I am the typical girl next door. I don't look like a model, and I will never be asked to pose for Playboy or Penthouse. You would also never find me on a tape of "Girls Gone Wild". However, female friends have assured me that if they were lesbians, I would be on their "to-do" lists. So I have that going for me.

I have two childrens ages 18 and 16, and I am a high school English teacher. My hobbies include cooking, baking, reading, dancing, listening to music, and watching movies. My passion is traveling. I love international travel, but I also enjoy domestic travel. I can't wait for my return trip to Italy in 2010. My dream destinations include Australia, Galapagos Islands, and Machu Picchu.

I haven't done much dating for the last 20 years, so I am not really up with the current social scene. I do know I am not into the noisy bar scene, and to me, clubbing is something you do with a baseball bat when you see a snake.

There are many things I want to learn to do: ballroom dance, cook gourmet food, ride a motorcycle, scuba dive, throw pizza dough, drive a racecar, play guitar, skydive, and build my own house that I designed.

I am looking for someone who will respect me, has the same morals and values, desires good conversation, has a sense of humor, and eventually wants more. I am not opposed to a long-term relationship, but that is not my top priority right now.

What I want...I want a man who knows how to kiss...not swallow my face or peck me to death. I want him to treat me with kindness and thoughtfulness. He needs to be able to make time for me and desire to see me. He needs to make a effort. A text message once a week just doesn't do it for me. He must be an unselfish lover. A man who enjoys giving and receiving backrubs and massages is a plus. A sense of humor is a necessity.

What I don't want...I don't want a man who is only in a relationship for himself. I don't want a man who is just looking for a hook-up. I am not interested in the guy who hides me from his friends. I also can't tolerate smoking. I find it very distasteful to be around smoke or even the smell of smoke. I am not interested in players or guys who are trying to be players.

My body shape is neither thin nor athletic. I am very curvy. If I had lived in 1500, Raphael would have loved me. Therefore, if you don't like curvy women, don't bother contacting me.

I probably won't be interested in you if every picture was taken in a bar and showcases you holding a beer while being sandwiched between two or more girls. Secondly, if you can't communicate without the use of foul language, I won't talk to you very long. Also, if your favorite conversation opener is "sup," we probably won't have much to say to each other. Likewise to the one-line introductory emails. If you want me to write back, at least give me something to work with.

Question I get asked most often in emails: Are you Latino? Answer...No, I am American mutt, but I am mostly Swedish and English.

Chicagoans: I love getting the emails from you, but I am five hours from Chicago. And no...I won't meet you halfway.

UPDATE: I keep getting one-line introductory emails. Here are a few questions about your preferences to help you get started.

1. Ginger or Mary Ann? (If you don't know who I am talking about, you are probably too young for me.)

2. Being the chaser or being the chasee?

3. Quilts or comforters?

4. Movie in the theater or video at home?

5. Hugs or kisses?

6. Pan pizza or thin crust?

7. Beach, mountain, or city vacation?

8. Baseball, basketball, or football?

9. Spring, summer, fall or winter?

10. Sex in the rain or sex on a waterbed?


Sorry guys...I'm an English teacher. If you are going to email me, please be able to write complete sentences and use proper English. If you can't spell a word correctly, either look it up or use a different word.

I expect a first date to be fun and comfortable. I don't care for the bar scene... too noisy. I prefer someplace where we can talk and get to know each other.

A first date with me will not end in the bedroom. If you are looking for just a booty call, I am not interested.

Also, if you stand me up on our date, you don't get a second chance.