I'm a pretty laid back, low maintenance kind of girl - more comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt than in a fancy dress, but I can be convinced to dress up on occasion. I like to go out and have fun, but lazy nights on the couch with a DVD are nice, too.

I am pretty quiet, and I am slow to open up to new people, but once I'm comfortable, look out. I am usually more of a listener than a talker, and I am not one to talk on the phone for hours.

I grew up an only child, so I'm pretty independent, and I don't need someone to "entertain" me all the time. This also means that I don't have to spend every hour of every day with someone - I am comfortable with "me" time.

I like to think that my sense of humor is one of my standout traits, and I'm intelligent enough to hold up my end of most any conversation. I'm a little bit on the quiet side when I first meet people.

I belong to a gym, and I try to go 3 or 4 times a week. However, I'll never be one of those gym rats. Physically, I'm a real female with a real body (see the pictures), so if you're looking for the supermodel type, or the Vegas stripper type, I'm probably not the one for you.

I live with a roommate and 2 cats. Yes, I realize that I am dangerously close to being that crazy cat lady, but I swear I'm just a sucker for strays.

Things I find attractive: Intelligence, sense of humor, independence, reliability, honesty, integrity. Things I'm NOT looking for: Men who play mind games, people who are unreliable, liars, dishonesty, moodiness.

What I really want is to meet someone and feel that instant chemistry. You know, the kind where you can't wait to see them again. Where it doesn't matter what you're doing, as long as you get to be with them.

I don't think that people have to share every interest in order to be a good couple. I think that it is healthy to have separate interests and separate friends. I don't want to date someone who is exactly like myself, I want someone who can introduce me to new experiences and teach me new things.

I'm not concerned with how much money you make or what kind of car you drive-if you can support yourself that's fine with me. It is, however, important to me that you be employed, and have some sort of goals.

Intelligence is important to me, but that doesn't have to mean formal education.

I'm interested in meeting someone who is close to my age (I already have a dad AND a grandfather). Also, if you're married or just looking for a one-nighter, move on, I'm not interested.

I'm not looking for a shotgun wedding, but I am looking for someone who is open to the idea of a real relationship, not people who are just looking for someone to party with. I'm past the age where I'll date someone just to date-I'd rather be alone than with someone just to be with someone.

*** Update - If you have the number 69 in your profile and that's not your birth year, your profile is all one giant sentence with no periods, you have a profile picture of yourself with a gun, or if you want to call me sweetheart, sweetie, sexy, or honey in your introductory email, please move on to the next profile. ***