168 days to go...

Day 197 - So much has happened this past week, I don't know where to begin... I've been hesitant to post, fearful I would jinx my perfect week. But alas it has come to an end.

On the home front life was pretty routine, with the exception of my little girls 7th birthday. My parents came down to celebrate, and all in all she had a great time. We ended up having a pottery painting party. This was the easiest, and most enjoyable party yet. I had a full house including adults and dogs, and Kayden loved every bit of it!

I have decided to get my realtor's license. I have always wanted it, and have chosen now to do so. It helps that my neighbor is a realtor and is encouraging me, along with Mr. G, who I am assisting in purchasing some investment properties. In addition to keeping me busy and distracted, I think it is a great asset to have!

Now on to the good stuff...
I really like Mr. G, he is completely different from anyone I have ever dated, which by the way is wonderful. He is young and fun, yet intellectually stimulating. He has the wit and humor I crave, and a body to top it all off! We spent a decent amount of time together this week, fitting one another in when we could. It is tough with his work schedule and our daughters, but we managed. I guess it really started last Sunday when we spent the day together, and progressed throughout the week. I could totally fall for this guy. There is something about him that I know is genuine and good. But here is where the problem lies... he is moving to New York, (guess I am just along for the ride!) He has no business getting into a relationship, and I have no business falling for another someone out of state! I know too well how that will end! So for now we are going to take what we get... He is fulfilling my desire to have companionship, and I am getting him ready to move. I'm not sure why I am not capable of finding or falling for the available men!!! Must be a complex of my own!

177 days to go...

Day 189 - I'm not sure what happened, other than the fact that I was sleepy and appeared to have messed up...BUT I posted last night and did not save it properly. This post is an attempt to recreate what I had to say then!

Yesterday was an interesting day to say the least. I had an extended lunch with Mr. G. Worked out at the gym with Mr. M. And had my neighbor ask me out to dinner. I managed in one day to cross three generations, I've got my late 20's, the mid 30's, and now adding to the line up a mid 40's. Am I diverse or what!

Lunch with Mr. G was nice, we did a little research on our current project of finding him some investment properties to purchase and flirted and chatted along the way. I thoroughly intimidate the crap out of this poor guy and I love it! No wonder this is called being a "cougar", its like playing with your prey before you pounce! Wow, did I really just say that....

On to Mr. M... For some reason I allowed him to talk me into training for a triathlon, and possibly attempting to run a sprint version. I guess I thought I needed a goal or a diversion to say the least. I did manage to buy a suit, goggles and cap a few days ago, so I am committed to the challenge for now. I have not seen him for the most part since New Years....(I think?), and the intimacy was gone sometime before that. It seems as though he has accepted the friend roll I have put him in.

Now on to the neighbor... We have seen each other in passing for months and always did the friendly hello and goodbye. We may have even exchanged a few words, but have never really introduced ourselves. After the gym, Kayden and I were walking the dogs and bumped in to him and his daughters. Of course Kayden was eager to show her dogs to the girls and here is where the introductions finally happened. We chatted for nearly 45 min, swapping stories. Our houses face one another so it is easy to watch the others activities. While I am not going to say I havent peaked over there to see him and his buddies playing cards, apparently I have been observed more! I'm tempted to say his daughters have been encouraging him for quite some time to ask me out. They were all to familiar with what goes on over here. Anyways, I asked his eldest daughter who is 16 if she babysits, which of course she does, and he said "Perfect, she can watch the girls while you and I go have dinner and drinks across the street." I agreed that was a great idea and we now have a date!

What a busy day yesterday was...!

179 days to go...

Day 186 - So Mr. G is starting to impress me, to say the least. He is young, five years my junior, and in many ways it shows, however there is something very intriguing about him. First and foremost he is fun, in addition he has tremendous drive and ambition. He also has two bachelor degrees and one masters and is contemplating taking the next step. He is witty and charming and possesses many of the qualities I am looking for. But, and there is always a but... he is very east coast and I'm not sure I am used to that. Plus he has plans of returning to New York this summer. I am really getting into this year of exploring the right guy for me and in many ways I may be too analytical.
We spent the afternoon together running some errands. He is ready to purchase some rental properties and has asked my assistance in picking the best location. Today we went to the county assessors office to register for an auction. It was really the first time we had been alone together for longer than 5 min. It seemed as though we both enjoyed each others company. I ended up at his house later to do a little research on several properties. While we did look through the list of available homes, we would get side tracked here and there with sharing a favorite song. I am going to try really hard to keep this platonic. No need to get myself involved with another guy. (yeah right)

180 days to go...

