The 56 Meme

Open the book nearest to you and post from page 56 the 5th sentence and 2 to 5 sentences thereafter:

"All women who give a family history of boys with developmental delay, extreme hyperactivity, and speech and language problems should be offered fragile X carrier testing. All DNA tests require recovery of DNA; this is accomplished by obtaining nucleated cells. For DNA analysis of newborns, children, or adults, nucleated cells are easily recoverable from peripheral blood samples."

~Obstectrics and Gynecology 4th ed. Beckmann et al; Lippincott.

Tells you what sort of books I have around me! :) Now go to mass, its a holy day of obligation!

Cathy's Meme

I stopped doing memes along with everything that has to do with awards awhile back, BUT I liked this meme and will make this one exception! This one comes from Cathy at Recovering Dissident Catholic via Ray at Stella Borealis - my fellow Minnesota Catholic bloggers!

1. What I was doing 10 years ago: Living and San Antonio Texas, worked at this time as a pediatric operating room nurse, which I truly enjoyed. Ah south Texas, delicious Tex Mex food, terrible HOT weather for a native Minnesotan!

2. Snacks I enjoy: Apples & oranges, I'm terribly boring!

3. Things I would do if I were a billionaire: Hand every penny over to my husband to manage. He I'm sure would give most of it away in charitable works. I also strongly suspect a portion would go into a new business and he's have Catholic movies made to tell beautiful stories of the saints to evangelize the world. We'd also take the whole family every year on pilgrimmage to approved shrine around the world. I'd have about a million masses said for the souls in Purgatory.

4. Five jobs that I have had: These are the first 5 jobs I ever had in order...
Short order cook at Snyder's restaurant, Bloomington
Salesperson at Wicks-n-Sticks candle shop in Southdale, Edina
Salesperson at Parklane Hosiery, also in Southdale
Operator and weekend supervisor at Telecheck
Medical ward 3L Minneapolis Veterans Hospital

5. Three of my bad habits:
-Getting too absorbed with books I'm reading with a tendency to "escape" into them
-Being far too wrapped up and distracted with worldly matters and in this failing to keep my eyes always upon God.
-I'll dip into cake/cookie batter while I'm making it!

6. Five places I have lived:
-St. Paul, Minnesota
-Paris, France
-San Antonio, Texas
-Fairmont, Minnesota
-Mankato, Minnesota

Another meme!

Ok, ok....so in the middle of my series on self-annihilation I post a meme about who else? Me. I told you, I have no virtue. Picked this one up at Dymphna's Road.

1. Do you wear a name tag at work? Yes, when I have my labcoat on, otherwise I forget.

2. What kind of car do you drive? Toyota RAV4, othwerise known as a "chick SUV"

3. What do you order when you go to Taco Bell? 2 crispy tacos with mild sauce & a diet coke.

4. Have you ever had a garage sale? Yes, several. Finally decided the work wasn't worth the cash.

5. What color is your iPod? Don't own one.

6. What kind of dog do you have? Humane Society charity case mutt named Charley.

7. What's for dinner tonight? Paprika chicken, I think.

8. What is the last alcoholic beverage you had? Coors light with olives - Yum!

9. Stupidest thing you ever did with your cell phone? Turned it off just before mass without turning the volume down - very embarassing.

10. Last time you were sick? Mild cold in early November

11. How long is your hair? Shortest its been in many years, just past my shoulders.

12. Are you happy right now? Yes!

13. What did you say last? "Will you get this chart for me?" To my nurse..

14. Who came over last? Had 6 teenage girls over the weekend for overnights, was crazy.

15. Do you drink beer? Yes! Only on weekends and never more than two. I LOVE beer.

16. Have your brothers or sisters ever told you that you were adopted? Not that I remember.

17. What is your favorite key chain on your keys? Miraculous medal.

18. What did you get for graduation? Bedding for my college dorm - still have it I think...

19. Whats in your pockets? Lab coat pockets are full of reference books, several pens, and a St. Gianna Biretta Molla holy card.

