Dear Annie, After months of searching, I finally met someone (Josh) I really like online. Our first date lasted for several hours because we have so much in common. He called that evening, and we talked even more.

Our second date was a hike and picnic. It was great and I had a wonderful time.  A day later, Josh sent me a text thanking me for a great day and hoping that I was having a wonderful Sunday. While that was thoughtful, though a phone call or email would have been better. That was a couple of days ago, and I haven't heard from him since.

I am considering one of the following: 1) Sending him an email, saying that I had a great day too. I'll attach the 4 photos I took of him and our hike. 2) Calling him tomorrow night, just for a quick 5 minutes, to thank him.

Of course I am wondering why he hasn't set up our next date yet and wondering if he ever will..I can't help but notice he's active online today..

What do you recommend besides trying to distract myself which certainly isn't working :-)

Also, how much time should I take in between his call and when I can accept a date. Alison Armstrong says you can accept a date after Wednesday. What do you think?

Help!!! I am in "waiting for him to call dating limbo hell." Carrie

Dear Carrie, During the first few dates, it's especially important to evaluate how a man is treating you. No matter how wonderful someone might be, there are several reasons he may have for not moving forward. For example, if he doesn't think that you're right for him, or if he is not ready for a relationship with you, he will treat you accordingly.  No matter what you do, it won't work. Ugh. Horrible news, I know.

I agree that texting is not optimal, but he did make contact.

Don't reward him with photos until after your fourth or fifth date--he could get overwhelmed by your generosity. Reply to his text and thank him for the great day. Anything more is escalating the hierarchy of not-in-person-communication. Lowest=text, midrange=email, highest=phone. Should you continue to date, bring up a conversation about how you view texting on your next couple of dates. In the meantime, just go with it.

I don't recommend ever checking what is going on with men you are interested in online. It only creates personal torture. If he looked at you, he would notice that you were online. What does it mean? Who knows. Often men will check online for months after they are in a relationship and never contact anyone else.

When you're feeling like you're in call-dating-limbo-hell, try this excercise: When Josh enters your thoughts or imagination, take him firmly by the hand and walk him to the door of your mind. Tell him that he doesn't deserve this much attention right now, and that he must leave. Open the door and send him away. Take a couple of slow deep breaths, focused on expanding your whole body - expand your chest and tummy, blowing the air out. Then move forward to something else. Repeat this exercise as often as you need--sometimes you may need to do it several times in a row.

You can accept a date 48 hours or more in advance. In other words, Wednesday for Friday, Thursday for Saturday, Friday for Sunday, etc.

Please keep looking at and flirting with other men. This is really hard, I know. Annie