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!) :)

Credit for the cute banner goes to Kelly!

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

* Eph2810 * Carmen * TNChick * Feathers * Wystful * Dorothy * Pink Chihuahua * Denise * Courtney * Ames * Karin * Ardice * Green * Kelly * Tanya * Flip Flop * Elle *

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

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.

*****

Credit for the funky new spring banner goes to Kelly!

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

* Undercover Angel * TNChick * Nicole * Kelly * Caryn * Christy (not a TT, but always a good read!) * Karin * Yellow Rose * Denise * Daisy * Tanya * Natalie *

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

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)

*****

Credit for the banner goes to Novelist in Training

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

* Melanie * Tracy * Courtney * Natalie * Daisy * Ardice * Kelly * Tanya * Yellow Rose * Lauren * Kimmy * Pink Chihuahua * Caryn * Karin * Rosei * TNChick * Greenr *

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

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.