20. Who introduced you to Dane Cook? Have no idea who that is.

21. Has someone ever made you a Build-A-Bear? No, but took my daughter years ago.

22. What DVD is in your DVD player? 6th disc, 5th season of 24 - current family addiction.

23. What's something fun you did today? Played and snuggled with my dog.

24. Who is/was the principal of your high school? Mr. Waterman, not there anymore.

25. Has your house ever been TP'd? Not that I can remember. I TP'd several houses as a teen:)

26.What do you think of when you hear the word "meow"? Can't stand kitty litter.

27. What are you listening to right now? Nurses talking in the hallway outside my office.

28. Drinking? Dasani bottled water. Wish it was coffee though...

29. What is your favorite aisle at Wal-Mart? Body spray!! Oh so many to choose from!!!

30. When is your mom's birthday? September 21st

31. When is your birthday? September 14th

32. What's the area code for your cell phone? 507

33. Where did you buy the shirt you're wearing now? Christmas gift from my dear husband

34. Is there anything hanging from your rear view mirror? My car rosary and a St. Benedict crucifx from the Vatican

35. How many states in the US have you been to? uh...let me see...31 plus 4 provinces of Canada

36. What kind of milk do you drink? Soy.

37. What are you going to do after this? Dictation.

38. Who was the last person you went shopping with? Two teenage daughters.

39. What is your favorite fruit? Strawberries.

40. What about your favorite dessert? Toss up between tiramisu & a grasshopper.

41. What is something you need to go shopping for? Make up.

42. Do you have the same name as one of your relatives? No.

43. What kind of car does one of your siblings drive? Ford Truck

44. Do you like pickles? Yes!

45. How about olives? Absolutely wild about olives, any kind - on the table for EVERY supper.

46. What is your favorite kind of gum? Wrigley's Extra, peppermint flavor.

47. What is your favorite kind of juice? V8

48. Do you have any tan lines? Winter in Minnesota - you are kidding?

49. What hospital were you born in? Fairview Southdale, Edina Minnesota.

Christmas Meme! Ho Ho Ho!

Oh yes! Another meme! This one comes from me to you via Angela Messenger - so blame her! :)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both, whichever is easier and/or cheaper.
2. Real tree or artificial? Up to me? - prelit fake. But alas... my small effort to submit to the will of my husband means a real messy, real tree!
3. When do you put up the tree? The weekend after Thanksgiving. The kids decorate it - words cannot express how much I despise putting the lights on the tree!
4. When do you take the tree down? Just after New Years
5. Do you like eggnog? Love it but don't drink it much due to the extreme excess of calories contained therein! I could always be talked into a glass with rum though...

6. Favorite gift received as a child? New bike around age 10. It was one of those 70's nightmare bikes now, but the COOLEST back then. It was white with red and blue stripes and a long banana seat. I rode it around inside the house for days.
7. Do you have a Nativity scene? Yes two actually, one on the altar of our prayer room and a larger one in the living room in front of the fireplace.

8. Hardest person to buy for? My dad, he doesn't need a thing and has every golf accessory on earth.

9. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? My high school boyfriend gave me this really ugly sweater which unraveled the first time I washed it. He admitted to me it was from K-Mart.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail - always of the Blessed Mother with family pictures inside.

11. Favorite Christmas Movie? Its a Wonderful Life - is there another?

12. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Oh, around Halloween.
13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes, many times. If I get something I don't need or like, I'll keep it in the package and give to someone else. Did the same with wedding gifts. Except for clothes, those I return.
14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Green bean casserole. Yes I know that's strange.
15. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Multicolored and flashing enough to cause seizures.
16. Favorite Christmas song. Angels We Have Heard on High & The Wassail Song

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home, travel to husband's family in Montreal - alternating years. This year we are home.

18. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer. Not even close.
19. Angel on the tree top or a star? No, we have a terrible time getting them to stay on a real tree. I find myself totally apathetic about tree toppers...

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas presents on EVE after supper, stocking "Santa" gifts on Christmas morning.

21. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The burden of having to buy gifts for so many people. I find standing in line at the post office to mail presents a close second.

Tagging: YOU!

New Meme!

