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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Dating thread 15! cock-cages, hopeful pensioners the occasional glorious success!

999 replies

Snapespeare · 18/05/2012 12:45

apologies for title, I am bereft of ideas as the sodding times 'kindly' edited my profile for me. Angry

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hatesponge · 21/05/2012 00:00

actually good that you went on both dates! hope you get a 2nd date with the one you liked :)

Door man is too good to be single. But then again my luck has to change sometime Grin

Snapespeare · 21/05/2012 07:59

Well, we're all too good to be single....

Hello grow, welcome to the fray! :)

actually good for both dates, especially the 2nd one. :)

No brighter today unfortunately, it will pass. just at the point where I feel alienated & cynical in the extreme. Am in the worst possible case scenario headset of the kids leaving home in a few years & all I will have is my cat! (i know this is a spectacularly unattractive mindset...)

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TimeForMeAndDD · 21/05/2012 08:08

You could always get a lodger Snape. Maybe PM would like to house share with you once the kids have gone Wink. Anything could happen at any time, you might meet The One as soon as you step out of the door this morning. That's why I look forward to every single day, you never know what it will bring, tis exciting. But I realise my positiveness won't be helping right now and could quite possibly be getting right up your nose! Grin

Morning everyone and welcome grow Smile

hatesponge · 21/05/2012 08:14

Snape I get those thoughts sometime too, but I won't even have a cat for company!

Snapespeare · 21/05/2012 09:08

well i might meet 'the one' if I even believed he existed! :)

also, being on constant alert for 'theone' would possibly involve not continually lookking like I've been swept up by a tornado that blew through a charity shop. meh.

will possibly be cheered up a bit by spunking away £30 on new make up, although why I bother doing my face when there is no-one but me and the cat to appreciate it, lord only knows...

(excuse me, am feeling particularly self indulgent/argumentative at the moment...)

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MyLittleMiracles · 21/05/2012 09:15

That's okay snape I actually went through a stage of not bothering. I do ny hair and make up to make me feel good. I get my front tooth sorted today :)

I had a shitty week last week but this week has to be better right? Couldn't get much worse than last week.

watchoutforthatsnail · 21/05/2012 09:19

being self indulgent is allowed :)
I kinda think because we are on out own we dont tend to really have anyone to offload on to - youi know, the small day to day stuff, which is why this thread is good ( and possibly why its been going so long)

It will pass snape - you know it will do. And in the meantime, if you want to feel crap about it, then you are allowed to. Because sometimes it IS a bit crappy and when you cant see how it could ever be any different, well, its depressing.

actually - good for both dates.

My date is firmed up for tomorrow lunch time. he literally has an hour, because hes working. but thats good i think.

Also - i had an email yesterday from saturdays date which i cancelled fri.
He appolgised for sending stupid pics, said it was because he wanted me to cancel. That he had only just joined hte dating site the day i contacted him. he realised then that he didnt want to do it, and it was too soon for him, but that he had liked talking to me, hence why he kept chatting ( and why he hadnt asked me out) But that he wasnt ready for any kind of dating and he was sorry to have messed me about.

So - there we go. I COULD have gone on the date, had a perfectly nice date and then wondered what the hell i did wrong, AGAIN, when i didnt hear from him. When it wouldnt have been me at all. So im bloody glad i cancelled and saved my money - but for goodness sake!!!!!!

makes me a little bit angry really.

Snapespeare · 21/05/2012 09:34

well angry, yes - but at least you didn't waste the time and effort in actually meeting the chump.... & he's come clean now. you're right that you would have gone on the date and been left wondering what happened, but as we generally suspect, it's not us, it's them.

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watchoutforthatsnail · 21/05/2012 09:47

yep - its proof its the case.
its just we tend to look to ourselves and assume we are doing things wrong, when it really isnt us, or even about us at all.

Same as when we sometimes assume it must be, because we have been single ages.

Im clumbsly trying to say, snape, your fab, its not you, you are great, and at some point you will meet someone wonderful.

ChaoticismyLife · 21/05/2012 10:19

Morning :)

Welcome grow

Validation that it's them and not us. We do know but it's nice to have it confirmed.

snape agree with watch you're fab and one day you will meet someone worthy of you.

I'd say I'm slightly nearer than most of you to the DC leaving home. DD is going to uni in September. DS, who is 19, will be finishing his college course this year so will, hopefully, find a job so will possibly be looking to move out in the next few years. DS has ASD so it may be some form of 'assisted living', I'm going to have to look into it to find out more, but he is capable of living by himself. Then it'll be me and the dog and the cat.

MyLittleMiracles · 21/05/2012 11:01

I have a long long time before little man moves out. But that doesn't stop me dating. Chatting to a nice lad atm.

