I am Angella.
My name is spelled with two L’s. If you want to get technical, the pronunciation is Ang-ELL-a but that feels pretentious. Related: I was only ever called that when I was in trouble. The one-L pronunciation is (more than) fine.
I am Ange to those who call me friend and Angie to those who have a death wish. I am Mrs. Dykstra to telemarketers and people who must be referring to my Mother-in-law and am also Angella Moran still, more than a little bit, at heart.
I am the wife to one Mr. Matt (his name at church, where he is the Director of Children and Families). He’s Mr. Sunday School and Mr. Kid Events. He is also tall, dark and handsome. Eleven years later, I still don’t know how I get to (I get to!) be married to someone who loves me the way I need to be loved. I am thankful for him every day.
I am the Mom to three kids (Four, actually, but we won’t get to know that first one until we get to Heaven). The three who have been entrusted to me are beautiful and smart and hilarious and, oh. If I could gather all of the positive adjectives in the world they would only scratch the surface. You really have no idea.
I am a friend to some of the most amazing women that this Earth ever did see. They make me laugh, they make me cry, they make me think. They are beautiful inside and out and all around.
I am Canadian. Proudly, unabashedly Canadian. I love America (and have a hard time adding ‘u’ to words like favorite), but I love being Canadian. We are the true north, strong and free.
I am an emotional being, by nature. I cry easily and I laugh even easier. I don’t get angry easily but if something brings out my anger, it isn’t pretty. I may be Canadian but I have Irish blood.
I am a bit of an anomaly in my family (for so many reasons, and) because I have dark auburn hair and blue eyes. Those eyes have gotten me both into and out of trouble.
I am an accountant by day and a photographer and writer by night. Sometimes I feel torn between those two sides of my brain but for the most part I feel like I have them balanced. I am not balanced, no, but my brain is. Ish.
I am a blogger and have been for six (!) years now. My anniversary was two weeks ago and for the first time, I didn’t write a post in commemoration. (Here’s last year’s anniversary post if you want to see a tribute to my very first post.) I could use the fact that we were leaving on vacation as an excuse but the truth is, I’ve been struggling with whether I should keep writing in this space. I’m sure it’s just summer or hormones or the jet stream. Time will tell.
I am heading to San Diego early tomorrow morning with Amanda (6 a.m. flight)(We have to be there at 4 a.m.)(And we live an hour away) to attend BlogHer. It’s my fourth BlogHer and Amanda’s first. Will we see you there?
I am a little bit nervous, but mostly excited. The New York conference was a whole new beast, compared to San Francisco and Chicago and I had my first troll attack, post-conference. I refuse to let one mentally unstable person ruin my experience because I know so many amazing women and I can’t wait to hug each and every one of them. The flurry of emails and DM’s and Tweets is making me really happy that I’m going.
I am going to spend four nights in a nice hotel, which sits on the ocean, with one of my best friends on the planet. Who can complain?
I am going to miss my family SO HARD, but I am thankful for Skype.
I am looking forward to a few days to just be me. I’m still a wife and a Mom, but with them back at home it’s just different. There are no lunches to make or scratches to bandage or laundry to do. I am just me.
I am Angella. Who are you?
I am…SO SAD I’M NOT GOING TO MEET YOU ONCE AGAIN.
But soon! We must make that happen SOON.
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angella Reply:
August 2nd, 2011 at 10:49 am
I’M SAD TOO. Hopefully next year works for the both of us…
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Have a GREAT time, and enjoy just being you for a few days. I can’t wait to hear about it when you get back.
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Yay Angella! Have fun at BlogHer. Enjoy the You time.
Someday, I hope we get to meet in person.
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ps. I think you’re neat.
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angella Reply:
August 2nd, 2011 at 10:50 am
I think you’re neat too.
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Have Fun! I am getting ready for our annual Family vacation with the my whole family. It will be fun, but it will be a lot of work. But tomorrow is my birthday and I have taken the day off work and I am getting a pedi and a massage!
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angella Reply:
August 2nd, 2011 at 10:50 am
Happy Birthday!!
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I am No-Lee-Ta but most people pronounce it No-Lee-Duh. I feel like I’m in trouble when someone pronounces it correctly. I think you are a great person and maybe someday I will get to BlogHer (or another venue) to meet you in person. BlogHer seems to be stressing out a lot of bloggers lately. I used to read about the excitement in my favorite blogger’s entries before the conference but I’m sensing more dread from them these days. I hope all of you have a blast anyway and make new friends in person. Take care!
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angella Reply:
August 2nd, 2011 at 10:51 am
Thank you! I’m pretty excited to see some old friends, and meet some new ones.
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Have fun! I’ll be drinking beers with the Martells at the Toronto Beer Fest!
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angella Reply:
August 2nd, 2011 at 10:53 am
Hug the Martells for me!
