why I disagree with courting

I made the following post on my favorite message board. I plan to do a series on my views about dating soon.

I disagree that "casual" dating leads to a divorce mentality and sexual activity. I have no problem casually dating someone. While I never would waste my time dating someone I could not even think of marrying, I don't feel like I'm giving my heart away to every guy I meet.

I am anything but promiscuous. I am very proud of the fact that I am waiting for marriage (and in fact have kissed very few guys) and actually try to mentor a lot of younger girls to let them know you can have fun, meet guys but not have sex (I'm in a sorority for goodness sakes!)- and by no sex I mean NO sex. Nothing you wouldn't be ashamed of doing if your parents were in the room (which for me is only a quick kiss).

I value my parent's input and listen to what they have to say. But honestly I feel that if I'm mature enough to pay my own bills (my house rent at school, my cell phone, car insurance, books, etc), take care of myself and lead a productive life, than I can make proper adult decisions in terms of my relationships.

My parents have raised me well and in a Christian home. I don't automatically lose my morals because a cute guy is in the room.

But to answer the original question I would not date a non-Christian. Jesus is the center of my life. I could not share my life with someone who did not feel the same way.

Interesting

You Are 81% Feminist

You are a total feminist. This doesn't mean you're a man hater (in fact, you may be a man). You just think that men and women should be treated equally. It's a simple idea but somehow complicated for the world to put into action.

Are You a Feminist?

AMEN!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

I'm leaving for vacation in 1 day and 3 hours. I am so excited. Although I think my family is less so. You see I have a confession to make: I am an uber planner. It doesn't matter where I'm going or for how long. I need to make an itenary weeks in advance and pass out maps,etc.

Needless to say..my three year old niece better keep up with us adults because SO HELP HER IF SHE MESSES UP MY TIMETABLE!!! Just kidding. I did add 20 minutes or so into each day for bathroom breaks and meals :P

Let's play a game, well two actually. One is a travel meme:

How many bags do you usually pack for a one week vacation? I pack 1 carry on. I can't stand waiting for luggage.


How many outfits do you take? enough to make about 14 outfits. I mean you never know..I may meet prince charming and maybe actually have to um coordinate!


Do you shorten your beauty routine? HA I wish. I work with toddlers all day, remember? So if anything I want to look glamorous on vacay! I've packed all my makeup, flat iron, hair dryer....


Do you sleep on the plane? Yes. I really have to make myself,otherwise I have motion sickness.

Do you tip housekeeping at the hotel? No. Are we sopposed to? If I did do you think they'd actually wash those comforters lol

So anyone who reads my blog, feel free to do this on your blog and let me know in the comment section.

And my second game is Guess where I'm going!

Let's see: It's roughly the size of Manhatten. There are 3 major areas. Near the home of N*Sync. North of Cuba. Rodents roam free.

Leave your guesses in the comment section!!

See you next week :)

Why you need to pay your CCP a decent wage

I'm a nanny.

I LOVE being a nanny. It is actually a thrill to go to work everday. And although I mainly do this because I enjoy being around children, I also enjoy my paycheck.

Retaining child care providers (CCP) is extremely hard. It's mainly because few families want to pay CCPs what they deserve. Why is it that few people will type at a desk all day for $3-$5 an hour; yet fully expect someone to run after their child, discipline, clean, cook and change diapers for that amount? It's not going to happen. And if it does you'll get someone who:

isn't going to stay long
is illegal
or all of the above.

No matter how cute and cuddly your child is, minimum wage (OR LESS THAN) will not make someone continue to watch them for a long period of time.

Sorry not going to happen.

Your CCP is basically parenting you child for the 40+ hours a week you're going at work. If they aren't worth a decent wage (at least $10 an hour), then you need to find someone else.

This craig's list post says it best:

To those of you looking to hire quality caregivers, please consider the quality of the employee you will receive when you offer anything less than $10.00 per hour per one child. I live in [XXXX] where the cost of living is comparable but slighty less than that of [XXX]. The babysitters (meaning those who do little more than making sure your child is safe, fed and put to bed) earn a minimum of $10.00 per hour. As parents, you all know the demands of childcare. Not to mention, home management care, errands, shopping ,meal prep, laundry, light housekeeeping, pet care, etc. All things that go along with daylight childcare. Please consider those you employ more respectfully so that you may receive a higher grade caregiver for those you love. Sincerely, THE NANNY

Reasone #934849002 why waiting is SO hard

Ok, I'm not a HUGE American Idol fan. But when I heard Robin Thicke was on their today...I def. went and fast forwarded to his performace. Wow I am in love :P




But hey I'm sure the guy who's "lost without me" is just around the corner...right??

More about me:

I found this on some blogs:

. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My aunts
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Umm last week...I had a horrible day at work.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?I LOVE it. Even though everyone else thinks it looks like a 3rd grader
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Ham
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? No...but being that I'm a super awesome Nanny, babysitter and aunt...I'm ALWAYS around kids
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Obviously
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? See #6
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yep
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Yes ...and I'm prob going parasailing next week!!
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Puffins, Frosted Mini Wheats
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? I always wear flip flops
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Physically yes. Emotionally...no I am always crying :)
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?Cookie Dough
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?Their purse
15. RED OR PINK? PINK
16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My thighs... OH how I hate those things
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My granny
18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Khaki shorts and grey/pink Reefs
19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Blueberry Muffin
20. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? My typing and the fish tank
21. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Pink
22. FAVORITE SMELLS? Toddlers after they've eaten a fruitcup, cake mix, Clinque Happy
23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My Mom and Dad
24. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Oh....probably Basketball
25. HAIR COLOR? Black (well it's turning brown b/c of the summer)
26. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?Rumor has it. I'm a sucker for those romantic comedies
27. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?A pink (what else?) sorority shirt
28. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? A gazillion. Let's see: Believing God, A bunch of travel books (for my VACAY NEXT WEEK!!!), Get out of that pit (well actually I just finished it...but it is AMAZING. The lord is def. working through Beth Moore. I LOVE her books). And a biography on some Vanderbilts.
29. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I'm pretty good at picking stuff up super fast.