Strange new world

I have re-entered the world of dating which for me means learning about dating in the world of texting, social media and online dating sites. I'm trying to see myself as Dian Fossey. I study the dudes and then bring my knowledge back to all my married friends.

 1. First dude - I should never have gone out with. Spent the whole time making innuendos and totally with an end game in mind that I'd told him from the get go was not gonna happen. Poor disappointed Vince kept texting and eventually shot me an article on the joys of being a slut. That was his hail mary - seriously. Every now and then I still get a text from good old Vince.

2. Second dude was a total gentleman and really awesome. Wish I'd waited to go out with him until I was feeling more sure of myself, but very happy I met a really awesome dude post-skeevy Vince to make me feel like dating wasn't the worst thing in the world.

 3. Third dude was so excited that we were going out that he texted me about 40 times the night before our date. I was floored and dismayed by the enthusiasm. The moment we met though, I could tell I didn't meet up with his enthusiastic expectations. Which was good as I sat through the most boring mansplainy dinner of my life.

4. Fourth dude had our life planned entirely out before the second drink. Also managed to quiz me about what prescriptions I was on (none).

Need to find a way to increase the plans with numero twos in my life and decrease the disappointers.  I've recently set these rules for online dating selection:

1. No dudes who will date 15 years younger but not a single year older.

2. No more dudes who have no car. Generally I don't give a shit but public transport sucks in this city. I don't want to be held captive to one general area or only go on dates with super sweaty dudes.

3. Bad tattoos. Thank goodness for the owners of such bad tattoos who choose to show them off via profile. There are some tattoo artist's out there who need intervened upon.

4. If you say anything about snuggling in your profile, I roll my eyes at you immediately. I've been on some good dates since these first four. Nothing amazing yet, but not dating would make me feel hopeless.

Soooooo good

Via Lu

Pickled

This recipe is delicious.  A coworker made me some and I am officially obsessed.

Pickled Mustard Greens

Fresh blank page

So I've had more than one blog in my past, but circumstances led me to need a new home for my thoughts.  I  gave up blogging for a year and a half while life changed a great deal.  I missed writing though!  I love to share various prettiness and interesting finds and experiences.

And while it feels a bit goofy to shuck off all my old posts and start again, some days you need a fresh page.

Things you're likely to see here - thoughts on lots of books and movies and songs, links to a mad lot of things, personal inspiration for my home, garden & wardrobe, musings about life as I know it, and random other bits.

I'm a recently single (as of now) thirty-something mum of an amazing little toddler living in Columbus, Ohio. Hello there.