13 TV Shows I Enjoy (or have enjoyed) watching:

1. What Not to Wear

2. Gilmore Girls

3. The Apprentice (although I have to admit that I haven't watched it at all really this year).

4. Hockey Night in Canada

5. The Thirsty Traveller (I've only seen a couple of episodes, but it made me want to go to France and Ireland even more!)

6. Martha (sometimes I watch it while I'm working out Friday mornings after my daughter has gone to school).

7. Rachel Ray (I've seen one on 30 minutes meals a few times that was good, plus I've seen a travel one once that I really liked).

8. Debbie Travis' Painted House (this isn't on anymore, but I liked it better than her current one called Facelift)

9. Reba (occasionally we catch a bit of this before heading to bed. Les says I can sing the theme song just like her?! It's good for a laugh anyway:)

10. Neat (I like getting tips from the host on how to organize things; but I usually end up missing this one...it's just a half an hour but it's on Saturday night and we're usually out and about)

11. Seinfeld (another one that Les and I sometimes catch a few minutes of later in the evening...what I enjoy is Les enjoying this show and quoting it back later:)

12. One Day at a Time (This hasn't been on in years, but it was my favourite when I was a kid.)

13. Deal or No Deal (again one I've only seen a few times...I always think they should take the deal though!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Weekend Update

I had a nice long weekend, but it's back to work for me today. Les had to work the weekend again, but he did have Friday off, so we hired a sitter and had a date night on Thursday night. He took me to Earl's (one of my favorites...they were a little bit 'OFF' on Thursday, but a good time was still had). Then we went shopping...clothes shopping actually, and we both got a few new things. I like buying stuff that I KNOW my husband really likes on me:)

Our whole family had Friday off of work and school, so we slept late and headed out for a bike ride together. There is a new pond in one of the parks in our area, so we've been exploring around there lately. Then we did a bit of yard work and showered up in time to take Amanda to her friend's bday/sleepover party. Les and I then snuck off for dinner together. We went to Alexanders where the 'poulet du chef' was excellent! We then headed over to Dutch Growers to look at tall, skinny trees...swedish aspens to be exact. We're thinking about getting three of them for along the fence in our backyard. Then we met a friend for coffee at Starbucks and went for a drive with her looking at condos, as she is looking at moving.

On Saturday morning, Les headed out to work and I waited around for the Unversity student painters to come out and quote on how much it would cost to paint our deck. Wayyyyy too much was the answer!! I have a friend who is getting most of the main floor of her house done for less than they quoted for our deck?!! So I guess we'll be doing it ourselves and not hiring a student after all. I had thought this would be a good way to help out a student, but I guess not. If any of you have experience or advice about deck painting, please let me know. I think it's just one of those necessary evils that has to be repeated every three years or so!

Anyway, after the paint quote I had a bit of time to kill before I needed to pick Amanda up so I headed downtown and did a bit more browsing. This is so rare for me...to actually have some time alone to browse and try things on. Then when I picked Amanda up from her party, I had coffee with her friend's mom, which was so good since we hadn't been able to find the time between our two schedules for a while. Also, it was good for me to be in another mother's house and see how she interacts with her children. She's a wonderful mom, but, honestly, I realized in that hour just how easy Amanda has it our house in many ways...which was good because lately I get this big guilt trip back from her anytime I ask her to do anything.

Saturday night we headed to church then out with friends. Sunday morning I snuck out for another bike ride and then cleaned house, and when Les got home, we decided to have a family night IN as he needed some downtime to be the 'king of his castle'. So I made one of his favourites for supper and we caught a bit of the hockey game after that.

Monday morning was about laundry for me and then while I was getting myself together after my shower the power went out, so that definitely limited what else could be done. After Les finished work, we headed over to his parents for super and I got to meet my mother-in-law's childhood friend and her husband who are in town visiting from Kelowna. What I especially enjoyed about it was seeing my mother-in-law giggle with her friend after supper. I want more of that for her!

Well that brings us pretty much up to date. Hope you had a good weekend too:)

A Heather Meme

Heather tagged me for this MeMe on Friday (sorry I'm late in responding:)

What is your favorite word? Sweet:)

What is your least favorite word? "What!"

What turns you on spiritually, creatively, emotionally?
Spiritually - a sunset, a worship song
Creatively - having the time to actually sit down and be creative
Emotionally - touch and affirmation

What turns you off? When people brag about other's accomplishments using words like "I" and "me" throughout as if to take full credit for what the person has done. (Don't get me wrong, I think a person should take pride in their accomplishements...I'm talking about an extreme here).

What's your favorite curse word? I don't really curse, but I do say "good grief!"

What sound or noise do you love to hear? I love to hear my husband call me the sweet things he does:) And I love to hear him strumming on his guitar.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? A stay at home, full time momma (with one more child too boot!) ...a teacher...and as long as we're dreaming, let's use that magic wand and I'll be a singer too!

What profession would you NOT like to do? The one I'm in...(long story)

If Heaven exists (HELLO! What do you mean "IF"?), what would you like to hear God say at the pearly gates? I want to hear Him call me by name and I want to feel His embrace.

I'm supposed to tag some of you, but as usual I'll just let you tag yourselves...if you read this and want to participate, leave me a link in the comments and I'll visit your site and give you a link below.

Rasberry Chill

In the comments for my TT, I was asked for the recipe, so here it is:)

Crust:
1 1/4 cups oreo crumps
1/4 cup melted marg
Combine crumps and melted marg in a bowl and then press into a springform pan and chill.

