Things that I want

Here is my current WANT list in no particular order:

An Awesome Deck

To stop being sick

Channing Tatum

Lasik  

These running shoes

This body 

Now here is the list of things that I NEED:

• This



Punishment

After writing that last post I found out that I have to teach Relief Society on Sunday. What is the topic you ask? "The blessings of eternal marriage".......

I'm a spinster....so what?!

"A woman without a man is still of infinite worth."

- Kristen Oaks

I am 30. Never been married. Whatsitoya??

I looked up info about what a spinster is and where the word came from and it appears that back in the beginning when the term was used, it referred to women who spun wool.  Aside from the world's "oldest" profession, it was one of the few ways a woman could work and earn a wage independently of a man.  Cool, I work and bring in my own dough too!

As time passed though, it became a term used for women who didn't marry  - even women who weren't married at the age of 15 were considered spinsters.... so hopefully everyone reading this blog was a spinster at some point in their life....

Why is it now, in these days, that when a woman passes the age of 26,27...30 and so on, and remains unmarried, it is seen as unfortunate in some people's eyes? I do not think this it is an unfortunate thing. I really don't.

Many people will blame it on the mormon culture - but I have non-mormon friends and acquaintences that have expressed the same sentiments of 'what must be wrong' with me and other girls in my situation to still be single. So stop blaming purely mormons...

I have recieved sympathies, advice, questions and etc on my being single. My grandma even suggested to my mom that me and my sisters (there are 2 other spinsty's in the fam) should attend CHARM SCHOOL. HAHA!!

My favorite question that I have been asked again and again and again is: "Why are you still single??" How am I supposed to respond? What kind of answer are they looking for? I could reply to them:

"I must be ugly"
"Maybe I'm a lesbo and don't know it!!" (I am NOT!)
"I'm just really weird"
 or maybe
"I just must not be desirable to the male species"

Maybe I could just respond to them with some questions of my own. Such as:

" Hey, are you planning on having MORE children?"
"Does your husband STILL find you attractive after all these years?!?"
"So, how much money do you make?"
"Do you think you’ll go on a diet soon?"
"Are you planning on doing anything about your receding hairline?"
Or as Bridget Jones was asked how her love life was and she replied, "Tell me, is it one in four marriages that ends in divorce now, or one in three?”

Those may sound rude, but you get the point.

Of course I would love to find the man of my dreams and settle down and have a family, but I don't feel like to do so, I should marry just anybody. Pretty sure that God wouldn't want me to live a life that I settled for and was unhappy. Our whole purpose is "Men are that they might have joy" or something like that....

I have been close to marriage a couple of times. But I know those marriages would have been unhappy. Some people have told me I must be really picky - should I settle instead? I have honestly looked back at all my relationships and the ones that were serious - there was always something obstructing marriage.

I remember looking at engagement rings with one boyfriend and feeling sick to my stomach. I went home feeling creepy,annoyed and irritated that he was in my space etc....I am glad I did not marry this dude with those feelings I had. I have never heard of a love story that started with "When I had that creepy sickness in my stomach - I just knew we were meant to be!!"

Just because I am not married and tied to a man, does not make me less important, less intelligent, weird or unwanted. I have traveled to different parts of the world. I've translated for doctors in Ecuador in free health clinics to the locals - some who had never been to a doctor before. I went on  a church  mission to people in Uruguay - helping people literally living in poverty overcome failures and sadness. I have obtained two Bachelor Degrees from college. I have a career. I bought a house by myself. I have been a contributing member to my community by volunteering in things such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Domestic Violence Shelters and church affairs. I think I'm kinda cool at least.
Now I'm not writing this to sound bitter or angry. Because I honestly am not. I am happy and going forward in my life. I am not waiting around for a man in order  to begin my life. I date. Sometimes its good, sometimes its eh, and somtimes its horrid.

I guess I'm writing this in hopes to let some people know that it is OK to be single. It is not a thing of despair and sadness.  Its hard when someone asks why you aren't married as if something must be wrong, and then it makes you rethink your happiness. 'Oh wait, I'm not married, so I can't move on and be happy' That is bull. 

Its when you are asked questions if you are married or dating someone and when you say no, the askers response is a tilt of the head with a sad look and a squeeze on the elbow that suggests that it is sad and unfortunate, that make you stop and think - oh wait, maybe I'm not happy.....