Day 185 - So yesterday did not go as planned, what's new! My new friend, (I am going to call Mr. G) had to stay at work an additional 5 hours to cover some one's shift who had called in sick. In addition to that, I got a 2am phone call regarding the burglar alarm going off at the office! 8am tennis was definitely not in the cards! Mr. G got home around 12:30, and after working 17 hours, he was exhausted and managed to sleep the majority of the day. We did however meet for coffee and chatted around 7pm. So far he seems to be an extremely nice guy. He too was married and is now divorced, and has a daughter the same age as Kayden. From what I've heard, it sounds as though he was in a similar situation as me. Since our daughters already know one another from their troop, last night we played "skype charades" on the computer. It was kinda cute watching him and his daughter act out words and phrases, while K and I guessed on our end. If anything he will turn into another great friend.

I keep thinking to myself, while I may not be finding the love of my life right now, I am definitely meeting incredible men. I am pin pointing all of the characteristics I want, and deciding what I am willing to tolerate. I just hope I am not creating in my head this "perfect guy" who does not exist. I never thought of myself as a picky person, but after what I've been through, I am being more selective with character traits. All of the guys I have meet in the last 185 days are truly wonderful people, but each lacking a little bit of what I want. This of course is all with the exception of Mr. P... he seems to fit the bill just perfect, despite the fact we've only spent small amounts of time together, I may have fabricated his perfection. I am however completely thankful for not involving myself with any douche bags thus far! Sorry to be so blunt but it's true! Luckily I am cautious and not desperate enough to get involved with Mr. Wrong.

The question though... does HE really exist out there....and will we ever find one another?

181 days to go...

Day 184 - I guess technically its Sunday but I am just getting to bed from Saturday. Had a fun night at a friends surprise birthday party... Speaking of birthdays my sister turns 25 today!

For some reason I can't sleep and I really need to! Meeting the new guy at 8am in the morning for coffee and tennis. What the heck does a gal wear to that kind of date!! I asked him if he wanted to meet me for breakfast, somehow it turned into tennis! I will know later today if I need to give him a secret name!

186 days to go...

Day 179 - Well I am past the half way mark, can you believe it.... actually the end seemed much closer... Darn it!

All is good on the home front. We are adjusting to the new addition to our family, wait did I even mention that? Hold on let me go back and check... OK I did several posts ago, but I now need to elaborate. I specifically said I was not going to become some old dog lady, which I am not... but the border is getting close! Since the addition of Bella I have had to get back on a strict routine, especially with potty training needs. Over the new year's weekend I babysat Malcolm and Jackson while Clint was in Vegas. Actually all that was requested of me was to drop by and feed them, but I could not believe the conditions they were living in. And considering their ages (almost 12), I stole them! They have since been with me and Kayden and Bella. WE are just one BIG happy family again. I now take four walks a day with my three dogs. One lady actually stopped me the other day and asked me if I was a dog walker, hey another career option to add to my possibilities this year! It has definitely been and adjustment for all of us. Bella thought she was an only dog, M & J had no clue what to do with a little bitch, and me the frickin dog hair! I now vacuum every day alternating floors. Like I said, I was NOT going to become THAT dog lady! I still have my standards with my home and these three additions are going to learn to adapt! M & J love being indoors with us and apart of our daily lives, they no longer are peering in between glass panes. At this stage in their life I didn't feel it was fair for them to be stuck outside in all of the elements, wondering when they would be fed, and whether or not their owner was actually going to come home at night! Since I have been out of the house those two guys have gotten the worst end of the deal, alongside me! They were ecstatic to be bathed, get new beds and toys, and have a lot of TLC!

