Ferocious Flirting: Making Marriage Wonderful

A friend sent me a link to an article on become equal partners in marriage: LDS.org - Ensign Article - Crossing Thresholds and Becoming Equal Partners From the article: After a lifetime of practice and patience together, what will your last earthly threshold look like? Will it look and feel something like that of John and Therissa Clark? In 1921 John Haslem Clark of Manti, Utah, wrote what became his last journal entry: “The folks have been here today, but have gone to their homes. The clatter of racing feet, the laughter and babble of tongues have ceased. We are alone, We two. We two whom destiny has made one. Long ago, it has been sixty years since we met under the June trees. I kissed you first. How shy and afraid was your girlhood. Not any woman on earth or in heaven could be to me what you are. I would rather you were here, woman, with your gray hair, than any fresh blossom of youth. Where you are is home. Where you are not is homesickness. As I look at you I realize that there i

Some movies are good, some are great and some are best of breed. Over at the Films considered the greatest ever you will find a list of the all time best movies ever made. Of course Citizen Kane tops the list, yet there are many others to choose from. I have created an Amazon store for these films. Some of the ones mentioned that I have really enjoyed: Ben-Hur Casablanca Star Wars Seven Samurai What's Opera, Doc? Some Like It Hot Lawrence of Arabia Singin' in the Rain The Searchers Of course there are many others including lots of foreign films like Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly) Please note, that while not on the official list of best movies ever made, The Princess Bride was voted the most romantic movie ever made by my readers. So pick a great movie, pop some popcorn, snuggle on the couch and enjoy some great entertainment.

Simpsons-inspired Products : "In Springfield, Squishee is available in many flavors including blue, red, lime, green, chutney, and champagne. For the month of July only, Squishee is available in Blue Woo Hoo! Vanilla – be sure to get there before Apu decides to try chutney flavor again. In special honor of the 80th Birthday of 7-Eleven, stop by for a complimentary 7.11 oz. sample – sort of our birthday gift to you!"

I think my sweetie would love this. Check out the step by step instructions. How to Do an Indian Head Massage - wikiHow : "Massages can be given to aid the process of injury healing, relieve psychological stress, manage pain and improve circulation. The effectiveness of Indian head massage, also known as Champissage (champi is an Indian word for head), is based on alternative medicine principles, specifically those surrounding energy flow, or chakras. It's an ancient technique that Ayurvedic healers have been using for thousands of years, and it's becoming more and more popular in the Western world. Why not add it to your repertoire of talents?"

I ran across this list of cheap and free dates. Lots of good ideas. I have included a sample so you get the idea. Check all 31 out at A Month of Dates for Married Couples : "A Month of Dates for Married Couples Stay up to date! Get Out of the House! These dates all require that the two of you get out of the house together. Staying home and baking cookies or watching a movie on television is NOT a date! 1. Drive to a nearby location that you don't visit very often. 3. Visit a museum. 4. Have a picnic in the park. 7. Discover something new in the city where you live."

As I mentioned before, we have season tickets to Rodgers Memorial Theatre The most recent play is 1776, which is one of my favorite musicals. We liked it so much we are going back with all the kids. The website for the theater contains ticket information and a map to the theater. From the website: Rodgers Memorial Theatre is proud to present “1776” playing June 1st through June 30th. Performances are every night but Sundays at 7:30 PM. Prices for tickets range from $9-$16. To reserve tickets call the box office at 298-1302. Also, see a review of the the play .

HONEY Originally uploaded by chrissie2003 Carry a little honey as you go along life's way, Bring a touch of sunshine into someone's life today. There's good you can do for someone if you will stay alert, Someone who may be discouraged, despondent or hurt. It doesn't take a millionaire to bring somebody cheer, Sometimes a friendly smile can take away a tear. Show someone you love them, pat them on the back, You'll find that it is easy once you get the knack. Tell your friends you love them, let your appreciation show, Your kind words may lift them more than you can ever know. Let your family know they're special to you every day, Show them kindness and affection in all you do or say. Take time to thank others for the good things they do, It will uplift them and also lift you. It won't take much time and it won't cost much money, Your life will be better if you carry a little honey.

