If I was Betty...I'd go to Weddings

Right, so I haven't blogged in quite a while. I've not really had much to say really. But after all the Easter breaks and Bank Holidays, it's time to catch up don't you think?

Firstly, I have a tan......well it certainly has a long way to go to be anything near to the tan of my childhood but nevertheless I ensured that I overdosed on Vit D at every given opportunity. I do however have to apologise to those who may have walked past my patio garden only to be greeted by me in a bikini. Actually scrap that apology...you shouldn't be looking over my fence and after seeing me spread eagle in a bikini, I'm guessing you will never look over my fence ever again! Ah sweet revenge. But back to the tan, there is a faint but nevertheless noticeable increase in colour and I am no longer transparent!! Bring on Summer I say!

Although it was Easter, I tried really hard to dodge the temptation of the chocolate egg but in doing so fell head first into a lot of Ice Cream. Oh well the soul needs feeding doesn't it? And I'm still sticking to the fact that I can say I never had a choc egg this Easter!!

Of course the most anticipated day was always going to the Royal Wedding! And yes I was with the masses down in Hyde Park, I was that single girl sitting on her own watching the girl get her prince. Oh how sad!! Admittedly I did try and sit close to a group of people so that I didn't look like the obvious loser in the crowd, however I probably shouldn't have chosen a group of Chinese tourists...

However I wasn't going to let the fact that I was going to be attending on my own spoil the event, and I cheered and sang along with the crowd. The atmosphere was lovely and it was a beautiful wedding. With highlights being the crowds reaction as Kate took her place beside Wills in the Abbey at the same time the sun came out at Hyde Park - a massive cheer! I loved seeing Harry's cheeky little face as he looked back to see Kate coming up the aisle before smiling and whispering to Wills. Of course the talk on the ground was all about Harry getting it on with Pippa when everyone saw them walking together. I had wondered at the time if that would trend on Twitter and yes it most certainly did. Oh the public love their fantasy gossiping don't they?

Naturally I did a runner when it came to the big group slow-dance to Aerosmith, somehow I thought if I was walking around it won't be so noticeable that I was attending this wedding party alone. Besides dressed in a pair of jeans, sweatshirt and with no effort afforded to my hair or make-up, I wasn't exactly a candidate for pulling! But watching a wedding and seeing someone show their commitment of love is very special. A fairytale whether you become a princess or not, it's still the thing we all secretly dream about.

After heading home, trying to avoid stuffing the hole in my heart with another ice cream, I got home only to receive a phone call from my 'arrangement' guy. He was expecting to spend the coming weekend and week with me before heading off to Europe and essentially it being the end of the arrangement. I wasn't looking forward to saying goodbye! But anyway he was home in Devon, in order to attend his brother's wedding on Saturday. He hadn't ever invited me to this wedding. His main reason being he couldn't invite a girl to a wedding, she might get all soppy and romantic and of course that would mean she might fall in love with him, beside he didn't believe in marriage. It's amazing how many men say they don't believe in marriage. I think I may have to explore this further at a later stage. Back to the phone call..."Come down to Devon"...what?...I couldn't believe what I was hearing! He wanted me to come down to Devon and go to his brother's wedding with him. Joking stating that I would actually be going as his sister's plus one if anyone asked, that way he could avoid having officially taken a girl to a wedding!

Crap!! A wedding...short notice...outfit...hair...oh crap I've got to get a train!!! So having thrown everything out of my cupboards, trying to find that dress I wore to Ascot last year (the only smart dress I have that's not a LBD or an evening ballgown), shoes...I need to find shoes...ok knickers...oh the dread of wearing a cream dress, I need to special knickers!! GHD - check! Run Run Run... Needless to say that after pushing an old lady out of the way at Paddington, as I crested the top of the stairs - the last train to Devon pulled out! Bugger!!

