I May Be A Dreamer...

But I'm a realist too.

I know that I'm not going to meet Mr Right immediately. Some may only be Mr Right Now.

Each day I'm participating in the online dating game, each day I am learning. My friend even said yesterday I'm so much better at it than I was two years ago.

I am trying not to over think past the first date. But this can be hard, when the end goal is I'm trying to find a suitable relationship, and in your forties, you don't want to be wasting time. It's so much different, than when you were in your twenties!

I still do over think to a certain extent, but I've learnt with recent 'dates' that the no "sexting" rule is a very good idea until you actually meet in person. Then, if you still fancy one another, then it's quite fun!

I had a date on Sunday, and all week we'd been texting and we seemed to be on the same page. He made me laugh a lot. We were both very sarcastic but I discouraged too much flirting... and thank the stars I did. Our first date went well, so I thought. However, once he'd arrived home and text me there wouldn't be a second date.

Which is fair enough. If I'm not for him... then I'm not for him. (I still got the let's be friends text though - why do men do that?)

And so back to the drawing board...

I really have got to write a book containing online dating. The stuff I'm getting is cracking... although I do wonder if they'd believe it in a book.

I received this the other day... From now on, the no-hopers will all be known as DIYdavey.

Yes, unfortunately, there are a lot out there, just like DIYdavey that believe this approach is the way to woo a woman...

There are so many things wrong with the above. Firstly, it's Pride and Prejudice! (If you're going to insult me do your research first).

I didn't respond. I've learnt this actually encourages these morons further. If I had replied it would have gone along the lines of I'd rather die a miserable old hag, all the same, DIYdavey...

I Have Standards

Firstly, if I sound shallow at any point in this blog post I apologise. But I do have standards.

Tuesday I decided to put myself back out there on the old on-line dating again.... Friday I was contemplating coming off. I was so depressed.

And now I'm writing a blog post to get it off my chest.

I thought, maybe I might chat to some, get some dates out of it, take the whole approach more casually.... Be much more aloof or blasé with it all.

However, the guys making contact are not giving me any confidence about myself. Not only are they not my type, but they really are punching above their weight. I know I'm no Jennifer Anniston by I'm fairly attractive... And I know it's hard to tell with a photograph, but you can tell from some if you're going to find someone physically attractive. (Plus I do read their profiles, too).

I know looks aren't everything... but I do look for something, I can't put my finger on what, but they have to have 'something'. (Okay, so I'm looking for a forty-something Tom Hiddleston.) I clearly say I want someone who believes in health and fitness, and they're messaging me with their double chins and beer bellies!

I know from past relationships (#MrAquarius) I need someone who matches me intellectually or they'll be intimidated. I don't do it deliberately... Men just feel it. They don't like women smarter than them.

There are the same faces on there too! They haven't even updated their profile or their pictures in the last two-three years. I mean, sort it out guys, if you want find someone. They are either crap at relationships or players. One guy messaged me saying he'd noticed I'd checked out his profile. I replied, I usually don't. I told him the reason I'd checked out his profile was due to his main image not giving me a clear indication of his looks - he was standing in the distance, you couldn't even make out his face. (He did thank me for the heads up and changed it).

Then there's the guy I dated last summer, (#TheBoyWithTheDragonTattoo) he still has his profile active, saying he 'wants a relationship'. When I clearly know he just wants a fuck buddy. Back then I should have known someone lying about their age was on there for the wrong reasons....

That man had the audacity to sit in my kitchen and tell me he wasn't a player, he didn't understand why good women put up with shit men.... blah blah blah... made out he was a really nice guy, who I thought was looking for similar to me. No he wasn't. He was a player, and although he didn't treat me technically badly, he lead me on for two months, when really, after a couple of dates he should have knocked it on the head. Maybe he did really like me, and had a 'rabbit in headlights' moment, or I wasn't right for him... But I'm lead to believe he's not as nice as he thinks he is. I will never know the whole truth. I am tempted to ask, but tell myself rise above it. But I hate that he's possibly playing with another woman's life...

You know, guys, if you are going to 'play' me, if it's just going to be sex, I want you to at least be drop dead gorgeous so I do get something out of this too.

And like it says above, I don't need you....

I'm resigning from on-line dating. It's not for me. It's a great concept, but like everything in life, it's being abused by lowlifes.

I know it's worked for some.... but I'm not convinced it's for me.

I Am The Greatest

My Mum is the greatest Mum. My daughter is the greatest style icon and my husband would like to think he is the greatest Footballer. My Dad is the greatest music legend.

Of course, we all like to think our loved ones are the greatest at everything, but in the case of my Dad, I do indeed, have proof that he is among the 50 greatest music legends.

