So! After the insanity that was yesterday, I started today off with a bang. I’ve completely tidied our bedroom closet and reorganized. I also piled up all the laundry and took it downstairs and got started on it. And then, I thinking about all the other things I wanted to do, and I made a list. A really really long list. I think I’m going to need to go shopping for some organizational boxes and things. And some good foot support, slippers, or sandals or something. I’m going to post the list here, because I’m going to come back and cross it off as I get things done. It’ll be fun! Right? Not boring at all!! What? You don’t want to keep up with my chore list with me? Awww, you’re no fun at all. Well, I’m posting it anyways. 
And while I’m doing each of these activities, I’m going to be listening to Melanie Doane’s Happy Homemaker on full blast. And singing along. Loudly.
Archive for February, 2007
Move over Molly, MyKidsMom is here!
Scam me, baby!!
Ok, so somehow I came across one of these stupid “get paid to do surveys from your own home it’s simple just pay me 50 dollars and I’ll give you all you need and you’ll make thousands of dollars each month” and I can honestly say that my first reaction was not scoffing. Which, surely, it should have been. I researched, and looked at scam sites, and looked at all sorts of different paid survey sites and tried to figure this whole thing out. And then MyKidsDad reminded me about how valuable your personal information is. If a crooked person gets a hold of the right software, all he needs is your correct spelling of your name, and your birthdate in order to look up your credit report, and therefore gain access to all of your personal information, including address, phone number, credit card information, current job, spouse, spouses credit report, etc etc etc! In these days of technology we need to be very careful of whom we divulge our seemingly not so personal information. Anyways, I was (and secretly, pathetically, still sort of am) curious about these websites. I have heard of lots and lots of people on the scam forum boards saying about how all they got was a few measly dollars (if that) and gift certificates for Applebee’s. And a whole lot of spam, and telemarketing. Which I could handle the spam and telemarketing if I actually made a decent paycheck, but it doesn’t seem to be in my favor. And yet the back of my brain is trying to convince me that the other people were just doing it wrong. Cuz a million people can be wrong?? I don’t think that’s how the saying goes….
So then I came across secret/mystery shopping, and even, secret online shopping. I’ve always thought that would be fun job, but is there a place that’s actually legit? I don’t know. Seems as though there’s lots that want that oh so important personal information. Which, in reality, you’d expect, if they’re going to be sending you a paycheck. But how do you know that you’re signing up and giving them your life on a piece of paper to the right company? Or better yet, the wrong company? You really don’t. And alas, my conundrum. (sp??)
Here’s where my brain goes into hyper drive. Why do you even want to do this? You already spend enough time sitting in front of this 19″ screen, why must you find ways to spend more time flattening your butt?? GO DO SOME HOUSEWORK WOMAN! Then I remind myself how nice it would be to have a few extra pennies floating around…y’know, a few extra pairs of jeans, a fish tank, some scrapbooking supplies. I know it’s not going to make me any happier. Maybe I need a reminder.
Hey, Self, more dough isn’t going to make you any happier.
Sincerely,
Yourself.
Well. That was refreshing. Now. Where was I? Oh yeah. Scams. Scams scams scams. Silly silly me. I can’t even keep a house, nevermind try to make money. I really should just focus on trying to get good at the job I currently have, rather than starting a new one. Why am I so flighty like this? Constantly, a need for something new, exciting, fresh, fun. I remind myself of my sister.
Sister? Why are we like this? Who did this to us? I suppose it was ourselves, maybe we were deprived of exciting opportunities as children, so now we must constantly bombard ourselves of them.
Mother? Why did you deprive us so? Yes. This is a good idea. Blame it on your childhood. The reason why I am ____ (insert bad personality flaw here) is because of my childhood. Then again, that makes me scared as a parent. What future personality flaw is going to be blamed on me? My kids spending too much time in front of a 19″ screen? Walking around yelling and twitching at computer monitors for how neglected they were as children??? KIDDING. (sort of.)