Filling:
1 pkg rasberry gelatin (I use sugar free; also you can use any flavour you want really)
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 pkg (8 oz) of cream cheese, softened (I used light cc)
1/4 cup sugar (I use splenda)
1 container of frozen whipped topping (I use low fat and low sugar)
1/2 cup rasberries (optional)
In a bowl, stir gelatin and 2/3 cup boiling water for 2 minutes; cool.
In a food processor (I don't have one so I either use the blender or my hand mixer...takes more effort with the hand mixer, but comes out ok in the end); blend gelatin, cheeses and sugar for 2 minutes (longer if using a hand mixer). Fold in 2 cups of whipped topping. Add to pan. Chill 2 hours. Add remaining topping and fruit to garnish (it's nice without the fruit too).

I sometimes double the filling recipe if I'm using a larger springform pan. The recipe is meant for an 8 inch. If I'm doing a 10 inch or larger, I increase the recipe.

Before reducing the sugar in this recipe and cutting back on fat it is about 340 calories per piece (and 32 g of carb and 8 g of protein)...so even without reducing the sugar and fat it isn't too bad for a dessert. Enjoy!

13 GOOD Things (that have happened or are going to happen) this week...

1. Date night, Thursday night's date night! Since we missed our date a couple of weeks ago due to baby-sitter problems, we've booked one for Thursday night as we all (including Amanda) have Friday off!

2. Having Friday off together:)
3. My husband made supper Tuesday night as I had to work late.

4. Wednesday night Les and I went for a nice bike-ride together:)

5. Yesterday I received flowers, for no reason, at work, from a DEAR friend!
6. The Pink Shadows (Amanda's airband group that performed last Thursday at the school assembly) WON the whole competition!! (The results were just announced today!) Pretty good for the youngest competitors in the event! I'm so proud of Amanda and her friends!! (They performed to Hilary and Hailie Duff's version of Our Lips Are Sealed... Amanda was Hilary, of course!)

7. And I was able to sneak away from work to see The Pink Shadows' BIG performance!

8. Relaxing experience last Sunday morning (which I already blogged about:)

9. The words in the card my husband gave me for Mother's Day:)

10. We were able to get our deck stairs fixed today.
11. Amanda's going to a b-day party/sleepover for a sweet friend this weekend (I really have a soft spot for this particular friend:) But then again I have a soft spot for most of her friends:)

12. Small group went really well this week and my rasberry chill cake was a hit (low fat and sugar and people still loved it?!!! :)

13. I'm pretty sure that Les and I will make it to Starbucks sometime on Friday...yeah!

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)
* Margaret * Catherine * Yellow Rose * Emily Rose * Lazy Daisy * Wendy Wings * Mrs. Cranky Pants * Laci * Mandy* Undercover Angel * Chaotic Mom * Norma * Carmen * Lisa * Green Family * Wystful * Kelly * Heather * Sonya * Faith * Mar * TLC * Lifecruiser * Susan * Stacey * Rashbre * Eph2810 *


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

ABC Meme

I caught this one through Eph2810...

Accent: I, of course, don't really think that I have an accent, but the odd person through the years has said there's a bit of an English one in there.

Bible Book that I like: My favourite book of the Bible is the Gospel of John....John wrote what things FELT like:) Also, Psalm 73 is MY Psalm:)

Chore I don’t care for: Cleaning the bathroom.

Dog or Cat: I love both, but don't have either right now (have had both at different times in my life)

Essential Electronics: Hmmm, I can't think of any that I think are ESSENTIAL.

Favorite Cologne: Fieldberries from Fruits & Passions.

Gold or Silver: I like and wear both at different times.

Handbag I Carry Most Often: I usually only have one...right now it's a brown leather one that has a nice feel to it. I can't do large handbags though.

Insomnia: Not usually unless I'm very worried or upset about something.

Job Title: Manager of Finance and Administration

Kid(s): One daughter, age 11.

Living Arrangements: We have a home in a newer area of Saskatoon. It's a sandcastle coloured bi-level with shutters and a cobble-stone walk. I live with my loving husband and daughter.

Most Admirable Trait: Do I have one of these??

Naughtiest Childhood Behavior: In grade one or two my mom told me I could invite a few friends from my class for my birthday party at the end of the week. When that day came, so did my whole class. I had invited them all because I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings or leave anyone out. Boy my mother was mad and she still tells the story today!

Overnight Hospital Stays: Fortunately, I've never had one.

Phobias: ??

Quote: "She who does the best her circumstances allow, does well, acts nobly, angels could do no more." (Mrs. Meeds)

Religion: Free Methodist

Siblings: a sister and a brother, who are both quite a bit older than me.

Time I Wake Up: 6:46 a.m. most weekdays...and later if I can on weekends.

Unusual Talent or Skill: My daughter might say that I have a mysterious talent for knowing when something is UP that she doesn't want me to know.

Vegetable I Refuse to Eat: parsnips.

Worst Habit: I don't take compliments well (even though I'm trying not to, I often deny them or ask the giver 'why')

X-rays: The last one was more than 10 years ago when I had pnemonia.

Yummy Stuff I Cook: Greek food, grilled chicken, rosemary potatoes, spinach salad, lasagne, chilli, shepherd's pie, swedish meatballs, cheesecake, cappucinos... My husband says I'm a good cook:)

Zoo Animal I Like Most: Elephants (though I've never seen a real one live and in person)


Now I'm supposed to tag someone, but I'll just leave that open to you...if you want to do the ABC meme, leave a comment and I'll visit your site.

