For the Love of Lists

Engineering life one step at a time

Quick 10: 10 Things I’m Grateful For

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It’s been said time and time again that expressing and being mindful of gratitude is a key to feeling happier in life.  Here are 10 things that I am always grateful for.

  1. My husband, who is my ultimate partner in crime
  2. My family, who have supported me throughout every milestone
  3. My friends, who have filled my life with unforgettable memories
  4. My pets, who can always cheer me up on a ruff day
  5. My education, which taught me that there is nothing I can’t learn
  6. My career, which has led me to build rockets and watch my work fly to the stars
  7. Books, which open up endless worlds to explore
  8. Music, which can change my mood and energize my morning
  9. Imagination, which takes me beyond the limits of reality
  10. My home, which may change location from time to time, but is always a key away
Family Photo
My husband and I on our wedding day with my parents and grandparents.

What are you grateful for?

Quick 10: 10 Inspirational Uses for Mason Jars

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Mason Jar UsesI have fallen in love with mason jars.  I don’t even know why exactly.  But let’s be honest: they’re good sizes, sturdy, and pretty darn cute.  So when I found a 12-pack case of pint size jars on Amazon (and an equally adorable set of blue ones), I couldn’t resist.  This left me brainstorming all the different uses I could find for them.  My a-ha moment was when a friend told me about a “book jar”, a jar filled with scraps of paper detailing book titles that could be picked at random next time I needed a reading suggestion.  This got me thinking: what other decisions and ideas could I simplify by leaving them up to chance?  What thoughts could I store and save to be explored at random later on?  Here is my list of 10 inspirational uses for mason jars.

  1. Book Jar – write book or series titles to choose your next read
  2. Memory Jar – write your favorite memories (with your spouse, kids, etc) to read on a special occasion (New Year’s, anniversary)
  3. Boredom Jar – write ideas for all the things you (or your kids) can do next time you’re bored
  4. Workout Jar – write your favorite workout routines or individual exercises to change-up your fitness plan
  5. Gratitude Jar – write about things/moments you’re grateful for and review them next time you need a pick-me-up
  6. Rewards Jar – write a variety of [healthy/free] rewards you can use to treat yourself after a productive day
  7. Cheer Up Jar – write down all of the things that make you happy or can improve your mood on a rough day
  8. Date Jar – write all of your favorite or original date ideas (places to go, movies to watch, restaurants to try, etc)
  9. Writing Jar – write a list of writing/doodling prompts to kick start your creativity
  10. Motivation Jar – write down all of the ideas that inspire and motivate you

My favorite is the memory jar that my husband and I started when we got married last year, and I can’t wait to look through all of our entries on our first anniversary.  So next time you find yourself stuck, or you just want to add some variety to your life, try out one of these ideas.  Let me know what you think!

 

This post contains Amazon affiliate links, which means that I receive a bit of compensation if you make a purchase using the product links above.  It’s no extra cost to you, and I would never suggest a product I wouldn’t buy myself.  I hope you enjoy the recommendations!

Quick 10: 10 New Uses for Makeup Bags

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Makeup Bags

Last year I used a makeup subscription service that sent small bags worth of sample-sized products each month.  It was a lot of fun, but it did leave me with 12 of those bags lying around my house.  So I started finding new ways to use them.  Here are 10 ideas I came up with:

  1. Purse Kit – keep your keys, wallet, ID, and headphones in an easily transferable pouch
  2. Mini Emergency Kit – band-aids, tweezers, hand sanitizer, anti-histamines
  3. Tool Kit – mini scissors, multi-tools, measuring tape, tapes
  4. Hygiene Kit – feminine products, mini toothbrush, oil wipes, tissues
  5. Hair Accessory Storage – hair ribbons, clips, stretch headbands, elastics
  6. Spices/Tea Bags – bring your favorite items with you when you travel
  7. Mini Spa Kit – mister, eye cream, lotion, perfume
  8. Nail Kit – polish, files, orange stick, cuticle cream
  9. Chargers – keep your charges and cables in one convenient pack
  10. Mini Art Kit – mini notepad, crayons, colored pencils, erasers

What more ideas can you think of?  Share below!

Quick 10: 10 Ways to Renew Yourself this Easter

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Easter Renewal

With the start of the Holy Triduum, it’s a good time to remember that this holiday is about more than bunnies and chocolate.  Here is a list of 10 ways you can renew yourself and your faith this Easter:

  1. Pray
  2. Attend Mass at least once a week (check out MassTimes.org for options)
  3. Meditate for a few moments each morning and before bed
  4. Go to Confession (think of it as an opportunity to start fresh – check out this guide to get started)
  5. Write a gratitude list of all the things you’re thankful for
  6. Volunteer, both at your church and in your community
  7. Spend time at Eucharistic Adoration (this site has great information about it)
  8. Say the Rosary
  9. Listen to your favorite hymns and chants (my husband loves Pandora’s Gregorian Chant station)
  10. Read: The Bible, catechisms, or any interesting theological study

This time of year can be great for a fresh start with your faith, or for first-timers to see what the Church is all about.  I am celebrating my first year as a Catholic this month, and overall it has been a rewarding experience.  I hope these suggestions can help you as they have helped me.

 

Quick 10: The Top 10 Educational Disney Attractions

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“I would rather entertain and hope that people learned something than educate people and hope they were entertained.” – Walt Disney

Top 10 Educational Disney Attractions
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln at Disneyland

Who says you can’t learn something on vacation?  And, better yet, who says that learning can’t be just as fun?  Here is my list of the top Disney attractions that will both educate and entertain your entire family.

  1. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln & The Hall of Presidents (Disneyland & Magic Kingdom) – Listen to Abraham Lincoln recite some of his most famous speeches amidst a history of the Civil War and celebrate the United States with 43 animatronic presidents detailing the entire history of how America came to be what it is today
  2. World Showcase (EPCOT) – Tour themed areas of 11 countries, including food, architecture, music, and exhibits
  3. Kilimanjaro Safaris & Maharajah Jungle Trek (Animal Kingdom) – Explore the lands of Africa and Asia filled with real-life animals for you to encounter
  4. Mission: Space & Advanced Training Lab (EPCOT) – Train as an astronaut for a mission to Mars and compete in your own space race
  5. Test Track (EPCOT) – Learn about vehicle design and testing as you strap in for a ride around a high-speed track.
  6. Ellen’s Energy Adventure (EPCOT) – Join Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Nye the Science guy as they explore the Big Bang and the history of energy in this 45-minute show
  7. SeaBase (EPCOT) – An aquatic wonderland filled with aquariums, dive experiences, marine exhibits, and Nemo.
  8. Spaceship Earth (EPCOT) – Ride through history as you explore the origins of communication, and don’t forget to get a peek at your future at the end.
  9. Rafiki’s Planet Watch: Conservation Station & Habitat Habit! (Animal Kingdom) – An area of activities focused on the preservation and care of animals
  10. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress (Magic Kingdom) – One of the infamous rides Walt Disney presented at the 1964 World’s Fair, this animatronics show presents the progression of technology throughout the years.

Honorable Mentions:

  • It’s Tough to be a Bug! (Disney’s California Adventure & Animal Kingdom) – Learn about the world from a bug’s point of view and get some new perspective on our tiniest neighbors
  • Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable (EPCOT) – A 20-minute film about environmental conservation starring the cast of Lion King
  • Living with the Land (EPCOT) – Get a tour of Mickey’s greenhouses and learn where your food comes from.

Do you have a favorite that’s not on this list?  Add it in the comments below!