http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk_GU49UUGY&feature=PlayList&p=E9CB56C29BA23BF0&index=0&playnext=1

Can you name the movie that this line came from? "I'll have what SHE'S having!" My all-time favorite movie and a classic movie scene. It highlights how much we THINK we know and how little we REALLY learn about each other in the hustle and bustle of today's relationships. It takes time to get to know someone, the real someone!

I bet you know this one, "Your ego is writing checks your body can't cash." I am looking for Maverick, smooth and edgy, the perfect mix of the good and bad boy - enough good to keep me happy, but enough bad to keep me guessing and keep life from settling into boredom. The kind of man that will send flowers for no reason, who cried at the end of THE NOTEBOOK (the ultimate love story), who understands a woman's need for emotional intimacy, and ... who isn't threatened by a strong woman.

I am a dedicated mother of 3 (YES, 3!! boy aged 7, and twin girls almost 15) great kids that light my life. They are my entree and I am looking for the appetizer and dessert to add to my already full plate. My purpose in life is to raise my children to be the best that they can be. A very challenging job, but one that offers the best benefits package! One that stresses me, stretches me, makes me feel fulfilled and lacking at the same time. Single parenting, above all else, propels me to ask more of myself than I ever thought I could achieve. Most days I fall short of my own expectations, but there is always tomorrow.

Relationships - There are those that open you up to something new and exciting, those that are old and familiar and ask very little, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back to where you began. But the most exciting, challenging and engaging relationship of all is the one you have with yourself.

My favorite leisure activity is going to the movies. I love the escape of a double feature, tub of popcorn and large Coke (maybe throw in a box of milk duds for some excitement). I enjoy new restaurants, live theatre, and listening to local music. My favorite cuisines are thai, and a juicy medium rare burger with mushrooms and swiss! I am a sucker for a good bottle of red zinfandel or pinot noir and am on a quest to find the best margarita (current favorite is Broadneck Grill). I love to read on a variety of subjects and often have 2 or 3 books going at the same time. I dabble in much, but am an expert in little!

I prefer the feeling of warm sand tickling my toes rather than cold snow in my boots (although skiing is on my list of things to do this winter, its been a few years!). I usually prefer to sleep thru the sunrise after being up late at night, but nothing compares to the beauty of a summer sunset by the beach (even better if there's a cold drink with an umbrella on hand). My favorite seasons are Spring and Fall, but I love to snuggle by the fire on a cold winter night and sip hot cocoa (with whipped cream, of course!).

I need a man that will challenge me without stepping on my soft spots (and I have many). I am looking to passionately enjoy all that life has to offer. I refuse to "settle" again in a relationship that is not moving forward.

I am a woman that appreciates chivalry (yes, opened doors and pulled out chairs!), surprise and romantic gestures. I am almost convinced that men have lost the art of romancing a woman - I hope you can change my mind. Boring men need not apply, I am looking for adventure and fun and I don't want my world to stand still. Being a handyman would be a big plus!! I have very little kid-free time to enjoy life's excursions and try to make the most of every moment of adult time. A successful match must be intellectually, emotionally and physically stimulating. Physical chemistry is the tinder that starts the fire. It takes a very special person to stir up the fire of my emotions and to keep them roaring. True chemistry and emotional connection are rare and are often fleeting without substance.

I enjoy mixing with friends in a social environment and would rather be out and about than sitting home on the couch. I have an active social life and a nice circle of male and female friends. I do, however, love my DVR to catch up on Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Lie to Me, and a few reality shows that I hesitate to mention.

To borrow a concept from Shrek - We are each like an onion. Experience has piled layer upon layer around our sweet center. Are you a product of your layers and have lost sight of your core and who you really are? Or have you taken the time to process your experiences and how they have affected your core - either positive or negative (sweet or sour)? I encourage you to peel back the layers and get real with the essence of your spirit. There is much to be learned from every single person that passes our path on life's journey. No one is placed in our life without a purpose. We keep repeating the same lessons until we move past them. I repeat many and sometimes move on to new ones, but I never lose sight of the beauty of life.

I do believe that "Life" is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get. If you don't bite into it, you won't know what you are missing. Bite into them ALL - some you may need to spit back, but others can be savored and become an unanticipated favorite.

I've have been playing racquetball for a few years now and try to keep myself fit by going to the gym a few times a week. Although I wish I had the hardbody of an 18 year old, I am learning to keep myself emotionally and physically fit as best as I can and to be happy with who I am and where I am in life's journey.

Men are truly from Mars and Women are from Venus. It's that rare interplanetary connection that makes it all worthwhile. If you've gotten this far and are still not intimidated, drop a line. There will be pop quiz to see how much you have REALLY read (and don't think you can get away with reading the beginning and the end - the best parts are what is said between the covers).

I've found that a distance over 30 miles/minutes is not optimal.

Conversation, eye contact and laughter along with some good food and a nice bottle of wine! It's the only way to find out if you have what it takes and if we "click" enough to move on to date number 2.

I tend to err on the cautious side when it comes to internet dating. I've learned that everything is not always what it seems and often you are surprised where you least expect it. I am very protective about my contact information and prefer to keep communication to IM and email until we both decide that we like each other enough to share that information (usually AFTER the 1st date). Please don't ask me for my phone number until after we meet.