Seriously?

The last time I blogged, I was recounting all of the "memorable" moments during my online dating phase. Like I have previously stated, there are way too many to list.  So I've chose a choice few.  And here are a couple more:

3.  I met "J" online and we immediately had a connection.  Did I really just say we had a connection? Good Grief! How does one form a connection over the internet? Whatever...anyway....  after emailing, texting and then talking, we decided to meet.  We met, realized we enjoyed hanging out, and proceeded to chillax for the next few weeks.  I say, "few" because I honestly can't remember how long we actually did date. I know it was over 3 weeks but I think it was under 6.  Obviously he wasn't as special as I thought he was at the time if I can't even remember how long we dated.  Anyway, after *said* weeks, he suddenly decided he could no longer date me.  I quote, "I'm just not ready to be in a relationship. You're a great person and will someday make someone else very happy".  Blah. I can't believe I fell for that crap. But I did. I cried.  I sulked. I got mad. I got over it. I got over him. Okay, now here's the kicker........ not even 3 weeks later, I'm browsing (stalking) on Facebook and low and behold, his profile shows a picture of him, a woman and a little white chapel in the background.  Say what?  I'll leave it at that, assuming that you can figure the rest out from here. Whatever.

4.  Have you ever seen someone who is so good looking, you do a double take (triple take)?  Well, I met "P" and we agreed to meet for dinner.  As I was walking up to the restaurant, I looked up and to see the most handsome man I've ever seen (in real life!) standing outside. Was he my date? No way.  Way too good looking.  But wait....that WAS him. It's not everyday that someone looks BETTER in real life then in their pictures. We met, had an amazing dinner together and then went to a local pub and ended the night there.  Fabulous evening, fabulous guy. His parting words to me were something to the likes of, "I had a great time. What are you doing next weekend?"  To which I answered that I thought I was free but I'd have to check (uh, really?).  So he said, "Ok. Next weekend it is. Hopefully".  That was that. And that was it. Seriously. He was never to be heard from again.  Whatever. 

I'll stop there. No more tales of online dating. It's funny to write them down, but it's also slightly embarrassing that I actually fell for so many lame things. I guess I can chalk it up to being guilty of wanting a boyfriend instead of just enjoying my life and appreciating what I've already got.  Lesson learned. 

So why now?

I've never been a big fan of dating. It is sometimes stressful, often exhausting, mostly confusing.  And it doesn't get any easier as you get older. In fact, I think it only becomes more difficult.  You no longer have the excuse of being young and dumb and you can't blame bad decisions on inexperience.  The only excuse that seems to work is the simple fact that it's been eons since your last date and you've simply forgotten the basics.   If you somehow manage to get past all of that, then dating has the potential to be almost enjoyable, possibly successful, and most of the time, even fun!

Dating for me seems so different now than it was 15 years ago. Before, I had to gather all my courage up to make a phone call.  Now, all I have to do is text. Before, I could go out with my friends and meet people at the bars.  Now, I can't even remember the last time I frequented such an establishment.  Before, my friends all had friends who had friends.......  Now, all my friends are married and so are their friends.  Before, I had all the time in the world. Now, my time is filled up with life's responsibilities.  Before, I wanted to have a boyfriends in the worst way. Now, it's something that could be nice, but isn't on my list of priorities, not even in my top ten.

When I first separated from my now exie, I dabbled in the dating pool.  But as I look back on that period in my life, I think it was in actuality, just a form of "rebounding".  I thought I had deep feelings for people, but really it was just me missing the company.  After about 8 months of that, I decided I'd try online dating.  WOW. Now that was interesting.

This is the part in which I regret not blogging way back when.  The experiences I had and the people I met were so bizarre, it's nearly impossible to write about it all now.  But in a nutshell, here are a few of my infamous encounters:

1.  While talking on the phone with "B" (actually, I was listening while he did ALL the talking), he began to observe a woodpecker outside his window.  The conversation became all about the wonders of woodpeckers - by the way, I've NEVER thought woodpeckers were that interesting.  As I sat there in pure agony, I put "B" on speaker so I could text my girlfriend.  The text went something like this: Please save me! Call me in a few so I can use that as an excuse to get off the phone with this looney tune!"  SEND. Ummm...oops... who did I actually send the text to? Yep, you got it: "B"!  But because he was so incredibly naive, he read the text, thought it was a joke, and then continued on with his woodpecker wonders.

