Where are all the Gentlemen?

"Tired of trying the same old ways to meet guys and getting the same (bad) results? You need to think outside the box and shake up your dating routine! Here are some of my favorite ways to meet gentlemen!

1. Through his mom, grandma, neighbor, or aunt.
It’s true, women love to set up their single relatives and friends. It surprises me how many gals don’t take advantage of this situation. Most women tend to hang with ladies their own age, but think twice before you brush off the slightly older, married females at work and the gym. They can be great connections to dozens of single guys. I love this especially because if you end up dating the guy he will have to be on his best behavior because you will tell on him if he’s not. You will also already be in good with another female in his family, and that can’t hurt! Plus, it’s a safe way to date because you have a mutual acquaintance and not as risky as dating online. Buddy up to the older women at your office and take a water aerobics or jazzercise class at the gym. One of my good friends recently got engaged and she was set up with her fiancé via his grandma. She is a nurse and his grandma happened to be her patient and the rest his history!
Tip: Whenever a lady starts mentioning setting you up with her grandson, nephew, or neighbor, find out as much as possible about him. Asks lots of questions, get his name, and google him if possible. If you are interested find some way of giving your friend a business card or website with your picture on it. She will show him and he’s more likely to call you if he’s seen your face.


2. The not so hot-spot of a bar
If you are looking for a serious relationship, the worst place you can go is the most popular pick-up scene in town. Most people feel uncomfortable there and a lot of women complain that men are only there for sex. Also, you probably wouldn’t pop into a bar alone, most likely you are going to be with a few other single female friends. Instead, try finding a bar that’s a little less hip in your area. The classy bars attached to upscale restaurants or hotels are even better. I particularly like the places that have a valet service because you can go by yourself without walking in and out alone. You also won’t feel as uncomfortable at these establishments alone because they will be a bit quieter. Going alone is great because you won’t have the competition of going with single friends and men who are a little bit shyer are also more likely to approach you. Take your favorite book and have dinner at the bar after work.

Tip: If you can’t stand going alone go with a married friend.


3. Golf Tournaments
Sporting events are crawling with men, but golf tournament are my favorite because they are basically social events. People talk and walk in between holes and unlike other spectator sports everyone isn’t watching the exact same thing at once. You can mingle from hole to hole and spring for tickets to the VIP tent if you can afford them.

Tip: Any event where men outnumber women is good, but an event where people aren’t confined to certain seats is better. It's also great if you make a sport such as golf a new hobby and take lessons.

4. Tech companies
At the average tech company men make up in between 75 and 80 percent of the work force. Considering over 20 percent of married couples met on the job, working at a company with mostly males is a smart move. Even if you aren’t in the tech field you can apply for administrative positions or do some freelance marketing.

Tip: Don’t have the option of working at a tech company? Work or grab coffee in the tech area of town and keep your ears open for any women who are married to engineers, they can hook you up. You also may want to check out tech conventions in your area and drop by the Apple store a couple times a week.


5. In another city
Check out the single statistics in your area at http://www.whosyourcity.com/ . If you live in an area with a larger concentration of single women than men, consider visiting a nearby city where you have less competition.

Tip: Vacationing in these cities is good, but it’s even better if you can go there for work related projects. Consider checking out seminars or visiting friends and family in cities where the single men outnumber the single women and you can really get involved with the community.


These are my favorite suggestions for ladies to meet men, what are some uncommon places you’ve had good luck with the guys?"

