@shitwithsugaron welcome! Hope you are settling into the thread. I am slightly worried that i read your username as 'Shit With Sharon" - like a DIY enema DVD! Very relieved when I realised 
it can be crap when people are focusing on their own lives and so dont call much. What cured me was accidentally putting my mobile number on a website who then clearly flogged it for market research. I got so many cold callers and random advertising texts that my phone never shut up. I was so relieved when that finished that now the quiet feels like bliss
@Mulberry974 I think in day to day life men are so busy gawking at gravity defying 20 year old's, that they don't see us slightly knackered looking ladies in our 40s. And so we get "friend zoned". Weirdly, I get lots more approaches when I feel "sexy". Which isn't often to be fair. Certainly with OLD when I am a bit cheeky and playful, there are more approaches. In day to day life, men sometimes talk to my boobs but I am not good looking facially so don't get many approaches unless I talk to them. And if I feel sexy then I get hit on, if I don't then they don't. Most weird. I think it's vibes we give off.
@Upyerbum70 Cardigans? I am intrigued! Are they being worn by interesting people or is it a recurring nightmare of dropped stitches? It's fascinating what people dream about!
@lifegoes books are such a balm to the soul aren't they? We can find solace and encouragement and learn so much from them. My DD is a mini book worm and I am so happy for her. It's a wonderful pastime.
@Eesha I bet you feel really confident and amazing by the end of the year when you have achieved so much by yourself. And no one to put you down or try to take credit for it or make you doubt yourself. You deserve to achieve all you want to.
@Username109876 Welcome! I feel like laminating your post. My best mate was exactly the same as you. Her now DH had to pursue her for over a year, including the time she spent in Australia, before she agreed to be in a relationship with him. She was so happy without a bloke. They have the best relationship I have ever seen because they truly fell in love with each other as a whole, content, independent person. They are a good team and are still really happy with time alone etc. It really does seem to work when you are happy alone then meet someone randomly.
@undercoveraessedai tech can be such a pain in the arse. Hope the last bits are resolved easily. I love it when you delurk and am so pleased @Mulberry974 delurked to join. You bring so much to the thread and I would miss you if you weren't here.
@Upyerbum70 yippee for holidays. I bet you have an amazing time. Just realised your username sounds like the DVD sequel to "Shit With Sharon". I really need to salvage my brain cells from whichever gutter they have gone to play in!
@BuddhaAtSea 5 x 10 hour shifts? I bow at your stamina! I always felt like death after 3. Re holidays that appeal to teens: what about a city break to somewhere "cool" or a hotel which may appeal to her like "Ibiza Rocks"? The latter would be my idea of hell but she may love it? And with just the two of you, it's unlikely she will go clubbing and drop Es. It's more the IDEA of being there which could appeal IYSWIM.
@KLS02 You are amazing. So strong and seem to have it all under control. I am so pleased you get to pick names you love without having to compromise. Havens can be really fun and work well with young kids. My DD used to love it there until she was about 8. Before that she loved the activities, pool and kids discos, and i loved not having to cook if I didn't want to. They are fab holidays for someone on their own with kids. I hope you get to rest and relax too.
Thanks for running this thread @mildlymiffed, I appreciate it. Maybe we should take it in turns with whoever feels able to do it? I can't be arsed with preciousness about thread ownership and all that shite. I just care that we exist, that's the main thing.