2.  After texting and then speaking on the phone over a period of about two weeks, I decided to meet "R" for dinner at a local Mexican food restaurant.  I arrived first and waited in the foyer.  Each time the door opened, I'd glance up to see if it was my date.  Finally, the door opened and in walked a tall, lean man, around the age of 45 (my guess).  But seeing that this wasn't my date, I turned away.  Well you can imagine my surprise when this tall, lean gentleman looked at me and said, "Susie?"  Uh....what??  I thought I was on hidden camera or something.  This was NOT the guy that I had been communicating with over the past few days.  My guy was shorter, stockier, darker hair, younger.  The exact opposite of the  man staring at me.  I thought about pushing past him and running away, but I didn't.  Instead, we went to a table, ordered a beer (much needed!) and proceeded to have the most mundane conversation.  Had he not spoken about our previous conversations or retold stories that I was familiar with, I'd still think this was a completely different person.  And to be perfectly honest, to this day I am not 100% convinced he was the same man.


There are sadly many more examples of online dating gone wrong, but I'll leave you with just two examples for now. 

I am thankful for...

Like everyone else, around this time of year I reflect on what I have to be thankful for.  The older I get, the more I realize just how lucky I really am.  I have a wonderful family, healthy children, a place to live, a job I love, and amazing people in my life.  What more could a girl ask for. So, this Thanksgiving I am simply thankful for it all.

Here are some of the other things that I am thankful for:
* noodles
* Diet Pepsi (I know..so bad for me!)
* sleeping in
* sweatpants and cozy socks
* relaxing in the sun
* Sharpie permanent markers (thin tipped)
* my iPhone
* movie night with my kids
* hugs and kisses from my babies
* chips and salsa
* being so close to the ocean

Hope everyone had a wonderful Turkey Day.  Gobble Gobble....

Here we go... ready or not...

Let me start off this post by saying that I attempted to write all of this about 2+ years ago.  It was right after I was separated from my now ex-husband.  I had this amazing idea to blog about being separated and then divorced - what it would be like to raise my kids as a single mom, date again after a million years, etc.  I wrote my first post with as much enthusiasm as I could muster. And then I stopped.  Why? I have no idea.  I actually wished I hadn't because what has gone on in the last few years has been everything from amazing to downright ridiculous.  Too many stories to tell, not enough time.  And to tell you the truth, I'd rather just start from where I am NOW, as opposed to where I was two years ago.  So, let's begin:

This is me.  

Well, actually.... that isn't exactly me.  That's me on a very good day, cropped, photo shopped and and illuminated.  The real me is a less "glowy", no make-up, hair in a pony tail, sweats wearing, flip-flop lovin' gal.  In fact, when my son saw this picture, he asked me, "Is that you? Why are you so sun burned?"  

Here's the real me, complete with the two most precious 

children ever (even their grandparents will agree to that testament!). 

I'm a single mom of two beautiful children - Sophie is 7 and Eli is 5.  They are my loves and my whole life.  I often lose my breath when I think of how much I love them. Anyone who is a mom knows that this love is impossible to describe. 

I have been a single mom since 2009.  I am grateful everyday for the wonderful relationship I have with my children's daddy.  When we split, we both promised each other that despite our failed marriage, we would be successful at being the best parents to our children.  Since then, we've lived up to our promises and have built an amazing and healthy relationship.  Although we are no longer married, we are both fully there for one another, support each other in whatever we do, whoever we date, whatever life choices we make.  It's amazing how much easier it is when we get along. 

And this first post wouldn't be complete without mentioning my mom and dad.  Without them, I'd be lost.  They are the best parents a girl could wish for. I was adopted when I was 7 months old and consider myself to be the luckiest person in the world.  After my children were born, they naturally took to the role of "Mimi" and "Papa".  And to no surprise, they are amazing at being grandparents.  I love to watch them interact with my children and to listen to the conversations that go on between them. My kids are very lucky to have them in their lives..... :)  

So, that's all for introductions...for now.  I'm hoping to keep this blog updated and fill it with my life. I chose the title of, "Sippy Cups and the Single Gal" because that is what my life is at this point. Who knows, maybe one day my title will change to something else.  But for now, that's me and this is my life.  Enjoy.