Plaza Love Originally uploaded by Puertas de Balbilonia Friedrich Nietzsche There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness. D. H. Lawrence I am in love - and, my God, it is the greatest thing that can happen to a man. I tell you, find a woman you can fall in love with. Do it. Let yourself fall in love. If you have not done so already, you are wasting your life. Antoine de Saint, Exupery Perhaps love is the process of my gently leading you back to yourself. Alice Walker I have learned not to worry about love; But to honor its coming with all my heart. Soren Kierkegaard Don't forget to love yourself. Fred Allen It is probably not love that makes the world go around, but rather those mutually supportive alliances through which partners recognize their dependence on each other for the achievement of shared and private goals. Anonymous A good marriage is like a casserole, only those responsible for it really know what goes in it. Reinhol

Here are a few of the 50 Ways to Be Romantic on the Cheap | zen habits : " # Leave little love notes everywhere. # Send a love email every day. # Take a moonlit walk on the beach. # Snuggle together while watching romantic movies (Casablanca, Audrey Hepburn are my favs)."

Root Beer Originally uploaded by amyscoop From the Press Release: http://sonicdrivein.com/pdfs/newsReleases/07_06_04_01.pdf Summer is officially here and SONIC Drive-In is offering a great way for its customers to cool off as the temperatures rise. This Thursday, June 7, SONIC Drive-Ins will offer customers free Root Beer Floats between 8 p.m. and midnight. SONIC Drive-Ins plan to serve up more than 3 million free Root Beer Floats to customers coast to coast during this special event.

Once upon a time there was a man who lived in a small village. Each time one of his neighbors offended him, hurt his feelings or made him angry he would place a brick into a wall to remind him of the hurt he suffered. Over time the wall grew to prodigious proportions. It was so high he could only see the sun at midday and it completely enclosed the man, preventing him from seeing anyone in the village. "There", thought the man, " now no one can hurt me ever again. This will show them. " Even then he continued to build his wall for, you see, each time he saw a brick that reminded him of a past hurt, he felt the hurt yet again and added a brick to remember this new hurt. His fellow villagers grew concerned. Rarely had anyone intentionally offended, angered or hurt his feelings. Even his friends were kept outside this great wall. And still the wall grew. Then one day the man heard through the wall the sounds of village life: people talking together, laughin

jump.in.motion Originally uploaded by Jolantis Our bodies are constantly in flux. Changes seem to take place over a long period of time. Consider a picture of yourslef taken a number of years ago compares with one taken recently. The external changes are obvious for most people. Change also takes place at a much greater pace. The following I gather from across the Internet: * White Blood Cells live only 8 hours * Red Blood Cells live 90 days * Skin Cells last 2 to 4 weeks - http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061003230445AAi2t09 * Hair grows ½” per month * Fingernails as well Our amazing bodies are continually rebuilding themselves. The face you see, the hand you hold and the lips you kiss have all been renewed over the course of a month. Change does not just apply to our physical features. The person who we are also changes. Attitudes change over time. Experience begets wisdom and change.

The perfect romantic gift idea, come lock your love in Lovelock, Nevada. : "Welcome to the home of Lovers Lock, the perfect romantic gift idea. Locking your love is the ancient Chinese custom of symbolically locking one's love on a never-ending chain. You can forever lock your love with a soul mate, family member, friend or anyone else who is important in your life. This ultimate romantic gift idea takes place at Lovers Lock Plaza, in Lovelock Nevada. It's fun and easy, and there are several stores that sell locks right in Lovelock. Need another romantic gift idea to enrich to your Lovers Lock Experience? Our loverslock web site has many, including: Romantic Gift Idea Number 1 — After locking your love, share your story in our Love Story Registry where you can also upload a photo of you and your loved one. Romantic Gift Idea Number 2 — Send your loved one a love letter to show just how much you care. Romantic Gift Idea Number 3 — Send your loved one an anniversary e-card t

June 1, 2007 is National Doughnut Day according to Krispy Kreme . In honor of this great occassion, they are giving out free doughnuts at participiating locations. Check with a location near you to see if they are participating.

Airhockey Originally uploaded by はたけカカシ_photography . The best dates are often the "active" kind. The kind of date where you get out and do something. If it is something you rarely do, even better. Get out, laugh, be active and have a good time. Need an idea? How about air hockey? It is fun and inexpensive. What if you don't have an air hockey table? No problem. They can be found in lots of places. A local Walmart has one. Maybe a bowling alley or a video arcade.