Here's a link to Joan's blog. She had a post on Mother's Day about 'mean mothers' that really hit home for me as I read it.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day comes with mixed emotions for me this year. As many of you know, I had a "different" relationship with my mother growing up...the kind that Hallmark doesn't really make a card for, and as an adult I work to maintain a relationship with my mother, and I do truly love her, but I have come to accept that there are some things that no matter how much I want or need them will just not come from her and that's just that. So when I got married, I longed for my relationship with my mother-in-law to fill in some of those wants and needs that I mentioned earlier, and while I value my relationship with mother-in-law, it just isn't that way. In fact, I find these days that I am generally the one doing a dance to try and meet both my mother's needs. There's a lot to be said for inter-family dynamics, you know (?!), but nevertheless I love both of them.

So I'm sure it would come as no surprise to you that long ago I had vowed to myself to be a different sort of mother to my own children and that I would fulfill those wants and needs I've mentioned in their lives....

...and by God's grace, today I'm blessed to be the mother of an eleven year old daughter that I gave birth to when she was seven. Now giving birth to a seven year old isn't as easy as you might think, but I am her mother by love (just not blood). And I adore her, but there have definitely been some bumps in the road of late and it's been so hard on me to sometimes have to give her what she needs (but doesn't necessarily want)...and there has been some attitude in return, which does not sit well with my heart. Don't get me wrong, Amanda is such a good child, bright, creative and sensitive. And I suppose what we've been going through is completely normal, but it doesn't always feel very good to me. It is tempting at times to give in, but God assures me that she needs a mother not another friend and that her character is worth fighting for...and I just love her too much to settle for anything less.

So, given this all, I come into this Mother's Day a little bit weary. I was teary-eyed through much of the Church service last night, and again several times this morning, but still, God has found a way to pull me from my busy-ness this morning and find some time for me, and it has been good:)

Les headed off to work very early this morning, and since I wasn't sleepy, I asked him if he thought it would be ok if I headed out for a bike-ride around the neighbourhood while Amanda slept. He did, so off I went, without guilt. I explored gardens and parks, found new perenniels I want to plant and felt great in the sunshine and breeze. I did a bit of gardening when I got home and admired the blooms on our ornamental apple tree. Then I sat on the deck with my coffee and flipped through a magazine (an actual magazine?!...don't know when I last did that...cover to cover, even!) until Amanda got up. I had her come out on the deck with me for her breakfast and listened to her dreams from last night. When she headed off to watch a program, I made a cake for small group tomorrow night, but kept being tempted to head back out into the sun, so I took a cup of tea, a scone and a book I've been meaning to look at for more than a year and went back out onto the deck. The songs of the birds really struck me... You know birds never wake up and decide not to sing for a day...they never decide to just pull down the shades and stay in their nest...they sing every day. All the sights and scents I experienced this morning on my bike ride and in the yard just made me so thankful to God for His love and creation, and I remembered something that Graham Kendrick once said... He said that all of creation was made to worship the Creator, but only we were given a voice to give it words... So here's a song about that...Happy Mother's Day!


Creation's King (sheet music is here)

All creation is a song
Waiting to be sung
All of nature like a prayer
Waiting for a tongue
For who will give it voice
And make its anthem ring
Or rise to lead a choir
Of all created things?
Lord hear your people sing

Blessing honour glory power
To Creations' King
Songs of earth and songs of heaven
Join as one to bring
Blessing honour glory power
To Creations' King

All the nations are a song
Waiting to be sung
Every instrument and voice
Created for the One
The Maker of all things
The Majesty above
Who bought us back from death
With such a costly love
What praise could be enough?

Paul Baloche & Graham Kendrick
Copyright © 2005 Integrity's Hosanna! Music 1000 Cody Road, Mobile, AL 36695 and Make Way Music, PO Box 263, Croydon, Surrey, CR9 5AP, UK.
All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission

13 Movies I Love...

1. Walk the Line
2. The Mirror has Two Faces
3. Pride & Prejudice (both the new and the old)
4. You've Got Mail
5. While You Were Sleeping
6. Just Like Heaven
7. A Beautiful Mind
8. When Harry Met Sally
9. Little Women
10. Goodwill Hunting
11. Gidget
12. Elizabethtown
13. Bridget Jones

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)
* Sonya * Nikki * Lazy Daisy * Undercover Angel * Matt * Mandy * Janice * Mar * Cheryl * Tricia * Denise * Carmen * Nancy * Margaret * Nicole * Leanne * Wystful (it's her anniversary today, so go and wish her well:) * Heather * Pink Chihuahua Princess *



Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Young Love

(Doll Reader Magazine, August 2003 cover)

This is what my husband had for me when I came home from work yesterday:) No, not a magazine, but the doll pictured. She's a Marie Osmond exclusive, hand numbered and signed by Marie herself. The title of the doll is 'Young Love' and has won awards and is no longer available for purchase. I've always loved dolls, but I never dreamed I would own one so exquisite...and it's even more special than that because it's from my love:)

Shining God's light...

