I've Got the Lemons. Where is the Sugar?

By Ann Ziegler

Whether newly single or "still" single, nothing prepares a woman for the culture shock of dating after age 40. Told from the perspective of the author, these essays are part rant, part rave, and completely human. These are the stories your mother never told you, but your girlfriends will. If you need a shoulder to cry on, snuggle up with this book. You have lots of company, all with a twist of lemon.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ann Ziegler
• Release date: Dec 8, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310149962

Book preview

I’ve Got the Lemons.

Where is the Sugar?

by

Ann Ziegler

Copyright 2014 Ann M. Ziegler

Published by Ann M. Ziegler at Smashwords

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

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This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Preface

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.

Unknown

Life handed me plenty of lemons. Now, I was ready to make some lemonade of my own. Except…there’s one teensy detail no one bothered to share with me: There’s no sugar. Dating for women over 40 is sheer hell.

If you are reading this book, you may be just beginning or are already well-entrenched in this fabulous world of dating. Welcome!! You are not imagining your fabulousness. We see it. They don’t.

So. Read on. These are my stories. All true. Enjoy and know that you are not alone.

I must give some credit where credit is due. I am so very thankful for the unflagging friendship and patience of my friends and family. You’ve, no doubt, shared and recognize many of the events in the upcoming chapters. Thanks for always being there. To Roger Fojas and Adele Satori (surprise!) for being my muses and fearlessly pursuing your creativity to ends of your pocketbooks and then some. I am proud to call you friends and am inspired by you every day. To my former bloggers (you know who you are), who helped me realize, I’m not alone and that, yes, I CAN write about it. Christie Mayer. You rock…you bought the first copy!! And finally, to my daughters, while this might not be the most appropriate mother/daughter subject matter, I wrote this for you. Dreams come in all shapes and sizes and often change. Do not be afraid to follow yours.

For Abby and Sarah

Table of Contents

How This Started

The Middle Aged Woman Myth vs. Reality

The Even Harsher Reality

We are Our Own Worst Enemies

Monogamy and Fidelity

Mistaken Identity

Let Your Freak Flag Fly

I’m No Prude

Cougars

10 Seconds

I Don’t Hate All Men

The Cloak of Invisibility

Keeping My Options Open...

The Married Guys

Public Service Announcement on Behalf of Tall Women Everywhere