This one comes from Swiss Miss at St. Monica's Kneeler:

Participants are to post 8 random facts or habits about themselves on their blog. Have fun!

1. When I was a kid, I went to a Swedish language immersion camp and after three years there was fluent. Yes, I even knew all those odd Swedish folk dances and wore a folk costume. A nerdier activity could not be found.

2. Garnet is my favorite gem stone.

3. I sometimes wear my slippers in public (they sort-of look like shoes :)

4. I'm addicted to lip gloss, have been since 3rd grade, wear it all the time. This is one of those absolutely-must-haves-cannot-leave-home-without-it-or-I'm-miserables. I have been known to wake up in the middle of the night and put it on, of course its right on my nightstand.

5. I have two statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary in my office: Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Our Lady of Knock.

6. I LOVE the Minnesota State Fair. A trip there is not complete without looking at EVERYTHING in the 4H building, french fried green peppers and cheese on a stick.

7. My perfume is Coco Madmoiselle by Chanel.

8. When I was in high school, I protested what I thought was an unfair detention (still believe it was unfair) and I decided in principle to not comply. I never showed up for it despite the daily "yellow note" on my locker reminding me of said detention. I was ordered to go by the Principal, the school board (private school) AND the traitorous school counsel. Never went, told them all they'd have to expel me. I was sure I was done. This went on for MONTHS. I finished the school year, showed up for class the next fall and not a word was said. Isn't that strange??

Everyone interested in this meme is hereby tagged!

Now THIS is a surprise!

Your Inner European is Russian!

Mysterious and exotic. You've got a great balance of danger and allure.

Who's Your Inner European?

I don't normally do these blog thing things, but me an inner Russian?? I'm definately more of an inner French or Swede!

What's in a name?

Nabbed this meme from Laurathecrazymama - thought it was funny! Can't be serious all the time eh?

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)

Scruffy RAV4

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
Mocha Chip Oatmeal Raisin

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME:(first letter of first name, first three letters of last name)

E-Bis

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)

Blue Dog

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)

Elizabeth Edina

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)Biser

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)

The Black Martini

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)

Ralph Jens

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names )

Mary Harold

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)

Blazina Boston

12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)

Autumn Indian Paintbrush

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)Blueberry Turtlenecky

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)

Fiber One Weeping Willow

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)

The Running Cool Breeze on a Summer Night Tour

On the Lighter Side...

The Dreaded One Word Meme from The Crescat;
1. Yourself: Poor Sinner
2. Your spouse: Strength
3. Your hair: Long
4. Your mother: Heroic

5. Your father: Patient

6. Your favourite item: Crucifix

7. Your dream last night: Exhausted

8. Your favorite drink: Bloody Mary

9. Your dream car: Toyota SUV

10. The room you are in: Office

11. Your ex: Pity

12. Your fear: Mortal Sin

13. What you want to be in 10 years: Holier

14. Who you hung out with last night: Husband

15. What you’re not: Bored

16. Muffins: Bran

17. One of your wish list items: Malta

18. Time: Short

19. The last thing you did: Prescribe

20. What you are wearing: Lab Coat

21. Your favorite weather: Autumn

22. Your favorite book: Bible

23. The last thing you ate: Bagel

24. Your life: Blessed

25. Your mood: Bright

26. Your best friend: Husband

27. What you’re thinking about right now: God

28. Your car: RAV4

29. What you are doing at the moment: Meme

30. Your summer: Full

31. Your relationship status: Joyful!

32. What is on your TV: Catholic

33. What the weather is like: Humid

34. When was the last time you laughed: Today
Tagging Everyone!

Another Meme!

Ray at Stella Borealis has tagged me for another "About Me" Meme.

This one is from me Ray!

Here are the rules according to whomever likes to make up rules:

• Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
• People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
• At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
• Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Eight things about me that you really don't need to know

1. What do you hope to accomplish with your blog? That one is easy! I hope to promulgate devotion to the Sorrows of Mary as sanctioned by and enriched with indulgences by the Roman Catholic Church. I hope and pray to recieve the promises given by Heaven for practicing and speading this devotion. I also hope to assist the Holy Souls in Purgatory by encouraging devotion to them as well. Both jobs are equally important to me. I try (with the exception of memes!) to stay in the background of this blog. Mary Most Sorrowful - may thy prayers on behalf of my wicked soul obtain for my the gifts of humility and the love of being hidden!

