intentionalmasterpiece

He lives in New Orleans. I live in GA. We've been talking on the phone for almost 6 weeks & we've talked basically everyday for the past 4 weeks. He's in GA for the holidays & finally it's our first date. We had a good time-brunch, movies, hanging out a bit. He called on his way home to let me know that he was okay but didn't call when he made it home. Yet, he called first thing the next morning. We had a brief conversation & I ended it b/c I had to run errands. I called him back later in the day. Left a message on his voicemail. A couple of hours later he called me to say that he was going out but he wanted to "touch bases" so I wouldn't be mad. I was cool. We're not a couple. I decided to call him back for a brief conversation b/c it was still early (around 10pm). He said that he was getting dressed & would call me when he got in the car. He didn't call. I knew from the start that he hung out & was sociable, but I feel rejected. Should I give him his walking papers NOW?

It is from 2-3pm. I expect 7-12 people. Co-workers. On a budget but don't want to be cheesy. HELP!

I just bought my first home. It is a new construction. I do not have experience with gardening but I want my yard to look pretty. I live in GA. My front yard gets lots of sunshine and right now rain is scarce. HELP!

I'm about to move into my first home...at least the first that I'll be paying a mortgage on as opposed to paying rent. I'm a mid 30s single mother of two who had almost given up hope on ever becoming a homeowner, but I'm doing it! There are so many things that I could use but there are a lot of things that I already have. Is a wish list tacky? What is appropriate?

I'm dating again and I just want some feedback from those who have been in the dating game because I took a hiatus.

We've talked on the phone, chatted online, so when do we meet? We live 100 miles apart. Do I meet him halfway or let him come to me? I am leaning towards him coming to me. Then, is dinner okay in a public place. I wouldn't feel comfortable inviting him to my home early on. Advice?

I think marriage is definitely a must in order for me to leave life as I know it. But I still worry that if I change my life to better fit into my mate's life that I will lose my independence. He is more affluent and owns a home and business in his town. I have a good job but financially, I'm not rolling in "dough". I rent. I would have to withdraw my children from school at some point. How have other women dealt with this kind of situation? FYI, both me and my guy are divorced and in our mid to late 30s. We both have been alone for a while and things are moving kind of fast. We both feel like life is short and we want to share ours with each other.

I met this guy. He's divorced and so am I. He has a child that he's raising alone and I have two. He's smart, articulate, charming, handsome, strong and successful---all that I could hope for in a man. He speaks of strong family values and is spiritual, like me. He lives in another city---about 2 hours away from me. This is not a problem. I have been alone long enough to appreciate goodness even if it is from a distance. I just find it hard to trust people. He calls frequently and he invites me to visit and offers to come see me. I have been trying to be sweet and kind because I know that being distrustful without merit is a turn off. I don't want to mess this up. This man could offer me a life of happiness and he just may be the right man for me. How do I ward off my old feelings of distrust? I don't want to miss out because I have been hurt in the past. Help!

Or with women who call their mates "Daddy or Big Daddy"? I just don't find it sexy to refer to anyone as "daddy". I love my father and he's the last person I want to be thinking of if I'm feeling sexy. Am I being a stick in the mud? Should I go along with this or stand firm?

This is prior to marriage. I mean, how do you let her know that you seriously like her and want a committed relationship with her.

Is it a month, a week, six months, a year, three years? Does it matter? How do you know for sure that they're really over their ex?

Just curious. I have a big problem with men who use excessive profanity, get pissy drunk and then think they're driving me home, dog out their exes as if they are saints themselves, are extremely late and offer a poor excuse or none at all...These are just some things.

You know the questions about how many sex partners have you had, who was the best, in what places, etc.

I think that it's best not to disclose that info. People really don't need to know that, do they? All they need to know is if you are clean for diseases, right? Are should they get a complete run down on you? What do you think?

And her album release...Did you enjoy it? Didn't Beyonce' look radiant? She seems so humble...do you agree? or is it for publicity?

My oldest daughter will be 15 very soon. She has been talking about wanting to get a job. Here in GA, a child can have a job at 15 with a work permit from the school superintendent. I would like for her to have the chance to see what it feels like to earn her own money but I don't want her to take on too much too soon. She's a freshman in high school and her grades are okay. Should I allow her to get a job or tell her to wait another year or 2? If she does get a job, how many hours a week is enough? I'm thinking enough to make $50 or $60 a week is good enough. It's not like she has bills to pay. This money will be for her personal enjoyment only, clothes, shoes, makeup, cell phone minutes, jewelry, cds, etc. (all that teen stuff).

I have and I regret it. As I grow older, I have a greater appreciation for simple things like kindness, sincerity, respect, etc. When I was younger, I thought that if a person was too nice, they were just "soft". What about you?

Did you show gratitude? or did you act as if it was their duty to be nice to you?