Sounds great ~ Colorado is getting there...depending on the week! But we were fishing a private lake on a ranch in the mountains, so it was cold in them thar hills! LOL...but then we just hopped on the ATV's and went to the shooting range to get the blood flowing again. Fun day!!

Bass and Trout last week, and we all did well.

It was still a little chilly ~ but worth it!

Thank you all for your advise ~ it is appreciated! I particularly like the popcorn machine analogy!

I will never give myself away or lose myself, but I never want to be so guarded that I can't give either. That's part of the struggle for me, I suppose. I do give, it is my nature. I try to be careful about throwing my "pearls before swine," so to speak, but do get tired of the struggle sometimes. I've taken a stand with a sibling that takes and takes, leaving a path of destruction in his wake if you let him; and a guy that always needed propped up but was emotionally unavailable when I was struggling.

Problem is, when you first start "investing" in someone, those traits aren't always evident! We ALL miss those signs sometimes! That said, I would still rather risk the hurt than shut myself off to giving and loving freely...I just need to be wise about both, I guess. No more free popcorn!!!! LOL....

Giving does give me pleasure, and I don't go into it asking what I will get out of it; My question is how do you find the balance between giving and receiving, because I want to believe that you can do both!

Most towns have free festivals, park concerts, and "Art by the River" events that won't break the bank. Most girls appreciate a liitle thought and creativity, verses a guy "bank rolling" a date! Keep it fun and casual....

Thank you for the clarification ~ appreciate it! Just not into the games, so I guess I'm missing some of those clues. I tend to take people at face value, and although I "trust but verify" it takes time to really understand what a person is about...by then they are in a position to hurt you. Although Audie is right ~ loving someone is not about what you can get from them!

Good advise ~ thank you. I'm not a martyr, but I am bad about that. I always think you get what you give, but have found that is not always the case.

TattooedDude - don't give in or don't expect to much?

Seems like it would be one or the other.....however, I do appreciate your insights!

Don't you ever get tired of feeling like all people want is what they can GET from you? You have so much to give, on an emotional and personal level ~ but people seem to just want what you can do, give, or be for them!

How do you find the balance of giving AND receiving? I thought I figured it out, but am disappointed yet again! Am I writing checks I can't cash, or is it just good money after bad? Is there a pay-off at some point or do we just keep investing in things that have no possibility of a return?

When it comes to relationships these days, how do you keep from becoming emotionally bankrupt?

I'm sorry to hear that you are having a rough time, but admire that you are trying to be true to yourself.

I think that when you've been single for a while that alone time is pretty important. What most don't understand is that if you give your partner the freedom to spend a little time doing what they enjoy ~ even if it's some solitude ~ they are better for it and bring that happiness back into the relationship!

I understand ~ and need ~ "cave time!"

Good luck and best wishes as you work through this....

I would agree with this statement, and generally take into account that most on this site are in the same boat I am, in regards to relationships, and maybe not the TOP advisors on affairs of the heart!! LOL....j/k!

Now, now JAG....he may have put some real thought into that "strangers" remark! j/k

In my opinion that happens because people basically want to operate on the surface.

I'm all for having fun, and I like the idea of injecting a little intelligence into thier fun, but once in a while it's nice to have a stimulating, adult conversation where people can exchange ideas and learn a little more about each other than just their sexual fetishes!

"I know..."

Now Andy ~ bgood! That's water under the bridge, right?!?!

You may not have to say it all the time, but you should always SHOW it.

When it comes to love, I do think actions speak louder ~ and more truthfully ~ than words.

That said, if they mean it it's GREAT to hear!

Greetings from Colorado!

Nice...teamwork is key!

A healthy sense of humor!

I give of myself completely, and don't know how to be any other way.

Receiving the same is great, but the reality is that couples usually go in cycles. You give, he takes. He gives, you take. As long as you both KEEP giving, the taking is fine!