Ok, where was I. Right. Something new. I think, my new something new, will be hard work. I’m really into that right now. It’s exciting, fresh, something I’ve never done before. (Except for those excruciating 12 – combined, that is - hours of labor to produce my two little offspring, y’know, when my body was doing all that work but I didn’t feel a thing because I was doped up on EPIDURAL. Yeah, that was HARD WORK. I know hard work.) Yeah, so hard work. Why can’t that excite me? Why can’t I be more excited about the prospect of being the best homemaker I can be?? I think I need a wake up call.
HEY SELF. This is your wake up call. WAKE UP. Smell the roses. Or smelling salts. Or Mug Root Beer, y’know whatever works. Either way. Your husband and children are depending on you for a sanitary, tidy home. They need clean clothes to wear, and 3 meals a day. It would be really great if it could be something other than pancakes, or grilled cheese and soup. It would also be nice if you’d FOCUS YOUR MIND on something. Quit letting it wander all day long. I know, it’s hard, to bring yourself out of yourself, but y’know, for the sake of others you might oughtta try it every now and then. You never know, you might like it. Anyways, all I’m saying is WAKE UP.
With Love,
Yourself.
Well anyways. Me, and my flighty unfocused hyper active (should I get that checked out??) brain are going to bed now. That way, we can wake up at 8 am tomorrow — oh wait, I’m referring to myself as “we”. Is that a problem? Should I get that checked out? Seriously. My brain needs to CALM. DOWN. Big deep breath. Ok. I’m going to bed. And I’m going to wake up at 8am tomorrow with a new Outlook. Explorer. I MEAN, nothing??? Just a new outlook. That’s all I said. What? Seriously, go back. If you see “Explorer” there, or whatever nonsense you cooked up it wasn’t me. I’m innocent. I am NOT addicted to this computer, and I do NOT need intervention. Seriously. Back. Off. I’m fine! FINE!!! I’M JUST FINE!!!! Remember? I’m excited about housework! And cleaning! And NOT doing anything besides the norm! I just read, and hang out, and I’m good! No new exciting things here! See? Have a look around. We’re good ok? Good. G’nite!!
Lessons Learned – Feb. 23
Monday: After about the 5th attempt, I have given up on trying to make “Dan’s favorite Monster Cookies” that his mom gave me the recipe for. I burn them EVERY. TIME.
Tuesday: I need to go to soccer practice more, because I stink at drills.
Wednesday: Flicka makes me cry and cry and cry……and maybe even cry some more! I’m such a baby!!
Thursday: It’s worth it to return your old library books that they’ve sent you the bill for because you’ve not returned them. 130$ turned into only 22$. I really should return books on time.
Friday: Here’s to hoping for tomorrow, that I will look back on today and realize that I learned something.
Sorry, I don’t speak Baby.
Tear stained cheeks, snotty nose, whimpering voice, she sits here in my arms. At only 14 months old, she’s smarter than we all give her credit for. All it takes is my back turned, and her big brother just a few inches too close, in her personal space. She can make me spin on a dime, and maybe even reprimand that aforementioned brother. I think I confuse him, with my attempt at having an even tone in asking him if he caused the wailing proceeding from her mouth. He used to be really honest, but then he got smart, too. Now he dances around it, and mostly I know he’s guilty, but I didn’t see it, right? So if I didn’t see it, I can’t be sure it was him, and I don’t want to punish him for something he didn’t do, right? I think she knows that he will get in trouble when she wails like that, I think she likes it. She’s very smart you see. As the wailing slows to a whimpering, she leans on my shoulder, and snuggles right in. She knows how to reel me in. She gets some sweet words in her ear, some hair stroking, some cuddles. And he is left wailing in the “naughty” chair. And I am left feeling guilty. I don’t want him to think that it’s all about her. But I want to make sure he knows that he can’t torture his little sister. It’s harder to teach her not to manipulate me. Seems like he’s getting all the discipling these days. I don’t want him to feel resentful, as though the standards are different between the two of them. But she’s only 14 months old. You can’t give a 14 month old time out can you? How would that work? I can’t imagine it. But she is smarter than I think. Maybe she’d get it. Naw, maybe not. All of this is getting a little old lately. Why can’t we all just get along? It would make everything so much more peaceful and fun. But I guess that will never happen. I’ll be breaking up fights for the next 18 years, maybe longer. Did I mention that I don’t really enjoy being referee? I guess I need to add that one to the job description. My doctor didn’t tell me about this when I said I wanted to have number two. Then again, how would she know? She only has one. It’s probably not in her job description anyhow. I love my kids, and I’m so grateful to have them. They are such a blessing. But sometimes, just sometimes, they are a blessing in disguise. Isn’t that when God is trying to teach you something? When you look back and say, “that was really a blessing in disguise.” Usually it’s because at the time it was awful, but afterwards you can look back and say you learned something really valuable from that experience. I’m hoping that is how it is with raising kids. Just a slow, slow, drawn out learning process. Like, 18 (or more!) years long. We’re supposed to treasure these moments, because they go by so fast, right? That’s what my mother, and every other mother for that matter, tells me. Maybe tomorrow I’ll treasure my moments a little more. Tomorrow’s another day right??
