Getting ready for a date

Getting ready for a date is such a process!  My preparation goes something like this:
Shower and don't forget to shave legs.
Start with the easy stuff- hair- it is straight and pretty, if I do say so myself, so nothing much to worry about there.
Move on to make-up- extra eyeliner- got it.
Clothes- hardest part.  Try to find something that doesn't make me look like I have muffin top.  If I do 50 sit ups real quick, will it make a difference?!  Settle on loose fitting jeans and v-neck shirt.  I guess I gotta show him a little something to try to distract his attention from the extra junk in my trunk- look, cleavage!
Ugh, paint toe nails! 
Mad cleaning spree in case he comes in when he picks me up- take out trash, close doors on bedrooms.  Helpful hint: shove all dishes clean or dirty into the dishwasher- presto!
Stop!  Throw up a prayer to the Big Guy- please, God, don't let him be a weirdo!
Do you do anything special to get ready for a date?

For a great book on dating, check out
Undressed by Jason Illian

Crushing on crushes

 Do you have a crush on anyone?  I love having a crush!  Having a crush puts a smile on my lips and a spring in my step.  It makes me want to actually blow dry my hair, and put on some tinted moisturizer and mascara in the morning.  It makes me want to skip the mashed potatoes at lunch.  It makes me find a half hour to squeeze into the gym before work.  It makes me want to check my phone 10 times (OK 20 times!) a day to see if there are any texts from him!  In some ways, having a crush is even better than having a real relationship- there are no disagreements, break-ups or dirty socks on the floor.  What do you like about having a crush?

The Rules of Dating

Back in the day, there were specific rules that people followed when dating.  If I had dated back in my grandmother's time, things would have been so much easier.  There would be no worrying about whether a guy liked me or whether I should call him, or ask him out. If he liked me, he would ask me out!  He would call by Wednesday to ask me out for a weekend date, any later than that and I would be busy washing my hair!  We would go out, and he would open doors for me and pick up the check- no worrying about whether I should offer to pay half or not!  At the end of the night, he would walk me up to my front porch and give me a sweet kiss- I would not have to worry about whether he was expecting me to ask him in or not.  Then about three days later, he would call if he wanted to take me out again.  I wouldn't have to worry about whether I should call him, send a text, or send an e-mail.  (I would have to wait by the phone with no caller ID or answering machine though!)  After a few months, he would ask me to go steady.  I would not have to wonder whether we were exclusive, or where things were going. 
These days dating is so hard!  On top of trying to play a game with no rules, I also have to figure out when to introduce my daughter to the people I date.  Honestly, though, I think that the dating game is a game worth playing, because if you can find that one person who is perfect for you, it will be worth it.  What do you think?

what a girl wants

Apparently, another kid in my daughter's class was talking about his mom having a date and her teacher said that my daughter piped up and said she was glad that she doesn't have to share me with anyone. So her teacher asked her doesn't she want to have her mommy find a nice boyfriend and she told her no, that she likes having me all to herself.
Then the other day I was visiting my dad in the hospital and I was telling him that I am planning on him walking me down the aisle someday, so he better get well. He said yeah, I guess because it may be awhile. Ha, ha, ha. Then, one of the male nurses comes in and my dad says to him "my daughter needs a man". He said "sorry, I can't help with that". He left the room as I was trying to figure out whether he was gay or married, when my dad looks over at me and says, "hey, your zipper was down". Classy.
I have been single for a while now and I enjoy my life with my daughter, so a guy would have a large bill to fill for me to want to go out on a date at this point in my life. After all, going on a date as a single mom involves finding a babysitter that does not charge an arm and a leg. Picking her up to bring to your house, and then waking up your kid to take her home at the end of the night. Not to mention actually applying makeup to my face and lotion to my legs. (I am still working on that) Oh yeah, and shaving them too. Probably I would have to paint my toenails too. My kid will usually do that for me if I pay her a dollar, but she puts polka dots on them.
Anyway, on to him. If I did go on a date, I would like to go out with a good old Florida boy. I love Florida- being on the water, hanging out at the beach, swimming, fishing, so I would like to date a guy that likes that too. One with a boat. Oh yeah, and a job and car and the liking kids part too. But did I mention a boat?