2. Are you a spiritual person? Bleech! Being spiritual is code for "I believe in a higher power but not in any religion" Well, I am a proud Roman Catholic. I am a religious lay person and a member of Christ's body, that is the Roman Catholic Church. When I say the Creed: "We believe in one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.." I mean every word with all my heart and soul.

3. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you want to have with you?

• A cell phone with a signal


• Enough food and water to keep me alive


• uh...a boat would be good?

4. What’s your favorite childhood memory? My mother reading bedtime stories to me, and the way she would hug and hold me when I was sick.

5. Are these your first (tagging) memes? My third actually.

6. Eight random facts about me.

• I often fall asleep with my Rosary in my hands. The feel of the Rosary beads in my hands is the most comforting things in my life and could be likened holding Mary's hand.


• I LOVE eating out. I love to dine with other people in full restaurants and sip wine and talk, talk talk...


• My favorite city is Montreal (my husband is from there)...Ah la rue de St. Denis ~ les restaurants, les magasins, les gens dans la rue...tu me manques!


• I am absolutely, mad dog, crazy in love with my French Canadian husband. I am not exaggerating!


• I have a thing about those pretty scented body sprays - I'm not sure I could live without them..


• I LOVE coffee. The best coffee I've ever tasted is from Le Brulerie de St. Denis in Montreal.


• I studied in Paris during college for a time. Hated it there, wanted to kiss the ground when I got off the plane back in the U.S. If you want to immerse yourself in french, go to Quebec, the people are actually nice there and don't treat you like trash.


• One of my greatest joys in life is brushing my daughter's hair. They have the most beautiful shades of dark golden hair!
  

Tagging 8 people: Well...here goes: Dymphna at Dymphna's Road, The Cannonball at The Crescat, Jayne at So Many Devotions, So Little Time..., Chris at Domine Non Sum Dignus, Hilaire at Through the Valley, Mary Alexander at Against all Heresies, Heather at Catholic Mom in Sweden and The Coffee Wife at The Walled Garden.

About Me Meme

I`ve been tagged for the About Me Meme and here goes.

1. Male or Female: Female

2. Married or Single or Religious: Married

3. Dream vacation: Several week long pilgrimage (with orthodox priests, daily Mass the whole Catholic shebang) through the holy sites of Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Greece. Taking a Greek Island tour by ship in the footsteps of St. Paul would round it out nicely. And no, I would not go to Medjugore! Church approved sites ONLY.

4. Birthplace: Edina, Minnesota

5. Area I live in currently: Southern Minnesota, Winona Diocese

6. Someone you wish you could meet: The Blessed Virgin Mary

7. Biggest "pet-peeve": Noisy eaters and overall bad table manners (wolfing food, talking with mouth full of food...you get the picture)

8. Favorite Religious devotion: The Rosary

9. Favorite Saint (besides the Blessed Mother): Jehanne the Maid, aka Joan of Arc

10. Favorite sport that you play: Running, if that’s a sport.

11. Favorite food: Crispy tacos, preferably with a margarita!

12. Tridentine or Novus Ordo: I’m very happy with a Novus Ordo well done, in Latin, with reverence, solemnity, beautiful vestments and lots of Gregorian Chant – in Latin!

13. Would you (or are you) home schooling or public school: Home is ideal but not for me. Public school is better than a bad Catholic school. There is only a so-so Catholic school here and we send the youngest there and so far so good.

14. How many kids do you have: Six

15. Ever been in an auto accident: Yes – I was 18 months old, in a car seat between my parents in the front seat. We were stopped at an intersection in rural Minnesota when a drunk driver collided with another car. They both then collided with our car, striking the passenger back seat area, killing my sister instantly. She was in third grade and had very recently made her First Communion. The rest of the family suffered only minor injuries. I ask each of you to offer a small prayer for my sister’s soul, her name was Brenda. I don’t remember her, but I miss her every day.

