Category — just for fun

So I found this thing of Facebook (yes, I know, the biggest time waster – after twitter – known to the online world) and decided to take their “scientific test”

These are the results…

Introspective

You like your own company; you’re a very interesting person. Tracking your own mental processes, knowing what you’re thinking and why you do what you do, is important to you. Often, what’s going on in your mind is more compelling than what’s going on outside.

You are not someone who is constantly looking to be among a group of friends; you never feel bored when you are by yourself.

For the most part, those with a high score on the “introspective” trait enjoy reading, taking long walks, learning new things, and other solitary activities.

Aesthetic

You appreciate art, beauty, and design; you know that they are not superficial but absolutely crucial to living the good life. You have good taste, and you’re proud of it.

You don’t think it’s pretentious to be moved by art and beauty. You’re not one of those who believe it doesn’t matter what something looks like as long as it does its job.

Those with a high score on the “aesthetic” trait are often employed in literary or artistic professions, enjoy domestic activities — doing things around the house — and are enthusiastic about the arts, reading, and travel.

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I really think there is supposed to be more to it (it claimed to do the top 10 personality traits) but then I could be just thinking that since the page has been loading for the past 5 minutes…

Overall I would agree, but I’m not the most “domestic” person.  Yes, I occasionally get into a baking binge, but I’m generally a messy person.  It’s a personality flaw that I’m really trying to improve upon.  It’s something that bugs Eric (unfortunately!) and I have been trying to work on (when I remember) for a couple of years.  I guess that falls under the “creative” side… I like to create, I don’t like to clean up after it…

Interested in taking the test?  Check it out here…

Once again, a Manic Monday from Fleur de Lisa…

What gives you hope?
~ Well, the stock answer is God… but that’s just too easy! It’s the why that’s important. Why does God give me hope? Because I have been through some things in life that without Him right there beside me would have been unbearable. He is able to fill my heart and mind with His peace no matter the circumstances I find myself in. I honestly don’t know how people can go through life without Him in it.

How often do you get your haircut? Describe your worst haircut.
~ That’s an easy one! Wait… first question first. I used to get my hair cut once every 18-24 months. Yep, I kept it long and just went in when it either got so long it was becoming a hindrance to life or I needed a trim. However, I last got it cut on my birthday and went with a shorter style. That was 5 months ago, and I needed to get it cut again oh, about 2 months ago… one of these days I’ll head down there and get it trimmed up again.

~ As for the worst haircut… I lived in Phoenix, AZ. I was an Admin in a mortgage office – I sat out in front as the receptionist too, so I needed to look nice. We had a flyer passed around for a girl who had just ‘relocated’ and was giving free haircuts to the first 50 customers to call her in an effort to re-build her business. Yes, I was stupid & called her to set an appt.

Remember that I mentioned that I keep my hair long? Well, part of my hair was long, but the top layer was just long enough to be even with my eyes. And I think that layer comprised about 1/3 of my hair – meaning that hair that began around my eyebrows was cut to that length. The next “layer” hit to my chin. Yeah… bad.  The back of my hair hit about to my bra strap. I looked like a poodle with a bad trim. In retrospect, I should have just gone with a short haircut, but at that point I just wanted out of there. Needless to say, she did not gain a new customer, nor did she get a tip. Thank goodness my hair grows fairly quickly.

What’s your most treasured piece of jewelry? Why?
~ Actually, I have two. The first is my wedding ring. The second is an antique necklace Eric picked up for me in Ridgeway, CO. The wedding ring, for obvious reasons… it is the symbol of our vows to each other. The necklace is treasured because a) Eric found it and bought it for me while we were still dating. b) I have never see anything else like it, and I get compliments on it every time I wear it (yes, it’s that cool). c) it’s simply beautiful – simple and beautiful and perfect.  I’ll try to get a picture of it.

Your turn!

What do you do to make yourself feel better when you are sick?
~ sleep, read, eat comfort food… it depends on what kind of sick I am. If it’s a migraine (as it was this weekend) I try to avoid light, smells and sounds. Basically hide in the darkest, coolest, quietest place I can.  If it’s the flu, I sleep.  If I’ve been sick for a few days (and am sick of being sick) I go for comfort food.  The spicier the better.  Burn it out.  Unless it’s the flu – that’s too much burning… 

What is the most amazing weather you’ve ever seen?
~ well, I think that the ocean is pretty amazing in any weather – especially if there is a storm coming in. Other than that, I think that when it’s heavily overcast and the sun is setting and it just drops below the clouds for the past few minutes before it goes behind the mountains is quite amazing… the golden rays that suddenly flood the air and cover everything in a deep yellow-gold glow. It’s a sight to behold!