This of course has aided me in not really noticing I kinda dumped Mr. M. We had not had any form of communication since last Wednesday until earlier tonight. He finally realized I was not putting much effort in and pulled back. I of course am OK with this and luckily have occupied myself with all of these DOGS! I did however get to meet the new guy yesterday at Starbucks. We sat and chatted for nearly 2 hours while the girls were at girl scouts. He is very cute, great personality and seems to be an honest genuine person. My only concerns, he is a bit young. We're talking pushing 5 years! I am however willing to get to know him more and see where it goes. He sounds like he has got his head screwed on straight and is aimed in the right direction. I do think though, I intimidate the crap out of him. He was very reluctant to call me, saying to his friend "oh she's beautiful, way too pretty for me"... (that's just so not me!) I will just take this one day by day and see if this is going to be another friendship. I'm almost at my "guy friend quota" for a lifetime! I've got the cute neighbor, the pen pal, my music buddy, Mr. M and ..... (the list could go on...) Kinda looking for the boyfriend friend but can't seem to get that slot filled! But hey that's what this year is for... apparently I am taking my time!

192 days to go...

Day 173 - I don't know where to begin... so much has happened in the last few weeks.

The holidays are now over. I was a little worried how it would all turn out, but actually it was perfect. We had a wonderful time with my family and I think Kayden handled the separation just fine. It was nice having all of the gang together, and not having to rush to get somewhere. I know my mom loved every minute of it. The decorations are now down, all of the presents put away and the siblings have flown home... I'm glad it's over, another holiday completed.

New Year's was simple this year, but still enjoyable. It's crazy that it's my third one and no one to kiss at midnight! (that is definitely a resolution I will be working on this year!) I had an intimate gathering of a few friends and family. We ate, drank and played games till the wee hours of the morning... I could post video, but fear the repercussion!

My event/party planning skills have been in full effect lately... Christmas party, New Year's Eve party... next I have the 7th birthday to plan, a wedding shower in February and a wedding in October. Not to mention my corporate events! The birthday should be interesting this year, I have gone all out in the past from last years carnival, to renting a gymnastics facility, to our cupcake baking party. Poor Kayden doesn't completely grasp the cutbacks financially this year not to mention our house is now half the size! She still wants to invite everyone while I am trying to get her to limit her guests. I think this year we may brave a "sleepover"! It is still a work in progress. Of course none of these are paid events except the wedding in October and that one may include a ticket to Paris **fingers crossed**!

I have been thinking of which career path to take this year...

I love the event planning, and yet I am so hesitant to start something. I have been talking with my mom regarding this, she would make the best partner. We share a love for the aesthetics and ambiance. She has something in the works in Paso with a few of the wineries. The next few weeks I hope to have more information on a possible career future up there. I am really good at sales, organization and the business aspects. She is great with the finer details which I also love, and has the connections and networking abilities. Hopefully something will begin brewing. Also I have been talking with my cousin regarding his plumbing business. Awhile back they started to remodel their kitchen and bath showroom, and have yet to fully complete it. I was encouraging him to make it very designer friendly so that designers could take appointments there with clients, as well as contractors. There may be a possibility of employment for me there... Can you believe it, my two favorite career options, event planning and kitchen & bath design! This year is starting out just fine!

Now on to the personal stuff...

I am still seeing Mr. M, but very casually. It has moved over to more of a friendship. I didn't actually want much more out of it than that. In the beginning I was flattered, but hey aren't all women when someone is interested in them. The connection just isn't there for me, and believe me I have tried! It is obvious he would love something more with me, but knows that isn't in the cards. He is a wonderful person, just not the one for me. Plus I have NO business getting into a serious relationship right now. I am still exploring my options...right? There are a few mom's in Kayden's girl scout troop trying to set me up with one of the girls dad. He and I actually bumped into to one another at pickup on Monday. It took us both a second to figure things out, it was comical! He seems friendly and attractive, and I am willing to get to know more. Apparently he has been given my number but is reluctant to give me a call! What is it about me... how do I carry myself that says I am not approachable??? I was wearing sweats for petes sake! We are going to grab a bite to eat next Monday while the girls are at their meeting. We will just have to see where it goes from there. Oh and Mr. P and I started chatting a bit over the holidays. It is always nice to hear from him, but it only makes me want more.... Oh well I'll take what I get.

195 days to go...

Day 170 - Well it's here... FINALLY 2010 is over, HELLO 2011! There were so many days I didn't think I was going to make it!
I love the fact that that chapter is now closed, my slate is clean and the road is wide open. I am going to make 2011 my year. So much to do, no time to waste!