McDonald’s Mixed Messages
The last time we ate McDonald’s The Boy came home with a ruler. On one side it had the measurements, and a picture of Ronald McDonald playing basketball on one side, and their slogan that they are trying to shove down our kids’ throats… “It’s what you eat and what you do”. (Italics mine) Every now and then we head over to McDonald’s Playplace for lunch, and some activity. While Dan was out of town the other day, the kids and I went to a newer McD’s, built within the last few years. We ordered our usual McHappy Meals and headed into the Playplace. My 3.5 year old could have designed a better play center. You walk in the door and there’s tables for 2 along the side of the wall, and then 2 tables for 4 that are short, like, knee height on the other side. In the center there’s a *small* climbing center. No slide to slide down from it though…just climb up to the top, and down again. There was a little slide, meant for the toddler crowd, however the step to get up to it was up to my toddler’s (14months) neck. How on earth is a newly walking human supposed to pull themselves up there? Then the slide was about 4 inches higher than the platform to which it was attached, and there was nothing to grab onto to help them get up and sit down. It was just so weird, and obviously the person who designed it hasn’t spent much time around kids. There wasn’t any room for them to run around, as behind the climbing tower in the middle was an air hockey table. Which, of course, was out of order. But the real kicker? Was the sit down area in front of the tower that had a computer screen and touch screen games to play. Also, the 2 screened Gamecube game in the back corner. I was SO mad. Of course, The Boy was distracted by the screens, and wanted to place himself in front of them the whole time, when the whole point of going out to the Playplace was to play! Get active! Run around! Burn some steam!! McDonald’s is really trying to play mind games with us. I watched that Supersize Me movie. And I know what they’re thinking. (Haha…) They want us to think that they want us to be healthy, and active, but they really want us to sit around and eat more and more and more of their food. Because the more we eat their food, the more we want it, and the more we eat, the fatter we get, and thus the more we sit around wanting to eat their food! And they are telling our kids “It’s what you eat and what you do” which is a great message, because it’s true, but also trying to tell kids that they can eat McD’s as much as they want so long as they excersize which really, isn’t true! (In my non-medically educated opinion!) Then, not only that, but they are now encouraging them to sit around and play video games at McD’s, because of course, then they want to go back! ARRRRGGG. Needless to say, I’m never taking my kids to that McDonald’s again.
On another note, someone searched “funny perogy” and came up with my blog. That really cracks me up.
A little modesty please?
Whatever happened to modesty? It probably hasn’t been around for as long as I’ve been alive, but its value seems to be ever declining more and more. Maybe that’s because I’ve started putting higher importance on it and therefore noticed the unimportance of it in society.
I had a soccer tournament this weekend, and noticed this a lot with my teammates. I play for a team that belongs to a club, and there are 4 different teams, 2 (including us) in our division. Because we were short players, we had a few extras come over from the other team. I used to play on a team made up of mormon girls, who had gotten together through their church, and I was included because I worked with one of them. I was used to playing with girls that were generally modest, didn’t swear, had families of their own. It didn’t surprise them any that I was 23 and married with two kids. That’s pretty common in the mormon church! Anyways, we have a male coach, and no one seems to have any problems changing in front of him! Now, I mean, no one is taking off their bras or underwear or anything, so one might argue that it’s nothing different than being in a bikini or something, but to me it is VERY different. Our coach has been very understanding about leaving the room so I can change, and the girls on my team have gotten used to it, and I’ve really not had any comments about it at all. I simply explained that I am married, and I think it’s inappropriate to undress in front of another man. I also stated that if my husband had a female coach, I would be uncomfortable with him changing in front of her, so I show him the same respect.