Love* shapes... Originally uploaded by MR+G . Every other day my youngest and I go out and weed the yard. There are 5 flower beds and the garden. We are also training the raspberries to grow straight so we check them to see if they need to be tied up. If we are lucky we catch the little snake that lives in the yard and play with it for a few minutes. Weeding is a chore I used to hate. I would put it off and it would be an all day job or it just wouldn't get done. The kids dreaded it as well. It just seemed impossible to keep up on all the weeding that needed to be done. What changed? We re-did one of our flowerbeds that was completely overrun. It ended up looking so nice, but then the weeds started coming back. Stupid weeds. We pulled the little weeds and the flowers looked so nice and so happy. Thing was, it took so much less time when the weeds are small than when they get bigger and have a chance to get intertwined with the flowers. Pulling the weeds consist

i love you (some more) Originally uploaded by niznoz . I was out of town a couple of weeks ago and my sweetie and a couple of the rug rats were left home. We have made it a tradition for me to send postcards home when I am away. It is fun to find postcards of the things I have been seeing and share that with the family back home. Three postcards were purchased, addressed, stamped and sent at the same time. All were dropped into the same mailbox. You would therefore expect that the postcards would arrive home at the same time. You would be mistaken. The first arrived 3 days later. The second arrived the following day and the third two days after that. I wonder if the post office workers do that on purpose just to have a bit of fun. I tell you that story to bring out the point: Let your sweetie know you are thinking about them even when you are not together. It is a very simple and effective way of bringing romance into a relationship. Some simple ideas: * Send yo

Mother's Day is a great opportunity to spoil your sweetie. Try and think of something she would really enjoy. How about a note or even a video with the kids expressing their love and appreciation for all she does? For some other out of the ordinary gifts consider: Give her what she really wants this Mother's Day. Send her the gift of relaxation - a PajamaGram. Personalized Gifts for Mom Mother's Day Top 10 from Things Remembered Day Spa Gift Certificate Offer

Fergus to Phone scale Originally uploaded by belliebottom . Consider body language. As humans, we think that most communication happens from mouth to ear. One speaks and the other listens. Reality is so much different. A lot of communication happens outside the spoken word. Through facial expressions, posture and position a lot is communicated. Am I bored, excited or interested? All of these are instantly communicated through body language. Which makes conversing on the phone or the cell phone that much more difficult. There are currently some cell phone commercials that illustrate the point nicely. An employee is talking to the boss when all of a sudden the phone goes silent. Then the employee is left wondering: did I say something wrong? am I in trouble? Of course, in the commercial, the call was dropped. During a phone call you can't see how the person is reacting, making it more difficult to truly communicate. Fours steps can be applied to any conversation an

Light more than Passion Originally uploaded by Princeps autem justus . In John 11:25 we read: 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: All of us have had love ones pass away. Death is an integral part of this mortal existence. When friends and family pass to the other side, we here left behind feel the void left in our own lives. Easter reminds us that death is not permanent. That through the resurrection of Christ, all shall be made alive. This time of year then becomes a time of hope. To know that, though we are parted, we shall be reunited in the hereafter.

Grandma's Scrapbook Page 6 Originally uploaded by m0smith . My youngest will say "Daddy, tell me a story". One of my favorites goes like this: Once upon a time there was a girl named [insert child's name]. Daddy! No, it is Golidlocks. Oh yes, Goldilocks. and there were three bears. The mama bear cooks dinner but it is too hot so they go for a walk in the woods la la la [insert daughter's name] smells the food and goes into the house. Daddy!!! oh right, Goldilocks. She tries the first bowl, too hot. She tries the second bowl, too cold. She tries the third bowl, and it s just right so she ate it all gone [make rude eating noises] Then she wanted to sit down so she tried the first chair, but it was too high. she tried the second chair, but it was too low. she tried the third chair, and it was just right ... but she broke it [crash] The she was tired and she tried the first bed, but it was too hard. she tried the second bed, but it was too soft. she tried t

Spoil your mom or wife for Mother's Day. Send a PajamaGram! Just in time for Mother's Day or Easter, PajamaGram has a coupon code now through April 27, 2007 good for 10% off everything. Hundreds of sleepwear styles delivered in a beautiful hatbox. Enter Coupon Code: pptr10d

Many years ago, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints produced a pamphlet on marriage which I really enjoyed. I haven't seen a copy in years, but came across one so I scanned it in and here it is. It is cute and well written with some excellent advice. Also, there is a more extensive set of resources at Provident Living . Getting the bugs out of your marriage Originally uploaded by m0smith . A List of known symptoms and secret cures from the Divorce Bug himself. Introduction Budgetitis Companion Minusis Lacko Affectionitis Non Directionalicosis Perfectomania Spouse Modificosis Verbal Terminosis Back page

Letter Originally uploaded by m0smith . From the desk of the Divorce Bug: Hello, I'm the Divorce Bug. I'm highly contagious and terribly overworked. It seems that no marriage is completely immune from me ... so in an attempt to reduce my work load, I've developed this brochure on divorce. Contained herein are descriptions of my most potent viruses and divorce-fluenzas, which have successfully started thousands of unsuspecting married couples on the road to divorce. I've also included "top secret treatments" which have been developed by our "core prevention" research lab. Although the release of these findings is unprecedented. I believe the general public should be educated ... if not for their own sake, then for my own sanity. So please study this information carefully and try some of the treatments. Then maybe my wife and I will be able to take the Caribbean cruise we've been planning for the past five years. Thanks DB The Divorce Bug

