This is the dating thread 54, all welcome!

[JulietteMontague]

All very welcome to share online and real life dating experiences.

Happy birthday AndLibby - hope you're also having a lovely day!

Happy Birthday! Jules Enjoy the privilege of aging, 'tis great (said the young girl!)

@ Dutchman, what a lovely chap. Should we (i.e. your female OD mates, the OD male can wear orange hankies in their top pockets) buy an orange hats, or just fascinators? I imagine a nautical themed reception

Happy Birthday Libby Nice to see you.

We think mum is probably going into a nursing home We have tried home, it isn't going to work out, mum has too many complex needs. It is heartbreaking, but we really have no choice.
We will continue to our very best for her

Holidays. You need another one to get over it

Sorry to hear that about your mum 48 - is there somewhere nearby which may be suitable? My mum has been poorly (but not seriously) since late last year but I'm lucky in that my 2 brothers and 2 sisters live near to her for practical help. I'm zooming up to whisk her off to lunch on Sunday, assuming she's up to it...

Re: holidays. I'm going to a beautiful villa in Turkey with my boys along with my oldest friend, her husband and sun. This is not going down well with my soon to be ex in-laws... who are Greek Cypriot!!!

son obvs.

Oh, oops Happy birthday LIBBY! sorry I missed that...must wear reading glasses

Happy birthday Libby

48 I'm sorry to hear that about your mum, it must have been a very hard decision to come to but sometimes getting that level of care can be a huge relief for a person and their relatives, even though it seems less than ideal when you first contemplate it.

Velvet sorry you still feel shite, life's just very hard sometimes and it saps your resolve.

Juliette big 'awwwww' at Dutchie, what a sweetie.

OWW have fun tonight.

Twinny, love you.

Everyone else, mwwwwahhhh, have a good evening, make sure you do all sorts of things that I wouldn't.

I am lucky smooth in that one of my sisters is a CPN another a NVQ assessor for carers, so have inside info on the good and the bad. After Thursday we will be visiting the local good places and keeping everything crossed that they have space.

Your mum is lucky to have a large supportive family

See holidays! Who needs em

Snape agree holidays are stressful.

48 so sorry to hear your Mum can't stay at home, you all gave it your best though and as you say you all still will.

Libby Happy Birthday to you! . Who knew?

Thank you again everyone, WFF yes Dutchie is lovely and genuine and I think he likes me too . Just 15 sleeps to go til 'second' date which will be at about 10 days. In my fantasy wedding, caused entirely by you lot talking about Brides be Something, Juliette Geller will put fascinators on the list of forbidden items

Thanks so much for all the birthday wishes. I'm really touched, especially as I hardly ever post.

The reason I don't post much is that I've been seeing someone (some of you might remember Mr C) since December. It hasn't all been plain sailing (I'm not great at relationships - a bit insecure and over-sensitive). But overall things seem to be going well.

I'm hoping that might give a bit of hope to all of you who are dating. I should point out that I did LOTS of internet dating before I met Mr C, none of which turned into anything like a relationship. Lots of first dates, men I didn't fancy, or those I did but who didn't like me. It was often emotionally draining.

I'm tempted to agree that it's a numbers game - I'm certainly not "better" than when I was doing OD in my 30s (in fact if anything it's the opposite) but I just (finally) met someone I clicked with.

(It's all going to end tonight now I've written that, isn't it?!)

48, really sorry to hear about your mum, that must be such a hard decision to make.

How could I foget Mr C Libby Remember bloody Yorkshire

Pleased to hear things are going well. I think relationships can be tougher as we get older. A little set in our ways maybe.

Sorry to jump in (as usual ) but POF are now doing date feedback:

OMG!

Link not working, unless you are a POF member.

But basically asking questions like how well did you connect with your date , how accurately did date resemble profile, rating conversation skills, manners, sense of humour... I wonder who sees the completed questionnaire?

Wow. What's going on? Maybe they're gearing up to start charging...

48 how could I forget the non-existent mobile signal in Yorkshire?

Which reminds me ... I just want to say that this thread was such a support to me when I was dating. In the past I always felt I was in it on my own, and had no one to talk to about it all (or if I did, it was my happily coupled-up friends, which just wasn't the same). I feel I've learned loads from this thread. I've also had lots of support and lots of laughs - you're all brilliant.

I seem to be getting a bit soppy now I'm 46 ... and I haven't even started on the wine yet!

Happy Birthday Jules & Libby.

Just flown back from the UK - wondering whether to shave off the nascent beard/overgrown stubble in time for tomorrows date with The Banker.

Not really in the mood for a date, to be honest. My STBX is playing silly buggers with the divorce and I just want it over and done with.

Do you like the beardy stubble bant?

Would you think less of someone who judged you based on stubble?

Blimey, tons of posts I can't possibly keep up with! So sorry to ignore some, I do enjoy reading all posts on here, but my memory can't retain it all come posting time!

So, happy birthday Juliette and Libby (yay Dutchie)

Giant hug for Velvet and 48

Big wave to all others

Well I have had date 4 with MrAttractive. It was 24 hours long, and just total heaven. I can't quite believe how swoony and yet down to earth the whole thing was. Am just trying to live in the moment and enjoy rather than overthink or do my usual 'any happiness will soon be doomed' thing. But a very happy and lovely weekend.

Hello all,

He text me. He left his phone somewhere so couldn't text. He text this morning bit I've been at a conference all day and there wasn't any phone signal. I'm glad he text. I am firmly sticking to rule 3 but hoping to meet with him soon. Had brill day at work. Feel very lucky to enjoy my job so much. Also had some really sad news. Made me sit back and think how lucky I am. Some people are leading absolutely awful lives and have to deal with terrible things. It's made me count my blessings and put my silly dating angst into perspective. Life plays some funny tricks

Hey 24 hrs of swoon

Thanks Bant, do exactly what you want to do. STBX clearly realises you are having lots of fun now without her. Is there such a thing as a revenge stylee beard? Meanwhile, brow soothing and

Will catch up with you all soon but am just about to go and meet the one I've not got a name for - will give him one tonight (fnar fnar) if he's going to be around for a bit. Will try to do update but it's moderately rural again so might not have signal.

Wish me luck!

Good luck OWW!

Good luck oww can't wait for the update

Good luck OWW

no! dont give him a name! call him no-name or incognito!

have fun!