Well during the tournament this weekend, the one girl from the other team asked “Why does he have to leave?”
And a girl from my team said “MyKidsMom is shy”.
I chimed in right away “I’m not shy, I am married!”
Girl from the other team: “So? I’m married too…”
Me: “Well…I just think it’s inappropriate. (repeating myself here) I wouldn’t like it if my husband had a female coach and changed in front of her, so….”
Girl from the other team: “Well, I guess I’ve just known coach forever…so maybe that’s all.”
Afterwards I was thinking about this conversation, and two things came to my mind.
1. I don’t care how long I had known our coach, or even if he was my own brother, I still wouldn’t change in front of him.
2. When did it become a bad thing to be shy?
I realized afterwards my defensiveness about being shy. I wanted to make it clear that I am not, in fact, shy, that I just don’t want to change in front of another man.
This is going to turn in to one big tangent, really quickly, so you are now forewarned. Keep in mind this part about being shy, because it’s going to resurface itself somewhere in this blog, within the disorganization of my thoughts. I don’t claim to be an eloquent writer here, folks.
I am currently reading Dr. Laura Schlessinger’s The Proper Care and Feeding of Marriage. (Disclaimer: While I love Dr. Laura’s advocacy for the family unit, and for children and what not, I don’t agree with everything she says or teaches, so if there’s something you don’t like, voice it to her, not to me!!) This book is the follow up from The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands, which I also read, and give to every bride to be I know of!! Both are delightful books which remind people to celebrate masculinity and feminity, rather than trying to get even or equal. Our differences are beautiful, and are the way that God made us. He wouldn’t have made Man and Woman if he wanted us to be the same. And this is where I’m going with this whole modesty thing.
It used to be that women were “proper” and had certain social graces, in order to keep their respect as women and their place in a social atmosphere. Certain behaivors were expected and accepted, and others, were not. The term “lady-like” was heavy in use, and important when a man was looking for his future wife. Ever since the radical feminist movement, it seems that being lady-like is more of an insult than a positive thing. In an attempt to get equal with our male counterparts, women have gone to all expenses in order to gain some sort of level playing feild, all the while reaking havoc on society in the process. We have left men confused about their position in our lives, how to treat us, and we have only left ourselves hurting in the process, because what we truly want from our men they won’t give us because we act as though we don’t need that from them. (ie. masculinity, provider, soft place to fall, etc) Marriages and families are falling apart because our men don’t know how to treat us, and women aren’t sure how to be treated, because we don’t want to be seen as “weak” when we let our guard down and tell our man how much we really need him. Anyways, back to being lady-like. It used to be that a man would not swear in front of a woman. That was gruff “man” behavior, (among others) that was not to be seen or heard in front of a “lady”. That was a respect he showed for her. Women who were proper were not loud and boistrous, they were worthy of respect, hard working and quiet, but strong to give their opinion when something wrong/immoral was going on. These women were tough, and strong and honorable, and there was nothing weak about them. In today’s times, women who are not loud are seen as “shy”, aka weak, or some other percieved negative word. Now women are loud, arrogant, bossy, self righteous, manipulative (ok, when have women not been manipulative, I know, haha!!), brute-ish (yeah yeah, probably not a word), and other such masculine qualities. I couldn’t believe the amount of filth coming out of these girls’ mouths when we were hanging out between games. It seemed to me that every fifth word was a curse word. It just flows so easily, and yet it’s so disgusting. I can remember not too long ago, when I was one of them, and how sensitive I have become to it since I’ve turned my life around. Do men really find it attractive that a woman can curse 3 times in one sentence?? Another thing on the masculinization of women is our bodies. We have told ourselves that we have to have washboard abs, and be thin like sticks in order to be beautiful. I think we (we, also being popular media) have taught men to be attracted that, when in fact it’s not reality. Women’s bodies were made for childbearing (not that I’m saying that’s our only purpose, or that every woman should have babies, just that God made our bodies with birth in mind) and therefore we are (mostly) curvey! Especially after we get done having a baby or two! I know, some women were not made that way, and to those women we can say .
