Dating Thread 237 - Wintertide Warmth Support & Festive Frolics and

[OnceRuralNowUrbanbliss]

Merry Christmas one and all. Thanks for all the support and dating wisdoms...

The Rules:

1.The first rule about the dating thread is don't talk about it with people you're dating.

1. Develop a thick skin.
2. Do not invest emotionally too soon.
3. It's all BS until it actually happens.
4. Trust your gut instinct.
5. People vanishing, lying & being generally weird is not your fault.
6. Know your worth.
7. If it's not fun, stop.
8. Loo update is mandatory.

10. No dating the thread. 11. Treat others as you'd like to be treated 12. Any relationship you have that could get ruined by having a conversation about your feelings, standards and/or expectations wasn't really stable enough to begin with 13. The things you choose to ignore/ tolerate now are the reasons you will break up in the future 14. OLD can get very time consuming. Keep doing other activities you enjoy.

Optional: Please give your irons (potential dates you are talking to) nicknames like Mr Scottish. Initials are allowed (Mr S) when you are an item.

Met MrBike tonight for three hours, longer would have been nice but he has work early tomorrow. He said he'd call tomorrow though and we've arranged to meet Sunday 😊 I felt a little .. worried tonight, a. Because he hasn't told anybody about us except to one friend very briefly, and b. because we didn't spend much time together really. We're talking about going to London when it gets warmer and doing something in his birthday in a few months, so we're planning to be together for a while! I guess something like referring to me as his girlfriend, I don't know, something more. But I do keep forgetting it's only been two and a half weeks since we first started talking, it seems much longer.

mmmm.. man sends back toothbrush and toothpaste and this sets the bar? Got to remember that one. ..

Same here!!!! Exactly the same thing happened to me when I met Mr Serb -definitely now feel so sorry for those teenage boys!!!!

In am stupidly insecure and even though MrSerb and I both have numerous work and other things on at the moment and he only ever texts or calls for functional reasons unless w have a specific date in the diary I imagine that he has forgotten about me which I know is ridiculous and we last met a week ago (yes ridiculous!) He did send me a message on Sunday asking me how I e which is unprecedented for him soon I saw that as a passive step forward.
So last night I got stuck into work and was determined not to message him about the weekend which is getting closer!! when a message came from him suggesting we go out on Friday. I am stupidly delighted and also because a friend of mine is having a party on Saturday and I wanted to invite him but am trying to 'train' him to suggest dates ahead. So then did then tell him we are invited and was pleased that he instantly messaged back (he is very shy, but loves parties 😀) so we are meeting Fri and Sat now -so happy.
I know I must come across as pathetic but w have both been damaged by previous marriages and he has s crazily busy work life plus teenage kids (a bit like @Mila14 's gorgeous Mr Ex😋

massive opposite of passive!

Hi all, have been reading lots but often come to things days after they’ve happened 🤦🏻‍♀️
Glad to hear there are some success stories forming! It’s so lovely to hear people feeling happy 😊

Sorry to those of you still struggling. OLD is such a gut wrencher, not sure why it feels so much more emotional tbh!

Update on me and MrF. It’s been about 10 weeks now and I am totally falling in love with him. He told me the same the other day and I reciprocated 🥰 I have a real feeling he is my person. We just click so well and he is utterly lovely. I could gush about him all day 😂

OMG…you are not getting away with this post. We need GOSSIP…wow 10 wks!!! This is looking fantastic and the “I love you” already happened…tell us a bit about lovely MrF. So happy for you OLDie

Jangolina, I have to say…MrEx does not text everyday. He’s crazy busy and under much stress. I don’t feel like texting everyday either when I am with kids I must admit. I think for you and for me, life it’s easier if we just relax a bit in general. You have a lovely weekend planned and time with him sorted. Unfortunately I am not seeing MrEx properly until beginning February as have kids and work travel to get done. We have the lives we have and at this times in life with kids, work and adulting in general thing need to be practical too.
Enjoy your weekend a lot

Beepbeep…please relax and enjoy. It’s too early for girlfriend/boyfriend chat or introducing to friends. I think he’s right being cautious and one step at a time. Please enjoy and don’t over think. Being lovers is nice enough and a cool bubble to be in… patience

Oncey, lovely MrCars was a good thing for you. You needed someone attentive and a bit of TLC. I’m glad you are seeing Mr Hills…you did think he was very handsome and interesting, so please enjoy Movie and dinner!
Report to the mothership as usual 😝
Don’t close door to MrGlasses, if you like him you should see him too. You are not exclusive to anyone

No @Whackittiome it was not the sending of the toothbrush which made him set a standard but his consistent kindness, enthusiasm and interest over an 8 week romance plus having told him it was over a couple of weeks ago a lovely worded card and some thoughtful treats. He popped the toothbrush in as well. He thought I was great and told me this constantly. This has set the bar higher than it had been before knowing him.