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I am … sad that I’m not going to be at BlogHer. SAD. I blame death and a gallbladder and I will be harboring feelings of envy and jealousy … so I might just stay offline for a little bit. BUT. I am … also excited for everyone who gets to go and I hope they have an amazing time!! I say this every year, but, NEXT YEAR I will be there. I WILL. I’d better. Or else I’ll cry.
Have a great time!!!!!!! (I really mean that.)
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angella Reply:
August 2nd, 2011 at 10:54 am
We will! And yes, you better get to go next year!
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I am….going to BlogHer after five years of yearning. Cannot wait!! So glad we get to experience it together. See you tomorrow. At 3 am. Gah.
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angella Reply:
August 2nd, 2011 at 10:54 am
YAY!!! (Except for the 3 a.m. part.)
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I hope you enjoy the San Diego views and some fish tacos. Wait, do you eat fish?
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angella Reply:
August 2nd, 2011 at 10:56 am
I LOVE fish. All seafood, really.
I even posted my own fish taco recipe over at Life Made Delicious.
http://www.lifemadedelicious.ca/Blogs/QUEEN%20OF%20CUISINE/Fish%20Tacos%20With%20Mango%20Salsa.aspx
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Can’t wait to see you!!!
I am Kristen. I’m a writer, wife, runner, swimmer, animal lover, and wine and food enthusiast. I don’t mind being called Kris — I’ve been called worse. I live in Florida but spent my first 20 years in Michigan, so I’m a bit of a mix of northerner and southerner, as in, I call that fizzy drink pop but also refer to a group as y’all.
I love meeting new people and old friends, and will be sure to meet up with you. Let me know if you’re looking for a (slow-ish) running buddy while you’re out there!
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angella Reply:
August 2nd, 2011 at 10:58 am
I bring my workout gear ever year, but never use it…and yet it’s packed again. If I don’t stay up too late talking like I usually do, maybe we can squeeze a run in! If not, we’ll at least see each other.
See you soon!
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I hope you ladies have a blast! I can’t wait to read all about your experienes when you return! I am so excited for you both.
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angella Reply:
August 9th, 2011 at 9:01 am
We had a blast!
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This gave me goosebumps. Love, love and more love.
xox
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angella Reply:
August 9th, 2011 at 9:01 am
xox back atcha.
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SOMEDAY we will meet, my dear!
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angella Reply:
August 9th, 2011 at 9:02 am
I sure hope so!!
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You’re just so great. Loved reading this!
I’ll be there! I hope we can get a chance to chat this time!
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angella Reply:
August 9th, 2011 at 9:02 am
It was so good to see you and hug you!
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I’m not going, but one of my highlights last year was meeting YOU, friend! Have a blast!
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angella Reply:
August 9th, 2011 at 9:02 am
We did!!
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See you and Amanda soooooooon!
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I miss you AGAIN! Ugh! Very sad. But still, I am Nenette, and I am glad to call you friend.
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angella Reply:
August 9th, 2011 at 9:03 am
I am glad to call you friend, too.
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Have a fantastic time!!
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angella Reply:
August 9th, 2011 at 10:07 am
We did!!!
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You are amazing Angella!
I am Danica, the ex-blogger, new dragon boat paddler, soon to be graduate of Philosophy, stage-frightened church small group leader, volunteer librarian, 10 toilet and 2 urinal per week cleaner (which only shows my strength of will and perseverance, but seriously graduation and a better job can come any day now), home baker extraordinaire, 50 book a year reader, cheesy poetry writer, grateful girlfriend to all my girlfriends, mother of the world’s two most vibrant children. wife of a truly astounding, perplexing and wonderful man, and most of all a precious child of the Most High God.
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angella Reply:
August 9th, 2011 at 10:08 am
I read this while I was away and it warmed my heart. Love you, friend.
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nice to meet you, Angella! i am just someone who loves your blog.
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oh, and great picture of yours!
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angella Reply:
August 9th, 2011 at 10:20 am
Thank you! And nice to meet you, too.
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Have such a wonderful time!
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angella Reply:
August 9th, 2011 at 10:30 am
We did!
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I went last year but I can’t make it this year unfortunately. I made many new friends and I have promised them that I’ll be there next year. It’s my 5 year blogging anniversary next week so I’ll still have something to celebrate.
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angella Reply:
August 9th, 2011 at 10:32 am
Five years! Time flies when you’re having fun.
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This is my first visit to your blog, and what a wonderful introduction to the beautiful woman I met at Blogher
I have a few posts like this on my blog as well. I’m going to keep reading and getting to know you better! Feel free to explore on mine as well: http://jennafarelyn.blogspot.com
<3
Frelle
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angella Reply:
August 9th, 2011 at 10:32 am
It was great to meet you too! But you seriously need to stop saying so many sweet things – it might go to my head.
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Was SO nice seeing you. Hope you’re well rested and someone unpacked your suitcase and did your laundry for you.
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angella Reply:
August 9th, 2011 at 10:45 am
Ha! Sadly, no. But I am caught up on sleep.
I’m SO GLAD that I got to see you as much as I did, especially since Portland didn’t work out. You have the cutest baby bump EVER.
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