Haven`t really dated for the last 10 years(got into a relationship right after divorce"disaster")devoted pretty much all my time to kids and work.Now that the kids are 16&17 I find myself thinking about how it would be nice to have someone in my life again.The loneliness really gets to me sometimes.Seems like most of the women my friends and kids(dad you gotta meet my friends mom,she`s single)try to hook me up with are more interested in what I have than who I am.Don`t have much money and god knows i`m not in running for best looking guy on the planet.Maybe I`ll just buy some bird seed and go to the park.

Hi Carl,

LOL, hey the bird seed idea could really catch on. Welcome to the board. Have a teenage daughter and even though I was in a long term relationship, looking at the prospects of getting back out in the dating scene at some point. It's a major transition from being a devoted parent to dating again - to say things have changed from when we were young (you know, the gentlemen caller, sitting on the porch sipping ice tea, etc. ) is an understatement. Maybe we need a forum to help with the transition. Best to you.

Larry

You know I have heard it said that women are chased after for their looks and men for their money. If that is true...I would not want to be "chased" in any event. When I was young and married I was considered pretty and I got a lot of male attention. Now that I am divorced and middle aged I feel totally invisible <LOL> BUT..in a way I think it is a secret blessing when you are looking to start dating again. Look at it this way, if a woman shows interest in you, it isn't because of your bank account. It is the real thing. I don't know about you, but I have had my fill of shallow relationships.

Hey...maybe you will meet someone feeding the birds at the park :-)

I was a looking about 15 year ago too. I think bird seed in the park sounds like a great idea. I sure am tired of picking lemons and being judged because I do not look like Barbie any more!

Hi Sasy, welcome :-) I am kinda new myself.

I am glad Carl started this topic because it is such a huge issue for those of us that are not young and beautiful anymore but would still hope there are relationships out there for us?

Realistic personal ad:

SWF,46, broke and struggling to take care of 3 kids by herself while ex supports a 24 yo girlfriend and her kids. Grey hair colored auburn. Could stand to lose a few pounds that are leftover after my C section in 93. Green eyes still sparkle and I still have my sense of humor and faith in the universe. If interested, stop gawking at girls half your age and be friendly.

<LOL> That doesn't sound TOO combative does it??

Carl and Larry
We are still out there. I love to sit on the porch and drink ice tea, and for a man to be a gentleman. I am not anywhere near ready to date, but if I was I would not go out with him again if he was not a gentleman. My husband and I would go on "dates" from time to time and I always appreciated him being a gentleman. As for going to the park I think I would rather sit on my porch with the tea and feed the birds.
I do understand how they seem to come out of the woodwork sometimes. I had offers a week after my husbands funeral. Why? Because his death was an accident and they figured I would get a good settlement.
Sarahsturn, I think you should try your add and see what happens. I like it. Barbie in reality could not even stand up with her measurments.
Carl, be real have fun and let her find you. Sometimes things bloom where you least expect them to.

Hey! You can meet some great women at the park who are most likely doing the same thing, feeding birds. I have been known to throw bread crumbs to ducks once in awhile.

My AD:
26yr old SF with kids, not big but not little, likes being alone but would like a movie once in awhile. Not looking for anyone but if you want to try to change my mind, you are welcome to try! Felons need not apply.

Ok, let me give it a try. Of course, you must include a photo:

SWM (S stands for �sexy in my own unique way�), 44, swimsuit model (see below), looking for someone to share conversation and help locate misplaced keys. Enjoy slow (very slow) walks on beach, romantic dinners, all night bingo, and shuffleboard. Must squeeze toothpaste from bottom. As for me, I leave the toilet seat up 28% of the time and emphatic about well manicured nose and ear hair. Must enjoy diet heavy in bran. Back seat drivers need not reply.

Hi Carl,
I have been out of the dating scene for years too, by choice. I had a bad divorce and a long custody battle that kept me busy for years. After that...I didn't want anything to do with another relationship. I buried myself in my daughter's activities, coaching, playing sports and working. On top of all that running a house. It is difficult to get out there again. I sometimes find myself dwelling on the possibility of dating again but I don't know if I will. I hope that she comes along for you soon. Take care and thanks for posting.

Yeah right Larry!!

I figure this is as good a place as any to test this stuff out

Test what out?? Posting your picture on the internet...you don't look like you have played sports in years!! I mean look at you! No wonder you want to walk really slow on the beach...you need to walk a little faster there honey.

Wow, thinker, ouch - that really hurts...
(Ladies at the bingo hall say otherwise)

<LOL> I think I started something FUN!!!!!!!!

Larry...I loved the picture, I need to find a corresponding female one .

hehehe...you know all of this reminds me of something I did a few months ago. I entered a sweepstakes that required me to post a profile on Date.com. I posted a profile all right. It was totally accurate except for one thing: I put down that I weighed over 300 lbs (in reality I weigh 134 but they don't need to know that). When I started this, I remembered the ad and went back to it. I had NO replies! Imagine that! Fun, intelligent, happy go lucky me! No one was interested.
You know what? I think that is going to be my test of men from now on. If I meet them online I am going to tell them I am 300lbs and see what happens.
And just in case no one jumps at my sparkling personality I went to the bead store today and parted with a few hard earned dollars and got things to keep me occupied :-)

Cynical Sarah

I have actually done very well with this

No, really, it's a picture from a magazine ad my daughter had hanging up in her room - I think there's just something about a guy in a speedo that women can't resist...

Never had the desire to go online to meet someone. Have heard too many horror stories from friends. But at least now we have bird seed and beads as alternatives.