time keeping priorities in check because all you want to do is read and read and read. The characters and their development was basically impeccable, and there were plot twists and surprises-but not too many as to make it confusing or distracting. I can usually predict at least some of what will happen in books and movies (so can my Mom, don't watch movies with her she'll spoil it...joking, love you mom :) ) and yes I knew what the final outcome would be once I knew that the story was depicting Jesus Christ, but I would not have guessed how it got there. I am highly impressed, and cannot wait to read more of the books from "The Tales of Goldstone Wood". So in conclusion, just go read it, you'll thank me later :) And Happy Valentines Day!

Tuesday's Top Ten PLUS Ten: Reasons Why Tights Are NOT Pants

Ever wondered if you're wearing pants? Well if you've got tights or leggings or spandex on, chances are..you're not. One of my absolute biggest pet peeves in what I see females wearing today, is when they mistake tights for pants. I thought this would be hard to think of ten whole reasons why they aren't (I wish it were obvious to all) but when I started drafting, the reasons came easily.  So here are my top ten reasons why tights (or leggings, spandex, tight yoga pants etc.) are NOT pants. Also, here is a helpful flow chart. And don't forget to skip over to BecKyle's list as well :)

1. Not intended use
It's one thing if someone were just wearing a type of pants too tight or too small, sometimes you're oblivious, or confused thinking it looks good (p.s., it doesn't)...but it's a whole different ball game when you're wearing something that isn't actually classified as pants. I don't understand where the idea came from, because this is not what tights were intended for. Yes there are exceptions like wearing a tighter pant to run in, or tights in ballet, those are situational conveniences, and while I do believe you should practice modesty 24/7, at least that is understandable. But really? They were never supposed to be pants, and never should be.

2. They leave ZERO to the imagination
I feel like that one is self-explanatory. If that's what you're going for, then we need to have a long talk. And if that's not what you're going for, awesome! stop wearing them that way. Aaaaand if you don't wear tights as pants to begin with..thank you, just thank you.

3.Where is the modesty?
I own tights and leggings...want to know why? Because I can modify outfits to be more appropriate with something extra under, such as a dress that is too short-or I can make my wardrobe more multi-seasonal with the option to warm up outfits and not have to buy whole new ones. This is their purpose. I don't care if there isn't any skin showing (sadly half the time there is) it is too tight. That's not modest at all.

4. They are an accessory  
Would you wear a scarf as a shirt? If you answered yes, I just might cry. But as most would hopefully answer no, then I would pose the question, "then why would you wear tights as pants?". Just like a scarf is an accessory, something EXTRA for an outfit...so are tights.

5.What a man sees
I would bet money that if you asked a man what he sees when a woman wears tights as pants, and he honestly answered you...he would say painted legs... naked.painted.legs. Unless your tights are see through and he actually can see your naked legs. Both are a big "no no".

6.Where are they sold?
If your pants are sold in the underwear/sock section, guess what? They aren't actually pants.

7. Getting Dressed
If you have to do the whole "bunch at the foot...ease up your leg...and wiggle" to get your pants on, they are either not pants, or pants that are far too tight. Your pants (or anti-pants for that matter) should not be difficult to put on. Now there are some exceptions, such as pants that still are too tight, but are easily put on..and that is the reason I have proved nine other tell tale signs, and a flow chart. :)

8. Can you bend over?
If anyone behind you gets a full view when you bend over...I'd say it's time to go buy some actual pants. Nobody wants to see that.

9. Too tight
If I hadn't said this before...they're too tight. I don't care how sculpted or toned your legs might be, seriously nobody needs to see you walking around with "painted legs" (see reason #5). They just don't look good, no matter the condition of your legs, you're fooling yourself.

10.Is your skin showing?
Anything else that is THAT showy, is either looked down upon, or simply unacceptable..so why would this be any different? I'm sure we've all seen those pictures floating around the internet of women with underwear showing because they chose not to wear real pants that day..yeah that's not acceptable either, the only difference is...somehow half of America is deluded. I honestly am mind boggled at how it is so common..wwwwhyyyyy *shouted towards the heavens with an expression of despair*. I just don't get it.

In a previous entry of mine, called Girls...Put Some Clothes On I explain my views on modesty, and actually commented on how you should just not get me started on the topic of tights and their anti-pant-ness, and the two go hand in hand. If you haven't read it, check it out! :) Aaaaand again, don't forget to read BecKyle's list as well!

Tuesday's Top Ten PLUS Ten: Friends I Haven't Met...Yet :)

After much brainstorming, and list-narrowing..here are my top ten friends I haven't met...yet :) Also, don't forget to jump over to BecKyle's list! :) 

1. C.S. Lewis

I don't think much explanation is needed...I wish I could go have coffee (and by that I mean hours upon hours) with C.S. Lewis. So fantastically wise and profound. 

2. Margaret Mitchell 

"Gone With the Wind" came from this woman's mind.. yeah I think we could be friends :)

3. Louie Giglio

If you have never heard of him, or seen a video of his...Google him this moment. My favorite of his is "Indescribable", and a close second is "Symphony" (here is a post of mine about "Symphony"). He is definitely worth a listen.

4. Jane Austen

The number of popular and incredible books this woman has written are outstanding. I would love to know her, but because she is no longer alive, maybe we'll meet in Heaven, who knows? (trick question..God does) :) 

5. Queen Esther

This woman is from the Bible, so we don't know what she looked like, and being from that long ago, she is also dead..a hope of mine is to meet her in heaven. She definitely wasn't perfect (like ALL of us) and is not to be idolized as some do with Bible characters...but Esther is one I would love to befriend. She has good character, and it would be interesting to hear all about her experiences.

6. A random lady in "Sam's Club"

One day while shopping in "Sam's Club", I noticed a lady. She looked about my age, was wearing the shirt above, had a home-made TARDIS beanie, and a sonic screwdriver tucked into her back pocket (the last two are memorabilia of the BBC show "Doctor Who"). I never said anything to her, but I feel like we could have become good friends.  

7. J.K. Rowling

Who wouldn't want to know the author of the HP series?!? (Not to mention the fact that she's THAT generous)

8. Corrie Ten Boom 

Just thinking about her story and book, I feel like I may start spontaneously weeping. Wow, incredible woman. 

9. Benedict Cumberbatch 

Can we be friends? No really. If not Benedict, than at least someone like the character he plays in "Sherlock". Pleeeeeeease?

10. Whoever came up with coffee

...or tea...or chocolate. :)