What I Don't Do

Post stealer...that's what I am.  My friend in Oz posted something that I could not help but borrow.  It can help put a 'real' spin on my blog.  As you know I endevour to mostly post positive material.  But yes, real life happens around here and it's not always pretty!

I don't clean my fridge regularly.  I once knew a girl who told me she cleaned/washed out her fridge each time she went grocery shopping.  I was/am in awe of such a thing.  I wash out my fridge oh....maybe two times a year.  If that grosses you out, too bad.

I don't put things away properly. I will toss things in a cupboard and quickly slam it shut so it all doesn't fall back out.  My pots and pans cupboard is atrocious and my pantry is very messy.  I sometimes ended up buying so many extra dry goods because I don't realize what a stock pile I have towards the back of the shelves!

I don't call as often as I should and I won't answer the phone. But I'm a pretty quick emailer! I blame being on the phone for most of my working life in a contact centre. If there was no email I would be a hermit.

I don't wear do any devotions and praying regularly can be a challenge.  It's shameful....there are no words.

I don't treat telemarketers very nicely.  I am sorely sick of them and take out my frustrations on them.  Keith thinks I am very rude and I think he is way too nice!

I don't dust unless company is coming.  So there.

I don't 'do' emotional situations.  People who are hurting, crying or in distress make me severely uncomfortable.  I don't know how to handle these types of situations.  Very very awkward to me.  I don't cry in front of others either....ugh.  A nightmare kind of situation for me.

I don't iron unless I have to. And that comes to less than six times a year...just guessing!

I don't start things I can't finish.  I am impatient and need to see results fairly quickly.  This is why I could not do scrapbooking or a sewing project.  I feel no satisfaction from the process...just the results.  Therefore I have very few hobbies.  Okay, no hobbies!

I'll end it here although I could keep typing.  Can you relate to anything I shared?!

What's Inside?

What's Always In Your Fridge?

Thanks to Trace my Australian blogger friend from whom I borrow this post idea!

1. Milk - three gallons a week for our family!
2. Yogurt - Liam eats it every single day.
3. Ranch Dressing - my children love this as a condiment.  Since fussy eaters are not allowed in my house they have to finish all food on their plates at dinner.  Ranch helps the unliked foods go down easier.
4. Ketchup - every Canadian household has a bottle of Heinz in the fridge, right?
5. Cheese - a staple.  I always have a block of mozza or cheddar or marble on the go
6. Pro-Biotics - for those upset tummys
7. Yeast - for my pathetic attempts at buns, breads and baking
8. Jams - Nathan is our resident toast eater and loves peanut butter and jam on toast.  Favorites are strawberry and apricot
9. Veggies - I always have onions, potatoes (yes I keep them in the fridge against common practice) carrots and celery
10. Water - a cold jug of water is always available for drinking.  Juice is a treat and not often found at our house

Four

1) Four places I regularly go to:
- Public Library
- Superstore
- Church
- My parents house


2) Four people who e-mail me (regularly)
- Kori
- Jillian
- My Dad
- Bargain Moose

3) Four favorite smells
- Chlorine (swimming pool smells...just smells CLEAN to me)
- Johnson & Johnson Baby Wash
- Fresh Bread
- Keith

4) Four places I would rather be right now
- Mexico
- Hawaii
- England
- Caribbean

Just for Fun

10 years ago today...

-I was a mother of only one little boy.
-I was weight lifting regularly and was quite fit.
-I living in a condo that was 'leaky' and was stressing about how it was going to affect us financially.
-I was walking everywhere or bumming rides due to only having one vehicle.



Yesterday...

-I got up VERY early to make sure Keith and Chad got out the door in time to catch the bus to Whistler
-I really missed going to church
-I spent some time at the walk-in clinic with Liam who was diagnosd with croup
-I took a nice invigorating walk with Nathan and Liam


Tomorrow...

