Overview of Eharmony

Since I've tried a variety of dating websites, I thought I'd share the pros and cons of using Eharmony.

PROS
1. By far, the best quality guys that actually matched what I'm looking for
2. Easy to use website and app
3. If I ever return to dating sites, I'll only use Eharmony.

CONS
1. Most expensive site to use
2. Location of matches. Since it does such a great job providing quality matches based on many facets of your personality, most are out of state, especially since I live in a city of only 55,000 people. :(
3. Guys on that site never respond. Like someone's profile and you'll never hear from them
4. I still haven't met anyone exciting on there

For now, I'm taking a break from dating sites, but I'm always open to finding the right match for me. :)

I'd love to hear what sites you've used and found successful.

Resolutions

I made my New Year's Resolutions pretty late this year.

1. I'm not dating for at least the first four months of the year, maybe all year (it's up to God). I took myself outta the game and deleted myself from the two dating sites I was on. Some I'd been on for roughly 8 years. I realized that those sites were a continual source of disappointment and reminder that here were 5 new matches today that were also not going to work. I really felt prompted by God to get outta the game. Even if I've said in the past that I wasn't trying, I always was. I decided to stop trying. Yes, I still notice cute guys, but I've decided to not worry about things. I'm feeling MUCH more comfortable with turning 31 this year, than I did turning 30. There was something emotional about 30. Maybe it was because I realized I didn't have many/any of the things I'd hope I'd have at 30 (married, house, kids, etc.) It's actually been pretty freeing to quit trying.

2. I'm also making a conscience effort to cut down my Facebook and Pinterest time. Now this one is definitely a work in progress, but I want to be among the people living life versus living it through social media.

3. I've also trying to be careful about what I see and listen to, as you think about what you spend your time on. So, no 50 Shades of Grey or Magic Mike for me. I want to have a pure mind and heart. Definitely challenging!

What I hope to fill my time with because of these changes is 1) God; 2) actually living life through spending time with friends, traveling more, going to movies and concerts; 3) focusing more on school. When I'm not addicted to catching up on on social media every morning, I read a devotional with scriptures (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young) and have time to pray. This keeps me in a positive frame of mind heading into work. I've been making a conscience effort to not text, but call and catch up with friends; actually share life. I've started this and it's been refreshing and so rewarding.

Any thoughts? I'm feeling inspired! Are you? What are your resolutions?

Profile of Dates

Profile of the types of guys I've gone out with...

I generally go out with guys no more than fours years younger and no more than four years older. It wasn't until I started writing this that I realized that. I guess, I'd be willing to go up to six years older, but really no younger than four years.

I used to take a boxing class for two years, so I went out with two boxers. One was a bad boy and that didn't last long. The other kinda broke my heart. I've gone out with Army and Air Force guys, enlisted and officer. One I met after he backed into my car at a toll plaza. I've gone on dates with two guys from dating sites; fail. I've gone out with farmers; yes, this surprises me too. I've also been set up on blind dates twice; both were really nice guys. The last was the most recent date. I've also been on dates with two guys who I unfortunately later found out had girlfriends. One even looked like the actor Luke Wilson...

So, if I'm remembering correctly; I've been on dates with 13 guys for a total of roughly 21 dates. Small numbers, I know, but all I need is one great guy. I'm still hoping for my last first date. :)

If any of those profiles spark your interest, comment and I'll tell the story. I feel like no one reads this thing, but my viewer count is over 415. It also claims, I have readers from literally all over the world! Welcome to my world!

Profile Pictures 101

Here's what annoys me about dating profile pictures: 1)I don't quite get what people are thinking when they post dating profile photos that they're not in. Seeing a picture of your dog, car or motorcycle, or a place you've traveled to isn't going to make me want to date you if you're not also attractive. Get in the picture! 2) Group photos also drive me crazy. Which of the 17 people are you? What's worse is when all of their profile photos are of groups. I feel like I'm playing Where's Waldo?! 3) I get that you want to look manly, but don't frown in your pictures. You look mean and then I have visions of you being a potentially violent person. Then, I click "no!" 4) If I don't think you're attractive already, the picture of your abs, arms, chest, or shoulders aren't going to help. 5)If I realize that in every shot you're in a club, bar, or holding an alcohlic beverage I'm going to think you're still in a partying phase and move on. 6) If in several shots you're with various girls (some even scantily clad) I'm going to wonder how many girls you've gone through and decide to save myself the trouble. Or I'm going to think I wear too much clothing for your taste. Either way, I'm clicking "no."

What do I want to see in a profile picture? Several pictures of your face, full length shots, and also ones of you having fun with friends or doing something you enjoy. If you've got a group shot of you and a FEW friends, caption it, tell me which one is you. If you have pictures of you with ladies, tell me who they are. Oh, it's your sister? Now that makes sense.

Dating Sites..I feel like I've tried them all

I've tried Eharmony, Match.com, Christian Mingle, and Plenty of Fish. What did I think of them?

Well, Plenty of Fish was the disaster of the bunch. I was barraged with guys ranging in age from 20 to 50s. Pretty much inundated with every kind of guy I WASN'T looking for. As an example of how bad it was; the guy from the disasterous, cheese date; met him on Plenty of Fish. They can keep their fish; I'm moving to another pond! I only lasted a week on there anyway.

Match never gives me what I'm looking for. I'm looking for a Christian and my daily matches are an array of agnostics, atheists, and the like. Not impressed. They don't filter well. Older men love me on that site...sigh. Thankfully, my membership expires this week.

Eharmony...it definitely has it's faults, but my matches are way better quality than the two previous sites. The problem? Most of the quality guys live several hours away. Gave up my membership there.

Lastly, Christian Mingle. Let me start out by saying my mom means well, she really does. One day, roughly three years ago, I got a call from her while at work. After some somewhat odd questions, I ask what she's doing. Can you guess? She signed me up for Christian Mingle and even started my profile and added photos for me. I wasn't upset; I just kind of found it well...amusing. So, at that time I was overwhelmed with guys in their 50s trying to talk to me or guys with multiple kids (including babies that were hot out of the oven). As a result, I backed away from the site. What brought me back was the coaxing of several family members. I know they mean well, but I guess they're also worried about my single state. It seems Christian Mingle's advertising was working; on my family. So, I'm back. My complaint about the site; you don't actually have to attend church to use the site. For me, my faith and attending church goes hand-in-hand. The guy from my first blog I met on Mingle. We'll see...