I have been out there.
I was zooming along, working on a thirty-year happy marriage, and oops, she died. We kinda knew she could, what with a heart-lung replacement being done, and indeed, eight days after the surgery, infection overcame her.
Which left me - in my fifties and single. And everything had changed. Everyone lied. Everyone was ten years older than their picture. The women I was meeting seemed older than I was, but they weren’t, they were my age. After a couple months, it was old – I wanted to quit. Those Match.commers were all players, it was a meat market. These people I was talking to had been through it, they had heard all the lines. I was the fresh meat, and it was already getting old.
Then luck entered the picture. Someone answered my ad, and I finally had a nice dinner, and a pleasurable hike. And that’s why I started out on this dating thing – I wanted a person, a date, someone who would look at me with new eyes, and ask questions, and just care. The meat market has faded, and although she doesn’t like sushi, or hiking, for that matter, life has become better, richer, and more fun. Don’t be afraid, you don’t have to marry anyone right now, you have a lot to offer. And you may get sushi, and a movie…

You can't know from a profile if a person will meet all of your criteria long-term. You might go out and realize on the date (or on the 2nd or 3rd date) that the boy just won't do. Then you move on. This might repeat several times and become tiresome. Try to find someone that you can have fun with, then assess the life-long aspects after that.

I know it may seem frustrating, but at least you're out there.......

Mr. Right will come along. I know, sounds corny, huh? But I really do believe this to be true! I was done with dating and truly enjoying myself and my singlehood when Mr. Right came along for me...Just be happy in your own life with who you are and don't be too surprised when you meet that special someone!

Single with kids is a whole new thing definitely! I found lots of liars and pigs online. New strategy- join a club you are interested in, you will be getting out meeting people and doing something you like. If you do meet a guy though a club at least you will know you have one similar interest!

there is a lot to be said for single with children. As in the above. How delightful to go three, maybe four days and look down with a mixture of admiration and shock at a growth of hair on your legs that in single land would inspire a minor revolt of the current man. I have been there done that, married 4, yup count 'em, 4 times and I can say while the dating is fun at times I like to buy my own flowers (I always remember what I like) I pick the restaurants that I like and I always send the right card to myself on my birthday. Will my prince come sometime? He is here...times two. My sons. I have discovered after growing older and growing up with a dash of therapy that being alone is nice. And the old adage is true...when you are not looking for it....yikes it's time to shave again. Good Luck!

LOL!!! Elizabeth, we should hang out sometime! :D

hey Kathleen,

we should start something....like hang out in our Stewie (in my effort to become one with myself I have developed a questionable devotion to The Family Guy) shorts, refuse to don lip gloss (my mother swore I would go to my grave with it firmly clutched in my hand) and start to enjoy life. I am heading toward the big (enormous and size matters on this one) 5-0 but life is just fine. My vajayjay has not atrophied, there's a little sag under the arms but my insides are as beautiful as I could have hoped.

keep the faith!

Elizabeth