Learning how to date again

I think I've tried just about everything at some point over the last nine years.

I tried online several times using various websites. I think I tried Yahoo personals first. I attempted to remain fairly anonymous online. There are a lot of freaks out there. I've met a few of them.

I hadn't dated in over six years when my ex-husband and I split, so I was trying to learn what the rules were, dating as an adult. It was the weekend between senior prom and high school graduation, that my ex-husband and I began dating.

After getting over the initial shock of getting kicked out and an adjustment period from the divorce, I agreed to meet a guy in public for lunch from a Yahoo match. I learned my first pet peeve in the dating world on that lunch date and it has always stuck with me.

I know I have boobs. What can I say, I'm blessed, and blessed some more in that department. Honestly I also know lot of men are "boob" men. I'm perfectly fine with that fact. Glance and admire all you want boys, but seriously don't drool and by the end of the conversation, at least TRY to know what color the eyes in my head are! Poor dude didn't even get a call back after the Arby's lunch date! I don't remember him ever looking up during lunch and he wasn't staring at his roast beef sandwich.

The boob test is usually the first I pull out on a new guy, now. Figure I'd weed out the creepers and the pervs that way. I find a lower cut, though tasteful shirt that shows off the girls. I've always been a smart ass too, so I've found a few ways to put guys in their place if I need to.

One night in a bar, some lush was trying the pickup lines, though never looking above my cleavage. I let him shell out money for a few beers. As we waited for the next round to be delivered I asked him if he'd stand up and turn around, in a flirtatious way of course. Caught off guard he did as I requested. I told him if he was going to be an ass I would talk to one the rest of the night. I took the beer from the waitress and walked away.

I tried the bar scene for a while. I held a liquor license and waitressed here and there as well to cover a shift or two for friends. I knew I wasn't going to find my perfect man at a bar, but men treated it as a meat market, thought I'd give it a try. I will say that the whole beer goggles thing will play heck for whomever has them on, men or women.

The guys at the poker table weren't much better. Though technically the games were played in or next door to a bar. I went out with a guy who got attached WAY to fast. By date two, he'd sent flowers to work... awww. By date 4 he'd bought me a new rose bush.... awwww. By like date 6 or 8 he'd figured out a plan to move in together and rent out the other of our houses. What? WAIT! ummm NOOOOOO! GO AWAY! Besides he liked to drink a bit too much for me.

Following Mr. Attached Drunk, my self esteem was taking a nose dive quickly. I mean, my ex-husband dumped me before we celebrated our "Happy One Year Anniversary." I wasn't being pursued much and those that took a step in that direction were losers or had way too many issues.

I was determined not to let that low last though, besides I was going to have a baby to take care of soon by that time. Being a single mom is possibly the toughest job ever, but if you allow it to be so, it will make you a very strong woman as well.