-I will get up at 6:10 to start my day
- I hope Keith will finish the bathroom tile
- I plan to get lots done at work
- I will meal plan for the week and make my grocery list
- I will try and eat right


5 snacks I enjoy...

- nachos
- chips (not potato....just corn or rice based chips)
- crisp apples
- popcorn
- a piece of good quality dark chocolate


Best impression...my mother?!

5 things I would do with $1 000 000

- sorry MEI but I would quit my job
- tithe and have fun doing it
- go on a GREAT trip with family and friends ... maybe around the world!
- pay off any and all debt
- be boring and invest wisely


5 locations I would like to run away to

- England
- any tropical island with clear water, sandy beaches and servant
- Italy
- Greece
- Portugal

5 bad habits I have

- being impatient
- jumping to conclusions
- not very compassionate
- eating too much
- too much computer time :)

5 things I love doing

- reading
- spending time on my computer either on FB or blogging
- socializing with my friends
- watching a family movie together
- travelling


5 things I will most likely never wear

- stirrup pants
- mini skirt
- stilettos
- a mumu
- crocs

5 movies I like...

-Slumdog Millionaire
- Gran Torino
- LOTR Trilogy
- Pursuit of Happyness
- Moulin Rouge

5 famous people I would love to meet...

there is no one that I would like to meet actually. I would have nothing in common with them and have nothing to talk about. Awkward! Oh wait...maybe just Ree.... 'The Pioneer Woman'. Just her.

5 biggest joys at the moment...

- My growing understanding of Christianity
- My friends/family
- That I'm healthy and my needs are provided for
- Thinking of upcoming holidays with my crew
- My new job....it's been such a blessing


My favorite toys

- my laptop
- camera
- my Kitchen-Aid


5 people to tag (but honestly no pressure - only if you want to - it was actually a lot harder than I originally thought it would be)-Jillian, Kerry, Terry, Rhonda, Jenn Stonehouse

Ten Things

I was assigned the letter 'L' from Sonya. I've been a follower of her blog for years now and even though it's private I think she's quite open to new readers. You can email me if you want to contact her for access.

1. Library ~ I go to our public library at least 1-2 times each week. I love reading and enjoy finding new 'favorites' and picking up the latest magazines to read or classic movies to watch. Libraries are the BEST!

2. Lemons ~ I love the flavor of lemons. I especially love lemon desserts. My two favorites are lemon bars and lemon loaf. Yum.

3. Lucy Maud Montgomery ~ She is definitely one of the best authors. I love her writing style and the stories she tells in all her books. She is much more than just 'Anne of Green Gables'!

4. Love Languages ~ This is a good way to be able to show your spouse/friends/kids love in a way that is extra special to them. Read the book. And if you want to know my love language is 'acts of service'.

5. Light ~ I need the blinds open in my entire house upon waking. Shut blinds/curtains in the daytime really bother me.

6. Laughing ~ I love a good laugh. The kind of laugh where your cheeks hurt and you just about pee your pants! Nothing quite like it!!!

7. Loyal ~ I am a loyal friend. I am loyal to my committments.

8. Liam ~ I'm in love with my little baby boy. He's gorgeous and sweet and chubby and loveable.....it goes on and on!

9. Lost ~ I am a fan of the TV program Lost. I wish I could just figure out what's going on and I'm getting impatient to know the answers to all the mysteries!

10. Lipstick ~ I rarely wear lipstick. I have yet to find that 'perfect' shade and I'm tired of wasting money on colors that I end up hating once I get home. A quick swipe of Vaseline on my lips is all I wear.

Last One...For Real!

1. WAS YOUR THIRD PREGNANCY PLANNED? Ummm...No. No. No. No. No. No.

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes for 14 years.

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Hysteria. Not the good kind.

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? Not really but in my hysteria the thought did cross my mind.

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 34

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? I picked up a test on a whim since my period had started and then stopped which was very strange for me. I thought for sure it would be negative. I went out again and got another test because I thought it was defective.

