Early fall is the most confident season for the formerly fat - whose experimenting with a hotter...

unfortunately any mention in the neighborhood of  my  chronological age attracts  male " bargain-basement hunters "  i.e. the totally inappropriate  and doddering ugly old fools looking to marry for money or free housekeepers/nursemaids . 

Sexism combined with ageism lives large and in charge in our society  I didn't cause it - I can't control it and I can't cure it either 

This is how I see it - if you are willing to lie about something like your age - what else will you lie about?

There is nothing more attractive than someone who owns who they are - completely.

Maybe .. then again I like people who are a little mysterious .  Different strokes or different folks I guess .. I don't ever want know EVERYTHING about my mate - its sexier to keep guessing and not ever being totally sure  isn't it ?

Apropo this  conversation I got asked out by a real live 19 year old tonight - tomorrow he wants to take me bowling.  OMG he's not my type abut  I am still totally in a dither just because I don't want t answer his questions.. I'm also reaiizing  that I better hang out with him just to see if I can STAND to date someone with such different references .  It DOES mean feeling very alone ( and mum) while everyone discusses music you did not grow up with ,tv shows etc.. We run in concentric social circles - but I kind of feel like I have to choose ...keep the company of youngsters or their ( wiser and funnier ) mothers .

Is is it POSSIBLE to do both or will the young simply reject an interloper ? 

I know this thread is a few days old.  Also, in general, I do not feel it a problem to date someone younger  than you, though i do think honesty is really important.

And then!  This particular comment of yours just made me feel queasy, like really ill:  

"I got asked out by a real live 19 year old tonight!"

This seemed practically predatory to me.  Sure, 18 is "adult" age.  But 19?  That is still just a kid.  A baby in comparison to you.  And you talk about catching him like a fish or speciman:  "a real live one!". What are you really looking for?  Why on earth are you wanting it from a 19-yr-old BOY?

As mom of a 21-yr-old and a 17-yr-old, I just had to say something.  You are preying on someone, who is a real person.  And you are doing it deceitfully.  Again, it made me feel ill.  What you are doing is wrong on several levels.

My husband is ten years younger than me.  As of this January, we have been together for 15 years.  I have never lied to him about my age or anything else of importance that I can think of.  He is my best friend.  I don't lie to my friends.

I hope that you find someone to share your life with.  The secret is that you have to be in love with yourself, first.  Then you will have abundance to share with someone else.  

I agree that is the secret thanks Kat!  Unfortunately I'm not quite there yet ...  .