From Shine

My Bucket List

1. Fall deeply in love – helplessly and unconditionally.
2. Get married at Boone Hall Plantation in Mt. Pleasant, SC.
3. Have five children.
4. Become a nurse and help to make a difference in other people’s lives.
5. Own a children’s boutique in downtown Charleston.
6. Start my own event planning company and/or plan weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, and charity balls.
7. Organize and host a large charity event.
8. Travel through Europe.
9. Go skydiving.
10. Witness a miracle.
11. Reflect on my greatest weakness, and realize how it is my greatest strength.
12. Get passionate about a cause and spend time helping it – not just thinking about it.
13. Own a two -story house with a wrap around porch in the country outside of Charleston, SC.
14. Go to Costa Rica and shower in a waterfall.
15. Climb the pyramids in Egypt.
16. Go on an African safari.
17. Learn to ballroom dance.
18. Work with Doctors Without Borders.
19. Go on a hot air balloon ride.
20. Take all my children, individually, on a vacation in a place of their choice.
21. Buy a boat.
22. Go on a mission trip with Church.
23. Realize it is okay to make mistakes.
24. See all 50 States.
25. Become more active in church and one day lead a woman’s bible study.
26. Run in a marathon.
27. Have 4 Labrador retrievers at one time and name them: Belle, Beau, Gent, and Grits.
28. Go to the Kentucky Derby.
29. Learn to sew and make children’s clothes, aprons, etc.
30. Take Wilton’s Cake class & be able to make large, beautiful cakes.

15 Ways to Charm a Southern Girl

If you want a southern woman to love you, men, here's a short list of things Southern girls still expect from you (Just think "What would my grandfather have done?"). We still expect you to...

1. STAND UP FOR A LADY. We still expect you to give up your seat for a lady. On a bus, at a bar, on a train.. we don't care where you are. Actually, this doesn't just involve chairs.
2. KNOW THAT THE SEC HAS THE BEST FOOTBALL TEAMS IN THE NATION. Big 12 fan? Hmm, perhaps you should keep walking.
3. KILL BUGS. Delta Burke as Southern belle Suzanne Sugarbaker on Designer Women said, "...Ya know, ...when men use Women's Liberation as an excuse not to kill bugs for you. Oh, I just hate that! I don't care what anybody says, I think the man should kill the bug!"
4. HOLD DOORS OPEN.
5. FIX THINGS OR BUILD STUFF. I once watched in awe as my stepfather built a front porch on the house he shares with my mother. He knew just what to do, cutting every notch, hammering every nail. The project was complete by sunset.
6. WEAR BOOTS OCCASIONALLY. Not the fancy, I-paid-$1,000-for-these-kind. We're talking about slightly mud-crusted, I-could-have-just-come-in-from-the-field boots.
7. TAKE OFF YOUR HAT INSIDE.
8. GRILL STUFF.
9. CALL US. If you want to ask us out, don't text and don't e-mail. Pick up the phone and use your voice.
10. STAND WHEN WE COME BACK TO THE DINNER TABLE. Just a little half-stand is enough to make a girl melt.
11. PULL OUT OUR CHAIRS. Wait, that's not all. Scoot them back in before we hit the floor.
12. PAY THE TAB ON THE FIRST FEW DATES. If you ask her out, you pay. If she asks you out, you should still pay. Listen guys, it's just simpler this way.
13. DON'T SHOW UP IN A WRINKLED, UNTUCKED SHIRT. Care about your appearance but not too much. Don't smell better than we do. Don't use mousse or gel. You shouldn't look like you spend more time in front of the mirror than we do.
14. NEVER GET IN BAR FIGHTS. Patrick Swayze might look cool in Road House, but in reality, bar fights are stupid and embarrassing. You don't look tough. You look like an idiot.
15. KNOW HOW TO MIX OUR FAVORITE COCKTAIL JUST THE WAY WE LIKE IT. Fix your favorite too. Sit down on the porch (it's okay if you didn't build it) on a swing, tell us how your day went, and we'll tell you about ours.

Great Words of Advice from Audrey Hepburn

"Your heart just breaks, that's all. But you can't judge, or point fingers. You just have to be lucky enough to find someone who appreciates you."

First Real Post

Ok, so I have been lurking around the blog world for quite some time now, and truly enjoy reading all of the lovely blog ladies posts. I feel like I can't even go a day without reading up on y'all's lives. However, I think it is about time that I finally start posting on my blog. 