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? I stewed and swore all day at home alone until Keith got home and then I went berserk.

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? Yes because I was not really wanting anymore surprises in my life. I needed to plan at least some portion of the pregnancy.

9. DUE DATE? Oct 5, 2008

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? Yes, for the first 3 months. It really sucked.

11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Food in general :)

12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? My swollen ankles/feet really bothered me. I wasn't too fond of people who were 'thrilled' for me when I was quite upset about this whole thing. I needed sympathy...not congrats for the first several months!

13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? Boy

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? I wanted a boy!

15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 45 big ones! Do you see a pattern?

16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? I had three! Very blessed.

17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? Like I said...I was done with surprises.

18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? No

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Abbotsford Regional Hospital

20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? Planned c-section.

21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Keith

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Surgical staff and Keith

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? C-Section

24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? Of course...post op meds are not optional!

27. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 7lbs. 6oz....my littlest.

28. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? Sept 26, 2008

30. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Liam Michael Dyck

31. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 4 months

PS. For the record I'm REALLY glad Liam is here now :)

All About My Firstborn

I grabbed this off of Sonya's blog :)

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes...very much so.

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes for three years.
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Happiness since we had experienced a miscarriage a few months before.
4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? No
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 24
6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? Missed period, took test....rather routine!
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Keith of course!

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? No. Besides, that wasn't really an option back then.
9. DUE DATE? March 5, 1998

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? Yes, for the first 3 months
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Slushies and anything cold and refreshing

12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? The smell of toast made me raving mad and sick to my stomach.

13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? Boy

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? I didn't care either way.

15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 45 big ones!

16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yep, a few
17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? I am difficult to surprise.

18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? No
19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? MSA Hospital, Abbotsford
20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? 22 hours of induced labour and then a C-section

21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Keith

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? I have no idea...I was so delirious.

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? C-Section

24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? Yes anything I could have....demoral, laughing gas....and finally a blessed spinal.

27. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 8lbs. 2oz.
28. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? March 18, 1998...13 days late.
30. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Nathan Joshua Dyck
31. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 10

About Me

I got this from a fellow blogger and figured why not! You're supposed to write down the first thing that comes to your mind.

I am...tired.
I think...a lot of silly thoughts.
I know...that I could be a better wife and mother
I want...to be a better wife and mother!
I have...too many lazy habits.
I wish...I knew what I wanted to do for a career.
I hate...unvacuumed carpets.
I miss...my life before baby (just the freedom).
I fear...flying.
I hear...the hum of the hard drive and the blessed quiet of children in bed.
I smell...chocolate icing on my breath from scraping out the cake pan.
I wonder...if my fillings are going to hurt tomorrow.
I regret...worrying about the future and not living in the moment.
I love...my life...thank you God!
I am not...going on my morning walk tomorrow due to snowy sidewalks.
I believe... in God.
I dance...very poorly and therefore I don't dance at all.
I sing...in my car, always.
I don't...like washing, blow drying and straightening my hair.
I win...when I hold my tongue in a disagreement.
I lose...when I let my anger get the best of me.
I dislike...tailgaters.
I never...want to see my children get hurt.
I listen...to my boys ask 'what's for a snack' every single day after school.
I am scared...of asserting myself.
I read...every night before I go to sleep.
I am happy...when my family is happy.
I notice...people...love to people watch.
I express...myself better in writing than in speech.
I talk...very kindly to anyone in customer service because I've been there.
I drive...a Jetta that wants a new home very badly.
I watch...Lost and am forever confused by the storylines.
I dream...of one day not having to budget our finances so closely.
I need...more self control in the eating department.
I haven't...dusted my baseboards for a long time.
I pick...really horrible honeydew melons....what's the trick?
I run...when someone is chasing me.
I suppose...I'll have to do the same things I did today again tomorrow.
I wear...cheap perfume that smells like suntan lotion.
I cry...every single time I watch TLC's A Baby Story.
I smile...just about everyday.
I own...my actions.
I make...really good cookies.

