I treat others with respect and endeavor to find the good in everyone. Life is truly like a box of chocolates and I love chocolate.

I start each day with this video in order to remind me that each day is a gift and to be grateful for all of the small blessings we receive. http://www.gratefulness.org/brotherdavid/a-good-day.htm

I'm an honest and straightforward woman looking for the same in my friends. I own my own business and I'm happy with who I am and my life is very full. I'm educated and well read and open minded. Having said that, meeting new people only adds to the experience of life.

I take renewal and strength in spending time in nature. I love going for hikes, rides on backroads and don't mind getting dirty.

So that's a bit about me. Now for some of my pet peeves about this internet stuff and the way some of you guys present yourselves. It's keep it real time...

LISTEN UP GUYS...if you don't have a pic posted, don't put me on your favs list or contact me. I mean, get real guys, I'm pretty certain that most of you read only the female profiles that have pics right?

And guys, please get rid of the pics of yourselves without shirts. If we want to see you without your shirt, we'll ask you to send us a pic. OMG...and ditch the wife beater shirts...soooooooooo not cool. :-}

Here's a tip...if you click on "Images" and then on "CLICK HERE for information about the images on your profile and why they may be working against you!" You would be surprised at what you might read there.

Oh and by the way, if you don't look like your pictures, then you have to buy me drinks till you do !

And gosh guys, here's one last thing...at least for now . Now, I'm sure some of you are saying "my gosh woman, you have more don'ts than do's on your profile", lol. But listen up guys, please, if you're going to email me and want to get my attention...then please write in complete sentences and use punctuation. I just read an email that was a whole paragraph, all lower case and had no punctuation. You can use text-ease and shorthand after we get to know each other okay?

DISCLAIMER: If I don’t reply to your message, please think of it as my loss, or try again at another time since timing often makes the difference. On the other hand, if you have already sent multiple well spaced messages without receiving a response I can tell you without being specifically critical that I am not interested ~ please don't be offended as we are not all looking for the same things.

Okay ladies, it's time for keep it real with some of you also I know I'm about to step on some toes but please keep in mind, I'm stating this stuff as a bit of advice not as criticism. I'm not your competition on here. For many of you your main competition is your profile. Think about that one! For others it's your pics. Think about that one too! And for others it's the way you allow men to treat you after they meet you. REALLY think about that one okay! There are basically 3 types of guys you know....good guys, bad guys AND the breed that is in a class of their own, the good/bad guys. Don't waste your time on the last two types, they will only waste yours. Only you can set the bar ladies...how low will you go? Enough said!

And please one and all, don't waste my time or yours by telling me "This is a dating site". I'm well aware of that, but hey, who here disagrees that friends are the best way to date. If you're still reading and care to chat then great, if not...good luck in your search! Now...where did I put that chocolate?

Date...there won't be any "DATES"...meeting to have fun...now that sounds like a plan. Lunch, dinner, a drink or coffee are usually good choices as they allow for conversation and getting to know one another.