Now, I’m not totally anti-feminism. I appreciate what feminism did for women politically, and socially – as far as the workforce goes. I appreciate that we aren’t made to feel like a “lesser” sex, and that men don’t have authority over women in general life (such as back a few centuries). That being said though, I think women need to go back some years, and remember what it meant to be feminine. We have unique God given characteristics that are important in society, and we ought not to give those up for the hope of getting “equal”. Because equality is not something attainable between two different things. That’s like a Granny Smith apple trying to get equal with a Golden Delicious apple. It will never work. They will never be the same. Someone out there will always see one or the other as better. They have the same things at their core, they are essentially the same thing, however they are different. They have different characteristics, qualities, etc, etc, etc. It’s the same with men and women! Embrace those differences, rather than trying to change them.
Ok. This blog has gone in a totally different direction than I really originally wanted it to, but I guess the main thing really is about being feminine at the core of the issue. But all I’m asking is for a little modesty from young women today. And to put value in it. A man is visually oriented. That is how God made him. Even if he sees a room full of women changing 3 nights a week, doesn’t mean that he isn’t once in a while affected by it. Let’s show a little respect for our fellow citizens in this world, and put some clothes on. Just in general. Quit showing off your cleavage, your belly, your thong and your butt crack. Especially you Christian Women. We are called to be modest. This doesn’t mean you can’t be sexy (because frankly, showing all your skin really isn’t sexy anyways), or fashionable. Being modest does not mean being frumpy. Also? Watch your mouth. Close your legs. Don’t be so obnoxious. Try to be a little more lady-like. I’ll try harder too. I promise. 
And that is all. Sorry about the complete disorganization that is my thought process. In fact, I could probably write an entire sloppy book about this subject, so my thoughts are probably left half said. But this one just needed off my chest. 
Oh yeah, I almost forgot. For the person who searched “picture of girls making out” and came upon my site (how, I have no idea!) you will definitely not find that here. Hopefully you found something else more important. If not, take your dirty eyes elsewhere!!
What about the babies??
Is anyone else desperately concerned for these poor Hollywood babies?? After the likes of Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie trouncing their way onto our television screens and radios, can you not be concerned about the fate of these celebrity born and raised babies???
What is prompting this blog amidst all the other more important stuff on my brain? Two words, one name. Britney Spears. Frankly, I don’t really care if she shaves her head bald, gets 50 thousand tattoos and does a line of coke every 5 minutes. What I do care about is the fact that she has 2 little boys – no – make that two baby boys that she seems to not even care one rip about. When she started out as a “mom” she really seemed to “care” about these babies. I know I know, she had her faults (uhm, it’s called a carseat, Brit.) but don’t we all? At least she was seen out with them, and it seemed that she was around them a lot. But now?? Where on earth are these poor babies while she’s making one day stops at rehab and late night visits to a hair salon and partying it up with Paris??? Why don’t Hollywood Mom’s (sorry for the generalization, to all those Hollywood mom’s that actually spend quality time with their babies) realize that their babies need them? Just because you have the best highest paid nanny in the world that really seems to (or maybe really does) care about your baby doesn’t mean that your baby is OK without you while you’re out gallivanting and being hot stuff. Who cares what the “world” thinks of you once you have kids?? Who cares if they think you’re hiding in a hole and wondering whether your baby is even real (ie. Tom and Katie). At least you’re spending time with it!!! While I am not guiltless in the area of spending quality time with my kids, (just because I’m here with them everyday doesn’t automatically make it quality time) I still get so incredibly frustrated with these selfish selfish selfish women (and men) who are making more appearances to the papparazi then to their kids at home. If your kids start taking pictures of you and printing stories about you, then will you start to pay them some attention?? You don’t even have to do anything extraordinary in order for your kids to think you’re the greatest thing since strained fruit and vegetables! Unless you give them a (big) reason not to, your kids will love you and adore you so long as you nurture that within them.