My Own Little Game

Since the kitchen seems to be where I spend most of my time I thought I'd write up a little meme for you you!
I'd like you to play along too, so will you oblige? Anyone can play....anyone with the urge to share their dirty little kitchen secrets :)

Ten Random Facts about Me & My Kitchen

1. I love my Kitchen Aid stand up mixer. It is the best purchase I have ever made...kitchen-wise. I think all bakers need to have one.

2. I do not 'cook' food in my microwave. I am not sure it's completely safe. Yet I will re-heat and de-frost food in there. Go figure!

3. You won't find many ready made foods in my cupboards. My kids don't get granola bars or fruits snacks in their school lunches. I bake everything for them. When we vacation or take day trips they get very excited about those sorts of food because they are a big treat for them.

4. The one thing you will ALWAYS find in my deep freeze is hashbrowns. Keith adores them and eats them every single weekend.

5. Everytime I open my cutlery drawer and see the tray I think I should wash it out and I never do. Je ne sais pas. One day.

6. I always keep some butter in the cupboard for spreading on toast, etc. I know it should be kept in the fridge but it hasn't killed us yet!

7. My plastic container cupboard looks like a bomb hit it. I loathe organizing it and hope that one day my husband or some other kind person will do it for me.

8. I don't know how to make coffee. I really should learn.

9. Raw meat really grosses me out. I hate to touch it or smell it. This is my least favorite part about cooking supper.

10. I keep my bread in the freezer at all times. I know everyone has their own way of storing bread. I've seen it in fridges and on counter tops. Must be in the way we were raised.

11. My one wish for my kitchen is an island. I think we'll move before that happens!

Well, now you know plenty of trivial facts about me and my kitchen. Won't you play too?
Tell us ten facts about your kitchen and then one thing you would like to do to improve your kitchen.

Answers to Some Great Questions!

Wow! I didn't think I'd get such tough questions. I'll do my best but some of them have really got me thinking....thinking that I don't really have good answer!

1. Has blogging changed or effected your life in any way and if so, how?
Well, I now have a journal of the past 3 years or so of my life. I am pleased about this because I am too lazy to keep a journal the old fashioned way and I am not creative enough to scrapbook. I do plan to save my blog to disk to keep as a memory. I suppose I do take more pictures because of my blog....pictures of things that I normally would not. Such as food, flowers and everyday life.

2. If you could go anywhere in the world where would that be and why?
England! I've always been fascinated by the English culture and landscape. I especially want to visit Cornwall. I read many novels set in this area and it sounds so beautiful. I'd love to explore by bike or by foot. And all those delicious accents....mmmmm!!!

3. What's on your bedside table?
Dust, framed double photo of my two boys, clock radio, lamp, a parenting book, my blood pressure monitor and some pamphlets on vaccination.

4. What is your 1st 2nd and 3rd priority in life?
Number one would be loving my husband in the way he needs to be loved, number two would be looking after the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of my boys and number three would be making sure I don't go crazy.

5. Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We drove down the Oregon Coast and then went to Disneyland. It was very fun! All inclusive resorts were not a big item back in 1994 but that's what I'd do now.

6. What is your favorite colour?
It really depends on what the color is for but if I had to pick just ONE it would be green. It's fresh and alive.

7. Are you very "girlie"?
No, I'm not at all. I do not enjoy primping and pampering myself. I don't get manicures or pedicures and put off coloring my hair until the last possible moment. I am not creative and do not like crafts...they frustrate me.

8. What is your "passion" in life?
This question was a bit scary. I don't know that I have one...is that bad? I'm sort of mellow in really loving my very mediocre existence. (and I wonder why Nate doesn't have more drive!) I am content with the everyday. I do not crave thrills and adventure. Too some this is boring I suppose. Perhaps I will discover my passion one day....I hope so!