Do you listen to music or talk radio in the car?
~ You even have to ask? Music ALWAYS! In fact, I am one of those that occasionally has my iPod in one ear while I drive just because my cd player is broken and I live in a small town (small town = NO DECENT RADIO!!!) although my stations of choice slip between christian and classical. I love King FM!

Honestly, though, I am usually listening to the melodious sounds of two elementary aged girls… maybe that’s why I take my iPod with me in the car…

http://manicmondaymeme.blogspot.com/2009/01/manic-monday-151.html

Phrase ~ Meaning
My true love ~ God
Me ~ The Christian
Partridge in a pear tree ~ Jesus
Two Turtle Doves ~ The old and new testaments
Three French hens ~ Faith, hope and love
Four calling birds ~ The four gospels
Five gold rings ~ The first five books of the Bible
Six geese a-laying ~ The six days of creation
Seven swans a-swimming ~ The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
Eight maids a-milking ~ The beatitudes
Nine ladies dancing ~ The nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23)
Ten lords a-leaping ~ The ten commandments
Eleven pipers piping ~ The eleven faithful disciples
Twelve drummers drumming ~ The twelve points of the apostle creed

The 12 Days of Christmas was one of those songs that, admittedly, I never much liked once I passed the age of 12 or so… but I have to say that after learning a bit about the history of this song and the things that each verse represented, I like it much better!

I hope that this is a blessing to you too!
Jennifer

We are now in the second week of Advent, so I’m running a bit behind!

The message of Advent is simple – prepare your hearts for the coming Lord.

For this week’s Word Filled Wednesday, I thought I’d share a few images and a passage on Mary’s preparation for her coming Savior. Enjoy!

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Luke 1:26-38

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In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

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The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

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Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

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But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.

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You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High

The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.

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“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

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Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.

For nothing is impossible with God.”

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“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.”

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Then the angel left her.

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May we all have the faith to answer God in the same manner… “I am the Lord’s servant, let it be to me as you have said”

I included the pictures from The Nativity Story as a reminder of the sacrifice that Mary (and later Joseph) would have to make during this time. Many people think of the beautiful picture of Mary in blue holding a curly-haired baby boy with Joseph standing or kneeling over them – a happy family. What many forget to realize is the change that would have come about in their lives as a result of this pregnancy.

1. They were not married yet. Whether the child was Joseph’s or not, they would be viewed as though they had begun their married life in sin.
2. Because they were not yet married, there would have been a social backlash against them. How much harder was it for Joseph to provide for “his” family when people wanted nothing to do with them?
3. Mary took a great chance – through faith in God – that Joseph himself would not stone her. That her family would not stone her. Being pregnant outside of marriage was a much more serious offense than we view it now. The penalty was death – and not a comfortable one either.
4. This was a recipe for disaster in a marriage – what is the percentage of marriages that fail because they were entered into due to pregnancy? Add to that the knowledge that this child was not the husband’s? Yes, God spoke to Joseph confirming the truth, but still… how many men would still question it?

Also keep in mind that Mary was only 15 years old. How many of us would have the level of faith to believe that God would provide in this situation? Even those of us with more than twice her years of experience? Te be shunned by your neighbors, to have a backlash against your new family, your parents, to be estranged from family and friends… then to find yourself making a long journey towards the end of your pregnancy, ending up in a stable! Most likely not a pretty one like we display each year, but a cave filled with the stench of animals. Pregnant, surrounded by the smells of wet fur, animal waste, rotting food… if that doesn’t cause you to be thankful for modern medicine, not much will! Then to give birth on the hay and manure-covered floor of a cave filled with animals. I thought this was the Son of God! Shouldn’t His life start out in nicer surroundings? Mary showed a tremendous amount of faith.

Joseph, also, was called out to place his trust in God. To take “damaged goods” as a wife – and to still love her. To see his business falter due to bad publicity, and to be saddled with the burden of a child – not HIS child – to provide for and care for. Oh, and to find your name on Herod’s Most Wanted list… fleeing with your small family for your lives. To follow God’s leading wherever He sent you. To love this boy as your own, to raise Him up, to shelter Him, to teach Him, and to treat Him no differently than your own children. And to not have your heart stung when He made references to the fact that you are not His father… yes, that took a great deal of faith and trust.

But, God will also provide the faith that we need to make it through each day of our lives. He will not call us to do anything that is beyond His ability to carry us through it. Will lit be beyond our ability to do it in our own strength? Absolutely! Otherwise we would not find the need to rely on Him to see it through.

As you prepare your heart for the coming celebration of our Lord’s birth, keep in mind the sacrifices that were made by the people surrounding Him before He was even born, and let their faith strengthen yours.

