I am a woman scorned, scarred, weak, and vulnerable. Sought after, tossed aside, remembered and rejected. Over the years I’ve grown strong willed, determined, cautious, and maybe even a bit callous. My heart demands a bit of that. While I’m always soaking in what life teaches me, the only sure thing I’ve managed to learn is that people need what they’ve always been accustomed to. We go through various cycles - growing, changing, merging, wondering how much of ourselves we really ought to give. But ultimately, we are still who we always were individually.

So what does this teach me about relationships and myself? That I can be happy alone. But given no one really wants to die alone, that I need to look for someone . . .like me.

So, intelligent with a proficiency in grammar, hardworking to a fault, yet fiercely family oriented. Extremely sensitive while taking everything with a grain of salt - as a learning experience. Empathetic to human frailty while recognizing shallow pettiness for what it is. And a capacity to love unconditionally while maintaining a sense of self and independence.

As to the more boring and outwardly noticeable things about me . . .I am a single mother (and father, and whatever else they need me to be) with a good job. It's been rough, but I've persevered and have almost raised my kids to be teenagers (Oh, I'm not looking forward to that age.) When I retire I'll be glad I took the route that I did.

I am passionate, but not about any one thing. I am openminded, but have my own firm opinions. Although I've always been an old soul, it was just this year that I finally realized I am actually getting old. At this point in life, short of finding my SoulMate, I am looking more for company and a sincere connection than for a family or partner. By now I'm used to doing everything myself. My heart is tried and tired, but talking to kids all the time gets old after a while.

I have a love/hate relationship with these sorts of sites. But they do work sometimes. Patience is key. I do not wish to settle, and nor should you. I am waiting for that moment when a 10 word message leads to a conversation that never ends . . .when every word is a morsel to be devoured, and every thought makes my heart pump. When I am enveloped as a completely human being - nothing less, and nothing more. And I am loved for it.

Also, it would be nice if someone else laid tile, added oil to the car or took out the garbage once in a while. Just saying.

Putting one foot in front of the other while I marvel at where life takes me. I work, eat, sleep, work harder, and generally try to give my girls the best life I can make for them. This year I got a DBA. Baby steps, but the dream is to retire at 49 and open up a little shop. One has to have dreams, even if they have to wait for them. ;)

Writing and music. I have written intense poetry and shallow articles (in the interest of making a buck.) I have dabbled in lots of instrumental pursuits in my lifetime, but only piano has remained. These are my outlets on a really good night or a really bad night. :) Amazingly, since I'm an introvert at heart, I've discovered that I'm also a good "people person." My customers know me and love me.

My hair, because I dye it now and then? My lipliner, which hides the fact that I have no lips? My petite frame, or my favorite unique outfits? Definitely the neat trick I have of writing a phone number on a check without looking at what I am writing. I suppose I come across as cute. Outside of appearances, I am honest to a fault and completely open. I am empathetic and understand people sometimes more than they understand themselves.

Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, Edgar Allen Poe . . .Breakfast at Tiffanys, Pulp Fiction, 10 Things I Hate About You, Payback, Phone Booth, Run Lola Run . . .Van Morrison, Jason Mraz, Lisa Loeb, Fleetwood Mac, Live, Pearl Jam (ok, that list is endless. I like a lot of classic rock, though.) Most recently, I really like Gotye, Mumford and Sons, and outside of mainstream, Emilie Autumn has become my favorite because she is a poet, a bit dark, and thinks like me. My taste varies, including music from just about every genre except rap - can't think of one rap song I like. As far as food goes - Mexican and Italian. And a good Chicken Fried Steak. :)

My girls . . .yes, that's only two. Think I've done without pretty much everything else at some point in life, anyway

Life has a way of working in patterns. Although I always seem to see the timing in retrospect, everyone and everything has its place and its reason.

Listening to music, making it, or writing. Also, it seems, a lot of Facebook Bejewelled and Texas Holdem. It's addictive.

I have a tattoo . . .Kanji symbol of Eternity, because well . . .that's ultimately what I'm looking for.

You know a thing or two about life . . .you have no wool over your eyes . . .you don't quite fit in with the world you reside in . . .you can spell, punctuate, and have something insightful and meaningful to say.