9. What did you think of your husband when you met him for the first time?
I thought he was incredibly good looking and thought I would be the luckiest girl in the world we could end up together!

10. What is your favorite TV show?
Amazing Race. I get to travel for free!!!

11. Where is your favorite place to vacation?
I haven't travelled too much so I will only chose from the places I've been. I love my grandparents property in Oroville WA. It's very peaceful and relaxing. No TV, no computer, no radio, no phone. It's a complete get-away!

12. Do you like being Mennonite?
Ummm....sure. I've never thought about it before. But yes, I like it. I like having a strong heritage that I can learn about. So many people do not know their backgrounds. Plus we there are some great Menno jokes out there and I can relate to most of them :)

13. Do you find Abbotsford to be full of snobby Mennos?
No, not in the circles I run in. I find Abbotsford to be full of young people with too much money (new houses, new cars, toys, etc) at an early age that have not had to work hard for it. Whether they are Menno or not is beside the point. I do wish people would be content with less. I hate the unspoken competition to one up each other. There are snobs in every ethnic group.

14. What is your most embarassing moment?
I have many but will only share one today....at a party in highschool when some guy accidently hit a pool ball off the pool table onto my foot and I yelled an obscene word VERY loudly and the whole room got quiet. Oh dear.

15. What would you like to be doing 25 years from now?
Exploring the east coast of Canada and the US in a lovely RV with my husband and a dog.

16. What is your favorite food to snack on?
I'm pretty open but it has to be crunchy! I really like apples and popcorn.

17. When did you commit your life to Jesus? How did it happen?
Let's see...I can't really remember. I must have been very young. What I do know that as a young person I would 'become a Christian' over and over again just in case it didn't 'stick'!

I Must not be Rude

I've been tagged and you may all gloss over this boring-ness. Sonya made me do it.

Here are the rules… Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs the 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog.


1. I've never had a speeding ticket. Never. Not yet.

2. I throw the heels of bread in the garbage. I KNOW that I could dry them and make bread crumbs but I am too lazy.

3. I could happily look at photos of food for hours.

4. I am very skeptical.

5. I really like yard work. It's good exercise and it serves a purpose.

6. I don't really like kids. My nightmare job would to be a daycare worker. (please don't send me hate mail) I like my friends kids OKAY!

7. I cannot sleep in a room with a closed window. I must have fresh air at night.

I won't tag anyone....play only if you want to!

One Word...

Thanks Jennie for tagging me....sort of :)
Fellow readers: Feel free to consider yourself tagged



Yourself: busy
Your Hair: frizzy/wavy
Your Mother: outgoing
Your Father: calm
Your Favorite Item: right now my bedroom ceiling fan
Your Dream Last Night: no dreams, was up comforting coughing child
Your Favorite Drink: anything very cold
Your Dream Car: I like the one I have
Dream Home: it would be professional decorated
The Room You Are In: family room
Where You Want to be in Ten Years: content
Who You Hung Out With Last Night: family
You’re Not: outgoing
One of Your Wish List Items: a sofa table (don't I dream big?)
The Last Thing You Did: make a pasta salad
You Are Wearing: capris and a tank top
Your Favorite Weather: warm sun, cool breeze
Last Thing You Ate: Rice Krispies
Your Life: steady
Your Mood: PMS, I'm afraid
Your Best Friend: Keith
What Are You Thinking About Right Now: picking up Chad from school in 1 minute
Your Car: Jetta
What Are You Doing At The Moment: typing furiously
Relationship Status: happily married
What Is On Your TV: dust
What Is The Weather Like: warm with potential for HOT
When Is The Last Time You Laughed: last night

Oh would you look at that. I am terrible at following instructions. Those are NOT one word answers. Too bad...it's my blog and I can do what I like :)
Chad told me in the car when I picked him up that today was going to be a horrible terrible no good very bad day. I asked why and he told me that one of his classmates tried to kiss him on the lips! He said: It's okay Mom...I dodged her.