1. E.T. – Once my kids watch this, they’ll finally understand why I always have a funny voice when I say “phone home”.  Just hope they don’t go lining the driveway with reece’s pieces to lure in their own ET.
2. Back to the Future – If Krystal had it her way, we’d already be watching this weekly.
3. Ghostbusters – They’ll never eat a roasted marshmallow again without thinking of the Stay Puff man.
4. Airplane – “I am serious, and don’t call my Shirley.”
5. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – Hope this one doesn’t give them any ideas.
6. War Games – So this is what life was like before the internet!
7. Honey I Shrunk the Kids – I think this was the first of the Disney live action movies that really did well at the box office.
8. Gremlins – Gonna wait a bit on this one.  I remember it gave me a few bad dreams when I first saw it.
9. Poltergeist – Ditto on this one.  I just remember being freaked out by static on the TV for a LONG time afterwards.
10. Rainman – Definitely gonna make them watch this one.  Definitely.  400 Oak Street.  Cincinnati, Ohio.
11. Footloose – The 80′s version of high school musical, but with an actual plot.
12. Good Morning, Vietnam – So they’ll understand Robin Williams before he went crazy.  Or maybe when he began to go crazy.

1. Write it down – Sit down and write out a full list of everything you need to get done.  Everything.  Scrub the toilets?  Write it down.  Write draft for a grant proposal?  Write it down.  Write it all down first, then you can work with it from there.
2. Be specific – Do you need to trim the bushes?  Don’t write ‘bushes’, but write ‘trim the bushes’  The more specific you are the more likely you will get it done
3. Do it – If you can do it in 2 minutes or less, don’t even bother writing it down, just do it.
4. Stay consistent – Use the same organization methods at home and at work.  It’ll be a lot easier to keep things organized if you are doing it the same way every time.
5. Don’t do someone else’s job – If someone can our should do it, let them.  Don’t spend your time doing something that someone else can or should be doing.
6. Schedule work time – don’t let important things pile up!  If you need a significant block of time to work on something, put it on your calendar.
7. Work in steps – Keep a list of all the steps/tasks for a project and work through the steps.  One master list per project will make it a lot easier to manage instead of a mishmash of tasks spread across various lists.
8. File away – If you want to keep it for a reference, file it away.  If you need to do it in the future, file it away and mark your calendar.  The less you have sitting around the less you have to distract you.
9. Throw it away – if it is useless, throw it away.  If you’re done reading the magazine, tear out and save what you want and throw the rest of it away.
10. Separate tasks from materials – particularly in a project file.  Keep your task/step lists in either a different file or separate from the supporting materials.  It’s a lot easier to stay on task if you don’t have to fish through a folder to find your list.
11. Start with goals – Know what you want to do, who you are, and where you are.  Don’t take on a task that isn’t going to help you fulfill what you want and don’t wear yourself out doing something that you are not prepared or equipped to do.
12. Don’t waste time – You have 10 minutes before a meeting?  Use that time to do what you can.  If you can capture the various 5-10 minute “waiting time” moments in your day and use them productively, you will be surprised to find out what you accomplish!

Things to give up

1. Coffee or Chocolate – These are traditional for many, but also very good at pointing out our desires & dependence on ourselves and the world.
2. TV or Internet – While you may not be able to give these up completely (particularly if you need to email for work) but you can vastly limit your time.
3. Going out to eat – Has a two part effect – easier on your pocketbook as well as helping you see a dependence.
4. Radio – Use the silence of your commute as a time of prayer
5. Excessive sports – No, I’m not saying to stop exercising, but if it is filling your schedule, this might be a place to look at to give that time to God.
6. Video games – These can take up a lot of time and energy – what could you do for God in that time instead?

Things to take on

1. Scripture reading – I’m a big proponent of learning about God and about yourself through scripture.  It’s never too late to start.  If you want to read along we me use this guide. We are on week 7.
2. Exercise – If you are not in shape, how can you be ready when God calls you to serve?  Take Lent as a time to start an exercise regiment and begin to get your body right.
3. Scripture memorization – “Thy Word I have hidden in my heart that I may not sin against Thee.” – Psalm 119:11 – true words and a great Lenten discipline.
4. Fasting – Nothing shows dependence stronger than fasting.  Try starting with one meal a week and then move on to one day a week.
5. Sacrificial giving – Best when used in conjunction with giving something up.  Give the money that you would have used to fulfill your earthly desires for God.
6. Silence – Turn everything off and learn to enjoy stillness and silence.  Sometimes God’s whispers can only be heard when we are still and quiet.

Gifts for men:

1. Tool – No, not the band.  PLEASE, not the band.  Any guy can use a new tool, be it screwdrivers or a joiner/planer.  Yes, guys think this is romantic.
2. Fishing gear – Particularly on the coast, always a good choice.  What?  Your man doesn’t fish?  You know what they say “Give a man a fish, he eats once.  Teach a man to fish and he’ll spend his weekends with his buddies making up stories of the one that got away.”
3. Bacon – Nothing says I love you down to your cholesterol clogged arteries than bacon.  Did you know there’s a bacon of the month club?
4. Dark chocolate – Real men don’t want their chocolate all sweet and silky with fancy centers and delicate designs on top.  They want it dark, bitter, and in a plain wrapper.  Here’s an example.  Want some flavor?  Fine, add some chili powder.  That’s a man’s chocolate!
   Have to make a substitute for chocolate – after further review, the replay booth says “whole bean coffee and a good coffee grinder” is a better gift.  Or green coffee beans and popcorn popper, if your man is man enough to handle it.
5. Tongs – Any man who cooks (and by cooking, I mean grilling or BBQing mainly) needs tongs.  You only grab a hot steak off a fire with your hands once before you realize that tongs are a good thing.
6. Anything to make a fire with – A creme brule torch.  A propane burner.  An outdoor fire pit.  Man’s best friend may be his dog, but fire is his favorite toy.

Gifts for women

1. Time – Best gift of all.  She wants to spend time with you.  I don’t understand it, but that’s why she loves you!
2. Hand written love note – It doesn’t have to be long, but it does need to be sincere.  Think about the day you met.  Think about how much your love has grown.  Think about the little things she does for you.  Tell her you love her forever.  (But don’t steal from a song.  No one wants to read their note and hear a song in their head.)
3. A day away – With you is best.  Alone or with friends works.  As long as the kids aren’t there you’re good.
4. Chocolate – Good stuff.  Not that cheap stuff you get at Walgreens.  Something to be savored, not devoured.
5. Her favorite flower – If it’s roses, fine.  But think hard – is there some other flower she likes?  Maybe a different color?  Maybe a different scent?  Look at her perfume and see if it has any flower scent to it – that’s a good hint.
6. A snuggie – Ok, that’s only partly a joke.  Really – something warm, soft, and comfortable for her to wear is always a good choice.  Think cashmere.  Yes, it’s a lot for a sweater, but she’ll love it.
   Again, another substitute.  After consultation with my fairer half, she suggested this.  I think she may have been joking, but I’m not one to chance it.  It must be popular, because it’s already out of stock!