Five Links, Books, and Things I Love – January 2018

That was so 2017. Now it’s 2018!

Here are favorites from December and what I’m looking forward to in January. We share once a month at Leigh’s.

1 Second Everyday

[If you can’t see the 1 Second Everyday video, click here]

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

5 Things Around the Web

1. Celebrate World Introvert Day, January 2
by Jenn Granneman

For us introverts, we celebrate surviving another set of holidays surrounded by people and activity.

“The idea is that introverts set aside this time to recharge after the busy, tiring holiday season. It’s also a day to bring awareness to introversion and remind the world that being an introvert is something awesome, not shameful.”

World Introvert Day

~ * ~

2. Clear to Neutral: The One Habit That Stops You From Procrastinating
by Thanh Pham

Clear-to-Neutral

“The main idea behind Clearing to Neutral is you set yourself up for success. Anytime you finish your activity, do a little routine where you set it up so the next time you start, there is no friction. In other words, you set up your environment for next time.”

~ * ~

3. The Most Mispronounced Words of 2017
by Christina Kline, CNN

“Here is Babbel’s list of the top 10 mispronounced words in 2017, complete with how to say them so you don’t keep butchering them.”

Misprounced-words-2017

~ * ~

4. How to Love Visiting Church Members in the Hospital
by Timothy Raymond

This isn’t just for pastors. And not just for visiting fellow “church members.”

“Hospital visitation is a unique opportunity for pastors to demonstrate Christian love and speak gospel words into the minds and hearts of those who, due to the circumstances, may be unusually attentive.”

~ * ~

5. 2017 Politics, GIF-Wrapped
by Brenna Williams

Regardless of your politics, these should just make you smile. We all need that from 2017, yes?

Melania-Gift-Michelle

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

5 Things about Books

1. The 2018 Reading Challenge
at Modern Mrs. Darcy

It’s just 12 books. I love the practicality and intention of this challenge.

“On our list, we won’t ask you to read a book that’s periwinkle blue, or that’s by an author who shares your name, or that has a vegetable in the title. Instead, we’re focusing on twelve categories that have delivered best-of-the-year reading experiences to thousands of readers over the years.”

Modern Mrs Darcy Reading Challenge 2018

~ * ~

2. 10 Best Books I Read in 2017
by Emily Freeman

I’ll be returning to this list in 2018 to track down some of these books.

10-Fantastic-Books-Emily-Freeman

~ * ~

3. Easy Bible Reading Challenge – 31 Days in Proverbs
at DoNotDepart

Here’s a reading challenge any of us can do. Read 1 chapter of Proverbs every day. Be finished by the end of January. Download a free packet.

31-Days-in-Proverbs

~ * ~

4. My Own Favorite Books of 2017

  • Some are about healing the divisions in our country.
  • Some are about God and faith.
  • Some are memoirs of real-life people and meaning.

Top-10-Books_2017

~ * ~

5. Want to Read More in 2018? Here’s how. 

How-to-read-more

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

5 Things I Love

1. Nurture App

Morgan has used this pregnancy tracker for our baby Riley. I downloaded it, too. It’s been fun seeing the development of the baby along the way. And now we’re in the final countdown!

nurture-app

~ * ~

2. Christmas with My Daughters

We did Christmas at several places this year, but our immediate family went to Morgan’s house this year since she couldn’t come to us.

Jenna, Morgan (and baby Riley), Lisa

~ * ~

3. And the Men

It was fun having everyone together again, including all the husbands!

fuller-jeff-trey-2017

Fuller, Jeff, Trey

~ * ~

4. Steak Tradition

For Christmas with Jeff’s family, we always have grilled steak and twice-baked potatoes. It was a blustery day but the men did their part well.

Steak-Grilling

Steve, Trey, Jeff

~ * ~

5. Boardgames Anyone?

We broke out my (very) old Clue game at Morgan’s house. My daughters have learned all my tricks now. I no longer can dominate. I need some updated strategies.

