chicagoburbite

Thanks for the advice, sis.

Very good advice, everyone. Thanks for taking the time to respond, and pray. Jenni

UGH! His minivan looks as bad as that, only the front end (with a chunk of fur caught in the fender This is how my Jeep still looks thanks for the advice!

I was thinking about that as well. I'm not sure what his deductable is.

He was very greatful when I offered to drive. He spiked a fever while we were at the tournament and he could hardly keep his eyes open.

I have a sticky situation, and wanted to find out what you would do, and to also ask for prayer. Yesterday my son, Alonzo, had a basketball tournament more than an hour's drive away. It was an all day affair. His dad, Matt, and I are divorced and both remarried. Matt, Alonzo, my husband James, and I always carpool to these tournaments because they are so far away; plus, and we all get along very well. (btw, matt's new wife couldn't attend the game this time). Well, Matt happened to be sick, so we offered to drive, but he had all of his "sick supplies" in his car, and said we could just take his vehicle instead of transfering all the stuff. He wasn't looking too good, so my husband, James offered to drive there. By the time the tournament ended, Matt was just feeling worse and worse. James was also tired, so I offered to drive the hour's ride home. I got within minutes of home, when a coyote jumped in front of the car, and there was nothing I could do to prevent hitting it. We heard quite a noise (sorry), so we pulled over about 1/4 mile ahead, and looked at the damage. It is quite severe! Of course Matt has insurance, but he will also have to pay the deductable. What would you do? It could have been any one of us that hit it. I just happened to be the one since I offered to drive! One more little detail, Matt is in a much better position financially than James and I are in. Just looking for some opinions, and to also ask for prayers for this whole situation. I don't want to have any tension with my ex. We get along so well! But we can't afford to pay his deductable. Thanks for your prayers, in advance. Jenni

oops

You're wondering who I am -machine or mannequin With parts made in Japan, I am the modren man (woman) I've got a secret I've been hiding under my skin My heart is human, my blood is boiling, my brain I.B.M. So if you see me acting strangely, don't be surprised I'm just a man(woman) who needed someone, and somewhere to hide To keep me alive-just keep me alive Somewhere to hide to keep me alive I'm not a robot without emotions -I'm not what you see I've come to help you with your problems, so we can be free I'm not a hero, I'm not a saviour, forget what you know I'm just a man (woman) whose circumstances went beyond his control Beyond my control-we all need control I need control-we all need control I am the modren man (woman), who hides behind a mask So no one else can see my true identity Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto, domo...domo Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto, domo...domo Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto, domo...domo Thank you very much, Mr. Roboto For doing the jobs that nobody wants to And thank you very much, Mr. Roboto For helping me escape just when I needed to Thank you-thank you, thank you I want to thank you, please, thank you The problem's plain to see: too much technology Machines to save our lives. Machines dehumanize. The time has come at last To throw away this mask So everyone can see My true identity... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... I'm Kilroy! Kilroy! Kilroy! Kilroy! (lyrics by Styx, Dennis DeYoung)

I've met Maggiemod in person (though she moved and we can't IM like we used to ) I feel like I've met a few people in person cuz we've poured our hearts out to each other in an indepth way. I'll meet quite a few of you in Heaven!

You are investing in your property value. More money spent per student, and for school building improvements = better towns = higher home prices = increased property values I, too, send my daughter to a private Christian academy, but my son gets excellent special needs services through the public school. I have always voted "yes" for school referendums. I would MUCH rather pay for school building/curriculum improvements than the PLUSH, Opulent Firestations they are building in my town!! They look like luxury hotels! Wish my office looked like that. Look at the humble offices of other public servants.

