I have learned what I like & dont like.... as we all learn over time. For example (things stated in my profile): I know I dont want to date a smoker (eww)....I know I dont ever want to date someone long distance again (tried that twice...plus I cant since I now am working 6 days a week). The other things are just little things that you tend to take into consideration as a possible red flag because of that "familiar feeling". I really didnt post this to air my laundry, sorry.

Thank You waterloosunset, patsfan & buttons

With all due respect shagwell, cosmo & oprah are not gunna be dating the person, I will. I dont feel I should ever have to settle. I dont NEED a man but I sure would like to find love. I have learned from my past relationships & experiences...that is what makes us grow to the people we are today.

You say "picky" like it's a bad thing

I am always concerned with sounding like a witch for stating specifics in my profile. BUT, Im all about not misleading anyone or wasting time if their location, age or so on is not what I am looking for.

Sounds JUST like my last b/f .... LAAAAAZY!!!! I think you know this though...you just need to take a step back & see that entire picture clearly.

My ex moved in & right away I realized just how freakn lazy he was. He bought a laptop so he could park his butt on the couch or lay in the bed & not have to sit at a computer desk...LOL. He was asked to caulk the shower & got it everywhere & did not clean it up (let it dry all over the new tile I had put in). So when I didnt like how he did that he refused to do other things saying "you dont like the way I do things anyhow". Later my neighbors told me that they had even told him he better get off his lazy butt & help me out of Id be kicking him to the curb...LOL. The last straw was when he grabbed my child by her sprained wrist till she screamed in pain...& then refused to say he was sorry to her & instead said she deserved it (simply for bugging him & not stopping when he asked).

Girl, go w/ your gutt, he doesnt seem to have your kids best interests in mind if hes not having them wear the helmet that you have requested they wear.

Any sport... but mine is a competative figure skater.

You never know what your getting into at the beginning. As time goes by the expense grows, the time spent training grows...then home schooling?!

My daughter started home schooling after 8 years at her sport so she can train 5 days a week full time (that was about 1 1/2 years ago). In over 9 years the only time she has taken off was for injury & illness. Oh those trips to the hospital.... they make you think twice about what they are doing. Then she started becoming obsessed w/ nutrition & her body. Its a fine line she walked for a short while & I watched her very closely. Luckly she has had great coaches who took notice of her weight & her eating habits as well (& they spoke to her in private). Pushing thru pain & taking asprin to get thru workouts (& refusing to let her coach know) was the most recent issue. He saw her take asprin the other day & questioned her. He told her it would be best to take a week off...she is fighting it but I think she knows its what is best.

Anyone alse have any issue w/ kids in sports.... the behind the scenes struggles & so on?

What I find difficult at this age is that with my experiences (& learning from them) I know what I like & dont like (or want) in a man. Call me picky but why should I settle for less? I have been divorced for 13 years & have a teenager. I am always being hit on by much younger guys BUT the problem there is not the age (age is jsut a #...but I dont want to date beyond 10 years older then me either) but that most of these younger guys are either still in the game playing stage or they want children. I dont want any more kids. BUT, the guys my age or a bit older are usually recently divorced & not looking to jump into another relationship &/or have young kids (under 10 years old). I hate to sound *****y but I raised my kid & am not really wanting to help raise someone elses. Now if this means I stay single for another 13 years, then so be it....I'll find that needle some day Im sure of it :)

<- newbie ... born in Dunedin, Fl. & I have lived in the Tampa Bay area my entire life (& currently living in Pinellas County).

Thank You darling :)

<-- smarter then the average bear, but Thanks for the advice :)

I'm new here as well ... it looks like a cool place so far.