Dog and Kids

I got to thinking about a conversation I  had with a friend regarding dogs and children.  My friend was wondering whether she should take the plunge and get a dog (she is single), or if she should wait until she's "ready."  She and I have had many conversations about her life and where she's at right now, and she came to the conclusion that a dog was the next step. Of course, she has plans for the next two weeks and says she will not be able to adopt a dog until then.  Then, the unexpected happened.  She fell in love with a dog she found online.  This was totally out of left field, and she found herself imagining life with that sweet, fluffy, canine.  BUT, she remembered she had plans and it wouldn't work out right now (hoping that the puppy would still be there in two weeks).  Unfortunately, to her regret, the puppy had been adopted!
Listening to her story made me think about children.  Often times couples will adopt a dog usually as a trial period to see what kind of parents they will be.  Not saying they don't love the dog; rather this is a way to care for another living being.  I admit, my husband and I adopted a dog one month after we were married!  Enter the question of children: Should we have kids now?  Are we ready for kids?  Will we ever be ready?  Or should we just go for it?  If a lot of us who are married kept saying, "I'm not ready yet.  I still have a lot more to do," I feel like we would never have kids!
My advice to my friend regarding her dog was to "just go for it if you really love a dog you see."  Do I take my own advice?
What would your advice be to your friends if they asked whether or not they should have kids?

The Thirty-Somethings

Turning thirty is definitely one of the most difficult birthdays a woman faces.  It marks the end of your twenties: the crazy, wild, sexy twenties that probably was the time of your life (at least for me it was).  You are no longer a teenager.  You can legally drink; you graduated college; you are traveling; you have many boyfriends; and you are experimenting with life and all its lovely offerings.  I must admit, my twenties were a bit of a confusing time.  I wasn't always happy.  In fact, there were many times I felt confused and out of control.  The one thing I did know in my twenties was that I was NOT thirty, and still felt young!
Then came the BIG 3-0.  Ugh.  It wasn't so much that my life drastically changed the day I turned thirty; it was more the idea of being thirty.  It just felt so...OLD.  To make matters worse, I remember talking with my cousin one day and looking at old pictures from when we were in our twenties and realizing how much older we looked.  I didn't have my baby face anymore, I looked MATURE.  Eeek!
It's not that I didn't want to look mature.  I just thought we would be twenty, well, forever! 
Being thirty-something isn't so bad.  I feel more confident in myself and not so lost.  I do dread the day I get gray hairs and wrinkles, but I guess it's a part of the inevitable process we call aging.  
While I wish I could slow down the aging process, I must accept it and learn to deal with it.  My closest friends are having children now (talk about pressure) and I find myself trying to come to grips with the fact that we're becoming real adults.  Marriage, children, homeowners, suburbs (not everyone), book clubs...we all grew up!  It's such a fascinating yet sober realization.  
So to all my thirty-something ladies out there, grab your thirties by the horns and ride it out to the fullest!  

A Tale of a Domestic Feminist

Some believe the era of feminism is slowly fading and we are now entering into a new era of fashion, fame, fortune, and celebrity obsession.  While the latter is arguably true, I beg to differ that feminism is fading.  Rather, I tend to think that feminism is taking on a new face. 

Yes, the recent years of celebrity obsession has drawn many women to feel they must look a certain way, act a certain way, and be of certain status to get anywhere in this world.  Perhaps this is true if you are looking to be in Hollywood.  However, the average woman in America seems to be taking on a different approach. 

The modern woman is hard working, powerful, independent, driven, and unique.  (Thank you women's rights movement!)  These words describe all types of women in America: corporate women, business women, professionals, stay-at-home moms, 9-5 women, athletes, academics, and many many more.  

I am definitely a supporter of the women's rights movement and respect all the women that fought so hard to get us where we are today. BUT, I also love many domestic things that pre-feminist era were considered part of a "woman's role" in the house.

So what are these domestic activities that I love?  

For starters, I love cooking.  I do most of the cooking in my household and that is because I love cooking, I'm good at it (yes, I am tooting my own horn), and why not do something I love?  I also love to bake and frequently enjoy getting together with girlfriends to bake and swap recipes.  Dare I mention I even have cookie parties??  When I first moved to the Bay Area, I met women that were very anti-domestic and very feminist.  I must admit this was a shock being from Texas.  I felt self conscious at first, not wanting to admit things I loved to do in fear of being looked down upon.  What would these women say if I invited them to a cookie party?  But, I have learned to embrace my inner domestic side and am very proud to say that I am a "Domestic Feminist."  

I do believe in the rights of women and I do enjoy doing activities traditionally thought of as "for women only."

So ladies it does not matter what category you fall under or between, embrace and celebrate yourself because we are all women and, for the most part, we all have the same worries, hopes, and dreams!