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Thursday, August 19, 2010
7 Mistakes You're Making With Men
No – just different genders.
“Women look at men and see a hairy, misbehaving woman,” says Alison Armstrong, author of Making Sense of Men: A Woman’s Guide to a Lifetime of Love, Care and Attention from All Men (Pax Programs). “Her response is to train him, punish him or keep a distance from him.”
Women are “frog farmers”: They unwittingly turn princes – good guys – into “frogs” by trying to change them, says Armstrong, who has spent decades studying men and how women relate to them.
Her conclusion: You can’t change men, and once women accept their fundamental nature, their relationships can improve.
“We don’t need to disempower men; we have enough power of our own,” Armstrong says. “That’s what’s really cool. Men love strong, competent women. It’s the ‘What-do-I-need-you-for?’ attitude women often cop – that keeps men at a distance.”
Shrinking the distance is the core of Armstrong’s successful “Understanding Men” series of national seminars (UnderstandMen.com). The workshops demystify the opposite sex and help women view men as partners, not adversaries.
“The course was a total light-bulb moment for me,” says Cathi Yates, 51, of Athens, Ala., who attended Armstrong’s Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women workshop. “My attitude and awareness about men has changed, and the way men respond to me has changed.”
Here are 7 common men mistakes women make, according to Armstrong:
Mistake #1: Seeing men as misbehaving women.
Women take everything personally, Armstrong says. When a man doesn’t do what we want, we think he doesn’t love us, care about us or respect us.
“Otherwise he wouldn’t be misbehaving.”
But men are more forgiving than women. “They allow for mystery with women and find it fascinating.”
Mistake #2: Reading into his words.
Take men literally. If he says he’s busy Saturday night, it means he’s busy Saturday night, Armstrong says.
“It doesn’t mean he’s tired of you, bored of you or wants to break up with you.”
Mistake #3: Expecting his time to be yours.
When he becomes your boyfriend, you expect him to sync up with your daily planner.
The problem?
“He doesn’t see it that way. Men have whole lives. They don’t consider they owe you all their time,” married or not, she says.
Men owe you their best effort to make you happy, and to love and respect you, Armstrong says. But expecting him to cater to you makes you appear “domineering, bitchy, disrespectful and disempowering.”
Mistake #4: Interrupting when he’s speaking.
You’ve asked your man an important question. He starts to answer and you butt in.
“That’s how women mistakenly end up thinking men are shallow,” Armstrong says.
When interrupted, a man will just stop talking.
Instead, listen to what he says. When he’s finished, listen some more. That’s when the best nuggets often emerge.
Mistake #5: Thinking a man can multitask.
Women are biologically designed to multitask, says Armstrong.
“We watch TV and knit a sweater; we drive and plan our day; we’re on the phone while checking email.”
Men don’t. Why? Because they’re hunters, Armstrong explains. They have to be single-focused to keep their eye on the target.
Mistake #6: Believing a man is ignoring you.
You’ve probably accused your guy of ignoring you while he’s driving or watching TV. He really isn’t. He just can’t do two things at once.
If he’s watching TV or dressing, “He’s just watching TV, just getting dressed,” Armstrong says. “We think he’s doing something and ignoring us because we can do that.”
No wonder most women feel abandoned!
“We keep our attention on [men], and we feel upset when their attention is not on us,” Armstrong says.
So next time your man’s ”hunter” kicks in – and you’re feeling disconnected – take a deep breath and remember: He’s wired differently; it’s not personal.
Then again, he may be just plain weird.
Mistake #7: Competing with a man’s mission.
“I’ve trained my daughters not to hit dad up about anything” until we’re on the freeway, Armstrong says. “It’s all about getting the mission on track.”
Same thing goes when a man is immersed in a new business venture and less available.
“All his energy is going into this thing that he’s sure is going to provide for his family,” Armstrong says.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking he’d make more time for you if he cared more. It’s not about you. And forcing him to pay attention “will be excruciating for him,” Armstrong says.
But relationships are not a one-way street. Men need to understand women too.
In her coed workshop Understanding Women: Unlock the Mystery, Armstrong gives men the tools to change their interactions with women.
It’s healing for both sexes.
“Women sit in the course with tears running down their faces when they find out they’re not alone,” Armstrong says.
resource: http://www.lifescript.com/Life/Relationships/Hang-ups/7_Mistakes_Youre_Making_with
_Men.aspx?utm_campaign=2010-08-19-58258&utm_source=healthy-advantage&utm_medium=
email&utm_content=healthy-well-wise_7%20Mistakes%20Youre%20Makin&FromNL=1&sc_date=
20100819T000000
Friday, August 7, 2009
Dating in the Dark - do looks really matter?
examiner.com
I absolutely love this show! This week was another great episode of "Dating in the Dark". It is unfortunate that as a society so much is placed on outward appearances. This type of thinking has led to young women struggling with eating disorders and people spending millions of dollars into the Cosmetic Surgery world. Unfortunate but real to life.