Last night at small group, we continued our study of Phillipians and at one point we were talking about shining God's light wherever he puts you...whether that be at a job that you like (or one that you don't like) or at home raising children or in chains as Paul was - and to see the possibilities God has for you where you are. Well, that led me to thinking (and sharing a bit) about a sermon I read a few years ago that really hit my heart right where I was at, so I dug back in my archives today to give it a re-read:

Whew! I just finished reading Pastor Dean's message from this weekend. Because Les & I were away, we missed it. But so many people have been saying good things about it, I had to go and read it, and it was GOOD! He was talking about marriage, and he started out by using Deut. 6 to explain that God's main plan to pass on His love, hope and grace to the world is through families. The thing that Dean said that really spoke to my heart the most though was this:

"Now folks, I want to be the 1st to tell you that, if you're married, the very best way you can help shine God's light on this earth, . . . is to have a strong marriage . . . the way to honor God the very most with your life, and the way you can get the most work done for God is this . . . by simply giving yourself fully to strengthening and developing your marriage over a lifetime because if your married . . . strengthening your marriage and family is what God has called you to do you don't even need to spend time looking for something else to do for God . . . until your marriage is strong and your family is growing spiritually . . . that's the work God has called you to do, and it is a huge responsibility and high calling . . . it is the centre piece for his strategy of saving the world!!

Got that - your marriage is not something that can take a back seat to anything - it must always be of the highest
priority . . . because working on your marriage is working on something for God
. . . and that is a really big deal . . . "

Dean's words were very affirming to me! You see, since I've been married I haven't been able to be involved in 'formal ministry' at the Church as much as I used to. There were times before when I would be at the Church or doing something for the Church almost every evening, but that is not possible now with a husband and daughter. Sometimes I feel inadequate because I can't do all the things I've done before, but I know that God has called me to make my husband a priority and our family. I know without a doubt that God created me to be Les' wife, and so the primary ministry God has called me to is Les and our children, and it is so encouraging to hear that affirmed by my Pastor:)

Well, I just couldn't resist and I did some planting this weekend. It was so beautiful out and I was aching to get my sunflower seeds in. I hadn't intended to plant any bedding plants, but we had picked some up on Friday and by Sunday they were looking so dry in their tiny containers (even though I'd watered them on Saturday), so I put some in the dirt. Now here's hoping that we don't dip down to freezing any night. When I looked at the weather forecast yesterday it all looked good, but now I see there is a possibility of hitting zero celcius overnight on Wednesday...hopefully they'll revise that in my favor or else I'll be moving pots in and covering beds up that evening. I know what some of you are thinking..."You don't plant before the May long weekend in Saskatchewan!" But what can I say...I couldn't resist!

BTW...any and all advice/encouragement from you greenthumbs out there is appreciated:)

Oh, and I just wanted it to go on record that gardening can be an excellent workout...my thighes and buttocks are proof of that this morning!

Thirteen Things I'm Looking Forward To: 1. Friends coming over for a BBQ Thursday night (one of them being my dear friend, Lynn, who is expecting and who is in town from Chicago!) 2. The arrival of Lynn and Sandy's baby girl, Nevaeh (that's heaven spelt backwards)...expected on or around July 24th! 3. The date my debonair hubby is taking me on on Friday night (that is if we can find a replacement babysitter)! 4. The return of springtime weather (it actually snowed here on Wednesday?!) 5. My flower garden:) 6. A wedding this August for dear friends of our family! 7. Going to Starbucks with my honey on Friday between our running around. 8. Getting a chance to scrapbook some more (it's probably been more than 9 months since I've made time). 9. That elusive 'someday' when we'll actually head off on our belated honey-moon to Ireland:) 10. Taking Amanda to the movies (just she and I) next weekend. 11. Having a few days off of work. 12. Breakforth next year! 13. Growing our family... Links to other Thursday Thirteens! (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!) * Killired * Faith * Denise * Enigma * Pink Chihuahua * Angel * Daisy * Janice * Feedscott * TLC * Chaotic Mom * Carmen * Tricia * Wystful * Angie * Caryn * Mar * Nancy * Emily * Lisa * Lifecruiser *

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Grace and Ice Cream

Last night at small group I heard grace be described a different way, and I liked the illustration used. It went something like this...

If your friend punches you in the face and you decide not to retaliate...that's MERCY.

If your friend punches you in the face and you decide not to retaliate and you tell him that it won't affect your friendship...that's FORGIVENESS.

If your friend punches you in the face and you decide not to retailiate and you tell him that it won't affect your friendship AND you buy him an ice cream cone...that's GRACE.

You know what's discouraging? I was at a shower yesterday (that was delightful not discouraging) with a bunch of women (again, delightful not discouraging) where punch and snacks were plentiful. And, as usual, I did not have hardly anything and tried to keep to my eating plan and limit and balance those carbs with protein. I didn't even have a sip of the punch that everyone raved about, knowing it's sugar content would just be too high (and as usual there were no lower sugar beverages available, not even water?!), and I felt horribly guilty when I had a sliver of the ice cream cake at the appointed time(even though I had tried to balance it with some protein from the snack table, which was hard to find). The shower was a Hawaiian theme and we were all given hula skirts to wear when we came in, and in my hula skirt I was painfully aware that I was the largest woman there (hula skirts aren't particularly flattering for the hips, you know?!) I envied the others as they enjoyed all the treats they wanted and as they talked about chocolate and candy fetishes that they shared, and I wondered for about the bazillionth time in my life, "Why can they eat that and I can't?" Sometimes it can be discouraging trying so hard...

Twenty-two questions - here goes...

