Dear Debilyn, if you will search carefully through my old posts, you will see that I anticipated this occurance for you!!

It needed to happen and the timing is just as it should be.  I'm so excited for you!!

I'm going to be motherly and remind you that the greater question is "Will I like him"?

How could he not like you.??  If he doesn't, then he would be too myopic for you to have around.

But seriously, Debilyn, after a past heartbreak, nothing(NOTHING) strikes fear like the prospects of a new relationship.  It just goes to the heart of our fears and insecurities.  HOWEVER, this must not deter us.  We must walk on shaking knees and trembling hands through the fire!  You will get over it, it will pass.

It is a physiologic FACT that nothing is more flattering to a womans apppearance than the anticipation of a romantic adventure.  There is a radiance from withing that just makes us sparkle and come alive. 

Oh, Debilyn, I wish I was in Oregon so that we could have a slumber party tonight.

Excited hugs, Love, Otie 

Oh, good.  I sleep every night in a pile of animals.  I can't sleep well without them.

Just curious--do you wear makeup?

Love, Otie

You are right in projecting usually. But in my religion dating is very cherished and we are very serious. When we get to the dating part, we are thinking marriage.

A true JW is not like a lot of the world. We don't go on dates alone, we would never live together, no intimacy before marriage, we develop a real friendship first, talk on the phone, text, email.

Maybe meet at a friends house, do things with groups. This dating group has a profile what you are looking for. If you check marriage, you are looking for that!

It really eleminates  a lot of questions, keeps ya outa getting physically involved before you want to. It really is wonderful to really get to know someone before ya get lost in the lust! haha

Ya both want the same thing, so its very special.

Now I am talking myself into it! lol

You know you are right though, if two people go careful, then if they fall in love, or choose to be together with common desires, by then he would know me and know I am nuts!!! (c:

thank you and soooo glad you are still here!  debilyn

OH Jennifer!! Dearest Kiddo! you have slobber on your shoulder! hahahaha

you are so wise and it is all true. I am seriously remembering what you have said here.

I know that if a guy looks like Mortimer Shnerd or Rudgar Hauer, if he opens his mouth and is sure of himself, funny, content, happy, creative, listens, talks, asks questions and is stubborn, I would like him!!

When I was young I did have to shoo but didn't know how! I was 14 and got kissed by two boys in the same day! I was horrified!

Went on for a long time that there was always shooing needed and NO I learned to run away,did not allow them to kiss me or anything else lol.

And ya know how or girl bodies go thru changes?didn't matter if I was skinny, 8 months pregnant, overweight, fat, skinny,normal whatever.

So I move to the country. now I move clear up here. Tell ya anything??

BUT now I am old, I am not the same body shape, gets kinda funky when ya get older lol. BUT you helped me too. BIG TIME. my anxiety I am NOT kidding went away.

My inner me just said hey he will like you no matter what,even if he turns out to be a good friend! I mean I can be me and talk and laugh and tease in most situations with guys. I am talking friends husbands, guys working somewhere etc. hmmmm

My landlords are two guys and they like me! They came up and took away my dead drying for me,I asked him"What would I do with out you guys??" He said,"Be homeless!" hahaha then he sent me an email that said that he is glad that I like them! hahaha

hugs and go wash your shirt! I had a friend up yesterday. I look down and I am covered in winnie cat hair, she had layed on the cloths I had out ready....geez

Oh how hard you are on yourself.  I remember many years ago before I found Al-anon I was trying to find out what was wrong with myself.  I didn't know it was the effects of being raised in an alcoholic home, but I searched anyways.   What I did find was how to truly value myself.  If people don't like me thats okay and is their business.   I learned that if I weighed 600lbs with warts all over me, smelling like a sewer I would still be valuable.  

I have a self help library in my house with books on so many subjects on self awareness.  I feel amazing in lots of areas after that journey of many years.  Maybe ask yourself what you do to feel more worthy to live in that beautiful skin you have.

Congratulations on the exciting journey you are going on.  Oh and it makes perfect sense to me.  The more important something is to us, the more anxious we feel about it.  

Keep us updated please?

I have to agree with pinkchip. Just because this guy sounds good doesn't mean you're going to walk down the aisle together. Heck, it doesn't even mean that you're first meeting is going to be a "date." Starting out as just friends or even an activity partner first could be better. It takes that pressure off of "does he like me, does he want to kiss me, does he want to hold my hand?" We never worry -this- much about friends if they like what we're wearing or the way our hair is, or if they think we look good without make up....so treat it as that.

Why is it, when people are dating, that we always try to project this image of something we're not? He'll probably do it too. Try to look good, try to talk about all his positive qualities, etc....try going at this in an unconventional way. Putting yourselves out there in some activity that you both are not good at that way both of you are vulnerable? Or at least evening the playing field.

Eventually his baggage and yours will have to be put on the table. Not saying that you need to just dump on him the first time you meet him, but if it will be a deal breaker in the future it may be worth admitting to now...not just for your past, but him as well. What types of baggage might he have that would make you say "No way?" It's possible.

So good to see you here Ness. I do miss you!

Oh things have changed so much! My dogs are so much happier, me too. There are endless cool birds and mammals I am feeding right on my deck!

 An old friend is back too, which is so nice. We have been friends since hi school. Called him my brother. He got wierd with me, can a guy and gal ever be just friends?Anyway he brought a nice handful of flowers and came over

We talked for hours on the deck. Was great. I am feeling better now about this guy thing. Lotsa wise words here. (c:

Gail Michele yes that hit home. I will give it a nice chance. Take it as it comes. I love to listen and hear others thoughts anyway!

Did you know I moved to a one room cabin up in the mountains? Its right on a beautiful river! The deck is right over it.

My last two pigs are in the little city down the mountain so I am blessed I can and do go see them!

I have 6 dogs, a cat, a kitten and two guinea pigs.

Country lady is now a mountain lady!! HUGS