I was probably doomed anyway.
My friend Cy posted on her tumblr a link to this article on The Daily Beast about the 15 Signs You'll Get Divorced.
1. If you're a woman who got married before the age of eighteen, your marriage faces a 48 percent likelihood of divorce within ten years.
Phew! I'm an old maid and now proud of it!
2. If you're a woman who wants a child—either a first child or an additional child—much more strongly than your spouse does, your marriage is more than twice as likely to end in divorce as the marriages of couples who agree on how much they do or don't want a child.
FirstName LastName and I are both pretty "maybe" about kids.
3. If you have two sons, you face a 36.9 percent likelihood of divorce, but if you have two daughters, the likelihood rises to 43.1 percent.
Okay so just one child. Got it.
(Note To Sister: YOU'RE SCREWED)
4. If you're a man with high basal testosterone, you're 43 percent more likely to get divorced than men with low testosterone levels.
Have FirstName LastName's testosterone levels checked - DONE
If too high start feeding him ridiculous amounts of soy. I don't give a crap how many people say men who eat a lot of soy don't have testosterone problems, I know 4, all who were vegetarians as children, who do!
5. If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, you are 22.7 percent more likely to divorce before that child turns eight years old than parents of a child without ADHD.
Explains my parents divorce. THANKS TO MY BROTHER! Woo Hoo, not my fault after all!
6. If you are currently married but have cohabited with a lover other than your current spouse, you are slightly more than twice as likely to divorce than someone who has never cohabited.
Crap.
7. If you didn't smile for photographs early in life, your marriage is five times more likely to end in divorce than if you smiled intensely in early photographs.
Ummmm, I think I'm okay - (1, 2, 3, 4)
8. If your child has died after the twentieth week of pregnancy, during labor, or soon after labor, you are 40 percent more likely to divorce than if you had not lost a child.
TBD.
9. If you're a woman who has recently been diagnosed with cancer or multiple sclerosis, your marriage is six times more likely to end in divorce than if your husband had been diagnosed with those diseases instead.
'Cause men are shady bastards and can't deal when people get sick. **Fingers Crossed**
10. If you're a Caucasian woman and you're separated from your spouse, there's a 98 percent chance that you'll be divorced within six years of that separation; if you're a Hispanic woman, the likelihood is 80 percent; if you're an African-American woman, the likelihood is 72 percent.
Kill Whitey!
11. If you're a dancer or choreographer, you face a 43.05 percent likelihood of divorce, compared with mathematicians, who face a 19.15 percent likelihood, and animal trainers, who face a 22.5 percent likelihood.
Guess I'm going back to school to be a mathematician. 2 + 2 is still 4, right?
12. If you're a farmer or rancher, you face only a 7.63 percent likelihood of divorce, joined by other low-risk occupations such as nuclear engineers, who face a 7.29 percent likelihood, and optometrists, who face a mere 4.01 percent likelihood.
Fuck numbers! I am going to become a cow optometrist!
13. If either you or your spouse have suffered a brain injury, your marriage faces a 17 percent chance of ending in divorce.
Does spinal meningitis here?
14. If you're an African-American woman, your first marriage has a 47 percent likelihood of ending in divorce within ten years; for Hispanic women, the likelihood is 34 percent; for Caucasian women, it's 32 percent; for Asian women, it's 20 percent.
Hrmph.
15. If you're a woman serving actively in the military, your marriage is 250 percent more likely to end in divorce than that of a man serving actively in the military.
Thankfully, that will never be a problem. Also, men suck. They don't stick around when things get tough!
Remember me?
After basically receiving hate mail from a super fan last night about not posting, as well as this lovely gem from my favorite superstar runner, I realized I finally had to carve out some time for an update. So *deep breath* here it goes.
If you haven't already guessed, I have been super busy lately. The youngest nieceling (ridiculous hat courtesy of my sister's mother-in-law) turned 1 and I went up North for the big day (and made the most righteous The Hungry Caterpillar cake ever). I'm still training for the second half of the San Francisco Marathon with the same ol' gang. This time I am raising money for Larkin Street Youth Services and YOU SHOULD DONATE. I'm signed on as vendor coordinator/wrangler/god/whatever for a super exciting music festival called Mission Creek and you should come!
Oh and I've been spending a ridiculous amount of time with Firstname Lastname. Which is really what you came here to read.
Here is the thing, I can't talk about. It's not that I'm not allowed to, though FirstName Lastname did finally fess up to seeing my site and the encounter went something like this: (click picture to enlarge)
It's not that I don't have anything to say. It's just everything I do have, and want, to say is so disgustingly mushy and sweet and loving it will make everyone within 3 city blocks vomit violently out of their eye sockets. Don't believe me? Okay you asked for it.