Not only is he a music legend, he’s also a right royal pain to buy gifts for, so getting his name featured in this book was too good an opportunity to pass up.

Available from I Am The Greatest (iamthegreatest.gift), each book is customisable with photos and a short bio about the person you want featured, though if you can’t think of anything to say, the site will do it for you.

You get to select your cover style and colour, as well as adding a dedication and up to two photos. Then magically (or by the power of a printing press), your book is made and sent either to you or direct to the recipient.

It’s easy, quick, and makes such a great gift. All of a sudden, your partner who fancies himself as a bit of a Gordon Ramsay, is listed among the greatest chefs. 

Your sister’s dog is one of the 50 greatest pets, or your parents become the greatest Grandparents, joining the likes of the Queen and Prince Phillip.

Take a look at the site; the possibilities are almost endless! (Use code IATG10 for 10% off your first order.)

With Valentines right around the corner, you could even create a book placing you and your significant other among the 50 Greatest Couples. Or maybe you’d prefer one for yourself and George Clooney. I know I would.

p.s- 100% of profits from I Am The Greatest goes to charity, meaning that really, they are the greatest!

Becky Fuller

 *This is a sponsored blog post.* 

The Goodreads Review That Got Away

Firstly, can I say that this blog post is not because I'm a jealous writer. I am all for writers selling books - that's how they make money. In fact, generally, writers are very supportive of one another. I have nothing against self-published authors either. However, as a parent, I was angered how this author targeted his books at children in their primary school. I found it inappropriate.

Maybe I wouldn't have minded if it had been a better book... but it wasn't. My book review below, which was approved by my (now) eleven-year-old, tells it all.

I can't remember if I did post this review on my blog previously, however, as the full review got taken down from Goodreads, probably by the request of the author, I am reposting it here.

I wrote this review because I felt that if schools were allowing this author in to talk to their children, and actually did some research on him (unlike my sons' school... grrrrr....), then hopefully this will be the view of an informative parent.

This is my full review for Bradley Baker and The Curse of Pathylon by David Lawrence Jones:

Finally my son (who is 10, nearly 11) has finished reading this book, having bought it from school in June 2015.

I am not overly impressed how the author sold these books within school – and I stressed this at the time with the staff at the school. He went in “free of charge” to talk about writing, reading, and his books to all the pupils. He basically used targeted marketing on school children. We all know how children work; with a bit of peer pressure from their friends, they all want one. He could have gone in selling a cheap plastic toy – they all would have wanted it!

Based on a school of 400 pupils, if every child bought one book from him that day, he made good sales. I can only hope that this author at least provided the school with a free set of these books for their library so that every child could read them if they chose, for those parents who can’t afford to adhere to this kind of pressure. (But I don’t think he did – even the school had to purchase them.)

My son came out of school that day wanting all four books. As a single mum, I couldn’t justify £28. I told him he could buy one. Thank God I did, because (recently) when I asked my son how he felt about the book, he said, “It’s not as good as he made out, Mummy. It’s a lot slower, and in fact quite boring in places.”

Angered with the pressure put upon me by my son, I did my research prior to allowing my son to buy this book – to be honest, the reason I let him buy it was because I wanted to see the quality of it for myself. I only wish I’d done this research before the school had let the author do his talk.

Please be aware Avocado Publishing has been set up by the author to make it look as if his books are by a publisher. They are not. They are self-published. I even emailed Avocado Publishing to see who their other authors were. I never got a reply.
I have nothing against self-published authors, however in children’s fiction, I do wonder if there is a certain criteria books must meet to get published. And do these particular books meet it?

Looking through this book when my son brought it home, I instantly could see the unprofessionalism of this book. The easiest way is to notice the avoidance of the word “said”.

The characters in Bradley Baker never say anything, they reply, confirm, mumble, exclaim, growl, etc.

This book may have a good story within it. But unfortunately it needs a good edit. It’s 342 pages. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is 224 pages. (Well, my paperback copy is).

My son is an avid reader and loves all the David Walliams books, and I’ve encouraged him to read J K Rowling’s Harry Potter series now. With this book, I’ve had to nag him to finish it. As my son did not enjoy this book, we will not be purchasing another Bradley Baker novel.

By the way, I'm still waiting for a reply from Avocado Publishing....

And The Winner Is....

**Drum Roll** 

Kieran pulling name out of the hat!

Emily Benet! 

On the 8th January, it was One Fine Day's book birthday - it is a year old! I decided to hold a small competition (here) to give away a paperback copy of this book.

My son, Kieran, pulled the name out of a hat for me.... And the winner is Emily Benet.





Emily please get in touch with me, so that I can arrange to post a signed copy of One Fine Day to you!

The best way might be to send me a message via Facebook. Or you can contact me via my website.

Congratulations! I hope you enjoy the read!