My first thought when I heard that Anna Nicole Smith had died? That poor baby. That little girl is only months old, and now she is going to be fought over, all for the sake of money. No one will ever allow someone to love her unconditionally without wondering if they are secretly in it for the money. She will grow up with that stigma, and will have attachment issues, and if the media keeps pressing it the way they are, she too will question and wonder if the person/parent she is left with only loves her for her dead mommy’s money. Dr. Laura said it best when she said “you know, here’s my offer. I’ll raise the kid; somebody else can keep the money. That kid just needs somebody who’s going to love it, not use it as a means of getting an inheritance.” (Taken from the transcript of her interview with Hannity and Colmes) That was pretty much the first thing that I said too. If things continue the way they are and there isn’t some sort of intervention, she is more likely to end up like her mother, or just another run of the mill Paris Hilton. Don’t we have enough of those in this world? GIRLS – there is more to life then your late night partying and your clothes and your froofy little puppy. GROW UP. Dr. Laura went on to call Anna Nicole’s life a joke – to the shock of Colmes. He said you don’t want to call someone’s life a joke do you? And she insisted, well yes! She treated her life like a joke! (My words now…) She didn’t take her life seriously, or the fact that she had a new daughter on the way seriously. So yay, she had bought a house in the Bahamas with the intention of starting over, but hello…didn’t anybody else notice that she was still using and abusing drugs? Did she even really care??
Ok, so I realize this all sounds a bit harsh. But don’t you just find it so incredibly frustrating at how selfish people can be?? Seriously!! I used to be a smoker. When I began hanging out with (and soon dating) Dan, I knew that he couldn’t stand that I smoked, and I really didn’t want to do it anymore anyways, because I knew it was gross, bad for me, all that, and so I stopped. It’s called making a decision and doing it. I didn’t give in to my selfish cravings that my body needed that cigarette, I knew it bothered him and I knew I didn’t want to do that to my body anymore. I realize that this is a chemical addiction or whatever within your body, and it may not be as easy as just saying it, but I’ve been there, and I did it. It wasn’t easy, I didn’t like the way I felt when I wanted a cigarette so bad I would have clawed someone’s eyeballs out just to get one so I could relax…I reminded myself that I made that decision, and how much it would hurt my loved one if I didn’t keep my word in quitting. I still have days today where I see someone light up, or I smell it, or whatever the trigger is that I really really want one. But I don’t go to the store and get some because that would be incredibly selfish! And what would I be teaching my kids? Just because you get an urge, or have a desire, or whatever, doesn’t mean you act on it. You think about the repurcussions on your loved ones and those around you before you go do something stupid. I certainly don’t claim to be perfect, in fact I’m far from it. I just hate hate hate what people are willing to do to their babies/families all to make themselves feel better. Whatever that “fix” of feeling better is, they just want it, and don’t care about what affect it might have on their kids. And it seems as thought popular media is encouraging the “Make yourself feel good first” and “You’re the most important person in your life” philosophy, which is really, just a bunch of crap. There is way more fulfillment in living life for someone else, to the betterment of someone else, rather than me, me, me. (So long as it’s a positive, constructive relationship, of course.)
Who knows, maybe those boys are better off with Kevin Federline. (I can’t believe I just said that) And please, for the love of God, somebody rescue that innocent little Daniellyn. She didn’t ask for this, nor does she get a choice in the matter, which is her future, and her life.
I tagged myself too!
Because I’ve had a busy week, and if I’ve even had time to learn anything I’ve forgotten already, I’m going to give you this delightful survey that I didn’t get tagged to do, but I simply stole it…because I’m nosey like that.
Aprons – Y/N? Not always, but it depends on what I’m making. If it’s bread or perogies or something that takes a long time and is really flowery, then maybe. Otherwise I just wear old clothes and get really messy and then change.
Baking – Favorite thing to bake? I’d say muffins or cookies. I don’t think I really have one specific thing. If it’s sweet, and it tastes better fresh and hot from the oven, then I love it.
Clothesline – Y/N? No, I have a hard enough time getting laundry done with a machine, I can only imagine how much worse I’d be if I had to take it out to the line! But I do love the sight of it on the line, and it smells nice afterwards…it’s so…homely feeling. Maybe one day. Maybe.
Donuts – Ever made them? No, but whenever we’re in Calgary we’re sure to frequent Krispy Kreme’s (or however you spell it) …they are sooooo good fresh and hot!!!
