Soooo I've been away from the dating scene for awhile. Been taking time to get to know myself better and enjoying life "without" dating.

We have many great neighbors now (after moving..) We spend much time having cookouts, etc...

So here's the deal. One of my neighbors that I've become friends with asked me on a date.

Suggestions please or share your experiences with this!? Please...

ouch....That one is hard... What happens if things get hot-n-heavy and then you guys break it off? Will you still beable to remain neighborly without feeling uncomfortable?

I can't imagine things getting "hot and heavy." I think I need to find a way to tell him it can be a semi-date but mostly friendly dinner...?

He's a good guy and my children have gotten to know him a little at the cookouts. Plus he brings us cookies All The Time (he works at Keebler.) He also got my son an xbox game for his bday. Hhhhmmm He's very sweet but he's the neighbor!

I don't think there's any such thing as a 'semi-date' MJ.

Darn it B! I thought I had it all figured out!

Can I tell him I'm interested in getting to know him better as "friends" but clarify that I'm not interested in "dating."?

Hmmmm, that might do it. If he's a mature individual he'll be able to shrug, say to himself "Well, I tried" and move on over to the friend stage.

The mentioning of him bringing cookies and buying my son a present for his bday should not be mistaken as "He gets us this, he gets us that."

None of my "guy" friends have ever really attempted to show that my little ones are important and accepted. Then again, I haven't let any of my male friends around my children for a very long time. Just so happened that we all got to know him as the neighbor.

He is a very sweet guy and makes me laugh more than I've laughed in awhile. I'm sure it will all work out.....

I think I'd keep it the way it is a bit longer. Heck, he can come for a bbq or something. Yes, I've done the neighbor thing, BUT, and a big huge BUT.... we hesitated a lot ANd this is somebody I've known since a was a toddler. We had even dated back when we were young. We knew it was going to be casual to ensure there wouldn't be some big break up.

I was still always uneasy that he was my neighbor, it was always on the edge of possibly becoming a very sticky situation even with all of the background! I'd kindly decline for now and just try and keep it at neighbors. Hey, if he's adorning the kids let him just be an amazing neighbor, ya know?

I didn't go on the date... Explained that I enjoyed getting to know him as a neighbor / friend but wasn't interested in dating.

I think he understands... but worry that he thinks I'm just "playing hard to get." Why do some people do that?? Then everyone that really means they don't want to date or are not interested get viewed as "playing htg."