The 27 Year Old Menace!

So it's no news that if you are a single woman over the age of 25 in Salt Lake City, UT that you are officially deemed a menace...but I didn't think it was going to carry over to Connecticut. In fact, it's one of the reasons I chose the East Coast when I graduated. The pressure in Utah to get married was getting intense. People assured me that the average age for marriage was older here, something like 28 so I figured I was "safe" for a while. However, sure enough...the comments keep creeping thier way into my menaceful life.

By definition, a menace is: express a threat either by an utterance or a gesture, something that is a source of danger, or to act in a threatening manner.

So I am wondering...hmmm....is doing your job, paying your debts, travleing the world, and following your dreams really all that threatening? Apparantly so cause for some reason everyone seems to have an opinion these days on what is wrong with me or why I haven't found "the one". I realize it is out of concern and love, but I often find myself laughing at the oodles of comments I recieve each week. I thought I would share a few with you and those of you who are fellow menaces will empathize I am sure. This week alone I have recived these comments.

"Holly, roll up your sleeves and get crackin! A lump on a log is not a pretty site!
-MOM
"I have no doubts Holly that Heavenly Father has a man in store for you-he doesn't pick favorites"
-friend in South Africa
"Holly you are going to to get a hunk!"
-fellow nanny in Connecticut
"You are a special girl and your reward will come"
-another friend in South Africa
"You are just so set upable!"
-My employer
"You'll find the one, It'll happen when you least expect it"
-Everyone-Weekly!

Now here is the thing...I didn't ask any one of these people if I would find the one or not or how to find the one...they all just volunteered the comments. That is what usually happens. Even the seven year old I nanny is playing matchmaker. On friday he told his 26 year old teacher Mr. Gilpin that I had a crush on him just cause I mentioned he was cute once. He is cute! But, imagine my embarrassment today as I march up to pick up Maxwell with Marshall in my arms and stains all over my shirt, cause that is what nannies look like by 3pm okay! Mr. Gilpin was all cutsie with Marshall and I was just thinking "get me outta here" as I blushed and walked away. On the way home, Maxwell proceeded to tell me in the car that he had a "talk" Mr. Gilpin today at school. He asked Mr. Gilpin if he was married, and his reply was "No, why? Does your Nanny want to marry me?". It gets worse. Maxwell copied my cell phone number off the emergency numbers list in the kitchen and handed it to his teacher and don't worry...at dinner I was being called Holly Gilpin. K...now I am totally mortified and I never want to go back to Rye Country Day School for pick up or drop offs again! Let alone the class performances. The pediatrician is also the matchmaking type. Today while taking Marshall in for a check up, he tells me I'm a nice girl and says he is going to get the yente's (Jewish Mother's) involved. Then, I tell him I'm LDS and he says, "Oh, well...I can't help you there then". Nice One! Came home and there was a message on my facebook from my friend saying that she wants to set me up with this guy who is also looking for a "nice LDS girl". We're ALL nice LDS girls!!! I want someone who wants ME!

My point being...I don't know how or when in the world I will find "the one" but I am convinced that it's more complicated than just being set up, or when I least expect it or that I deserve it. It's a matter of a miracle and one that I am willing to wait for and date for if the result is that I get life eternal out of it in the end. And if that is menaceful...I guess the whole world and those who are trying to fix Holly and her singlehood will just have to suffer the consequences. As for me...I'm just going to keep on being Holly cause I don't know how to be anyone else and eventually the guy I marry is going to find out who I really am anyways! As for Mr. Gilpin-I'll keep you updated!

My So Called Life in Connecticut

Hello from Nanny World! Things here in Greenwich are going pretty smoothly. Although, I think I just may be working a little too much and playing a little too little. I've begun to wonder if a social life is even an option at this point. Some weeks the only activities I get to are ones where I have a responsibility to be there. It must be how every mother feels, trying to get five minutes of "ME" time, which is nearly impossible, let alone dinner with a girlfriend or time to see a movie. I haven't had my hair cut since May. It seems that even my time in the bathroom which is supposed to be private time is taken up by one of the children knocking at the door, or in most cases, I bring the eighteen month old Marshall into the bathroom with me for fear of him getting into something he shouldn't or falling down one of the many flights of stairs (anyone relate to this?). It's a little awkward I have to admit the older he get's...trying to do your business while the child is peeking at you and is grinning at the bathroom sounds. K...moving on. Speaking of stairs, how many flights of stairs does one house need anyway?...in this house the answer is six which is way too many in my opinion...that must be why after I sing the children to sleep at night all I want to do is sit. Sitting would be great! But for some unknown reason I commited myself to training for a marathon which means right after work I head to the track so it doesn't get too dark. I'd love to run through the neighborhoods, but Greenwich doesn't have sidewalks...they like to keep the country feel around here. Around and around the track I go...sometimes dizzifying myself to the point I feel nausiated. I tell myself it's all paying off and will be amazing when I am on the Great Wall of China crossing the finish line. It better be! Alas, when I return home at night I am so sleepy that it takes all I have in me to shower, change into PJ's, read my scriptures and remind myself that I chose this life for myself and should be grateful for it. I guess that is the key...when we are in the midst of complaining about our lives, we need to remember that we have a choice whether to be happy about it or not. Atleast that is what I tell the kids when they whine about the choices they make. I am grateful for my job. The Mandells have been very good to me, we've travelled the world together and I have been able to live comfortably and meet financial obligations with ease. That is why I chose this and for now I reckon that I may as well enjoy the journey! To all the moms...I have no idea how you get through it without the paycheck or the Christmas Bonus...it must have something to do with the "I love you's" and seeing your children discover something for the first time!