I pray that I will answer God’s call on my life in much the same way… “let it be done to me as You have said, for I am the servant of the Lord.”

I found a new place to waste some time… er, share something that I love with the world. Yes, I know, spending time browsing about the web is not the best use of anyone’s time, but some days it simply must be done!

The link below will take you to Shelfari.com, where you can see some of the books I have read – in no real order – and some that I have yet to read, or am at some stage in the process of reading. It would seem that I have a vampire obsession when it comes to books… not sure why that is, but be that as it may, I hope that you enjoy looking through my mini virtual bookshelf!

I know, I just posted a meme, but then I stumbled across the Word Filled Wednesday, and I LOVE the idea! So, here goes…

For those interested… this is a photo taken in Ultrecht, Netherlands at the Dom Kirk, near the garden…

This is a fun meme… and it involves music, so I’m all for it!

MEME Rules

1. Put Your iTunes/ music player on Shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER WHAT!!!

After you’ve answered all of the questions, tag 5 other people and then let them know they’ve been tagged to do the meme themselves!

Here we go

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?

Smile – Lily Allen

- Somehow, this applies, I’m sure! Sheesh, this makes it sound like I revel in someone else’s pain… which I don’t (usually…) And the title isn’t much better – I’m not the most cheery person on the planet…

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL

Remembrance (Delerium)

- Yes, I do like it when he remembers the little things… and the big ones!

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?

This Is A Call (Thousand Foot Krutch)

- Well, I can’t say that I feel like I’m falling apart today, but I am calling out to God every day!

WHAT IS YOUR LIFES PURPOSE?

My Immortal (Evanescence)

- Hmmmm, I”m not sure on this one! Am I supposed to haunt, or be haunted?

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?

Things Left Unsaid (Disciple)

- Perhaps that there were last words that needed to be said?

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?

Soul Meets Body (Death Cab For Cutie)

- Well, since my dad’s soul & his body are no longer together, I do wish at times that I could talk to him – he is in a far off destination these days.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN

Beautiful Stranger (Rebecca St. James)

- This song is so true – every person that you meet has so much more lying under the surface than they are letting show. How can we show them God’s love?

WHAT IS 2+2?

Take My Life (Jeremy Camp)

- The obvious answer… my surrender + my life given over to God=an abundant life

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BESTFRIEND?

Jesus Paid It All (Bob Kauflin)

- Jesus IS my best friend, and He did give the ultimate sacrifice in His life to give me the privilege of calling Him my friend.

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?

Here I Am To Worship (Tim Hughes)

- That pretty much sums it up… I exist to worship God, and my life currently is all about leading others to worship Him as well.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

Reality (Newsboys)

- wow… I suppose that he has joined the corporate circus! But I can say that his reality is very well grounded in God, and that’s a very good thing.

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?

Rescue (Desperation Band)

- yes, this song works well. God is the source of my life, and I am constantly in need of Him – of His grace, His love, His mercy and of Him to rescue me from the trials of this life.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

Synchronize (Tomboy)

- That I want to change and fly away? To synchronize myself with someone else? To liberate my brain? I’m not sure how this one applies! Let’s see… I left my hometown, married a wonderful man and now… I’m not sure how the last one can be worked out though!

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

All the World (Fauxliage)

- Yes, he is my world in many ways! Unfortunately, (as in the song lyrics) there are times that I don’t appreciate him, times that he is hurt by me, but I do try to keep those times at a minimum! He is always there for me no matter what though, thankfully! Even on the bad days…

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?

This Is How We Overcome (Hillsongs)

-Wow, that would be a cool thought! Mourning into dancing and sorrow into joy. That ‘s cool.

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?

Eurydice (sleepthief)

- this would be kind of cool, although I don’t want to think of not having a heaven to wait for me or that I will be forcing someone to follow me to hell… But the devotion that is shown is lovely. I actually can’t remember what we danced to… that was 13 years ago after all!

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?

Oh for a Thousand Tonges to Sing (Bob Kauflin)

-This would be cool too. A song about not having had enough time to proclaim God’s glory during my life. Works for me!

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?

Wake Up (Malory)

- sleeping? good music? not sure here…

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?

Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble (delirious?)

-That we have the power to defeat the enemy… through God! But that’s not really a secret…

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?

Lifesong

- At the end of the day, friends are what makes life more enjoyable and livable. Cool!

WHAT SHOULD YOU POST THIS AS?

I Still Believe (Jeremy Camp)

- works for me! Some of these quiestions did fog up my mind, and the answers didn’t always help them unwind… or was it the answers doing the fogging?

Enjoy!