Dating! Is There a Manual for This?

Dating...This is a very foreign thing to me. I was with my children's dad for almost 11 years. Even before him, I never dated much. My son just asked me the other day, "Mom. Why don't you date?" How do you tell a 14 year old that there are just too many jackasses in the world? I did it though and told him to stand outside the box and be that one man that woman can't live without. (he laughed at me).

Since that conversation, I've been asked to NY, taken to dinner, and now *winces* my girlfriend wants me to meet a friend of hers. I often don't like meeting new people, especially when it's set up and most likely going to be in a bar.

I have no idea how to date!

To me, when it's set up, I almost feel like I have to, oh, I don't know, be on my best behavior. Eeeek! I'm constantly thinking, this will never work out, what if he doesn't like me, maybe he doesn't like pleasingly plump chicks (I know, shut off the panic button)....Then I think - WHO CARES!

I know I shouldn't have this mindset, or I may very well end up alone the rest of my life. Would that be so bad really? I've met little old ladies in my nursing career that have never married, remain virgins, never had children and seem very happy with their life. It couldn't be that bad.

Then I think of my children. So many of the people around where I live have someone to share life with, to be a role model, give their sons male advice, and my kids have me. HA! What the hell do I know about being a man? Heh hmmm - NADA.

Do I agree to meet this guy, who really text me and said, "I want to LUVE you", LMAO. Really? First, learn how to spell, second, you don't even know me dude!

The other guy, well he just recently got separated and I know there is going to be a whole bag of **it to go with this soon, do I really want to go there?

Really. Is there a dating manual out there? Something that tells you how this is all supposed to work? I have no clue how to date, what's acceptable and what's not.

What do you think?

What's your worst and best dating story? Leave it in a comment, I'd love to hear it and your advice for dating in general.