@OLDstolemybrain what a fantastic update. These sorts of updates from you, @beepbeepme, @Mila14 and @Eeksteek are the ones that encourage those of us yet to meet our person to keep swiping!

I did think he was interesting and handsome @Mila14 thanks for that reminder (Hills). Pretty sure he's not 'my person' (to quote @OLDstolemybrain) Nice guy but we have little in common in interests or approach to life - I'm very busy and proactive and he is the opposite.

MrGlasses is dead to me. I should not have even named him!

I am struggling to keep up with everything so apologies for the generic reply.

It’s so lovely (and encouraging) to read about all the good dates and relationships forming, it gives me hope!

I also sympathise with the anxiety and overthinking that comes with it! I know it’s much easier said than done, but try to chill, enjoy the moment and not get too caught up on what may or may not happen (says she who will definitely not be able to take her own advice 😂)

I’ve had so much encouragement and support from this thread. I really don’t think I’d be in the game at all without it, let alone scoring hat tricks!

ladies, I need your help (again). Firstly, I am meeting up with MrPottery for a repeat performance over the weekend. I need something to explain my absence to DD for the afternoon (and possibly the aches I am being promised I will feel afterwards!) ideally a regular thing.

And secondly it is MrPottery’s birthday. What is correct protocol? I can’t just ignore it. What is the guy equivalent of a card and a bunch of flowers?

What is the guy equivalent of a card and a bunch of flowers?

A card and a 4 pack of craft beer .

Bluntie…we need to keep reminding ourselves to relax, enjoy and let it slide if it ain’t working…we all need a bit of reinforcement and reassurance here. We are all anxious and doubt ourselves…These posts only remind us how similar we all are and how much we need to learn from each other. Remind me…are you seeing an iron? Who is he? Gossip needed…😝

Eeky, card and bottle of vino??
Regarding DD…you have this girl who is going through rocky patch and need to see her ASAP. You will text DD about coming back and any problem she can text you. She can call for take away or leave something cooked, or pizza !
These kids of us HAVE THEIR LIFE AHEAD OF THEM. Remember this. You are a brilliant mum but a happy nd “satisfied “ mum is priceless. Mr Pottery is THERAPY. Have fun and report all gossip to Mothership

How are you Howlongy? Any news from Mrs NoShow?

@Eeksteek If he drinks I agree, that a card and some nice beers/bottle of wine would be good. Or you wrapped in a bow? (Did you know you can buy such a thing from Love Honey? It looks v uncomfortable but I guess the idea is you won’t be wearing it long 😂)

@Mila14 yes, have a third date on Saturday with Mr Tech!

That is a very good idea. He refuses to drink the ordinary stuff and insisted we went to a specific pub that sold craft beer. I don’t even know what craft beer is. I suspect if I go and choose one, it’ll be like when people think they’re buying me ‘a nice gin’ and the get me Gordon’s pink peach flavour.

Still, I can give it a shot. Nothing to lose.

Craft beer is just a term for low volume production really, better than the regular junk.

try
butcombe.com/brewery-shop-products/butcombe-4-bottle-gift-box/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA8aOeBhCWARIsANRFrQFxEVM_wJoUhQscwqBqr2uu3ex3CXrbPPbuo0McuSNLLGdyXikRZ14aAlW0EALw_wcB

or black sheep ( good beer, I’ve been there & done the tour ).
www.blacksheepbrewery.com/shop/pick-n-mix-gift-box/

No, nothing, disappointed in her really, I was looking for some emotional support & she bailed on me.

we live about an hour apart and was generally me doing all the travelling and making concessions to fit around her, so I currently I’m a bit meh 🤷🏼,

TBH I’m probably not going to bother with any kind of dating anymore - just doesn’t seem to work out for me.

Thanks, yes you're right. I think I was a little anxious yesterday about it all. I'm trying to play it cool, but still let him know how I feel because I don't like playing games and want to be myself. I don't want to ruin it by being a bit much, but it's been a long time since I've done this!

Aw @NoDatingForOldMen it's easy to feel like that when low and chips are down.
Bad NoShow after all that time together (6 months ish am I right?) to bail when elderly parenting took priority.
Her loss. There will be many women delighted to have you as a dating partner surely.
It's ok to take a break from OLD but stay in it to win it?

Oh yes Bluntie , Mr Tech with no kids like you so very aligned date wise. I am following many people here and forget easily at what stage they are, sorry!!
Brilliant. On scale 1-10 how fanciable is Mr Tech?