I was reading a blog by another girl who is 28 and single and she made me laugh out loud from her experience that she wrote (somewhat dramaticized):
“How are you—are you married?” all in one breath in a loud clear voice. Everyone in the line turned their heads. “No.” The answer seemed to bounce off the walls. Young married mothers covered their children’s ears and the people around me seemed to weep inside for my horrible fate.

It is truly due to the lack of people's life experience that they can't seem to understand something that they have not experienced themselves.  That shows a small mind. Not to be rude. :)

My parents are wonderful and have always fostered an independant, self-worth, and giving upbringing. They don't nag us to get married or complain to us that we are causing them distress with our singlehood. I am so greatful for that. I have friends who unfortunately are not in the same circumstance.

So I am going to continue on. SINGLE. * shiver* and enjoy my life.

Peace out yo!

Good Stuff

This is one of my favorite songs ever, so I thought I'd share.....

"Winter"

by Tori Amos ♥

Snow can wait 

I forgot my mittens 

Wipe my nose 

Get my new boots on 

I get a little warm in my heart 

When I think of winter 

I put my hand in my father's glove

I run off 

Where the drifts get deeper 

Sleeping beauty trips me with a frown 

I hear a voice 

"You must learn to stand up
for yourself 

Cause I can't always be around"

 He says 

When you gonna make up your mind 

When you gonna love you as much as I do 

When you gonna make up your mind 

Cause things are gonna change so fast 

All the white horses are still in bed 

I tell you that I'll always want you near 

You say that things change my dear

Boys get discovered as winter melts 

Flowers competing for the sun 

Years go by and I'm here still waiting

Withering where some snowman was

Mirror mirror where's the crystal palace 

But I only can see myself 

Skating around the truth who I am 

But I know, dad, the ice is getting thin

When you gonna make up your mind 

When you gonna love you as much as I do 

When you gonna make up your mind 

Cause things are gonna change so fast 

All the white horses are still in bed 

I tell you that I'll always want you near 

You say that things change my dear

  

Hair is grey 

And the fires are burning 

So many dreams 

On the shelf 

You say I wanted you to be proud of me 

I always wanted that myself 

He says 

When you gonna make up your mind 

When you gonna love you as much as I do 

When you gonna make up your mind 

Cause things are gonna change so fast 

All the white horses have gone ahead 

I tell you that I'll always want you near

 You say that things change 

My dear  

Neighborhood Dog Lady

Once upon a time, I ended up with 2 dogs that I never wanted in the first place.

But now i like them.

Except for the shrill barking that takes place occasionally.

They both came from the pound. Poor things. They are the BEST of friends now. They cuddle and sleep together, play together all day long, and are always at each others side.



Daphne

Milo



Yep. He is pooping. During a walk on a busy street.

And here we have Ms. Daphne who got trapped in my dad's cages

that are supposed to catch their neighborhood cats that poop in his garden.

                                   

The End.

Welcom to the Hood

I was walking my dogs the other day, and realized I have a cute neighborhood. Well - semi cute. Some houses are so adorable, and some could definitely use some lovin. The neighborhood is about 70 years old, so all the houses have that cottage/bungalo charm. Some obviously more than others!

Scandalous Pioneers

For the past 6 or 7 months, I've been really into genealogy. My goal is to get a book full of ancestor stories for both my mom's side, and my dad's side.  My dad's side has a lot of history that has been documented.

Some of the stuff I have found on my Dad's side has been super interesting... They were all pioneers that came across the plains from the years 1847 to about 1857. I have even found scandalous, fun stories such as the following: 

My great-great-great-great Grandpa named Howard Egan, was Joseph Smith's personal body guard up until the time he got killed, then he was in the first wagon train with Brigham Young in 1847.

He had married a lady named Tamson Parshley, but left her behind while he went on the trek west. He had married a few more wives by the time Tamson eventually made it to Salt Lake City.

Howard Egan left to California for the Gold rush in 1850. While he was gone, Tamson (my great-great-great grandma)  had an AFFAIR with her friend Jame's Monroe (also Joseph Smith's children's school teacher). Well, she got pregnant by this illicit lover. OOPs!!!!  To avoid confrontation with Howard Egan, James Monroe left Salt Lake City shortly after Tamson found out she was pregnant. A few months after the baby was born, Howard learned that James Monroe was coming back to Utah, so he went and met up with the wagon train. He shot and KILLED James Monroe basically in front of the whole wagon train. Howard is quoted to have said, "I have just shot the seducer of my wife. This vengeance is sweet to me"  right after shooting him.