TimeForMeAndDD · 21/05/2012 11:06

Snape you don't have to be on 'constant alert' for The One, Sod's Law predicts that you will meet him when you least expect it, so it will be at a time when you are looking your worst or in an embarrassing situation anyway, so you can chill, it will 'just happen.' And, you bother doing your face for you, not for anyone else, especially A. Man! And you are excused, it's not often we see you in a low mood, so you are allowed the indulgence today. Smile

Watch Lucky escape by the sounds of it. But why did he not just explain all that to you without making himself look an idiot by sending the strange pics? I can't help but think he is a bit put out that you cancelled and so is trying to save face a bit Grin Tomorrow's date sounds spot on!

And yes Snape watch is right, you are fab and you will meet someone worthy of you. We are all fab and we are all single because we choose not to settle for anything less than we deserve. We could all be shagging dating our little hearts out, none of us are short of offers, but we choose not to compromise our standards. We are single by choice not because we are rejects!

MyLittleMiracles · 21/05/2012 11:22

And I know I am ready to

Snapespeare · 21/05/2012 12:05

I'm just over-tired I think, I always feel a bit mentally low when I'm not firing on all cylinders. need to do some exercise, but don't feel motivated to do so. feel motivated to sit on sofa watching bridget jones and eating biscuits.

I think it's getting older as well. officially mid forties, face starting to sag, grey hair in abundance, thickening of the waist and ankles...only getting spurious interest from men in their sixties, kids getting older and (apart from DS1 being a pain in the arse) starting to gain their independence (except for when it comes to actually tidying up after themselves...) I just feel tired and old and lardy and difficult, un-needed as the kids grow up and un-wanted in a sexual or romantic context. I dont want to compromise but the alternative looks like being alone, or actually being lonely for the rest of my life.

it's not that I am actually 'lonely' lonely- I have friends, I'm normally too busy to actually feel the weight of it, but at the moment the absence of someone I can conspire with and have adventures and indulge in screaming (sink breaking) sex with is somewhat pertinent... I think this is societal couple conspiracy to a degree, I dont 'need' someone, but I'd kind of like someone - I know the grass isn't always greener reads 'relationships' thread and I probably have selective memory to a degree, but I liked being part of a couple; it reaffirmed that I am amazing and sexy and glorious, not wizenned, wrinkled, difficult and dried up.

Funny, I was actually in a relatively OK place with it when I decided to close down the profiles, stupidly shelling out £32 for a month of boredom with a gang of pensioners on the interminable times encounters was probably not one of my moments of glory Hmm

I seldom put on make up for anyone, i know i don't do it for a man - maybe thats where I'm going wrong (oh, joke) If I could just have a personality transplant, drop a few IQ points, be a game player and in that make myself more generically attractive, yet less happy I might meet someone I can tolerate.

I know you are lovely and comforting and saying the right things, but the argument that I will meet someone isn't holding water today - I do all the 'right' Hmm things, I've internet dated, I've got outside-the-family interests, I 'put myself out there' I do different things because if you always do the same thing you always get the same results blah blah, what if I never actually meet anyone again, ever? I could do another 30-odd years of this, never being touched sexually or romantically again. Never having someone just call to say 'Hi' so they could hear my voice. Never buying marmite or actually (boak!) spreading it on someones toast because even though it is satans meconium, I would do that for someone I loved...

(Long, sorry) I think I actually give up. I will need to refocus my energy on the DCs and hope for some pretty great grandchildren to jkeep my busy for the next 30 years. Maybe I could breed pugs?

OP posts:
Snapespeare · 21/05/2012 12:07

(and when not being that self-indulgent, which is not attractive at all...)

MLM! tooth day! :) :) :) hope all goes well!

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TimeForMeAndDD · 21/05/2012 12:22

Snape I get you, I really do, I can relate to a lot of what you say. I also know nothing I say will make you feel better Smile. But, don't give up, there is as much chance of all those things you desire happening as there is that they won't. But you already know that Smile

I'm officially late forties!

hatesponge · 21/05/2012 12:47

I wish in some ways I didn't believe in the one, because I had mine and lost him. Up to that point I'd never even been in love, not properly. And now - when I allow myself to think about it - I think well maybe that was it, that was my one chance...

and even if it's not, sometimes I think well sod it, I'll just settle for any relationship, something is better than nothing. But whilst I attracted loads of crap men in my 20s, now I'm just too old. Even the ones I'm not that interested in aren't interested in me either Hmm

Possibly this is NOT the best frame of mind to be in before that singles thing I'm going to on Saturday!

MyLittleMiracles · 21/05/2012 12:47

I have days when I feel like that. I feel alone sometimes and like I am a crap mum but woke to see 2 comments on my Facebook pic of little man eating an iced donuts telling me I am a good mum :)

When I feel shitty I shove some rihanna or the wanted or britney (hangs head in shame) on as loud as I dare and dance around my living room til I dance it out of me.

watchoutforthatsnail · 21/05/2012 13:02

snape - i understand. Im sure the lack of prospective dates/ relationship/ anything, when you are making as much effort as to pay for something ( which most people deem to be a better option than free sites) it kind of makes it all feel like its a lost hope really, doesnt it.
That you are doing everything you can, and its still not enough.
I get that.
People say the same to all of us at some point. The old ' get out, get a hobby, be happy in yourself and someone will surprise you' shit, is just stuff people say when they dont know what else to say.
Because sometimes it is shit. And i get that you just want someone who wants you, and wants to be with you.
I feel like that too sometimes.