This week's Dating in the Dark experiment was full of sexual attraction, competition, making out... and rejection. If you haven't seen the show it goes like this. Three ladies and three men enter the house for four days. They go through a series of activities that helps them choose a partner they are interested in. During those four days they go on dates with anyone of the potential suitors. They are even given compatibility tests and matched up with who science would choose as their perfect mate. The catch?
Anytime they meet their potential partner it is in a room that is so dark they can't even see their fingers in front of their faces. It is only on the fourth day, after they have gotten to know each other in the dark and chosen the partner they would be most interested in dating that they get to SEE what they look like. But it doesn't end there. Once they have the opportunity to SEE their potential love interest they have to decide if they are still interested in the individual. This is where it gets interesting. The partners pick their favorite based on what is inside and decide to keep seeing them based on their looks. Would it surprise you that looks wins out many times? This week was a perfect example of how looks could kill.
The participants were; Megan, Jennifer, and Sasha for the ladies and Phillip, Billy Ray, and Chris for the men. In the beginning everyone got to play, but very quickly it took a wrong turn for two of the men. All three girls set their sights on one man... poor Chris who was quoted in saying, "I am flattered." and "I am exhausted." Billy Ray and Phillip decided early on that they were not going to find love and Phillip even offered tips to Chris to help him along.
There were no cat fights... but it was clear the ladies were going for broke. They tried different things on their dates to stand out to the one guy they all liked. The final "revealing" came and it was no surprise the ladies all chose to SEE Chris. But true to the shows premise, dating in the dark is easier than dating when the lights are on.
Boyishly cute Chris made his choice easily. He liked Jennifer. He found she was the full package, she had looks and they were compatible sexually and emotionally... in the dark anyways. While Chris stood on the patio waiting for the girls to make their decision, it was clear he was nervous and anxiously awaiting Jennifer.
A door opened, but it was the front door and Chris watched as Sasha walked away. In her closing interview she admitted that looks were important and that she was superficial. Another door opened... but again it was the front door and Chris watched as Megan made her way down the road. In her closing interview she felt that after seeing him he would fit in with her family but not her social circle.
But Chris was okay, he was waiting for Jennifer. He waited and waited and watched as Jennifer opened the front door and left without looking back. Her thoughts after seeing him were that he looked young and that she was attracted to him in a brother sister way.
So this week it was looks that won out... no one went home with a date.Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Mothers Day Gift Ideas
Choosing the right gift for your mom can be a difficult task no matter how many times you've done it. Consider the six great gift ideas below for a head start on this next Mothers Day. Narrowing it down ahead of time will give you the opportunity to choose just the right special gift.
Customize a special piece of jewelry with the most important woman in your life in mind. Bracelets work well and can be easily personalized with crystals or beautiful gems. Birthstones are often used for that personal and meaningful touch.
Engraving is another way to customize your gift. Add your mothers name or the names of all her grand children to any piece of jewelry and it will become one of the most important items she owns.
Watches also make great gift ideas. They are often overlooked, but serve a dual purpose. They are both practical and elegant.
Lockets also make a great gift. They come in several shapes and sizes and can hold multiple pictures. Buy her a standard locket that will hold two pictures or a family locket that will hold four pictures. Place pictures of you and your siblings inside so she can enjoy them any time.
Add birthstones to any necklace, bracelet, or ring. You can include moms birthstone as well as those of her children and grandchildren. This will most likely be the piece she never takes off.
Rings also make a fantastic gift for mom. Customize the ring with her birthstone or a collection of her favorites. This will show the thought you put into the gift and that you pay close attention to what she likes.
The Mothers Day gift of jewelry will show her what she means to you and give her something she can wear all the time. Jewelry is viewed as a symbol of prosperity and is a great way to show your affection. Consider this as the next gift for mom and show her how much she truly means to you.
About the Author:
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Emerald Diamond Engagement Rings
Diamond rings signify love, dedication, and loyalty a couple shares. Choosing a design for engagement rings says a lot about personalities and characters of couples.
Couples who prefer traditional look goes for an emerald cut diamond engagement rings. Aside from its stunning vintage look, this ring also comes in a surprisingly reasonable price.