To be honest, I was slightly relieved that I hadn't made the train, it meant that I could go home, do my hair and sort out the terribly chipped nail polish! I was up at the crack of dawn on Saturday morning and arrived in good time to take the train and head off to see my 'arrangement' guy. The wedding was lovely and it was great to see his family and friends again. I did well in not being the soppy romantic although I was dying to have a dance with him, which was nicely avoided as our lift had to leave early. I was really glad that I'd made the spontaneous decision to go down and see him. In all the excitement I had forgotten about the fact that the real reason it was so important to go down there, was that we could officially say goodbye! I know that we intend to remain friends, there's even the possibility of meeting up in Europe for a short weekend away but it's the end of the commitment part. Although we were officially never dating, as he said to me at the train station "You're the best girlfriend that I never dated ever", we were 'together' for 7 months and that does count for something. Look, I can't be a fool and hope that he would resist all temptation whilst touring for the next 6 months nor can I say that I might not find my prince charming standing on the crowded overground one morning, so to be realistic it was time we had to say goodbye. Yes, I'll admit that I cried all the way from Teignmouth to Paddington (well one good thing I can say about sobbing uncontrollably on a train, no one will bother to sit in the seat next to you!)

I don't do regrets, and I certainly have no regrets with this arrangement. I always knew he was going and we always knew we would have to call it quits at some point. I do believe though that neither of us had realised how hard it was going to be. I've had the most amazing 7 months. I've not felt this happy, content or had this much self-confidence since moving to London 5 years ago. For this I am eternally grateful!

If I was Betty....then I would blog about a phonecall

Right the self-pity moment is well and truly over, thanks to an international phonecall from my "arrangement" guy.

There was no need to tell him about the rough week that I was having because all those feelings disappeared at the sound of his laughter. Clearly my excitement/eagerness when answering the phone and almost falling off the couch, was audible in my "Hello you!"

So after 48mins of laughing about ...stuff... on the phone, all my cares and worries had evaporated!

Again I am reminded of the power that a friend can have in your life. Even if they don't know that you need cheering up, the most basic of human contacts can lift your spirit out of those murky depths.

If I was Betty...I'd go on an internet date (number 1)

Living in the big city has its problems, how do you meet the potential Mr Right?

Having been persuaded that sitting like an old Estella at the end of the bar, waiting to be bought a drink by some random was not the way to find my knight in shining armour, I decided I would have to get with the 21st Century and do some online dating.

Some of the responses/communications I have received haven't been appealing at all. However one stood out and I agreed to meet with him. On paper he seems to tick all those boxes that girls who are looking for Mr Long-Term Dependable have. We met up for a drink or two at my local pub. It was a lovely evening, one nice looking guy, the conversation had its ups and downs but there was something missing? That damn "spark"!

On the way home, I pondered why I hadn't even found myself remotely keen to flirt with him? And trust me I flirt with just about anyone...even the new security guy at the office gets my coyest good morning smile!

Perhaps my criteria are too perfect. Naturally having dated and had long term relationships, I've looked at the next guy not having any of the short comings that the others had but in doing so I seem to cut out the actual "type" of guy that I'm attracted to.

Right Bloggers, if any of you know or are a rugby planning business man or a farmer...then call me...my number is 555

If I was Betty...I'd take a bold step

I've just read a blog that said the following: "Just because its not going my way doesn't mean its the wrong way"

Thank you, Being Brazen, for reminding me that sometimes we forget that there is a bigger picture, and although things seem to have gone wrong, a different direction is not necessarily a bad thing.

I've spent the last 6 months in an "arrangement" with a great guy. I say "arrangement" as we always knew that it won't turn into a committed relationship as he is a man about to embark on travels around the world. I'm 6 years older than him so there is no way I would stop him for going on what will be a once in a lifetime adventure. What we didn't realise was that at this point in both our lives we were exactly perfect.

Haven't had a traumatic break-up a number of years ago, I've been very reluctant to have men promise me anything because they lie (oh don't I sound slightly jaded!) But I'd put the idea of having a meaningful long term relationship in a distant corner of my mind and decided the best way to go about life was pretend to be Samantha from Sex and The City...

It was really hard saying goodbye. He has done wonders for my self confidence and frankly has gone a long way to restoring my confidence in the male species in general. Part of me is gutted that I actually find a guy who is just what I need and he has to leave because our lives are heading in two very different directions.

For a moment I felt like things had gone wrong again. There goes another great guy! But it's actually not a bad thing, with his help I've grown a lot over the last 6 months and the fact that he has left a space in my life encourages me to take that bold step and to go out there and find that long term relationship that I have wanted for so long.