Home Sweet Home

It started with a need, and then a plan.

Then began the gathering of materials.

Then the laborers with improvements and preparations.

A good days work.

Toby's test run.

A satisfied customer...

single-hood-ness

I don't want anyone trying to deny it. Please, no maxims, or attempted words of consolation. As I see it, it is a fact. Despite prayers, efforts, pleadings, and desire; the time has come to accept what has happened…

Centuries ago, it would have been a widely acknowledged fact. I recognize I was raised with social expectations which differ widely from those perpetuated by mainstream media and culture. I have, in part, examined values and principle within which I was socialized. I am still in the process of accepting or rejecting material tinting my view of the world. Let it be established I have accepted ideas into my platform which makes the follow statement true to myself, about myself.

I, Malinda, am an old maid.

If I were talking to myself I would ask... "Are you bragging or complaining?"

…bragging....

Within the world of the LDS people I have been a Young Single Adult since the day I turn 18. I greatly enjoyed that realm of social connectivity throughout college. My student ward was my family. Thanks to Facebook, e-mail, blogs, and cell phones I am still in contact with many of the people I knew during those years.

I have people complain others pestering them over the matter. I haven't felt that way. I have had people reassure mee that I would get married. I have also never been set up on a blind date. At the age of 22 I had a girl ask mee if I was worried about being so old and single. (laughable, I know). I told her I was odd enough I expected it would take a while to find someone to marry.

Complaining…

A couple of weeks ago I attended a single adult conference. On Saturday morning I was reviewing the program with a couple of sisters I had met the night before. One of them brought a statement from a speaker bio to our attention. I talked about him having a great love and respect for singles.

“Do we have a disease?” was the questions she asked. Are we an alien race or a group with disabilities? Does it take a certain amount of effort to love those who are single?

Although I agreed the statement sounded odd, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. The Brother the bio was about did an amazing job speaking. One of the things helped mee understand the statement of concern. It also relieved some tension I have felt concerning my state of being single.

“Being single is a burden.”

How is being single a burden? Many might sight all the things I can doing being single. Travel when I want to. Don’t have to worry about making others happy or catering to the needs of others. I only have to clean up after myself and my dog.

Yep, I get to travel, by myself. Well, I take Boyd (see the side bar) along for fun. I have no one to cater for. I have no one to help mee make decisions. I have no one to be alone with. I have no one to bounce ideas off of at 2 am.

I don’t want to be a whiner. Everyone has things they have to deal with. I try to remember all the things I have to be grateful for. I have a job I love. I have a house. I have a very handsome dog…

So here I am to that point where I don’t know how to explain what it feels like…to sit in church without a hand to hold or a companion to share insights with….how conscientious I am about talking with the brethren…how I feel I have nothing in common with young mothers…

What to do…

Pray. Prayer does amazing things. Pray for mee. Pray that you might know what to do for mee. Pray that you might know how to help others who are feeling alone. Pray, pray, pray…

Do something. It may seem silly, or unimportant. Do it anyway. Never let opportunities to serve pass you by.

What not to do…

Don’t treat mee like I am 20. I was 20 once. It was a lot of fun. I am grateful for all the memories I have from that time in my life. I am no longer there.

Don’t think I am strong enough. We are charged with sharing burdens. I am not good at sharing mine.

Speak up...

There is a lot of stuff going on in the world to day. It is up to us to maintain our freedoms. You need to let your voice be heard. Use this website to find out who to contact and how. Be an active part of the political process.

http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

Apostle Says Religious Freedom Is Being Threatened - LDS Newsroom

Apostle Says Religious Freedom Is Being Threatened - LDS Newsroom Shared via AddThis

Monday Memory Moment

I am pretty sure I haven't blogged about this yet. This painting was given to mee by a friend. She gave to to mee for my 30th Birthday. She said she used bright colors because she saw them all over my house and figured I like them. Picture painted by E.E. Rouse

What is going on?

I just read/watched a blog post from a facebook friend. I encourage all to see/read it.

"My Dirty Little Political Secret"

Monday Mustard Moment

I have a very gracious father. I don't know how conversations about increasing a persons allowance might typically go. We may not have had very many of them. "Double it," is the response I remember. 2 x 0 = 0. Dad might have even offered to triple it. We learned to manage money in a different manner.

We lived in Star. Dad worked worked in Eagle (East). Mom worked in Parma (West). We went to school in Meridian (South). By the time I was in high school my older sister was driving. In the course of the week we were the closets ones to a supermarket. Therefore it was decided we would get to do the shopping.

We were given $120-$150 a week. With this money we were to buy the groceries for the week. We also had to have money to fill our car up with gas and buy more milk later in the week. What ever monies were left over was ours.

We got to decided if we bought school lunches or take a lunch with us. It didn't take long to determine it was cheaper to take lunches. I recall making a lot of sandwiches. If I was making them Dad usually wanted one. I recall usually making three or four at a time.

There is something these unsuspecting sandwich receivers may not be aware of. Mustard Art. There was usually a picture of some sort inside. It was usually a smile. So...my family has eaten more happiness than they were ever aware off.