Dating when you're no spring chicken anymore is tougher on women who have been hurt and have the confidence of a peanut. Since it'll be Valentine's Day relatives or friends may have a blind date for you, here are tips I've learned from a professional …matchmaker

With the help of a friend, appraise yourself in front of the mirror. C'mon, being honest with what you have to change always does some good. Overweight? Too much make-up? Style too retro? Bad hair day all days? These are what you have to solve way before the date. Ok so you hate pretending,  but will you own up to giving people the I'm frumpy, boring, not fit for true love, unkempt kind of look? If that's the case, you're the only one in the world who'd not want to be loved.

Take some care in to preparing your outfit. Yes, dress to impress so that your dt ecan see another side you haven't seen of your self for so long. Up date your fashion sense and prepare for your future partner just in case you hit it off with someone.

Research about your blind date so you can read on what he'd interested in and so you'd not talk all night about your cats or the breeding punnet squares all night long. A person who longs for companionship needs a person who can talk about anythign under the sun and not be boring. Middle aged relationship is not as 'HOT' as a younger pair. It is more about companionship and someond to witness the joys of life with you.

While the date is going on, better not to talk about the:
Past- be mysterious, besides your personal life is reserved for those who're genuinely interested in you.
Laundry- very risque topic which may get giggles or the “I can't believe she's talking about this…” stiff smile.
Your pets- UNLESS he is into pets and has some of favorite pet stories to swap.

These tips are guaranteed to work IF you let it, lose that weight, get rid of your frumpy get-up, gain that self-confidence again. You are every inch a gift from God and don't you forget it. As I said dating is tough on the old, but you can never be too old for a good thing.