Clue-boardgame

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

5 Things on the Blog

* * *

What was one of your highlights from December? What are you looking forward to in January? Please share in the comments.

previous Links and Books

41 thoughts on “Five Links, Books, and Things I Love – January 2018

  1. Jean Wise

    Love your lists as usual. Never heard of the Introvert Day but great timing after all the company leaves. Though I have one more family event, then will celebrate back to my normal quiet. LOL. Also that article on hospital visits – so practical and real and the one on clear to neutral made a lot of sense. I do enjoy the asian efficiency podcast so wasn’t surprised it came from them. They have a ton of info on their site and on the podcast. Happy New Year Lisa!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Hope you enjoy your last family event, Jean! I’m expecting my youngest daughter to come spend part of the day with me tomorrow, but even together we can celebrate Introvert Day because her nature is similar to mine.
      Thanks for getting me started on another podcast. lol. I’ve already listened to the latest on Asian Efficiency now that you mentioned it. 🙂

  2. floyd

    Hard to believe another year has clicked off. That one was at warp speed.

    Great stuff in this post! Starting the new year off with my mind being used to ponder. Thanks!

    The beach reminded me of the song by Counting Crows “A Long December”. “It’s been so long since I seen the ocean… guess I should…”

    Happy New Year to you and yours, Lisa. Praying for you guys.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Definitely warp speed, Floyd. Fastest year yet. Yes, everyone should see the ocean as frequently as possible; take a trip there soon. Thanks for the prayers for us this month! I’ll definitely take them.

  3. Pam

    Always love your lists, Lisa! Whatever happened to 2017??? Time keeps racing ahead, but when I realized we were “on the road” to see children and grandchildren and close friends 72 days of 2017….it sort of makes a bit of sense. Blessings on 2018 for you!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Yes, starting with a clean slate really makes me happy. 🙂 I’m not always disciplined enough to clean up my messes, but when I do, it makes it easier to begin a new day.

  4. Barbara H.

    I always enjoy your one-second-a-day videos. I saw your husband with an eye patch – hope he’s ok!

    I had read the link about Introvert Day on Twitter and loved it. In one sense I am sad when my son leaves and everything goes back to pre-Christmas “normal,” but in another sense I revel in that first day alone after the holidays.

    Clearing to neutral is such a good but simple concept. I love your daughter’s fox sweater!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Jeff did have eye trouble in the middle of the month. 🙁 He had double vision for a few weeks due to a stye on his eye, but if he wore an eye patch, it really helped. Thankfully it has cleared up now! Makes us both more thankful for our vision. Jenna found that fox sweater online and told Morgan about it. I thought it was adorable too. 🙂

      [I changed the comment box, but I’m sorry I don’t know how to prevent it from happening in the first place. Hopefully it will just return to normal soon?]

  5. Bev @ Walking Well With God

    Lisa,
    So much here to love!! I’m going to celebrate World Introverts Day by putting the last of my company on a plane today and just enjoy the quiet of an empty house and the closeness of my dog who doesn’t speak, throw my phone in the ocean (lol) and maybe read. Lot’s of good choices here. Clue was my all time favorite game as a kid….how fun to pull out a relic and play!! Enjoyed all your links and lists you’ve shared. Want to check out 31 days in Proverbs. Happy New Year!!
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Oh, I’d love to sit down to play a game of Clue with you, Bev. 🙂 Professor Plum with the lead pipe in the ballroom. lol. Hope you’ve enjoyed the quietness of the afternoon today with no more company. Happy New Year to you too!

  6. Betsy de Cruz

    I’m going to have to check out MMD’s reading challenge. I also challenge myself to read 12 books a year, but I don’t think I made it last year! I loved Emily Freeman’s post too.

    A December highlight for me was having my son visit us, first time to see him in a year, way too long to not see your 20 year old, but we’re so grateful now.

    Riley must be your grandbaby? How exciting!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Aw, I’m glad you were able to have a visit with your son! Yes, that is a long time without seeing him but it makes your time together all the more precious. Yes, Riley is our grandbaby, due in 26 days (or so, ha)! We are thrilled. I’m keeping my phone near me. It’ll be a 4-hour drive for us to where she’ll be born.

  7. Michele Morin

    I just read Introverts in the Church so this day of recognizing introverts is something I’m glad to know about! And we had a very gamey Christmas as well: Othello, Masterpiece, and Carcassonne were the main objects.
    So happy that you enjoyed so much family time over the holidays and it’s fun to find out what others have on their menus.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Well, aren’t you appropriate reading a book about introverts on National Introvert Day, Michele! 🙂 That’s a very introverted thing to do. ha. I’ve spent the afternoon with my youngest daughter, which was very fun.
      This morning I thought of Maine: we’re having very cold weather in Alabama this week (cold for us) and I can barely stand it. I’m not as tough as you.