I AM: a wife and a mother
I WANT: to be loved
I WISH: I could go away on a trip with my husband
I HATE: the pressure I feel at work
I MISS: having more time for myself
I FEAR: that I'm just not good enough
I HEAR: my husband on his guitar
I WONDER: if I'm ever going to have a baby
I REGRET: not following my heart back in my university days
I AM NOT: objective
I DANCE: while I'm cooking and cleaning when no one is looking
I SING: most of the time
I CRY: when my feelings are hurt
I AM NOT ALWAYS: strong
I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: meals for my family
I WRITE: when I can find the time
I CONFUSE: head and heart knowledge (I think I've learned something and then sometime later I realize that knowledge still hasn't made it to my heart)
I NEED: a date with my husband
I SHOULD: be changing clothes before we go to church
I START: smiling when I think of people I love
I FINISH: my work before I play
I TAG: whoever would like to do this

It's Spring!!

Whew! I just got back from my first bike-ride of the season, and it felt GREAT! At first I was kind of pleased with myself...pedalling seemed so easy, 'I must be fitter than last year,' I thought... But as the ride progressed that old feeling of exertion clicked in and I definitely feel like I had a good workout. There is definitely a little something extra when I'm riding my bike versus working out on my exercise equipment in the house. I'm definitely more spent when I'm done. I'm sure it has to do with balance and momentum or something like that. All I know is I AM spent, but it feels good!

I also got the chance to do my first gardening of the year this morning. We had done yard clean-up a couple of weeks ago, and Les has already been fiddling with the lawn, so this morning I went out and trimmed our hedges and checked on the progress of my tulips (which are almost ready to bloom!) and my perrenials...well, they're Les' too, but I don't think he thinks of them that way and since I do most of the fussing there, I know he wouldn't mind me calling them mine, just so long as I refer to the lawn that he fusses over as his! ;) Anyway, my perenniels are looking really good...I think for the first time, most of them survived the winter!!!! And my rose bush, well it not only survived but I think I'm seeing a few buds on it!! The hard part now will be waiting to plant more flowers. I know you're supposed to wait until the long weekend in May here in Saskatchewan, but it's so nice right now, I want to do it sooner...any advice?! At the very least, I'm thinking it should be safe to plant my sunflower seeds in the sunniest corner of the backyard pretty soon, right? Oh, I can hardly wait...beds full of flowers, pots and hanging plants, scents and colours galour! Yahhh, spring! :)

Thirteen things about my personality:

1. I'm an ENFJ according to MBTI.

2. And the 'F' in there is really BIG (ie. feeler...I get almost no thinking points...apparently it doesn't mean that I don't think, just that I make decisions based on personal values rather than pure logic).

3. I'm a sanguine according to the Four Temperments/Personality plus.

4. I'm blue according to True Colors.

5. I'm a huge romantic.

6. I like personality tools because I like to understand other people better.

7. I'm not as big of an extrovert as some people think, and indeed I've become more introverted since getting married.

8. I'm shy.

9. I'm Sally according to the Peanuts character quiz.

10. I'm Kanga according to the 100 Acre Wood personality quiz.

11. I see the potential in other people but can be critical of myself, particularly under stress.

12. People and relationships matter...and I'd prefer to know a few people intimately rather than know more people on the surface.

13. I see the world very much the way it 'should be'.

Credit for the cute banner goes to Kelly!


Leave your link in comments; I’ll add you here!

* Feedscott * Carmen * Yellow Rose * Daisy * Red Queen * TNChick * Eph2810 * Ames * Chilady * Ardice * Jane * Tanya *


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Jung Theory

My friend Caroline sent me this quote today:

"Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens." - Carl Jung

Heart is a BIG thing to me, so I definitely like what Jung is saying...from my own 'feeling' perspective anyway;)

I caught a bit of Jane Fonda on Larry King Live this weekend. She was talking about her recent book, her faith and other life lessons. One thing I really identified with that she spoke about was that she grew up feeling like you had to be perfect to be loved. She then made a statement of what she's learned through her life and her faith about that, and it has been running through my mind ever since: "We're to strive for completion, not perfection." What do you think?

Thirteen indulgences that make me feel special:

1. My husband's words and affection...whether it be his holding my hand on the couch or putting his arm around me at a movie or at church, his touch and his words mean SO much to me! :)
2. A cup of tea served in a proper teacup :)
3. A trip to Starbucks :)
4. Being able to sleep late on a weekend morning (ahhh, this is but a rare pleasure these days) :)
5. Finding special little notes left for me by my daughter :)
6. A pedicure :)
7. Going out on a date with my hubby :)
8. Having some quiet time to read a good book :)
9. Receiving flowers (especially roses!) :)
10. A sweet comment from a friend/acquaintance :)
11. A foot rub...or massage of any kind :)
12. Chocolate :)
13. A break from cooking or housework (though I love cooking and caring for my family, a break every so often is nice!) :)

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What Can I Do

Paul Baloche has a new worship cd out and on it is this song that he wrote with Graham Kendrick that I just love! I first learned it back in January at Breakforth where I worshiped with Graham Kendrick. You can give it a listen here, or get the leadsheet to play it here or just read the words below...

When I see the beauty of the sunset’s glory
Amazing artistry across the evening sky
When I feel the mystery of a distant galaxy
It awes and humbles me to be loved by a God so high

What can I do but thank You
What can I do but give my life to You
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
What can I do by praise You
Everyday make everything I do
A Hallelujah, a Hallelujah
Hallelujah

When I hear the story of a God of mercy
Who shared humanity and suffered by our side
Of the cross they nailed You to that could not hold You
Now You’re making all things new by the pow’r of Your risen life

What can I do but thank You
What can I do but give my life to You
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
What can I do by praise You
Everyday make everything I do
A Hallelujah, a Hallelujah,
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

That's WEIRD! I've Been TAGGED by Wystful... :)

I have to come up with 6 things that are weird about myself...so let's see...

