You have obviously never dealt with a "momma's boy" or a southern momma. I just got out of one of those relationships and will never ever deal with that b.s. again.

Here's some advice. Go where the ladies are. Washington dc/northern va, baltimore, philly, new york city, boston, connecticut. I here people say how northeasterners are rude. I think the further (north)east you go, the more friendlier people are. NYC was named the politest city. You're single, so go for it.

Wonder why the 1st marriage didn't work out... can you say "monster-in-law"?

Mom? Is that you? LOL

Yes, I totally agree with your comment. It is dependent on the intent of this mother. I know a religious family in which the father meets all of his 4 teen daughters date and he talks with them about his expectations of how to treat his daughters with respect & the consequence if not. Also, the daughters do not date someone without the intent that this guy could be a potential mate. having a daughter myself, that sounds like a great idea to me.

I agree what better way for a prospective mate to fit in their partner's family. I personally don't think a marriage can work (well) if you don't get along with each other's family. Thanks for sharing!

cici: If you want to meet this guy -- that's all good. But you better walk on eggshells into this meeting and "look for all the red flags" if you two ever hook up via myspace or meet wherever. Just be really cautious. THOSE MAMMA's BOYS .... I know about that because I have one. And that mamma -- when and if you ever meet her -- just be really careful and walk on eggshells with her, and try real hard to feel her vibes. Because she will turn on you the minute you do something to upset her son, or you don't agree with her or her son on something related to her him and his feelings, or any given siutation involving her son. Just keep and open mind and both eyes wide open !!!. I know it must be lonely after being divorced for 17 years, and I'm pretty sure you did all the "right" things in your marriage before the divorce, but you need to take baby-steps with this one. My MIL (mother-in-law) just moved to a residential facility after living with me and my husband (her ONLY son) for 11 months. Yeah I did all the right things that a DIL (daughter-in-law) would do, considering the fact that she had a lot of medical problems -- BUT, she COULD do for herself. At first I thought my husband was being very insensitive to her needs and he kept telling me "see, you can't let ma know your every move, what time you would be home from work" -- things like that. Yeah, I heard him when he told me that, but I was being respectful and considerate and loving toward my MIL at all times. Well, she "clocked" every single move I made. She wanted to know what time I would be in from work, who I was talking with on the phone, just plan danm nosy as hell !! She only clocked me like this when my husband was at work (he's a fireman who works 24 on and 24 off). I got tired of that #%&. She complained to him about what he cooked for me (if I had steak, she wanted steak --whatever he cooked for me, she wanted). Well she a damn diabetic and he only cooked her healthy food. But no, she did not want that. Then she made the mistake and really struck a nerve with him when she told him: You treat your wife better than me !! Oh boy, wrong answer. Well, I heard her when she said that but she did not know I was in the kitchen with him when she said it. Hell, I heard them arguing back and forth and went in to see what was going on (she was sitting in the LR and he was in the kitchen). Then she pulled that "jealousy card" by saying what she said. THAT STRUCK HIS NERVE and MY NERVE !! And I told him -- hey babe, either she goes or I go. It was HELL living with her. The first 3 months was okay when she came, but after she got settled into our home -- oh boy -- over the next 8 months she wanted to RUN THINGS around our house. Just wanted to just "take damn over". Well, that did not "fly" with me or him. After she could not have her way in our home, SHE made the decision to want to go back to Charleston and live (where she was born and raised, and had friends) in a residential facility. She did not want to be here in GA nor did she know anyone here in GA. So, he got her into a residential facility in Charleston --- quick, fast and in a hurry because I gave him a DEADLINE to have her out -- And HE DID IT -- to save the happy marriage that we have had for the last 7 years. And guess what, I'm happy, he's happy, and she's happy. And yeah, she tells me that she misses being here when I talk to her on the phone, but all she had to do was comply with our rules and the way we ran things in our home and be happy that "I -- the nice DIL -- even allowed her to come and live in our home. Most DIL's would not do that !!! So, if by chance you do meet up with this "mamma's boy", be careful and maintain a certain distance from that "mamma". If the relationship grows and become fruitful between you two -- and I hope that you do find love and happiness with this guy -- and you decide to live together under the same roof -- please, please, please do not live within 20 miles from that "mamma" if possible. even though you both live in the Tampa area. Just keep an eye on "mamma". Wishing you happiness in your endeavors to find love..... idnts701

I wish my parents would find me a mate! I have such bad luck with men and my mother knows me better than I know myself.

Hold on a second, toots.

I'm getting pretty tired of the sanctimonious folks in their padded pews telling everybody to go find a mate in Church. There's a whole WORLD out there, not just a limited congregation. (By the way .. before flaming me .. I'm a retired minister/therapist) Sure it's ONE way to meet somebody .. but there are other ways, too. I would agree, stay away from bars. The folks you meet there are rarely the ones you'd want to bring home.

At one time, I was running a business that required me to be out of town every few weeks. I simply didn't have time for the church or community theatre stuff. So I placed ads and answered some. I'm very glad I did .. that's how I met the man I married. We had almost 9 years of being on a honeymoon. The ONLY thing this man did wrong .. was to die from a heart attack and leave me.

There ARE good men out there, looking for good women. Set your goals high. Make a list of what you WANT and what you're willing to settle for .. and don't waste time dating anybody who doesn't fit your own criteria. You could miss the right one while you're wasting time with the wrong one.

Be reasonable and careful. Meet strangers in a well-lit public place. Meet them a few times BEFORE you give them your home address. Always make sure that you tell a friend where you are going, who you are expecting to meet, and what you are wearing. Ask her to call you (if you have a cell phone) and have a safe word .. one word that you say to her that means, I'm in trouble, get me out of here .. and to check up and make sure you get home safely later that night. Yes, I know that sounds silly .. but if there IS a problem, they'll have something to tell police to help find you. Be smart .. don't take stupid risks. Don't get into a vehicle with a stranger until you're certain all is well .. for me, that was about 6 or 8 meetings.

The best thing you have is time .. time to invest in building something, time to get to know somebody and to let them get to know you. It's not always just the destination .. you can enjoy the journey, too! Have fun along the way.

Bottom line .. be very selective and reject a lot .. that's how you find the good ones.

Best wishes for many blessings,

Maggie