Let’s get right to an explanation of the blog name. How it came to be will tell you more about me than a list of stats. 

 So, what is an “anomaly”?  Well according to an older “gentleman” (old enough to pull from his Social Security) in small-town Oklahoma…an anomaly is what I am. Why? Because (in his words - which I feel uncomfortable even repeating) I am thirty-seven, unmarried, no kids, attractive, humourous and intelligent. Did I mention how uncomfortable it was for me to repeat that? Women’s guilt, and all.

 Realizing that I’d just been dealt a subtle dig under the guise of a few (somewhat creepy) compliments, I chose to respond with my own not-so-subtle retort:  “Well…in the big cities, it’s not so much an anomaly.”  His response:  “Yes it is.  You’re an anomaly.”  Well, alrighty, then.  I, Nikki Wynn, am an anomaly.  I’ll soon enter a treatment facility for this apparently rare illness and hope to have my 30-day anomaly-sobriety chip by the end of March.  Wish me luck.

The truth is, I am thirty-seven.  I am unmarried and without child.  And I even have some friends who share the same story.  But the thing is - now hold onto your hats here - I’m a pretty happy, fulfilled person.  Well, most of the time.  I wasn’t so happy and fulfilled a few weeks ago when I got my beating, broken heart handed to me on a platter.  Which means, yes, I was in a relationship.  A short-lived, somewhat tumultuous relationship.  One which I was moments away from ending when what happened?  He ended it with me.  What!  You can’t do that!  That’s what I was going to do!  I just needed two or three more hellish weeks to get me to the point of ending it without pain.  Yes, I am quite evolved.  That’s me.  An evolved anomaly.

By the way, I looked up “anomaly” on dictionary.com (I looooove that site), and here’s what it said:  “an odd, peculiar, or strange condition, situation, quality, etc.”  Really?  A single woman in her 30s is odd and peculiar?  But I thought Oprah recommended selfishness in our 20s (think I did that quite well) and growth in our 30s (in process).  I think I’m right on track.  Which doesn’t mean I don’t have moments of sheer panic…societal pressure will do that to a girl.  I mean, there are times when I can literally feel my eggs drying up.  This generally happens when a relative makes one of two comments:  1) “Nikki - we’re getting worried about you” (in response to hearing about yet another broken relationship), or 2) “Have you looked into in-vitro?” (this, of course, is before inquiring if I’ve even decided I would like to have a child).  Yes, this is normally a cringe-inducing line from a romantic comedy (which ends in blissful happiness), but in this case, it’s my life.  Really.  It happened last weekend.  Right before the old man tossed out “anomaly”.  It’s quite clear to me…the pressure ain’t comin’ from me, it’s from the (I’m sure well-intentioned) folks on the outside.

Here’s the reality.  I’ve had my share of relationships.  Some good, some not so good.  But they’ve all brought with them lessons.  Just as my good and not-so-good career moves have offered.  And had one of those relationships turned out swimmingly well, I would have considered walking down the proverbial aisle.  But, in then end, it just hasn’t been right.  And I ain’t gonna settle for average.  Merging two lives is difficult enough - in fact, many of those (well-intentioned) folks offering their advice have had their share of drives on the rough roads of life, but we are taught, by family, the media, and many other outside sources, that we are not complete unless we have someone to share our lives with.  And I don’t necessarily disagree with that…if, and only if, you’ve found that good match.  My guess is, many of you reading this know how difficult a task that can be.

So, I am a work in progress.  I have had many wonderful experiences in my life.  I’ve had great boyfriends.  I’ve had wonderful jobs, which have brought me from Houston to Manhattan and back to Houston again.  I am now writing for a living (as a freelance marketing consultant).  I’ve written a children’s book that is in many schools in the Houston area and I’m working on Book #2.  I am still searching for that purpose in life that we all strive to find, and I find myself closer and closer to it every day (I’ll explain that in more detail in later blogs).  So, life is good.  Things are heading in the right direction.  And if the path I’ve chosen - up to this point - makes me an anomaly - then bring it on!  Call me what you will!

If you choose, you can join me on this journey as my own personal cheerleaders (or critics).  You can read about my interesting nights out, the perils of finishing another writing project, the joys and heartaches of navigating that sometimes achingly exciting and painful road of male/female couplings, the interesting musings of my pyschotherapist mother (note: musings which don’t necessarily work so well on their own children) and the dry banter from my brilliant father (which I believe I enjoy more than he does…well, sometimes).

 Okay, I’m off to prepare for another night of American Idol.  And were The Bachelor on, I would watch that as well.  And so I can balance out your opinion of me, I also enjoy politics, current events, biographies, the goddess that is Oprah, the Discovery Channel, my beautiful nephew, Henry, a good verbal (but fair) debate, and chocolate…lots of chocolate.  Did I mention that I just got a Kitchenaide Mixer?  I haven’t used it yet, but dammit, it looks beautiful on my counter.  And I will use it, people.  I will make baked goods until the cows come home.  As soon as I have time.  Or have children.  Whichever comes first.  Oh, God…we’ve come full circle.  We’re back to in vitro, aren’t we?  And those thoughts are back.  Why didn’t I break up with him first?  Oh, the tragedy!

 Let me hear from you.  And join me often for the next entry from an anomaly.  Yes, I think I like this.  I am Nikki Wynn, and I am an anomaly.  Screw rehab.

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