1. OK, I'll admit it, I still like Marie Osmond, and I still have my Marie Osmond barbie from when I was little.
2. I like German toast...it's like French toast but without the sweetness. I first tasted it at my best friend's house when I was a little girl...you whisk up some eggs, add some milk, add a bit of seasoning salt (so, kind of like a scrambled eggs mixture), then you dip bread into it and cook it like french toast, but since it's more savory than sweet (no sugar or vanilla in here), you put ketchup on top of it when you eat it. (Don't say "ew!"...have you tasted it?!)
3. Since I workout at home, I often don't bother with workout-wear, especially in the morning, I just put my workout bra on under my jammies and then put on my runners and whoila! (I'm sure I'm quite a sight?!)
4. I'm not tall enough to reach things on the high shelves in my cupboards, but instead of getting a chair every time I need something, I often get a cooking utensil and stand on my toes and maneuver what I want into my hand. (I didn't take ballet as an adult for nothing, you know?!)
5. I know the words to an unreal amount of songs (according to my husband and several friends), and EVERYTHING reminds me of a song...so, it's not unsual to have me break out into a song in the middle of a conversation:)
6. I'm still afraid of needles even though I'm an adult. As a very small child they poked like 15 times once to try to get blood because my veins wander, and it tramatized me! It's a very BIG deal to me when I have to go for blood work and I have to work myself up for it carefully. It can take me two or three weeks from seeing the doctor to going in for the blood work that she requests because I just have such a hard time. It's not that I'm worried about the results (I usually get good news), I'm just a real baby around needles!

Well there, now that you all have a taste of how weird I am, go ahead and laugh at my expense and then share your own adventures in weirdness. I'm running out of time this morning, so I'm not going to tag anyone specifically, but I'd encourage anyone reading this with a blog to 'consider yourself tagged' and share 6 things that are weird about you. If you leave me a link to your list in my comments, I will visit your your site and link to you here... Weirdness loves company:)

Thirteen Things that are happening this Easter:

1. For the first time since we've been married, Les doesn't work Easter Sunday!

2. On Good Friday our family will be going through the Stations of the Cross at Church together.

3. This will possibly be followed by a trip to Starbucks:)

4. Les is playing at Church on Easter Sunday.

5. Both Les' folks and my own along with my brother will be our guests for Easter dinner.

6. We will probably colour eggs Easter Saturday (any cool ideas people?)

7. The weather for this weekend looks like it will be amazing:)

8. Our tulips might actually bloom (which is amazing given that just a few days ago we still had some snow!)

9. We'll finish the Easter week devotional we've been doing.

10. Amanda will wear her new fancy purple dress for the first time.

11. During Amanda's Easter break she'll have her friends over for a Hilary Duff movie party.

12. I don't have to work Easter Monday...yah! :)

13. We'll celebrate what our Savior did for us...thank YOU, Amen.

*****

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Another Song

Another song that has been playing around in my head is YOU by Tim Hughes. I've been listening to it on the way to work most mornings and it stays with me all the day...

You

Bigger than the air I breathe
Deeper than the ocean deep
Higher than the stars above You are

Brighter than the blazing sun
Louder than the screaming crowd
Stronger than the power of death You are

In the heavens, on the earth
There is no one like you God
And these words are not enough
To tell of who You are

Who can know the mind of God?
Who can understand Your ways?
And these words are not enough
To tell of Your great name

Your love can melt the hardest heart
Your words can bring the dead to life
Nothing is impossible for You

Awesome God, Humble King
You terrify yet welcome in
Your glory echoes all around the world

In the heavens, on the earth
There is no one like you God
And these words are not enough
To tell of who You are

Who can know the mind of God?
Who can understand Your ways?
And these words are not enough
To tell of Your great name

This Is My Father's World

...I love the words to this old hymn (and the newer arrangement done by AG a couple of years ago:)

This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.

This is my Father's world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker's praise.

This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

This Is My Father's World

This is my Father's world. O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father's world: why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!

This is my Father's world: He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

Thirteen things on my desk right now that have NOTHING to do with my work:
(sorry, I don't have a digitial camera so I can't post a pictures, but just so you know how this all fits, it's like a huge U-shaped desk with a big bulletin board attached...thanks for asking, Daisy:)

1. Pictures...wedding picture of my husband holding me:), family picture from last fall, and Amanda's school picture.

2. A stuffed Kiwi friend with a long beak that one of my staff brought back for me from her trip to New Zealand.

3. A collection of bouncing head lizards and a turtle that another staff member has been building for me every time he and his wife got to Mexico.

4. A brass clock I received as a parting gift from the people I worked with in Regina many moons ago.

5. Several stress balls and toys accumulated while working with my former employer.

6. An "I (heart) mom" mug that my daugher made for me for my first Mother's Day.

7. A voluptuous ballerina statue in a tutu...given to me by one of my staff a couple of years ago when I was taking ballet.

8. Hand lotion.

9. A day brightener (you know, one of the flip-calendars with a message/quote to brighten your day...thanks for asking, Tracy)

10. The lyrics to the Fraggle Rock theme song...one of my staff put the song on my computer so it would play everytime I logged in...

Dance your cares away,
Worry's for another day.
Let the music
play,
Down at Fraggle Rock.

