When the relationship that you are in is new and not yet stable, it is hard to make any long term plans.  Yet, you still need to make plans.  So, the question becomes, just how far out do you dare to plan?

For instance, tickets to a minor league baseball game can usually be purchased at the gate.  If you and your date show up at the gate together, there is a good chance that she will still be with you at the end of the game.  So, these tickets have a low risk factor.

But, tickets to a major music event usually need to be purchased a few months in advance.  And, a lot can happen in a couple of months.  And, there is no guarantee that the woman you are dating today will still be around in 2 months when the event actually takes place.  So, buying these tickets has a high risk factor.

And while I am not saying that you shouldn’t buy the concert tickets, just be aware that you may be selling them to someone else.

The first time that I got into a serious relationship, it was with an old college acquaintance.  We really seemed to hit it off and I thought that we were a match.  So, I started introducing her to members of my family.  But, the relationship was not stable and, after a few months, she moved on.

Now, not only was I confused and hurt, so were the members of my family.  They had started to bond with this woman only to have her disappear from our lives.

So, in fairness to friends and family, I don’t introduce my girl friends until I am sure that they are going to be around for a few months.

Sorry, this is what my life has become.

When ever I start a new relationship, I have to wonder when I should introduce her to my family and friends.  While she may be dying to meet them and they her, having a stable relationship is another matter.

Some friends of mine had a son in college.  And, about every two months, the son brought home a new girl for them to meet.  Of course, every time that he brought one home, he was thinking that the relationship was stable when it obviously wasn’t.

Since the parents were frustrated with trying to remember the names of all of these woman, they finally told him not to bring anyone home until he had been dating them for four months.  He agreed and it worked out best for all concerned.

I guess this is where I am at.  While I don’t mind introducing her to my family, I hate putting my family through the rigors of learning a new name and face only to have her leave 6 weeks later.

Life was so much simpler when I was married.

When dating someone new, the question that I always wrestle with is when to introduce them to my family and friends.  If you introduce them too soon, you risk scaring them off.  After all, new relationships are hard enough as is without adding friends and family.  But, if you don’t introduce them, they may feel offended.  So, either way, it is a risk.

I was a summer “boy toy”, a play thing.  But, at the time, I didn’t realize it.

She was a school teacher and every spring, she would start her search for a summer “boy toy”.  Her goal was to get a relationship going just before the start of summer break.

Then, once summer hit, it was party, party party.  Baseball games, concerts, fine dining and bike rides were all a part of her agenda.  And, of course, there was lots and lots of romance.

But, come fall, when school started, it was bye bye to “boy toy”.

I was crushed and confused at first.  After all, we had so much fun together and really seemed to hit it off.  But, in the end, I came to realize that she was not really interested in me.  She was only interested in a good time.

Spring is in the air so it must be about time for her to start her search for “Mr. Summer 2012.”

The other day, I was reading an on line profile for a woman in northern Minnesota.  She basically said that she had her own life and expected her husband to have the same.  And, that she only needed to be with him a couple of times a week.

Well, since she lived in a small town, I guess her mate needed to hunt and fish and snowmobile.

I wondered if she was looking for a husband or just a boy toy?

A woman that I have known for many years, works at a fast food restaurant.  And, when every I stop there, we have the usual polite conversation.

But, the other day, she told me that she had just dumped her current boy friend.  Well OK.  I think I know where this is headed.

Now, when ever I see her, she tells me intimate details about her personal life.  Fortunately,  it is a fast food restaurant so our conversations are brief.

Every now and then, I run into a woman that I know.  I have known her and her husband for many years.  Well, the other day, I ran into her and she told me that she was thinking about me.

Since a lot of my friends think about me and wonder how I am doing, I thanked her for her concerns.  Then she said “No, I have been thinking  about you a real lot!”  Well OK.

I got the distinct impression that her thoughts were not directed at my general well being.

“I’ve got squirrels in my attic”!.  That is what a local woman announced to me.

Well, OK, I don’t!

Now that I am a widower, I have discovered that there are a lot of women out there who are not satisfied with their current spouse.

For some, the dissatisfaction is financial  and for others it is emotional. But, what ever the cause, they are looking for some one new, an upgrade if you will.  And, if you happen to meet their needs, well, you are fair game, husband or no husband.  So beware!