And the confirmation that you are fab, and amazing and worth it and special. It was my sisters birthday last week. She got spoilt rotten and lavished with time, presents and activities from her boyfriend. I dont care for material gifts, its not about that, just that damn, i would like someone to think so much of me they would go to all that trouble. As it is, in comparison, my mother buys me extra presents at easter, or xmas, as she knows my other sister gets spoilt and i get nothing. These presents tend to be a washing line, or a washing up bowl. which is great and all, but.

I get the missing adult male contact, in a romantic and sexual way. I spent half the time thinking im wasting good years, wasting my highest sex drive ever, waiting for this mythical ' nice' man to come along and throw me around the room a bit. Except it doesnt and hasnt happened. And i do wonder why i, the girl with the ridiclous sex drive has been reduced to some kind of asexual existance. Its sad.

And i was ill on sat, lie on the sofa ill. My mum called and asked if i had eaten and if i had walked the dog. I had done neither, she had a bit of a go at me. I told her unfortunatley since i was dizzy as soon as i stood up ( felt ok ish lying down) then standing to cook something wasnt going to happen. neither was walking the dog round the park. But that if someone had cooked me something i would have devoured it. Its then i miss someone, who would get you a drink and ask if you are ok. But instead i had noone. And thats rubbish.

FWIW - i dont think its just us that has this issue. My mother ( 54) knows lots of women in their 40's and up who are single, and fab, and despite looking, and not looking and doing all those things, just cant find any kind of relationship ever.

I think im saying, we get how you feel. And how scary the future is if you think ( or accept) that this is it. its not nice. Noone wants to be on their own. And its not about ' needing a man' its about wanting a companion, through the good and bad, whos on your side.

Im sure thats why online dating is so popular, and why people keep at it, its hope. That someone decent might be out there.

And i know noone of us can say anything to make it better right now. but just know we all understand, have felt that way too and that it will pass.

ChildofIsis · 21/05/2012 13:08

Hello I'm new on this thread.
Just started this online dating business.

Already met the players, the I only want to message about sex and the I want a woman to grow old with types.
Hopefully now I've met them all I may meet someone genuine

However I have been talking to a very nice young man who may fit all my needs perfectly.
Who knows where it will lead?

I know where you're coming from Snapes, I think we all do.

watchoutforthatsnail · 21/05/2012 13:20

the looks fading thing bothers me too.
I dont look like im in the saturdays. Im just a bit on the plump side, 33 year old woman who has had a child. I do wear make up and generally look ok. But i quite like the odd day wearing no make up, and it would be very nice for someone to still like me then.
i dont prance around in matching underwear, perfectly shaved legs, not a hair out of place. i come home from work and at the end of the day chuck a pair of jogging bottoms on. It would be nice if someone accepted me like that too.

And i dont always want to go out, and be exciting. Sometimes i want to just stay in and relax, and do thing, or potter in the garden, or eat chocolate for dinner. And it would be nice if this was ok with somone else too.

I am not 22. I cannot behave like a 22 year old.

But it does feel very much that that is what some men expect of a single woman. Im never going to live up to that. And i also have responsibilities.

Like - i was talking to somone and he asked what i was up to that evening. It was monday, ( and i had had dd that weekend) so i said i had had a busy weekend, and was going to relax.

and he comes back with ' oh, probably a long bubble bath, lots of lotions and potions and nail painting and giggling, singing into your hair dryer.

i replied telling him i wasnt 12.

ffs, who behaves like that? im a 33 year old, working single mother of a 6 year old. By 8pm im normally frazzled and laying on the sofa in some fug of tiredness.
( which i do believe is quite normal)

TimeForMeAndDD · 21/05/2012 14:09

Yes, Watch, very normal! I love PJ time, in winter PJ time is almost as soon as we are in from school run! I think I am still on a high from being free of all the crap I endured while in a relationship, that may be why I am happy to be single. It's been over 2 years now and I still have no desire to have a full time man. That may change as time goes on, but looking at what's on offer, I don't think I would be bothered if it didn't. I am thinking of making a new profile though because I am feeling a bit left out now Snape has gone back to the dark side. Wink

Welcome to the thread *ChildofIsis Smile

MyLittleMiracles · 21/05/2012 14:16

I do dance around my front room singing but no perfectly shaved, my hair is flying everywhere but a male friend said when I was 15 (my then boyfriend) I looked best natural with my hair doing as it liked. I looked like the girl he knew, spirited and full of life, he then says do where has that girl gone? Angry that girl is still here where she always has been.

I can't settle for second best. Ever. I just can't. I am fussy but that's just me.

Snapespeare · 21/05/2012 14:24

don't worry time, I'll be hurtling back to the sofa of non-participation just as soon as my month of actually spunking away £32 on randy pensioners has completed.

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MyLittleMiracles · 21/05/2012 14:24

By 8pm I am usually also on the sofa with crappy Tele or a film depends what's on.