Work your cares away,
Dancing's
for another day.
Let the Fraggles play,
Down at Fraggle
Rock.

11. Several water bottles.

12. A small stuffed Winnie THE Pooh from a former co-worker.

13. A Sunbeam Hot Shot (hot water dispenser for making tea...on a lovely tray...given to me by my friend Alana 2 years ago for Christmas...it's actually on the credenza behind me)

*****

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Tag! I'm IT!!

The latest questions I've been tagged on:

How did you get the idea for your profile name?
I love roses and the whole matter of the heart is a BIG deal for me...and then one day I got a note from a friend with the quote that I've put on the right sidebar here. After the quote, my friend wrote, "I think that you have roses in your heart." And ever since then I've kind of thought about thoughts and feelings as 'roses in my heart.'

What song are you playing now, or wish you were playing?
It's Raining Men! ...is running through my head...you see someone walked into my office at the beginning of this coffee break and commented on the rain and that reminded me of the song (everything reminds me of a song:)...and now I can't get it out of my head.

Has the death of a celebrity ever made you cry?
I've gotten tears in my eyes thinking about Johnny Cash dying just a few months after his wife...he must of died of a broken heart, I think.

What color underwear are you wearing?
White

Do you want a baby?
YES!

What does your dad do for a living?
He was a draftsman

What does your mum do for a living?
She helps my brother out with his courier business.

What is/are your pet's name(s)?
My cat's name was Patches (I affectionately called him 'Bebe') - he passed away a couple of years ago:( ...and growing up I had a poodle named Fancy Pants. Fancy understood all the emotions of a girl growing up..

What color are your bed sheets?
Burgundy.

What was the last concert you went to?
Tim Hughes

Who was with you?
My husband:)

What was the last film you watched?
Failure to Launch

What do you dislike most at this moment?
Work (coffee break is almost over)

What food do you crave right now?
A caramel macchiato with an almond biscotti! (Is there anything else?!)

What was the last TV show you watched?
The Gilmore Girls last night (and I'm so frustrated that she let that Hunsberger back into her life...ughhhh!)

What is your fav piece of jewelry?
My wedding rings:)

What is to the left of you?
A window with raindrops on it.

What was the last thing you ate?
A handful of trailmix...and I'm currently sipping some tea:)

Who is your best friend of the opposite sex?
Les, my handsome and talented husband:)

Where is your significant other right now?
At home - he's off today but has to work all weekend again. He's probably playing guitar...oh, I wish I was there:)

When was the last time you had your hair cut?
A couple of weeks ago.

Do you have a history of mental disease?
No...what kind of question is that?!

What shirt are you wearing?
My black square necked one with an orange ribbed sweater...I believe they call it a cardigan.

Are you sexy?
(blush)

What's your favorite store?
The first thing that came to mind was Starbucks, but that isn't really a store is it? ...so then I'd say IKEA, but we don't have one here, so then I'd say HomeSense, but we don't have one of those either....hmmm...Cotton Ginny, how's that?

Are you thirsty?
No, I'm sipping tea, like I said before.

Are you married?
Yes, and in two days, it will be 3 years and 5 months to the day:)

Who's someone you haven't seen in a while and miss?
Marsha (she lives in Vancouver)...I was just thinking about her while I drove to work this morning....also Lynn (who lives in Chicago and is expecting:), but luckily she's coming for a visit soon!

Where do you work?
At a manufacturing company as chief bean-counter.

THERE, I'm done! Now to tag some others back... I choose to tag Arilee (because she hasn't blogged in a LONG while), Gloria (because she always says she reads this blog, so if she does I'll know the next time I check hers), Christy (because she always has humorous posts, so her answers should be fun to read) and ANYONE ELSE who reads this who wants to participate (just leave me a link in the comments so I know you've done it...and I'll go read your answers:)

Sick Day

Well my daughter was too sick to go to school today, so that meant that I had to stay home from work. So far, I've taken care of her, done two loads of laundry, done my cardio workout, talked to a friend on the phone, made a spring wreath for our front door, purchased and installed tax software for this year and completed and filed our taxes for last year. Not bad considering it just noon. I feel like a cross between Martha Stewart and the Proverbs-woman! I think I'd make a good stay at home mom:) ...now if only I could be one. Thankfully though my girlie is starting to feel a bit better, so I'm off to the showers.

Thirteen Things I want to do more if I ever get the time...

1. Scrapbook
2. Play piano
3. Sew
4. Go out with my husband
5. Travel
6. Read
7. Finish my ministry education
8. Paint our front door
9. Reorganize the computer room
10. Redecorate the spare room downstairs
11. Be more consistent about practicing the tin whistle
12. Write out the rest of my favourite recipes that I've altered in my recipe organizer
13. Write a book

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Is It OK If I Rant Here?!

I can't really speak about the details here as it wouldn't be appropriate, but can I ask you this...why is it that some people (usually men) cannot understand that age can be a sensitive subject for some people (usually women)? (And that as a result, it is usually best to NEVER ask a woman her age!)

