Today, I headed to the coffee shop to write. I hoped the caffeine and the customers would produce a creative energy inside me. However, I couldn’t concentrate on blogging because of the couple sitting beside me. I’m not sure how long they dated, but the man seemed more into the woman than she was into him. And I overhead (eavesdropped on) an uncomfortable … [Read more...]
The Single Life: Don’t Date a Woman With Kids if You Won’t Marry a Woman With Kids
Over the weekend, my friend--let's call him Jackson--sent me a text message to ask me what I was doing. I had turned down a dinner date earlier in the afternoon and wasn't doing much of anything. Since I'm not into to texting an entire conversation, I picked up the telephone. Jackson couldn't understand why I didn't go out when I didn't have my daughter. I explained that I … [Read more...]
The Single Life: 9 Places Not to Take a First Date
When I think back to the best dates I've been on, my memories usually involve getting to know someone through lots of laughs and lots of conversation. My most memorable outings include visiting art galleries and museums, attending outdoor concerts and intimate comedy shows and enjoying the nice weather at a park or on a lake. There were a few disaster dates that also come to … [Read more...]
The Single Life: 5 Great Outdoor Date Ideas
In my past dating life, I didn't do a cartwheel when someone asked to go on an outdoor adventure. I wasn't a huge nature lover. Heck, I dropped out of Brownies before I crossed the promotion bridge to Girl Scouts. When a date involved a hike or a climb, I instantly pictured my hair sweating out, my makeup melting and my Hay fever flaring up. But this time around, I bought … [Read more...]
Five Free Dates That Don’t Come Off as Cheap
Dating is expensive, especially for men who pick up the tab the majority of the time. They fill their stomachs and empty their wallets at dinner. And they shell out more money at the movies than the cost of the actual DVD released not long after the premier. The money spent is often an investment in getting to know someone but the bills can rack up and even bury the person in … [Read more...]
“Shoe Fly! Don’t Bother Me!” Organic Pest Control Options
Baby C celebrated her first birthday with her first trip to the lake. I packed everything except the kitchen sink and headed to Deep Creek, Maryland. In addition to her bathing suits, cover ups, sunglasses and sunscreen, I remembered to toss insect repellant into the bag. But with her history of eczema and her young age, I researched what to rub on her sensitive skin. Before I … [Read more...]
The Single Life: Why Lamman Rucker Wants to Get Married
When women find out I dated actor and advocate Lamman Rucker, they always ask why we aren’t together today. I think if we stayed in the relationship, we wouldn’t have chased our dreams. We would have chased each other. Lamman may not have moved to California to become a Hollywood heartthrob, and I would not have relocated overseas to host a television show. He wouldn’t have … [Read more...]
Will There be Any Safe Programming for Kids? FCC May Relax Regulations
Yesterday, I cuddled on the couch with my one-year-old daughter and flipped through television stations with the remote. I wasn't in the mood to watch a dancing cartoon character or a bubbly, talking dinosaur, so I tried to find a somewhat family friendly selection. That was difficult to do. I had to bypass reality shows--one about a man married to a porn star who was doing … [Read more...]
The Single Life: Dating Will Packer-What He Really Thinks
Right now, casting is underway for Think Like a Man Too—the sequel to Steve Harvey’s hit comedy Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man. I wasn’t surprised when I heard the news, since women are always wondering what goes on in the minds of the opposite sex. Therefore, there will always be long lines outside of movie theaters that feature films finding an answer to our endless … [Read more...]
Why Singles Should Give Married Friends Relationship Advice
Recently, I packed up my old bridesmaid dresses and donated the clothes to charity. I knew I would never wear the gowns again, but for years, I liked to look at them hanging in my closet. The dresses reminded me of good times and good friends. As I placed each one in the bag--including the Vera Wang I had a hard time letting go of--I recalled jumping for joy each time my … [Read more...]
The Single Life: Not Everyone You Meet is Interested in You
Recently, I met a man at a work-related event, who was attractive, articulate and intelligent. Throughout the morning, we locked eyes--each time in an uncomfortable yet intriguing type of way. I tried to focus on the speaker, but my mind kept wandering back to this mysterious man. When the event wrapped up, I lingered near the door, giving him a chance to approach me. He got … [Read more...]
The Single Life: The Before Marriage Bucket List
I don't think my life will end when I get married. I don't think it will begin either. Perhaps the union will be the sequel, the to be continued or the happily ever after to my current single state of mind. I don't live my life hoping and waiting for a husband. Yes, it would be nice if he comes riding in on a horse or in an environmentally friendly car, but he won't bring … [Read more...]
The Single Life: Rejuvenate Your Dating Life
I've been putting off cleaning my apartment all week. I've been busy with work, family and personal endeavors and have stepped over the mess on my floor on my way out of the door to other activities. But this morning, I woke up before the sun came up, to finally spring clean my living space. I scrubbed the floors, cleaned the closets and organized my desk. I tossed out what I … [Read more...]
The Single Life: Reservations for One
In my twenties, I was a social butterfly. I surrounded myself with friends and rarely went out without them. Then in my thirties, I reverted back to the caterpillar stage.I spent time alone in my cocoon a.k.a. my couch. I sometimes passed on offers to hang out with friends, and instead hung out at home. I didn't feel like I was missing out if I didn't go out. If I missed a … [Read more...]
The Single Life: A Musical and Emotional Journey from Heartbreak to Healing
Growing up, I spent countless summer days watching my father wash and wax his car, and my mother water her rose bushes--all while records spun and music blasted out of the speakers on the front porch. My parents hummed along, sometimes reciting songs word for word. I was too young to the understand lyrics about love and loss. So, I twirled around the yard, singing off key, … [Read more...]