Everyday – One homemaking thing you do everyday? There are always dishes to do…
Freezer – Do you have a separate deep freezer? No, I wish! Our freezer allows for a little bit of stocking up…but yeah. It would be nice to have a seperate freezer, to store more bread and baking and all that…
Garbage Disposal – Y/N? Ohhh! I love love love my garbage disposal! I will never live without one anymore!
Handbook – Y/N? What’s a handbook? Like an organizer?? I sort of use one, it’s a family one for planning meals, and activities and it has a little tear out grocery list thing…it’s pretty handy. So I guess you could call it a handbook!
Ironing – Love it or hate it? I’m neutral. And I don’t do a whole lot of it, because Dan is so particular about how his shirts should be ironed, I just leave it up to him. He says he doesn’t mind, or that he likes ironing or something, but I’m not sure if he’s just trying to make me not feel bad that I don’t know how to iron.
Junk Drawer – Where is it? In the kitchen next to the pantry. In fact, we have three. One for paper junk, and other for pens and tape and random stuff, and another for junk food, like candy and stuff. We collect a lot of junk around here…
Kitchen – Design and decorating? One day I’ll have a kitchen of my own to pour my decorating desires into…right now it’s pretty plain!!
Love – What is your favorite part of homemaking? You know, my family and people I know are often surprised at how “domesticated” I’ve become….baking, cooking, sewing, etc. I don’t think I have a favorite thing, I mean, I love being a homemaker and being at home with my kids, but I think I mostly love it because I don’t have to be at an out of the house job. I really like the hobby side of homemaking, like sewing and quilting and all that stuff. Does that sound bad?? As a homemaker I don’t have a favorite chore or whatever?? I guess I really like planning meals…if I have to pick something. Haha….
Mop – Y/N? I own a mop. It gets an occasional workout. And every now and then I get on my hands and knees to do a real thorough cleaning.
Nylons – I’ve just recently taken a liking to nylons. Recently I ripped a pair bad just trying to pull them on. I think I bought the wrong size because it was the first time I had bought them for myself before. I know, 23 years old and I’ve never bought myself a pair of nylons. Weird right? So anyways, my mom on her way over to babysit picked up another pair for me, because in my moment of brainlessness I only bought one pair. Now, I am nylon educated, and I wear them often! Even to the point that last Sunday I forgot and felt naked and weird without them!!
Oven – Do you use the window or open it to check? I mostly open the door, but I will use the window if I’m cooking something sensitive that is meant to rise.
Pizza – What do you put on yours? MMMmmmm Pizza. My favorite is from Boston Pizza – Zorba, The Greek. Has tomatoes, green peppers, red onions, olives (which I get taken off cuz I don’t like them) and feta cheese on top. YuM!
Quiet – What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment? What’s a quiet moment?? I guess I sometimes read, or nap.
Recipe card box – Y/N? I don’t have one. But my mom has a really really nice one that I’d love to inherit one day. My recipe cards are in book thing…has blank pages for writing your own recipes and little slots for already written recipe cards.
Style of house – We live in a four level split. It’s beautiful and we love it, but we know our days here are numbered…
Tablecloths and napkins – Y/N? For a special occasion I might be inclined to use a table cloth. Dan likes to have paper napkins, but I always forget to buy them and we usually end up using paper towel. Sometimes we use place mats though. I just find that using a table cloth means more and more laundry, because my table ends up with food all over it after a meal, it’s easier just to wipe it with a cloth then create more laundry for myself!!
Under the kitchen sink – Garbage bags, dish soap, dishwasher soap, dish rack/tray, rubber gloves, garbage disposal. Oh and giant swiffer pad thingers for our giant swiffer.
Vacuum – How many times a week? Once or twice? Probably twice. We have all bare floors everywhere except the living room, so you notice the mess pretty fast.
Wash – How many loads do you do a week? I can’t count. Probably at least 10.
X’s – Do you keep a list of things to do and cross them off? Not usually, unless I’m feeling extra overwhelmed or we have something special planned.
Yard – Who does what? Dan does it mostly. Our yard is a nightmare at this house though, due to the giant poplar tree that loses hundreds of branches in the fall, along with all the leaves. It’s impossible to rake the millions of leaves from all the trees with all those branches in there! So we’re hiring help for spring clean up.