Now, for the most part, I think I'm usually at ease with my own age, but I know that that isn't always the case for everyone at every season in their lives, and I know there have been times when I have been sensitive...like, for example, when I turned 30 and was not married yet. Somehow I had always thought I would have been married by when I turned that magical number, but ce la vive, God had other plans for me... But still, having lived a few years as a single woman over 25 and then over 30 in the Church, I know that that is not an easy place to be, so I am especially sensitive to others in that place. Recently though, I could not make a man I know understand this fact when he was pressing about someone else's age, and in the aftermath of it, he actually said something that made me uncomfortable about my own age too...well, not my own age actually...he was talking about the age of a friend of mine, and I'm actually quite a bit younger than her, but I felt my own sensitivity rise when he lumped me into that catgory...you see, my friend will be turning 40 this year. Now I know that age is only a number, and that 40 isn't a bad number at that...they even say that 40 is the new 30, but I'm not ready to be it yet, so I didn't want this fella rushing me. My husband tells me that I barely look 30, but he's probably a bit biased, but the real reason behind my sensitivity on this one has something in common with what I felt when I was approaching 30... You see, we are hoping to conceive...and each year closer to 40 decreases the chances of that statistically, and so, I'm in NO hurry to do that. So please just give me my couple more years and try not to rush me because just as surely as it isn't easy for a for a single woman over 25 or 30, it isn't easy for a hopeful mom over 35.

OK, rant over. Please tell me I'm not crazy, because I surely could not get my point across to the fella I mentioned above!

Who Am I? ...and Great are YOU!

Well something awful happened at work at the end of last week and though I've tried to pray through it and let it go, I'm still reliving it and it is now Monday morning, and I don't want to go to work even though the person involved should long be gone. I'm praying for God's protection because of the sting of this person's words, and at the same time I'm praying for God's best for them and trying to forgive what happened. It's not easy living life 'downhere'.

One particularly bright spot to this past weekend was learning a new song though. Here are the words I'm thinking about this morning...

Great Are You
by Downhere

How I love Your works
My God, My King
How I love Your works
My God, My King

Your Name rings on the plains
Like a not so distant train
And Love and history are near
In the flowers that you make
The flowers that you make

CHORUS

Because I'll never hold the picture
Of the whole horizon in my view
Because I'll never rip the night in two
It makes me wonder
Who am I, Who am I, Who am I
And great are you

How I love Your Word
My God, My King
How I love Your Word
My God, My King

Your love cuts through these pages to my heart
As you grieve our sins, right from the start
And sacrifice and paradise are in
The plans that you made, The plans that you made
Chorus (2x)

Thirteen Places I've Never Been that I Would Like to Go To

1. Paris in the springtime - I've dreamt about this since I was a young girl. I imagine sipping cappucinos at a sidewalk cafe, strolling over bridges in the mist, driving along the country side, visiting museums....

2. Ireland - my husband says that we will eventually honeymoon there...and even spend a night or two in a castle!

3. Nashville Tennessee - it's the home of many kinds of music, and my husband would add.. it's the home of the Gibson guitar factory.

4. The Maritimes - I've wanted to visit PEI ever since I first read Anne of Green Gables as a girl. I imagine visiting pubs, great music and dancing...and seafood!

5. Norway (or Switzerland or Sweden) - it just looked SO picturesque when the Winter Olympics were there.

6. Canmore, Alberta - I've heard it is just so pretty.

7. Orchards and wine country in B.C. - a sample of Icewine along the way sounds good to me:)

8. Scotland - my maternal grandmother's family was from there (and was somehow related the Queen mum even!)

9. England - my maternal grandad's family was from there.

10. Austria - my paternal grandparents were from there.

11. Quebec - if I can't get to France...maybe the Canadian version will do?!

12. Florence - it sounds romantic, doesn't it?!

13. The delivery room.

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Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
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Book Recommendations, Please

I'm looking for the next book I'm going to read... I've been kind of caught up in Brennan Manning of late and am re-reading his book, Ruthless Trust. There are some passages in the first chapter that I just can't get past... He is describing his experience as a child and it's so much like a mirror for me...feelings I've worked through and gotten past before and even some that I guess I've never acknowledged... they are there so fresh everytime I read it. Manning's premise in writing the book is this:

"The splendor of a human heart that trusts that it is loved unconditionally gives God more pleasure than Westminster Cathedral, the Sistine Chapel, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Van Gogh's Sunflowers, the sight of 10,000 butterflies in flight, or the scent of a million orchids in bloom. Trust is our gift back to God, and he finds it so enchanting that Jesus died for love of it."

All through the book Manning keeps reminding that God loves us as we ARE not as we should be. It's a good book.

Tonight Amanda and I are meeting my friend Caroline at McNally for a visit and some browsing. I think I'm going to look for the next book I'm going to devour. Do you have any suggestions?

Love and Fear

Last night Les and I caught most of the movie First Knight which was on TV. In one of the scenes King Arthur says to Lancelot, "A man who fears nothing is a man who loves nothing, and if that is so, then what joy is there in your life?"

I agree that without love in our lives there would be no joy, but I'm not so sure what I think about the link between fear and love?

The Bible says that "Perfect love casts out fear." (1 John 4:18) And yet it also says that we are not only to love God, but to fear him... ("The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom." Ps 111:10) Possibly it's a matter of symantics and usage of words. What do you think?

Happy St. Patty's Day All!

The Irish Stew is in the Crockpot and the green parfaits are in the fridge, and when Les gets home from work I'm making Irish Cream Mocha's for us to enjoy! How are you celebrating St. Patty's Day?

Oh, and in honour of the day, I took this test...What Colour Green are YOU?

You Are Teal Green

You are a one of a kind, original person. There's no one even close to being like you. Expressive and creative, you have a knack for making the impossible possible. While you are a bit offbeat, you don't scare people away with your quirks. Your warm personality nicely counteracts and strange habits you may have.

What Color Green Are You?