Getting the bugs out of your marriage: Budgetitis Originally uploaded by m0smith . An inability to accept your spouse's attitudes toward money. SYMPTOMS: - Finances are primary topic of arguments - A feeling your spouse is spending you into financial ruin - Tendency to "surprise spouse" with items such as a new car, boat, etc. ADVANCED STAGES: - Tendency to spend money to get back at your spouse - One spouse has complete control of the budget, forcing the other spouse to account for all money spent. TREATMENT: - Plan and hold one or more yearly discussions on budget and financial priorities. - Evenly apply compromise - Exercise understanding and consideration of your spouse's values and background. CAUTION: If irritation breaks out during discussion, discontinue treatment until tempers cool down. Then increase dosage of compromise and understanding.

Getting the bugs out of your marriage: Companion Minusis Originally uploaded by m0smith . Deficiency in time spent with your spouse. SYMPTOMS: - You are usually too busy to sit down and talk with your spouse - You are not aware of the current interests of your spouse - The two of you have not gone out of a "date" in at least a month - You are only together when you are with children family or friends - You only participate together in activities which involve family management and/or problems. ADVANCED STAGES: - You and your spouse have not have 1/2 hour of uninterrupted companionship in two weeks. - You have not seen your spouse during waking hours in over a week. TREATMENT: - Conduct one planning session per week with your spouse to systematically schedule the time you will spend together - Schedule at least one date per week ... NO CHILDREN ALLOWED

Getting the bugs out of your marriage: LackoAffectionitis Originally uploaded by m0smith . Lack of affection between you and your spouse SYMPTOMS: - You must always have a special occasion to give your spouse a gift - You have not sincerely said "I Love You" in at least 24 hours - You seldom kiss your spouse "Hello" or "Goodbye" in public or private - There is a decreasing use of verbal endearments between you and your spouse - You seldom hold your spouse's hand or display any similar physical affection in public ADVANCED STAGES: - You have never been "caught" kissing your spouse by your children - You consider romance unrealistic TREATMENT: - Make one phone call per day to your spouse "just to talk" - Experience one date per week - Evenly apply verbal endearments and physical affection - Exercise continuous use of the words "I Love You" - Plan to spend more meaningful moments together (see: Companion Minusis )

Getting the bugs out of your marriage: Non Directionalicosis Originally uploaded by m0smith . Deficiency of goals in your marriage SYMPTOMS: - Lack of direction in daily activities...your marriage seems to be going nowhere - An increasing restless feeling between you and your spouse - You have not discusssed the future with your spouse in two months - You experience an increasing desire to turn back the clock and have things as they were - You sense a realization that you have not accomplished the goals you set when first married - You and your spouse have not jointly set goals for you marriage ADVANCED STAGES: - You feel a sense of fear when you think about your children going out on their own and leaving you alone with your spouse. - There is a feeling of failure and despondency between you and your spouse TREATMENT: - Together, set specific, attainable goals for your marriage - Strive to have daily as well as long term, activities which will help you both achieve your goal

Getting the bugs out of your marriage: Perfectomania Originally uploaded by m0smith . Unrealistic expectations for a perfect marriage and/or a perfect spouse SYMPTOMS: - You or your spouse have a tendency to ignore problems affecting your marriage - You expect your spouse to look perfect at all times - You or our spouse expect every moment to be romantic - You expect your spouse to always be in a "good mood" - You have a feeling your spouse is not "giving enough" ADVANCED STAGES: - You cannot cope with misunderstanding or disagreement with your spouse - You experience increasing disenchantment with your spouse and your marriage TREATMENT: - Plan and have one, two or more discussions with your spouse as required - Apply honesty as you compare your personal expectations with your actual marriage - Allow equal expression of thoughts and feelings - Exercise realism and an open mind as you and your spouse consider ways to make marriage more satisfying. Be realis

Getting the bugs out of your marriage: Spouse Modificosis Originally uploaded by m0smith . SPOUSE MODIFICOSIS Obsession with remaking your spouse. SYMPTOMS - You feel uncomfortable with your spouse's appearance, habits or personality - You have a tendency to point out your spouse's faults - You have not sincerely complimented your spouse recently (24-48 hours) - You have a tendency to avoid introducing your spouse to friends ADVANCED STAGES - Increasing desire to make biting comments to and about your spouse - As a result of your discomfort with your spouse, you spend less time together (see Companion Minusus) TREATMENT: - Privately determine why your spouse's are causing you irritation. NOTE: Do not be too critical of your spouse's faults ... it may have ben those very faults that prevented him or her from getting a better mate - Consider how you behavior could be modified to bring out the best in your partner - Discuss you problem with your spouse, evenly app

"Why didn't you just send email?... Did you even have light bulbs then?" : "tonight I'd be remiss not to try and capture an exchange Jacob (age six) and I had over ice-cream this evening..." Children are wonderful. Read this for a classic exchange.