ZZZ’s – What is your last homemaking task for the day? I usually don’t do much at the end of the day…sometimes I’ll tidy, or load the dishwasher or something. I’m not a scheduled type of person though, so I don’t have any specific routine.
I tag Kait, Carla, MadHouseWife, Carolyn, and NewDotMom.
Is it summer yet??
So yesterday Dan and I started planning our family vacation for this summer!! Last year we went to Vancouver Island and spent 5 glorious nights in a beach house right on the ocean in the Sooke Basin!! It was the most relaxing and fun vacation I have ever had, so naturally, we’re going back this year! Only the house is big (4 bedrooms) so we’ve invited my mom and step dad, and my siblings to come along. I’m very excited, and I really hope at least some of them can come!! Here’s some pics from last year…
On our way home from Victoria, we will go by way of Kelowna and spend some good family time there, just the 4 of us. We’ll hang out a bit with some friends of ours that live there, and maybe go out with their sea-doos!! I can’t wait for summer! I hope we have as nice weather as we did last year, it was over 25 degrees the whole time. Never even rained once!!
I haven’t finished my research yet about the whole “Jesus went to Hell” thing. I liked what Dan had to say, and I’m going to read over a few things for myself. I’ll let you know if I formulate an opinion.
I’m selling my old Dance Dance on eBay. So far there’s one bid on it, hopefully it will go up some more! I can’t wait to get the new one, it’s going to be so much fun! Hopefully Kait will want to play with me…although I’m doubting she’ll want to be jumping around being pregnant and all. 
Maybe somebody else wants to play?? Dance Dance anyone?? Practice up and amaze your kids when you take them to the arcade?? Hehehe…
I’ve started teaching The Boy memory verses these past few weeks. So far he’s doing really good. The really great thing is that it causes me to memorize them too! He has learned Romans 1:16, Psalm 139:1,2. I’m taking him through Psalm 139 right now, because I just love that Psalm, and I think it will teach him how much God really knows him and cares about him. He also learned Luke 2:16 (I think that was it…hmmm) for the Christmas program at church. That was cute – him and the other little 4 yr old boy getting up front and reciting their verse!! A mother couldn’t be prouder!!
Creed
I was listening to Third Day – Offerings II today, and this song really moved me, so, alas, I give you the lyrics.
I believe in God the Father
Almighty Maker of Heaven and Maker of Earth
And in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son, our Lord
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
Born of the virgin Mary
Suffered under Pontius Pilate
He was crucified and dead and buried
And I believe what I believe is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man
I believe that He who suffered was crucified, buried, and dead
He descended into Hell and on the third day, rose again
He ascended into Heaven where He sits at God’s almighty right hand
I believe that He’s returning
To judge the quick and the dead and the sons of men
And I believe what I believe is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man
I believe it, I believe it
I believe it
I believe it, I believe it
I believe in God the Father
Almighty Maker of Heaven and Maker of Earth
And in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son, our Lord
I believe in the Holy Spirit
One Holy Church
The communion of Saints
The forgiveness of sin
I believe in the resurrection
I believe in a life that never ends
I believe what I believe is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
I did not make it, no it is making me
I said I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man
I believe it, I believe
I believe it, I believe
I believe it, I believe it
I believe it, I believe it
I believe it, I believe it
I believe it
First, I’m not even sure anymore if I am spelling believe right anymore. Believe doesn’t even look like a word to me anymore. Have you ever had that happen? Where you write or look at a word too much and you begin to doubt the word or the spelling or whatever??? Weird.
Second, I would like to say that until today I had never heard of the idea that Jesus went to Hell for three days before he was raised from the dead. I would love to hear anyone’s biblical point of view about this, as I’m not sure where I stand on that. It is a very interesting thought, one that I intend on researching to the fullest. (I hope I’m not opening up TOO big a can of worms here, as when I asked Dan about it, he was just like well, that’s a debate that has been going on for about 2000 years! haha…)
EDIT: Wow, I must be tired. I just read over this last blurb and I realized I said anymore about 50 thousand times. Sorry about that.