1. After dropping a few subtle hints about how much I wanted to see Wicked he attempted to surprise me with ridiculously fabulous tickets. Unfortunately, I am the world's best guesser.
2. When I went up North for the youngest nieceling's birthday he packed me a travel kit filled with all kinds of travel stuff and a card about how much he is going to miss me.
3. He knows I think the gum he chews is too big so he pre-tears me a half piece.
4. He still opens my car door for me every single time I get in the car.
5. After a ridiculously fun Sunday Funday on memorial day weekend I broke out in hives. When we got home he gave me a Benadryl, a cup of sorbet, and let me watch The Empire Strikes Back while he got a shower. Upon his exit from the shower (in just a pair of shorts) in my delirious Benadryl induced state I looked at him with sorbet running down my chin and declared him, "SO HOT". He still tried to sleep with me later that night.
6. He takes it seriously when I break out in hives. Which happens roughly every 8 - 9 minutes. YES MINUTES.
7. He bought me flowers after our first big fight.
8. Even though I don't think he gets my humor he still laughs.
9. He's teaching me to sail!
10. We have like 2891308292391 trips planned....well maybe not planned but in the works/in the back of our minds.
I'm so disgustingly mushy most people assume he's "the one". My sister thinks so, my hairdresser, and even one of the guys I used to date. Oh yes, I went out to dinner and scout out some locations for an upcoming fundraiser with an ex last night. In the course of it, he decided he really wants to start a pool for when Firstname Lastname proposes. I told him it was ludicrous and intensely premature but the concept made me laugh so hard.....well.......... here is how this is going to pan out.
Email me with the date you are guessing then Paypal $3 to amanda@datingismiserable.com for a square. One person per day. "Never" is a valid answer. I will update the calendar with vacations, special occasions, etc. Person who guesses correctly wins the pot. Calendar can be seen here. In the event no one guesses correctly all money will be donated to charity.
So anyway, yes I'm still totally insane, everything is fine, no I'm not dead, and I've missed all of you. How have things been with you guys?
Mrs. Creepoftheyear
Zane: I've got 7 dates scheduled this week, i'm gonna start pulling increasingly ridiculous shit during them
me: WHO WOULD GO OUT WITH YOU?!?!
Zane: well they don't know they're going out with me
they're just going to be at bars and end up leaving their drinks unguarded
CREEPY ROOFIE JOKE ZING
me: you are a creep. I'm starting a "Don't Date Zane" blog.
Zane: btw the don't date zane blog is boring
you need to start one thats "come up with ridiculous shit for zane to do on a date"
cuz by thursday, im gonna completely not give a fuck
me: let me call every 5 minutes when you're out on a date, change your phone background to a photo of me and the neicelings, and wear a wedding ring.
Zane: oh fuck yes
maybe do that with the girl ive been banging for a few months now
me: and change my contact picture to something wholesome and sweet
and my name to "wife"
and just put your phone on the table
AND VIDEO THIS SHIT
Zane: I don't see how this plan is even capable of failing
me: dude seriously
PLEASE DO IT
Zane: you got it, wifey
me: best background image EVER here.
then change my contact picture to this:
DUDE YOU HAVE TO DO IT
Zane: this would work so well
ps never send me a photo without boobs and with children ever again
me: ![]()
Zane: k time to go out bowling with friends, don't call wifey I may not be able to answer. you know, cuz of the bowling. with all dudes. i'm not cheating on you.
me: LIES
Anyone up for a game of Old Maid?
First the eldest nieceling (1,2) now my sister.......
Anyone in the market for a slightly used yet tolerant sister and 2 practically brand new niecelings?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: My Sister [bitchfacemcghee@thestepfordwives.com]
To: Me [spinster4lyfe@crazycatlady.com]
Date: Tue, Mar 23, 2010 at 12:55 PM
Subject: Yahoo! News Story - Single Women Still Feel Spinster Stigma, Study Finds - Yahoo!
Single women still feel stigma, study finds
Though more and more women are staying single or waiting to marry these days, the stigma against "spinsters" hasn't lessened, a new survey found.
About 40 percent of adults were single in 2009, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Researchers interviewed 32 of these middle-class, never-married women over age 30. They found that these women perceive themselves as caught in a double bind: Their single status made them both highly visible and invisible.
For example, the study subjects said they felt more visible in situations such as bouquet tosses at weddings, which prompted unwanted, intrusive questions about the their marriage status. Yet the respondents also felt invisible in society, with others assuming they were married and had children, and ignoring the reality of single women. The subjects often felt people expected them to justify or explain their singlehood.
The women also reported other difficulties tied to their social status:
Under Pressure
"Auntie Amanda is going to have a baby soon. She needs to find a man!"
- Eldest Nieceling
Dear Eldest Nieceling,
Please don't put that curse on my head. As you know, I am fully capable of putting an exponentially worse curse on you.