Getting the bugs out of your marriage: Verbal Terminosis Originally uploaded by m0smith . VERBAL TERMINOSIS The termination of open and honest communication between you and your spouse CAUTION: Highly contagious, should be treated at fist sign of infection SYMPTOMS: - Tendency to watch for double meanings in spouse's statements - You and your spouse both complain of being misunderstood - Increasing difficulty in verbally expressing your feelings. - Loss of intimate gestures, eye contact and private jokes only the two of you can understand. - Increasing difficulty in finding something to discuss with your spouse. ADVANCED STAGES: - Difficulty having a conversation that does not end in an argument - Long silences - Cannot relax with your spouse ... conversation is stilted and repetitive TREATMENT: - Have two 1-hours conversation per week without interruptions - Avoid accusations or defensive statements - Allow equals uninterrupted expression of thoughts and feelings - Exerci

Getting the bugs out of your marriage: Last Page Originally uploaded by m0smith . HOMEFRONT(tm) A public service message produced for: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Bonneville Productions 130 Social Hall Ave. -- Salt Lake City, UT (c) Copyright 1979 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint 50 East North Temple -- Salt Lake City, UT 84150 32684 1/81

Pearl Dreams Originally uploaded by noqontrol . As I mentioned before, after Valentine's Day is a great and unexpected time to get a great deal on some romantic gifts. You can either surprise your sweetie now or keep it until a special occasion. One such deal is an in-store sale going on through the month of February at My Princess Pearls . If you buy a necklace, they will throw in a pair of earrings for 25 cents. It is a socially responsible sweet deal. It is only at the brick and mortal store: My Princess Pearls 380 East Main Street Suite D Lehi, UT 84043 (801) 768-0170 Tell them Matt sent you.

Valentine's Day was never the same. Originally uploaded by Walsh . Valentine's Day has come and gone. The flowers are wilted, the chocolate is eaten, the cards are stored and the jewelry is locked safely away. The day of love is passed. "What is the point?" A coworker asked me. We were observing the people, mostly guys, get the traditional Valentine's Day gifts, at mostly inflated prices. Is showing affection a once a year event? Can't we show affection all year long? The answer is yes, your sweetheart needs love, attention, affection and appreciation all year long. None of those things needs to cost money or even a lot of time. A simple card, a smile, a compliment, a small surprise, or just holding hands cost neither time nor money. When making a chain, it is not one large piece of metal, but a lot of little pieces joined together, one at at time that creates a strong and durable chain. Likewise, a single grand act does not forge a last

IHOP : "Join IHOP to celebrate National Pancake Day (also known as Mardi Gras, or Shrove Tuesday) on Tuesday, February 20, 2007. From 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., we’ll give you one free short stack (three) of our famous buttermilk pancakes. All we ask is that you consider making a donation to support local children’s hospitals through Children’s Miracle Network, or other local charities."

Hot Monkey Love Originally uploaded by Flesh Eating Beagle . Happy Valentine's Day

  Don't Forget. Same Day Delivery Valentine's Day Flowers at Walmart.com Need a special gift? Consider a Spa Finder Gift Certificate, now with Instant Printable Gift Cards!   Vermont Teddy Bear will save your butt this Valentine's Day. Order by 10:00 PM on the 13th for Valentine's Day delivery.

Yes, Valentine's Day is fast approaching. Finding that perfect gift that fits in the budget can be a challenge. Here are some online gift ideas, many discounted or with special coupon codes. Don't wait until the last minute, again. Need to know how to hint to your husband or wife on what to do for valentine's day? You can show use some of these links for ideas. I also like to keep a wish list over at Amazon.com . Note: This post will be pegged at the top until Valentine's Day 2007. Also, I will add more deals as I become aware of them. Recommended Gifts for the Couple has a few unique gift ideas for Valentine's Day, includung chocolate . Do something different this Valentine's Day - send her a PajamaGram! Make her smile this Valentine's Day. Send her a Vermont Teddy Bear. Valentine's Day Gifts For Her at Walmart.com Valentine Novelties at Oriental Trading Company Remember to use the coupon code RT1XY06 for free shipping on an order of $60.00 or more.