I blame my parents.

I blame my solidarity on my parents. I resent them in a way for this.

Here is my reasoning.

I come from a good family, one that is strong and loving.

I never had to go through a divorce between parents, I never had an alcoholic as a parent, I never saw my parents fight, I have never heard them utter any complaints against each other in gossip, and they never cheated, my parents had eyes for each other only. I have always seen my parents love one another, embrace, respect and protect each other.

My mother was giving, sacrificing and caring. My father, hard working, honest and respectful.

They were perfectly complimentary of each other. They set the standard for all of us to strive for.

So what does that teach us as their children but this is what a relationship is all about. Anything less then this perfect example of a relationship is unacceptable.

This has been carried with me in my adult life.

Thanks mom and dad........ I think.

I am single because I cannot find someone who I deem as acceptable.

I refuse to be in a relationship with anyone who is less then the perfect example I received growing up.

I will not allow myself to be with someone who is an alcoholic, drug user, dishonest, cheater, disrespectful, condescending, cold, unmotivated, unselfish or careless.

So where does that leave me in this wide world full of people?

Well, it leaves me single.... There aren't many people in this world that fit my expectations.

So here is my thank you to mom and dad for not setting the standard a little lower.

If only I didn't know that these kinds of relationships existed I might be able to broaden my dating spectrum.

Maybe then I would be with someone.

Perhaps if my parents weren't such a great example I could put up with an alcoholic that hits on occasion but its okay because she loves me, or a drug user that only overdoses twice a month but has a heart of gold, or a self centered cheater who sees sex as just an action people do and doesn't mean anything but its all good because she knows what flowers I like, or a cold hearted rich woman but its okay because she is gonna take me on a cruise next year.

Darn mom and dad being such a perfect couple growing up and now.

Making me believe that there is such a thing as true love and happiness and it is not a fairy tale.

So here I am single, coupled with my standards. Thanks to my parents.

Here I am waiting for someone who can meet my standards.

THanks again.

Christmas Season

I can't tell you how much I love the Christmas Season. I suppose I get that from my family. They love Christmas. In fact, last year my family put up their tree even before Thanksgiving.

I was a little depressed thinking that this Christmas I would spend it alone, but then the good news that my brother is coming for Christmas sparked my desire to decorate.

It's kinda lame decorating for yourself only.

I put up a tree last weekend and bought a few decorations.

Today I opened up a Christmas package from my sister Laura. I was so overjoyed, especially since her husband is unemployed and they are barely making it, BUT she somehow scrounged up enough money to get me a little something. That meant a lot to me.

I need to send them something next week. Something to make their Holidays brighter. I love helping, I love giving, it makes me feel more connected with my family.

I love my family and friends. A lot of times, many of the friends I have are like family, I have had them for so long. I am so blessed to have such great family and friends.

I seem to be a magnet for good people only. It seems that low caliber people are repelled by me for some reason, for that I also feel grateful.

It is going to be a great Christmas this year.