And if the cat wasn't included...???

That would be a tough call... as long as I had some earplugs and my books and computer I might survive ;-)

From what you've written -- and from what can easily be read between the lines -- that might be your only way to remain sane! (Now tell us: What's a smart, ambitious, honest woman like you doing in a relationship like this?)

It must be love ;-) Seriously, though, after my first husband and long-term boyfriend, this is such a different world.

Pros - he's basically a very good man, he's smart, he love animals (and doesn't want kids, thank goodness), he doesn't drink, is not violent, we grew up with a whole lot in common, he can be generous when something really needs to be done. He is very honest deep down, though he won't say a word if someone gives him too much change back (I will). He loves animals, he'll choke up when he sees a stray dog.

Cons - he can be short tempered when he thinks someone is lying to him or taking advantage of him (he's got some rather deep-seated insecurities), he tends to be stingy and self-centered, he talks ALL the time (he talks in his sleep even), he's afraid of technology and does not really like to learn new things (he's never used an ATM machine). He's very slow to make decisions, especially on financial matters. He obsesses way too much over things he can't really do anything about (like politics) and has trouble stepping back and seeing things in perspective. And he has difficulty empathizing with other's problems, but part of that is he was very sheltered by his parents and has really not had very many personal hardships to deal with.

But somehow we've managed to put up with each other for over 14 years, we've both been previously married before and were not "looking" when we met, having both gotten fed up wtih the opposite sex. We're both control freaks, which can get kind of frustrating. But we're both homebodies with similar aspirations for life - being able to do our own thing, neither of us wants to jump back into the corporate/public world on a daily basis. For the most part we're content at home with our kitty, and perhaps another dog in the future, I'm going to leave that one up to him. He's been looking for a new big screen TV for like 8 years now, so I'm not real worried he'll doing anything impulsive.

But after being with men who are all talk and excessive bravado (and never actually doing anything), I can handle his quirks and insecurities. And my dad loves him, they've really become buddies over the years (which is good because my parents only live like a mile away).

So sorry...I didn't really want to make you explain yourself -- I was just being a smartass, I'm afraid!

The thing about the big screen TV? OMG, that was funny!!!

That's OK, I like to psychoanalyze myself ;-)

He was looking at TVs again today in Best Buy, he says he knows which one he wants now but has to find a suitable TV stand [sigh]. Every time he brings up the subject I just say "Buy it!".

At least I'm being cooperative, I just wish he's pick one and get it over with...

hehe,funny.