Carlene

I adopted a newborn (long ago, granted) from an agency that uses a sliding fee scale - the less income you have, the less you pay them. We were responsible for our own attorney fees and court costs related to the actual adoption.

BJ....I have friends of the same mind-set. Reality sometimes has a way of humbling people like that. Should one of them experience the heartbreak of a drug-addicted child, they will change their "kill-'em-all" tune in a hurry. Should they have a child, or a grandchild, born with serious birth defects not covered by insurance, they will put their pride in their back pocket and BEG "the system" for help. (Trust me, I know all about that one.) Bad things happen to good people all the time. And many times, people do bring adversity on themselves. But as long as there is breath in the body, there is hope for the spirit. I pray today for all the troubled souls who need the help and guidance and encouragement of their stronger friends and neighbors. It takes a village....not just to raise a child, but to care for and lift up one another.

One can only hope. A black man or a white woman....those appear to be the choices for the Democratic nomination. I just wish the Republicans would run Condoleza Rice. That would make it perfect. All those redneck racists and chest-thumping macho men pulling their hair out at the same time.

How so? The Princess did not say that black men are more generously endowed....only that her criteria for marriage is size, rather than color.

Not a philosophy I would endorse, but I love your free-thinking spirit, Princess.

I agree with you, G Lady. That would be a lot like me buying one of Ann Coulter's books. I'd rather staple my head to the floor!

I married a single dad, although his kids did not live with him until AFTER we got married. My advice to anyone marrying a non-custodial parent.....custody arrangements can change, so don't count on part-time parenting forever. Really, anyone over the age of 35 or so who likes kids probably has one or two of his/her own, so I'm surprised it's such an issue. Unless, of course, you are looking to date younger women.

Questions like "Why are so many white women marrying black men"? won't spark a debate because the proposed topic isn't controversial - it's racist. Why are so many creepy old men buying themselves trophy wives? Because they can, I suppose. Besides, I don't know that "so many" white women really ARE marrying black men. Do you have some stats you'd like to share? Is the number higher than black women who marry white men? Does anyone even keep track of stuff like that? This is, after all, the 21st century. I have lived my entire life in the South and I do remember a time when interracial marriage was actually illegal, but that ship sailed a LONG time ago. In 1967 the United States Supreme Court ruled that all bans on interracial marriage were unconstitutional. Since then, it has steadily become a non-issue and now - 40 years later - we are raising children and grandchildren who are truly color blind. And that's a good thing. Marry whomever you like. Just be sure you like the person you marry and treat him/her accordingly.

I'm with you, Christine. I tell all and let the chips fall where they may. Just last week, someone asked me for advice on how to win the weight loss pot at their work. Everyone chips in $25 and the one who loses the most after 6 months gets all the money. I said, "Have Lap Band surgery....that's what I did." And you know what? She replied, "That's what I heard, but I wasn't sure." So remember, if you tell one person, it's not a secret.

I don't think anyone is trying to deter you. In fact, I don't believe anyone CAN. As you said yourself, you will do what you want to do. But remember that you did come here looking for input...."Do you think Filipino women make good wives"? Obviously, you were hoping we would be more encouraging, but that's the chance you take when you ask an honest question....people assume that you really want an honest answer. I only know two men who married foreign women they met through an online marriage broker. One chose a very attractive, very young Russian woman and they lasted about 5 years. The other married a Filipino woman (also much younger than himself) and they are in the process of being divorced as we speak. They have been married about 4 years. Both of these men were disenchanted with American women, but the biggest problem (IMHO) was that these men have unrealistic expectations. I have yet to see a fat old man with a hottie half his age unless there was money involved - and I don't mean the price of dinner and a movie. But that's not to say that buying yourself a trophy wife (or girlfriend) is a bad thing. If it works for both of you, that's great. I think girls who trade creature comfort for affection probably earn every dime. And as for the guys.....well, they get exactly what they paid for - nothing more and nothing less - and I don't have much sympathy for them when the rose colored glasses finally come off. I think if you really wanted to know the true measure of these girls' feelings for you, you would pretend to be a poor, but honest and hard-working, single dad looking for his happy everafter. Tell them you live in the slums, but are hoping to hook up with someone who shares your strong work ethic and thrifty lifestyle. See how many love letters that line gets you, then come back and tell us it's not about the money.

Pay toilets used to be very common in the USA. Airports had pay toilets, as did many department stores, etc. Someone filed a civil rights suit (the right to pee freely?) and thereafter, at least one stall had to be available gratis. That kind of killed the pay toilet business, so now they are totally a thing of the past.

Really? You must be acquainted with a whole different genre of Republicans than we have around here, 'cause none of our Republicans have that survivalist mentality - at least none I've ever met. Flame away, hoss.....if that's what blows your skirt up.

I went thru the Starbucks Drive Thru yesterday to buy a pound of coffee, and they had a tip jar on the outside of the window. Everyone has their hand out for a tip these days, or so it seems. I have a great tip for all of them.....don't put bananas in the refrigerator. Yep....that's the only kind of tip you'll get from me, unless you actually provide exceptional service. Mediocre wait-staff get zilch, or 5-10% at best. There are actually a couple of restaurants in my area that don't allow tipping, and I have e-mailed them to say how much I appreciate their policy. Tipping is fast becoming sanctioned begging, if you ask me (although I realize no one did), and I resent that "give me more" attitude.