(sidenote: yes that is me. BEST AUNT EVER)
But I love and adore you to little mushy wushy gushy pieces so I'm not too keen on playing the tit for tat game with you. Plus, you're only 4 (Such a big kid already! Seems like you were just a baby!) and what kind of fabulous aunt would I be if I held this against you?
Look, I know you're eager for me to settle down (this isn't the first time you've brought up my single status) but one day I assure you you'll understand that everyone does marriage and kids at their own pace.
How about we make a deal? If you bug Auntie Kristin for the next few years and leave me to figure out my own love life, I swear , when the time comes, you can pick out any flower girl or junior bridesmaid dress you want.
Love,
Auntie Amanda
P.S. I AM NOT PREGNANT
Hillary Duff Teaches All Girls How To Handle Getting Engaged

1. Act surprised.

2. Cry.

3. Text a picture to your family and friends.

4. Make with the head.
I seriously think a lot more women my age would be engaged/married if they knew this trick.
Filed Under: NO LIZZIE MCGUIRE NO
Awkward.
I was reading Offbeat Bride today (don't judge me). One of the posts advocated conspicuously letting your man know you are ready to get married. I could do nothing but cringe and think of this conversation when I saw this music video some girl made to let her boyfriend know she was ready to get engaged.
I Am Ready from Shelby Falk on Vimeo.
Part of me thinks she should have just sat around waving her ring finger in his face and tapping her watch.
Dating Advice of the Day
Older couples make me unbelievably happy. My grandparents, married for 59 years, have always been my inspiration. I can't wait to be an old lady sitting in my rocking chair rehashing all my memories with someone I've shared a life with.

Meet Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher. The Fishers are the title holders of the longest marriage of a living couple (84 years). On Valentine's Day The Fishers answered 14 questions via their twitter account about the secret to a happy marriage. My favorites are here.
Q2: How did you know your spouse was the right one for you?
A2: We grew up together & were best friends before we married. A friend is for life - our marriage has lasted a lifetime
Q4: What is your advice to someone who is trying to keep the faith that Mr. Right is really out there?
A4: Mine was just around the corner!He is never too far away, so keep the faith - when you meet him, you’ll know
Q5: What was the best piece of marriage advice you ever received?
A5: Respect, support & communicate with each other. Be faithful, honest & true. Love each other with ALL of your heart
Q8: You got married very young – how did u both manage to grow as individuals yet not grow apart as a couple?
A8: "Everyone who plants a seed & harvests the crop celebrates together” We are individuals, but accomplish more together
Q12: At the end of bad relationship day, what is the most important thing to remind yourselves?
A12: Remember marriage is not a contest – never keep a score. God has put the two of you together on the same team to win
Q13: Is fighting important?
A13: NEVER physically! Agree that it’s okay to disagree, & fight for what really matters. Learn to bend - not break!
Q14: What's the one thing you have in common that transcends everything else?
A14: We are both Christians & believe in God. Marriage is a commitment to the Lord. We pray with & for each other every day
Do you know where that comes out of?!?!?!
I got to work about 15 minutes ago (Time check: 10:45 AM. Yes my "real job" rules) and logged into Facebook to check the comings and goings of my friends during the night.
Before I tell you what I found I should explain a bizarre phenomenon. Despite the fact I grew up in fairly bustling suburb near Sacramento and went to a large(ish) high school nearly every single person I was close friends with as a teenager is married and/or has kids at the ripe ol' age of 25-26. In fact I know only of one other person from that era who is childless and unmarried but she's been with the same person for approximately 7 years.
As I was saying, I logged into Facebook and ended up having the following conversation.
There are two things I can not stand. The "childfree movement" and people who think their entire life is wrapped up in having their children (God I love Garfunkel and Oates). I really wanted to be a bitch and remind her she got knocked up at 19 and missed out on her youth but that would have completely invalidated my point.
This is why I hate men…and cell phones
me: dude tell me the story about the "girlfriend"
Zane: this is where it goes into massive jr high mode
while I was up getting a round or something
hes like
SO WHATS UP WITH YOU AND ZANE
and apparently she said something like we're dating or he's my bf or something
so then when she goes to the bathroom, he's all SO SHE'S YOUR GIRLFRIEND?
and I die laughing
me: WHAT?
Zane: yeah dude.
like
ive hung out with her three times
each time with more than a week between
me: is there texting?
Zane: eh, occasional
nothing much
me: oh dude
texting = dating in chick world
Zane: wtf
me: I thought someone would have alerted you
Zane: no
veto that.
VETO.
me: yeah dude
I swear
bang a chick
text her
and then like.........hang out again
it's practically putting a ring on it
Zane: WHEN DID YOUR GENDER PLAN TO INFORM US OF THIS
BUT I DONT LIKE IT
I DONT WANNA PUT A RING ON IT
me: sorry dude. either stop the texting or start spending your saturdays at bed, bath, & beyond and home depot
Zane: psh
there wont be enough time
me: she's gonna freak on you
STOP THE TEXTING
stop hanging out
wtf has the padawan become the jedi master already?
Zane: hahahahahaha
dude
have you forgotten already?
I've got a high tolerance for vagina.
I can always make her cry and stop talking to me after the next time
me: good point
D.E.N.N.I.S. her real good