16. Ever seen a Pope in person: Sadly no

17. Languages that you know fluently: English, French and Swedish (not sure about fluent, but I know enough to get by in conversation and can read them well)

18. Last movie you saw in theatres: Spiderman 3, (we need to lobby for killing off the Kirsten Dunst character – I really mean it) She was soooo irritating with nearly constant whining and crying that I was actively hoping for her character’s death throughout the movie! Ok…enough rant.

19. Favorite Blog: Off the Record by Diogenes – he’s my hero :)

20. Your thoughts on Barney, the Easter bunny, and Santa Claus: Words can’t tell you how happy I am that all my kids have outgrown Barney! I find the Easter Bunny an irritating and vacuous secular distraction during the most holy time of the year. Now Santa I have a soft spot for – don’t mess with Santa!

I now tag: Ray at Stella Borealis Roundtable, Jayne at So Many Devotions, Micki at Holy Cards for Your Inspiration, Paul at La Salette Journey, and Cathy at The Recovering Dissident Catholic

Please accept my apology if you've done this meme before!

Saints Meme

From Ray at Stella Borealis Roundtable - Dear Ray has mentioned little 'ol me and asked me to write about the following:

"Those tagged for this meme will list their four favorite saints, their one favorite blessed, and one person they think should have been a saint."

Ok, so here goes:
1. St. Joan of Arc: The heroic young women was a visionary of Sts Michael, Elizabeth and Margaret, and leader of armies. Her story inspired my youth. In the 4th and 5th grade I checked every book on her out of my public elementary school library and read them voraciously. I believe her prayers and intercessions kept me from straying "too far" and ulitimately led be back into the fold. She is my primary patron saint, my heavenly sister, my model in virtue. I have been known to pour out my soul to her and she never fails to give guidance. Following my Confirmation I legally added her name to mine. I can't wait to meet her in Heaven.


2. St. Elizabeth of the Visitation: Wife of Zachary and mother of St. John the Baptist, the first one Our Lady went to see after the Incarnation. Her name is my other given middle name, now legally Elizabeth-Joan. When I was "away" in my teen years I bought her medal and wore it nearly all the time. I also believe her prayers were instrumental in my conversion. She is the patroness of my motherhood, a good and holy example and powerful intercessor.

3. St. Charles Borromeo: Born of the powerful Medici family in 1538, became a lawyer, then priest and bishop then Cardinal of Milan. He was "the force" behind the Council of Trent. He led the counter-reformation and was the principle leader second to his uncle, Pope Pius IV. One of the Church's holiest and effective reformers. I read a little summary of his life to my kids one night from our children's book of the saints and I felt an powerful drawing to him. I began a novena to him and received the swiftest and clearest response I've ever in my life received to any prayer. It is the likes of him that we need leading our Church today.


4. St. Raphael the Archangel: Beloved angel, one of the seven "who stand before the thone of the Most High" The kinda guy you want praying for you. The book of Tobit is my favorite, I never tire of reading it or hearing its stories at Mass. Raphael is the patron of nurses - which is my profession. He is also a patron to travelers, single people and of new meetings. My husband and I prayed a novena to Raphael when we were first dating and call on his intercession to this day. I frequently entrust the salvation of souls to his intercession.

5. St. Benedict: Holy, holy abbot and founder of the Benedictine order as you all know. What I love the most about him is his saavy and power against the devil and the fallen. I wear his medal always and have several around the house. I invoke him often for the dead, against evil and for healing. He is our family patron saint as well and I entrust our safety to his intercession.


Favorite Blessed: Bl. KAROLINA KÓZKÓWNA. Martyr of Purity
Born 2 August 1898 in Wal-Ruda, Poland. Murdered defending herself from an attempted rape by a Russian Soldier on 18 November 1941 in a forest outside Wal-Ruda, Poland.
Beatified 10 June 1987 at Tarnów, Poland by Pope John Paul II. Feast Day 18 November


Should be a saint: Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Best US bishop in history, certainly the best public speaker. I get the chills when I see tapes of his old television programs. Please God raise up and give America many bishops like him!