  8. Lesley

    I like the idea of World Introvert Day, and clearing to neutral is something I’d been thinking about a bit and want to do better this year! I had to smile at the third tip on how to read more this year: “have another book ready before you finish the one you’re reading.” Last week I made a list of all the books I have, either in paper copies or on my Kindle, that I still want to read and I think I will have more than enough to keep me going for the whole year!
    I’m glad your Christmas celebrations were good. Blessings for 2018!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      It’s great that you made a list of the books you have. I did that a few years ago with my paper copies and gave myself a deadline to either read them or else get rid of them. It worked; I read a few and got rid of a few without reading. 🙂 But with my Kindle? Oh boy, that’s too overwhelming. ha. Best of luck to you, Lesley!

  9. Trudy

    So many interesting tidbits again, Lisa. 🙂 I never knew there is a World Introvert Day! Cool! Lovely photos of your family. You must be so excited for little Riley to come! Your playing Clue brings back nostalgic memories. I remember playing it with my siblings as a kid. 🙂 I always enjoyed it. Have fun thinking of new strategies! Have a Blessed 2018! Hugs!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I didn’t know there was a World Introvert Day either. But I love the idea of it, even though I didn’t take advantage of it. lol. It’d be fine with me if there was one every week. 🙂

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      With a house full of guys, you likely went through more steak than we did. 🙂 Glad you got a good deal on them! My in-laws provide it for us so I get to remain in “kid” role for that meal. Happy New Year to you too, Sherry!

  10. Betty Draper

    I have heard of introvert day but I am going to share that with my husband for he is one. I think that was why I was attracted to him, he was a mystery, so I had to marry him to figure him out. Still working on that. Happy New Year Lisa.

  11. Debbie Williams

    Lisa love your lists and thanks for the links. What a post! I sure want to read more this year and love the thought of throwing my phone in the ocean. HA! That pinging when I am trying to do something gets me, so yes I turn it off sometime.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      The phone pinging is a hard thing to ignore, yes? I have to turn the volume off, too, if I really want to concentrate. I know the kids are good at leaving it off all the time; no wonder they don’t answer our calls. lol.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Thanks for stopping by, Christy. There are always far more goodies that I’d love to share in this post than I have time to collate. The web is too large for us info-junkies to wrap our minds around. 🙂

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I’m glad the videos make you smile, Bethany. They’ve been fun to do, except when I get to the end of a day and realize I hadn’t taken a video of anything yet. 🙂 Then it’s usually my poor husband who has to take the hit and smile for the camera. ha.

  12. Valerie Sisco

    Hi Lisa,
    I LOVE the reading lists! And how to read more — throwing your phone in the ocean is priceless! I love reading the Modern Mrs. Darcy — she’s always got good suggestions. Happy New Year to you!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      …although I hope no one actually does throw their phone in the ocean. 🙂 Maybe just turning it off would accomplish the same goal. lol. That’s hard enough as it is. Happy New Year to you too, Valerie!

  13. Emma Hughes

    I love Clue (we call it Cluedo here), such a good game to play as a family. So close to meeting your grandchild now, that is really exciting. Love the ‘how to read more’ list as well- some nuggets in there for sure 🙂

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Thanks, Emma. We are getting very close now to meeting our granddaughter face to face. I printed out a packing list today so I’ll be (a little more) ready to make the drive when we get the call. 🙂 Now to actually start packing (it’s easier to just make a list). Happy New Year to you!

  14. Alice Walters

    Dear Lisa, so many good ideas and affirmations! Thanks from this introvert for permission to recharge by myself. Glad to know I’m doing a couple of things right when it comes to reading more. And love the love in the pic with your daughters! Just a few of the many helpers today. Happy New Year, Friend!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Yes, we introverts need all the permissions we can get. The world doesn’t always affirm our need to be alone. 🙂 Hope you have a blessed New Year too, Alice!

  15. Sarah Geringer

    So many good things in your post, Lisa! I have to say, I like your family photos best of all. I need to post more personal photos on my blog. Thank you for the inspiration, and happy New Year to you!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      It’s not always easy to post pictures of myself, but I do like showing pictures of my family. 🙂 Yes, we’d all love to see more photos of you and your family on your blog, Sarah! Happy New Year!

  16. Sarah Caldwell

    Always enjoy your posts here! (I’m finally getting back into the ‘What I’m Into’ post link with January – yay! 🙂 I love that Austin Kleon graphic – his books are so great! I also loved Emily’s Best of Booklist – I look forward to it every year! (I’m FINALLY publishing mine this week – yay for the return to blogging!) Hope you’re having a beautiful January!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *