Finding a Date in a Rural Area

 

Dating is Not Impossible Even in a Small Town

There are several great things about living in a rural area.  Nothing can beat the personal feel of knowing your neighbors or the wide open countryside.  What is not so great is trying to find a companion if you’re single. Living in a rural area can make finding a date challenging, but if you are creative, there are ways to do just that.

*Sporting Events

Men love sports.  It doesn’t matter where they live.  There are parks, clubs, and other places where there is always some type of game going on.  A smart woman knows that showing up at a basketball, baseball, or football game is in her best interest.  Dressing appropriately is common sense, but in order to find a date, it is important to wear something that will attract attention.  A woman must remember that most men actually came to the sporting event to watch the game, so she must wear something that will both fit in and stand out.

Sports events are also a place where men can meet single women.  Some women actually enjoy watching sports while other have children or family members who play. In rural areas, men who are looking for a dating companion can start their search at a sporting event.

*Volunteer Work

Doing volunteer work is another way to find a date in a rural area. The key is to strategically place one’s self where they are most likely to meet a companion. Women can volunteer at places like coal plants, hospitals, schools, police stations, or fire stations. Men can volunteer at schools, hospitals, or any other place where a lot of women work. By volunteering, a person can put their face out there. It’s amazing how many people you can meet by doing this.

*Church Events

Church events provide opportunities to meet other singles.  Some churches host ‘Singles’ Night’ where single Christians can meet.  Even without the designated ‘Singles’ Night’, there are always single people at church. The church picnic or dance is a great place to strike up a conversation with a person who has caught your interests.

*Go to the Movies

Not everyone brings a date to the movies.  Some people go alone because they don’t have a date or they really want to see the movie. In a rural area, going to the movies can provide another opportunity to meet other single people. 

*Friends

Most people have friends, and chances are those friends know other single people. If you let them know that you are looking for a date, they can help suggest other single people. They can also provide information about any potential dates. In a rural area, chances are good that one of your friends personally knows the person you might be interested in. They can find out if the other person might be interested in you.

*Internet

Thanks to the internet, the world is your oyster. You can connect to anyone anywhere.  There are a lot of dating websites that can help you find mates in your area.  Don’t hesitate to use this valuable resource.

*Malls

Shopping malls attract a large variety of people.  They provide a place to shop and a place to meet potential dates.  Make it a point to frequent the stores that cater to the type of person you are look for.  Shoe stores and sporting goods stores will attract men while lingerie stores like Victoria Secrets will attract women.  You can also stroll through department stores like JCPenney, Dillard’s, and Belk. Be sure to browse through the men’s or women’s departments.  Strike up a conversation with someone who interests you, and see how it goes.

Finding a date in a rural area can be challenging, but it is not impossible. It just takes some creativity and strategic thinking.

Warnings Your Relationship Could Be Ending

Everyone’s been there.  You have a major fight with your partner and you wonder is it over.  Maybe it wasn’t just this fight.  Maybe there have been several lately.  So, what are the signs that your relationship is over?  Here are some of the warning signs that your relationship is in trouble:

Resentment

You find yourself resenting the other person.  This can happen when you or your partner feels misunderstood or unappreciated.  Each member of a relationship needs to know that they matter.  Recognize that each of your dreams and goals are important. Try telling your partner what is wrong.  They may not even realize there is one. Constant criticism and resentment can kill any relationship.

Old issues keep resurfacing

You find that you are both arguing about the same things over and over again.  By not resolving the old issues, you have allowed resentment to set in.  Once an issue is discussed and dealt with, it should not be revisited.  Move on.  Relationships cannot grow without progress. Bring up dead issues will only kill the relationship.

Lack of intimacy

Sure, you may still be having sex, but are you intimate with each other?  Intimacy includes touching, hugging, and kissing.  These simple things are the glue that holds any relationship together.  When they are gone, beware. Your relationship is not far behind.

Sex life suddenly changes

Does having sex with your partner seem like a chore?  Maybe it’s the other way around, and they seem like they are avoiding having sex with you.  A lagging libido can signal serious trouble. Avoiding sex can be a result of resentment, an affair, or the fact that one of you has check out emotionally.  Don’t withhold sex as a form of punishment.  This will only cause more resentment and push them further away.

Lack of communication

Communication is the foundation of any relationship.  It is by talking that you learn what matters to each other. If all you’re doing is arguing, then you are not actively listening. Nothing is being resolved.  Silence is also deadly. If there is no communication at all, the relationship is doomed.  You have to talk to your partner in order to find out what is wrong and how to fix it. 

Sudden change in work schedule

Has your partner’s work schedule changed suddenly?  Are they working more or have longer work hours?  This could mean one of three things.  One, there is the possibility of an affair.  Two, they are avoiding spending time with you.  Three, they may actually have had a sudden change in their work schedule.  Either way, it does not hurt to be observant and watch for other signs that working late is not truly working late.

Jealousy

Just because your partner exhibits signs of jealousy, it doesn’t always mean they are in madly in love with you.  This is one sure sign of infidelity.  It can also signal that they have lost confidence in your relationship. 

Thinking about life without them

If you find yourself fantasizing about a life without your partner, you have already emotionally left the relationship. Whether you’re in a marriage or another type of partnership, there has to be an emotional investment.  Once that investment is gone, there is nothing left.

Relationships take time and effort.  Disagreements are normal. However, if you find yourself experiencing any of the above signs, take the time and do an evaluation of your relationship. Chances are it’s headed for trouble.

Signs He is Thinking of Breaking Up with You

 

Warning Signs Your Relationship is in Trouble

Has your relationship changed lately?  Does your boyfriend seem cold or distant?  You have alos noticed that the two of you are spending less and less time together, and you are beginning to wonder if maybe this is the end.  You would like to work things out, but you don’t know if he feels the same.  How do you know if your boyfriend is thinking about breaking up the relationship?  Look for the following signs.

*Avoidance

One of the first signs that your boyfriend is thinking about calling it quits is that he is spending less and less time with you.  In fact, he is avoiding you.  He won’t take your calls, and he goes out of his way to avoid the places that he knows you will be.  Your boyfriend is avoiding you because he no longer enjoys your company, and he just hasn’t gotten around to telling you yet that is over.

*Old issues keep surfacing

In order for a relationship to progress, you have to deal with issues that come up.  However, once an issue is dealt with, it should not continue to be a cause of tension in your relationship.  If your boyfriend is constantly bringing up old issues, he has not moved past the issue or he is looking for a convenient excuse to end your relationship.

*Resentment

Whether he says anything or not, you can tell there is still a lot of left-over resentment.  How can you tell?  For one, he is avoiding looking at you.  Next, he seems annoyed whenever you talk to him.  Although he may not have said anything, he is probably still holding in angry feelings. When resentment is unresolved, the relationship is in death throes.

*Affair

Your boyfriend suddenly starts putting in longer hours at work, and you may notice that he has become very secretive. He makes excuses to take calls in the other room.  You find strange numbers on his cell phone, and he won’t give you an explanation.  You question him about his new work habits or strange phone calls at odd hours, and he becomes angry and refuses to talk.  These are all the signs of an affair.  Although affairs can be worked through, they are a sign that something is wrong with the relationship, and he could have already picked out your replacement.

*Don’t talk anymore

The more a couple communicates the better their relationship is.  They are able to discuss any problems or other issues that may come up.  If you and your boyfriend have stopped talking look out. The end is near.  

*No intimacy

Your boyfriend no longer wants to be intimate. Intimacy is not always about sex.  It’s about spending time together and sharing. This emotional bonding is the glue that holds all relationships together. As human beings, people need to connect with one another.  If your boyfriend is not connecting with you, he is probably connecting emotionally with someone else.

*Decreased sex drive

Sex, like intimacy, is an important part of your relationship.  If he no longer wants to have sex with you, chances are good that he has found someone else to take care of that need for him.  Maybe you are still enjoying a decent sex life; however, you sense that something is not quite right.  He is physically with you, but emotionally distant. This can signal an affair and that your boyfriend is preparing to break-up with you. 

It is very rare that a break-up comes out of the blue.  Most of the time, the person doing the breaking-up has been thinking about it for a while, and if you are truly honest with yourself, there were warnings signs.  If your boyfriend is displaying any of the signs above, chances are he is planning on breaking-up with you. So, put on a brave face and have a heart to heart conversation with your boyfriend.

How Couponing Helped Me Achieve a Lifelong Dream

 

One of my photography clients

 

I first became turned on to couponing after watching “Extreme Couponing” on TLC. It opened my eyes to the wonderful things that I could do with coupons. After watching only one show, I was hooked. I became fascinated by couponing and the things that it could do for me.  I began couponing two years ago, and I can’t imagine life without coupons. Couponing not only helped me to save hundreds of dollars on groceries and other items, but it also helped me to achieve a lifelong dream and to start my own business.

I wanted to be a writer all my life. Although I had won a few writing contests, I did not know how to make my dream a reality. It was through my hunt for more knowledge on how to successfully use my coupons that I discovered how to become a published writer. While reading article on The KrazyCouponLady, I discovered an article that explained how to publish articles for online sites like Yahoo Voices and Helium Network. I was intrigued by the article, and I decided to give online writing a try. The first site that I tried was Helium. It was there that I learned how to write online articles. My next stop was Yahoo Voices. Now, two years later, I am a content writer for two online sites and the host of four blogs.

Not only did I want to become a published writer, but I have always had a passion for photography. I loved taking pictures, and I worked hard to give those pictures a polished, professional look. Even though I worked miracles with my camera, I couldn’t capture some of the more difficult shots that only a more expensive camera could. I wanted to start a photography business, but I knew I would need to upgrade my camera. The problem was I need the money to purchase the better camera.

This is where couponing came in again. I sat down and figured out how much money I would need to save in order to purchase a new camera. Through couponing and careful budgeting, I was able to save enough money to purchase the camera I needed. Thanks to couponing, I was able to start my own photography business.

My love for couponing has helped me achieve two of my lifelong dreams. It helped me become a published writer and the owner of my own photography business.

Saying Good-bye to Helium Network

 

Helium Network which use to be one of the main online writing site for internet content writers is calling it quits. After eight years, the company is shutting down. Helium made this announcement to its writers just a few days ago. The shutdown began on May 21, 2014 and will continue until December 15, 2014. For the first two years of my online writing career Helium was home.

I began writing for Helium in July 2012. I discover the company while reading an article on one of my favorite couponing sites, The KrazyCoupon Lady. The article discussed how to make money from home doing online writing. I was already writing for the local newspaper, but I had always marveled at online writing. I decided to give Helium a try.

At the time, I was completely green when it came to online writing. Helium taught me how to write an online article. How to edit my article and how to link to other sites. The company was fun. It was also easy to find and complete assignments. And, although I wasn’t making a lot of money, I wrote passionately for the company. I hoped one day those pennies would change into enough extra money to pay at least one of my bills.

I have to admit that Helium did have some rules that I found strange. I did not like having to rate articles just to continue to receive revenue from my articles. And, I did not like having my article rated. This was tedious and time-consuming. You were actually rated on the way you rate.

I loved the writing contest at first. However, this soon changed because everyone on the network was allowed to rate your article. I felt that only a selected panel should have been allowed to do this.

On Helium, you had to reach $25.00 before you could ever receive a payout. This could take a long time. I struggled to receive a payment every two months. Although I suspect that writers who had been on the network longer, did receive payout on a more regular basis.

I never made it to the Marketplace. The Marketplace is where other companies or clients could request your freelance writing services.

In October 2013, Helium changed from the format that I was familiar with. I found it difficult to find assignments and to post work. I soon stopped writing. I only rated articles in order to continue to be an active user.

Although I didn’t like some of the things about Helium, it was still my first writing home. I have hundreds of articles on the site that I must move. So, I sadly bid Helium Network “good-bye”.

What Makes a Hero

What makes a hero?  Often when you first hear the word “hero”, cartoon characters like Superman and Batman immediately come to mind.  However, a real hero is not a cartoon character or an action figure. A hero is an everyday person who is willing to give something of themselves to ensure that others have a better life. The following traits make a person a hero.

Self-sacrifice

Heroes are self-sacrificing. They are willing to put their own needs aside to see about the needs of others.

 Jesus was self-sacrificing.  He could have so easily came down from the cross and avenged himself or said “no”.  Instead, he said “Not my will, but thy will be done” and willing headed to a horrible death just to save the world.

There are the heroes of old who gave their lives that others might have better ones.  Joan of Arc led her people to victory during the Hundred Year War, but was later burned at the stake. 

Martin Luther King Jr. fought for racial equality during the 1960s.  He predicted his own death before he was killed.

Another good example of self-sacrifice are mothers.  Mothers so often put their own needs and desires on hold to care for their children.

Courage

A hero must have courage.  They must be willing to stand for their beliefs even when they are scared or forced to stand alone.

 Courage is a little girl calling 911 on her father’s phone when he passed while driving her and her sister down the highway.  Courage is the soldiers who march off to war to help keep our country safe.  Courage is Harriet Tubman and the other freedom fighters of the Underground Railroad who risked their lives to sheparded run-away slaves to freedom. Courage is Lopez Lomong the 2012 Olympic runner who escaped a life as a child soldier in Sudan. Heroes are courageous.

Persistence

Heroes are persistent.  They don’t give up easily.  They fight and continue to fight. 

Annie Sullivan was the teacher of Helen Keller, who was blind, deaf, and mute.  Annie refused to give up on Helen.  Annie believed that Helen could learn in spite of her disability, and she was right.

William Wallace is another example of persistence.  He led a rebellion against England’s king Edward I.  He refused give up even though the odds were stacked against him.

Real life heroes do not have super powers.  What they do have is persistence and courage.  They are willing to sacrifice themselves in order to help others.

Signs Your Girlfriend is Too Young for You

All relationships have their up and downs. However, if you are experiencing more downs than ups and your girlfriend’s behavior is driving you nuts, you may be left wondering if your girlfriend is actually a little too immature for you. So, is it you or is your girlfriend too young for you?

Extremely sensitive

Criticism can be hard to take for anyone. However, a mature person takes it in stride. They realize that constructive criticism is actually helpful. People who are immature view any form of criticism as an attack against them. If your girlfriend is instantly offended if you offer her any type of advice, she is probably too young for you. Your girlfriend is still too emotionally immature to accept constructive criticism or advice.

Irresponsible

Mature people are responsible. They take responsibility for themselves and their behavior. A mature person is accountable for the things that happen to them. They also don’t try to blame others when things go wrong in their lives. If your girlfriend never wants to be held accountable for anything, she is too young for you. Ask yourself if you can trust her to pay the bills on time or to make any type of serious decisions.

Needs instant gratification

People who are emotionally immature need immediate gratification. If your girlfriend is one of those people who must have what she wants the instant that she wants it, she is too immature. She is only capable of thinking of herself.  Your girlfriend is too young for you if you have grown past this stage in your life.

Selfishness

Is your girlfriend self-centered? Does she talk about herself constantly? Selfishness is another sign of immaturity.

Neediness

Do you find yourself annoyed by your girlfriend’s constant calling, texting, or showing up at your house unannounced? If your girlfriend is doing these things, then she is needy. Needy people are demanding. They insist on having your undivided attention. If your girlfriend’s needy behavior is annoying you, then she may not be mature enough to be involved in a serious relationship yet.

Not willing to compromise

No two people will always agree. This is the reason that compromise is so important in relationships. Compromise requires listening, and an immature person is unable to listen to anyone’s need other than their own. Your girlfriend’s inability to compromise is another sign that she is too young for you.

Have you been wondering about your girlfriend’s maturity level? Regardless of your girlfriend’s age, she is too young for you if she exhibits any of the warning signs listed above.