Maybe the men can band together; then steal from the rich and give to the poor!! OH MY GOSH THAT PICTURE! I don't know any man with skinny legs like that...and even an ounce heavier.... in tight pants ??? ...... "WE ARE MEN... MEN IN TIGHTS"

wow! I can't imagine. My ex and I have joint custody, but I have residential custody. My ex and I get along wonderfully. In fact, he bought a place 5 blocks away. Makes things soooo easy for the kids. God bless you 3 !! (well, and her too, but in a different way)

My pool guy was 85 Dispite living in the suburbs of a huge metro area, I still found it hard to meet men who walked a godly walk, and bore fruit. There are safe ways to meet people online, and even date them

I absolutely know that God cares about who we associate with, date, and marry. But, I don't think He wants us to sit and wait for someone to show up at our door. Of course the odds of meeting someone with our, and most importantly God's, standards increases the more we are "out there" (including, but not exclusively, people we meet online). Many people live in a small town, and/or go to a small church where there may be 1 or 2 other single adults. Case in point, the town and church I grew up in. The only guys that went to my church were far from having a close relationship to God. I have met many wonderful female friends that I've also met in person, from online. And as I mentioned, I met and married my husband from a Christian site. I have 6 other close friends who've met their spouses online, and who are now celebrating many years of happiness in the missions field, and in the states serving the Lord.

Wow Ron, thank you for your story, and your willingness to share it. I'll share my story sometime when I get a chance. Thank the Lord that the kids are with you!!! Jenni

The overall feel I seem to detect from most of you is that the only people one could ever meet online is a dysfunctional, scary, shifty individual? Every person online represents a member of some town/city/locale, just the same as each one of us does. So do you think that only undesirable members of a specific town are the ones going online looking to find a partner? OR, do you think if they happened to live in our same town, and we could see them more frequently in 3D, they would no longer be "freaky"... yet that same person would suddenly be "freaky" or "false" to someone from across the country? In other words, are they only scarey because we don't know them from our own community? or is it a bigger issue.....(read on)..... It's a given that every 3D community has a certain percentage of "undesireables". Do you think that percentage is higher or lower within the "online community"? Simply, is it mainly the "undesirables" within our communities that look for love online? And, if that's true, where are single Christians to find a mate? What if it's God's will that we find that person online?

I've more than once thought about writing a book about some of my experiences of online dating.

Yeah.. I could only get into the car and laugh... I think the whole dinner was shorter than it took me to drive there

I have quite a few tales of dates I had with men I met online. One date in particular: He made it clear he was NOT interested in me. We met at a restaurant that also had billards. We had planned to eat, and play a round or two of pool. Weeelll... after a very quick dinner, the check came, he pulled out enough money to cover his meal, then turned the bill towards me to pay the rest. He then asked for a rain check on "playing pool". I think i did see the back of his head as he ran the other way

There was recently a lively discussion on "where are the real men?" and another post about the difficulty of thinking of "online people" as real. That got me thinking about online dating. I happen to know quite a few people who met someone online, and eventually married. I was part of a Christian dating site, where I met quite a few female and male friends. In fact... I MARRIED one of them (a Texan ) My older, non-internet-savvy family members were horrified! Thankfully they love my new husband, now. But honestly, being suddenly single at the age of 37, after 16 years of marriage, and 2 preteens, where was I going to meet a plethora of Christian single men who met my standards, and me their's? Yes, there's church, but that's really limiting the number of people to get to know. I know that God puts people in our paths, and they could certainly be at our local church, but why couldn't they also be online? So, I'm just curious: What are your thoughts about dating people from online? Do you know people who've married someone from online? Would you be horrified if your sister, mom, or brother started dating someone they met online?

I must ammend what I said in my earlier reply... Not ONLY men over 45 are polite, gentlemanly. In fact, I married a man 2 years ago who was 35, younger than me, polite (for the most part ) ... Oh.. and he is a Texan too

Deluxe ping-pong tables Huh?

*guys my age are already divorced with children and lots of baggage; Some might be divorced without baggage; and the children might be an asset. *guys my age are more interested in X Boxes than in cultivating a relationship; If it's only a hobby, and a way to blow off steam, there really isn't anything wrong with it. Have you really met men who would rather master "level 5" than spend time with you? *what is it with this whole "sensitivity" thing? Sympathy and crying...far too common in men today; John Eldridge would agree with you there. I think crying is a healthy way for both men and women to release sorrow, frustration, and pain, but not if it's a chronic issue. *manners, politeness, and all those old-fashioned gentlemanly qualities seem to end with men in their late 40's Actually, when I was single a few years ago, as a woman in her mid 30's, I found that the older men were the most giving, gentlemanly sort out there! They held doors, talked more, more attentive, etc. What the heck is it that you guys in your 30's That may be your answer right there. Stop considering men your own age.