Howard got arrested and went to court. George Albert Smith - an apostle - was his lawyer. Howard was acquitted due to the jury believing this was justifiable homicide! Interestingly, on March 6, 1852, the Territorial legislature passed the Justifiable Homicide Act, which was a direct outcome of the Egan case. The Act stated that it would be: "Justifiable homicide to kill the person who defiled a "wife, daughter, mother, sister or any other female relative or dependent."  This law was in act until 1874.

Howard raised the illegitimate baby as his own and even named him after the biological father - William MONROE Egan.  http://jod.mrm.org/1/95

Seriously - this stuff is all well documented - you can't make this up.

Howard Egan did some other pretty cool stuff - besides being Joseph Smith's body guard, he and his sons (my great great grandpa) were major players in the pony express.

But that is for another post.

:)


For all my cousins and family - these people were Minnie Marshall McKinnon's great grandparents.

Phone Camera fun

I was going through my pictures on my phone and deleting them and realized some of them are so random. I chose a few that I apparently thought were worthy of a picture being taken.

She really did feel pretty after getting a manicure....

Proving to someone that I was indeed watching Conference.

  

I loved Molly's gut in this one. She ain't ashamed.

Over where we keep our horses gets pretty muddy in the winter/spring time.

Jackson's cute cute smile, while wearing his beloved conductor's hat.

Awwww... cuteness....

This pic is blurry, but its of my dad holding my sisters doggie... I just thought it was hilarious. My dad is a Paris Hilton wannabe.

I made Milo wear a diaper after I found tapeworm coming out of his butt. YES TAPEWORM. I was repulsed for the rest of the weekend. Do not fear, it is cured.

 

Vaccuuming up any could-be tapeworm remnants....  NASTY

:)

A shirt my sis and I saw at a thrift store.....

 Molly destroyed a stuff animal in about 5.4 seconds, and Milo sniffed her butt every second of the way.... Both were in heaven.

Thoughts for this Thursday

I don't blog much anymore. Mostly, because I don't know what to blog about. My life is busy as usual  but I still am just too lazy to write it down on a blog. So here are my thoughts about my life for this Thursday:

- I am taking care of 2 dogs - one of which chases the neighbor kids all the way up to their door of their house and barks incessantly, but is cute and looks like a teddy bear.... the other who is a sweetheart and loves to give kisses and snuggle.  

Lacey the Snuggler

Milo the chaser/barker. He's so cute though....

- Being 30 isn't that bad. Actually its better than being 29. 29 came with a lot of "dreading to turn 30." So now I have nothing to dread....

- I think I am my church's project girl. Why do I say that?? Well this week I have had my visiting teachers, my home teachers, the elders quorumn president come visit. And the Relief Society president personally invited me to go to RS. I have noticed that being single in a family ward makes is very easy to be less active.

- I wish it would stop raining. why? a) because my dogs get muddy feet and I have to wash them off constantly b) I could go ride my horses without sinking up to my knees in horse poop and mud  c) I want to start working on my yard d) I could go on and on


- I sat in a meeting at work with a man who had an extremely bad combover. I mean it was combed over from the bottom of his ear to the top of his other ear.... embrace the baldness people!

- I want to hold a baby.

- How did I end up with a job that actually DOES use math?? I had to take college math 3 times in order to pass it, and even then, I only passed it by 1% (no exaggeration). And now in my job I use math daily.... at least I can use a calculator...

-I went on a cruise with my friends and sister. We went to Aruba, Curacao, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico and Dominica. It was so fun. While in Curacao, I rode a Ostrich.... I like the one where I am on the poor ostrich and we are basically making the same face of shock and confusion....

 - I think this is  a really ugly picture, and would be grossed out if I was licked by that long tongue.

 

- I love owning my house. Its little, and its old, but I LOVE it. I can do what I want to it, and its my little creation. I recently had my roommate move out, so now its just me and the dogs, and it has been soooo great. I only fear that I will never want to get married now. I am content.

-  I have to pee, so now I'm going to go.

BYE BYE