ok, let's be honest here. i read many of these ads and wonder where all the real people are. i'm not a knight in shining armour and i don't like to dance the night away. i won't take you out dancing at all actually. but, i am honest and don't play games. this whole idea makes me nervous and to be honest this is taking me right out of my comfort zone, but i have decided to try as i would really like to meet someone. i would like a companion to spend time with and get to know, to laugh with, enjoy moments and be friends with. i believe in hard work and enjoy the simple things in life. i like to relax after work by watching t.v., spend time cooking and enjoy and take pride in my garden. i also like to fish and try to keep in shape by walking, just enough to try and stay healthy, but don't work out and no sign of a six pack here. i have children who i enjoy spending time with, they are all grown and just getting out on their own. my daughter and son-in-law are helping me out here, because it takes me forever to figure out how to use this computer. i'm looking for someone who is down - to - earth, kind, honest, doesn't do drugs or smoke and is looking for someone to spend time with. i would like to find someone to go out for dinner (chinese food would be my pick), go for walks, drives and talk, and just enjoy being together.

i'll add a bit more now. i figure it's important to be honest about myself. so, here's what i'm not:
- a social bubbly person, but i do enjoy talking with someone once i get to know them
- very affectionate until i get to know someone and even then i tend to show i care in different ways
- a leader in conversation, but i am a good listener
- interested in travelling much. i like being home and sticking with things to do locally, although my daughter did manage to get me out camping a couple of weeks ago, something i used to love but haven't done in a very long time

i am:
- willing to make some time in my life if the right person comes along
- thoughtful and caring and respectful of others
- casual, have a big beard and my daughters seem to tell me i'm in need of a haircut a lot, but i'm pretty happy with the way i am

i want to meet someone who is:
- more outgoing than me (as we're in trouble if you're just as quiet as me at first), but not so outgoing that you want to go dancing, travelling and have social events with lots of people, and do things that are really far out of my comfort zone
- financially secure and independent. i have worked hard to get where i'm at and do want to meet someone who can take care of herself. this doesn't mean i won't take you out to lunch, just that i don't want to be with someone who isn't able to take care of themself or is struggling to live paycheck to paycheck - this would be stressful for me.
- willing to be patient and encouraging of me stepping out of my comfort zone. when i read my profile it sounds like i'm confident but i find meeting people really stressful and nerve-racking. too bad we can't just jump through the beginning and be comfortable right away! ;-)

that's about it for now.

i think a first date is always a bit awkward but that's all part of the process. for a first date we could meet for lunch or coffee and talk to see if we are both interested in getting to know each other better. then, if we are both interested we can plan something more.

i think we will know right away if the feeling is there that we think there may be a possibility for a relationship. of course it takes time to develop a friendship first, but if it doesn't seem like we're right for each other, i hope you would be honest about that after our first meeting and i could be honest about that, too. and at the least we'll have a fun day or an interesting meeting! and if we both want to meet again, that would be great.