* Warning: I don't really know how to work all of this yet, so give me time! *

I have been super busy lately as I am in my last year of nursing school. I have two weeks left in this semester though, and then I get a 6 week break! I am so grateful for this. We have a test tomorrow on CVAs, Alzheimer's Disease, Eye and ear disorders, Prostate Cancer and BPH, and Home Health. I am completely overwhelmed and in need of some prayers to make it through this semester. Nursing has always been my lifelong goal, since I was at least 5 years old, and I know that it is my calling. I cannot wait until next semester when we finally get to start OB and pediatrics (where my heart is truly at). However, I have to make it through this semester first.. and tests are not really my thing. When I am in the hospital at clinicals or in the lab, I am in my element. But place me in that computer chair staring at a computer screen, I go blank. I HATE TESTS! (and I do not say I hate things usually). 

Anyways, on a happier note, I got to spend the day out at Kingsley Lake yesterday with some friends, it rained and yet we still had a good time. There is nothing better than being out on the water, and I cannot wait until I can enjoy more time on it in the next few weeks! :) 

As for the situation with guys, Me & The Fireman are done, and it's sad. But I think I am okay with it, I really do miss him, but I've realized that God has a much better plan for me, and there is someone out there more suitable for me, and if I am patient (and not looking), Mr. Right will walk into my life when I least expect it. The Fireman will always hold a significant place in my heart, but I know that I have been through enough pain with my past and I am ready to move on and look forward to being able to find the perfect southern, christian gentleman I deserve! <3

By the way, Macys is having a great sale on kitchen stuff if you are interested. I ordered new Fiesta plates, and I am thinking about ordering this AMAZING Cuisinart Ice cream maker! YUM!! Perfect summertime treat in my opinion. 

Well, I will try my best to keep up with my own blog, and look forward to getting to know y'all better!! 

Proverbs 31 Ministries

My amazing husband can do anything. He's a fix-it man. There isn't anything he can't repair or create. He rebuilds damaged computers for family and friends, repairs weed eaters and garage door openers for neighbors, and rescues broken furniture from trash heaps. Recently he brought a chair home from a dinner party. It wasn't a gift and we didn't steal it. Someone sat in it and broke it!

After two days of taking the chair apart - performing what looked like orthopedic surgery to me, you know when pins and screws are inserted to keep bones and joints from further damage – followed by a little gluing, sanding, and staining, the chair looked brand new.

"Wow!" I said, impressed.

"Sit in it and rock back," he encouraged.

"Rock back? I don't think so! What if I break it?"

"Oh, believe me. You won't."

"How do you know?" I asked, not convinced.

"I know how I designed it. I know the pressure points and how much stress it can take" he responded with a smile of confidence. "Go on. Sit in it and rock back."

I sat down and rocked back.

The chair was solid. I don't care who sits in it, or how they land in it now, it will not break.

I think about the times we don't believe we can handle any more stress. The pressure seems overwhelming and we cry, "Time out! I can't take any more!"

God responds, "Trust me. You will not be destroyed. I know your pressure points. I know how much stress you can take. I know how I designed you."

I cannot describe the peace I felt when I related the work of my husband's hands to the work of God's hand.

Of course He knows how much I can take. After all He is my Creator, the one who bent down by the river and fashioned me with His hands. He's the one who knit me together in the depths of my mother's womb, the one who is called the Potter.

He knows the exact temperature needed in the kiln to create the perfect clay vessel. He knows how hot the fire must be to separate the dross from the silver and gold. He knows how much pressure a diamond or emerald must withstand in order for it to come forth solid and brilliant. He knows how long the irritant must sit in an oyster before it becomes a pearl.

My Father knows exactly how much I can take. He knows because He designed me. With that realization I am able to trust Him and smile at the future, no matter how hard life is today.

Lord Jesus, You are the Carpenter. You know exactly how to build a piece that will withstand pressure and stress, a work of art that will not easily crumble. You created me the same way.

Got this from Grits, thank you. It did help me!