Emerald cut diamond engagement ring was one of the foremost innovations of the wealthy class during the reign of Pope Innocent III. Originating from plain metal bands, decorative rings were invented having gemstones incorporated in its design. These rings bear initials conveying affection and honor. These initials were expressed by using sentimental gems that literally spells "regards. Stones used were emerald, ruby, and garnet among others.
The first emerald cut diamond engagement ring was recorded in 1477, upon engagement of Mary of Burgundy to Archduke Maximillian of Austria.
The emerald cut diamond engagement ring has a rectangular shaped diamond with slightly cropped corners. Originally, this method of cutting was intended for emeralds, however, by giving consideration to market demands and favoring its sophisticated shape or appearance, the cut was later used on diamonds too.
Thus, emerald cut diamond engagement rings came out. This kind however has few facets as compared to other cuts. Due to this, clarity is quite affected. Clarity refers to the translucency or flawlessness of the stone.
Yet ironically, that same shape all the more adds to the popularity of this brand for emerald shapes are found to create balance to the elongated shape of the finger, leaving the hand with that graceful, elegant look.
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Friday, February 13, 2009
Twenty-Fifth Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas
Think Silver The 25th wedding anniversary is considered the 'silver' anniversary. As such, this is the best time to give something silver. If you are honoring your spouse on your own anniversary, consider a silver piece of jewelry. Your wife will love a silver pendant with a beautiful diamond on it, and this is the best way to show her your appreciation for sticking with you for all of these years. If you are shopping for your husband, consider a silver-toned wristwatch to show him your love is still strong.
If you are shopping for someone else, not your own spouse, you can still use silver to commemorate the occasion. A beautiful silver picture frame etched with their names and wedding date can make a nice gift. If you can find an old picture from their courtship tor wedding took from Toronto wedding photographer, this can add a personalized touch.
Perhaps the couple you wish to honor loves to entertain. Consider buying them a silver entertainment platter they can use at their frequent parties. Again, having it etched with their wedding date will make it a personal, thoughtful gift.
Commemorate the Years If you have a little time on your hands, consider making something that will personalize and commemorate the event for the happy couple. Purchase a silver photo album, and then collect photographs from family members that cover all of the years from their courtship to the present. Use these to create a scrapbook of their life together. This is sure to be a treasured item for the rest of their married life. Be sure to add stories about the couple from their children, grandchildren, and friends.
You will not be able to include everything in this book, so try to highlight the major events, such as their wedding, the birth of their children, any big trips they took, and the various houses they have lived in, if you can. Consider writing a poem in silver ink to open the book. If you are not a writer, commission the help of someone else in the family who is, or copy an appropriate piece of verse from a book.
Another way to celebrate the years a couple has spent together is to make a wish tree. Cut a large branch off of a sturdy tree and paint it silver with spray paint. Use silver ribbons and ornaments to decorate it, and fill it with the pictures that you might have used in the photo album, highlighting their life together. Include your main present on the tree, which could be tickets to a romantic getaway or even a cruise. Others who wish to honor the couple can contribute to the tree with gift cards, movie tickets, traveler's checks, or gift certificates to restaurants the couple could use while they travel.
Other Creative Ideas If you want to be creative, consider sending the special couple on a special trip. Places like Silver Springs or Silver Strand Beach in California are perfect for this use. If you are doing an all-inclusive package, try to reserve a silver rental car. After all, silver is the theme of this anniversary.
Be sure to offer the couple a chance to spend time with their friends and family as they celebrate their special anniversary. After 25 years together, they have met and loved many special people. For most couples, spending time with the ones they love is one of the best gifts they can be given, and those who prepare the party can make do it yourself wedding invitations in silver ribbons to help bring honor to the happy couple.
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Thursday, February 12, 2009
Should You Take Your Ex Boyfriend Back?
Of course most girls don't actually want to hurt their ex boyfriend (physically), but they often think about it. Because let's be frank here.. guys can be such idiots!
And if your boyfriend broke up with you, or you broke up with your boyfriend, it doesn't really make a difference.. It is still you who is left wondering if you should take your ex boyfriend back.
You probably know that you have to be on your guard when your boyfriend broke up with you, and then later wants you back.
There is a good chance that he is just trying to get you to have sex with him again So be careful!
Also, you probably have "that urge" as well. He was your boyfriend for a reason, so there must be some physical attraction between the two of you. That's why a lot of girls have difficulty resisting an ex boyfriend, and often wonder if they should take him back.
It is dangerous to give a general advice here. A lot of people will tell you: "If he cheated on you, get rid of him!" That sounds like a solid advice, but it is not always right. Every single situation is different, and you have to consider the circumstances.
Once a cheater, always a cheater? No. But still there is a big chance if your ex boyfriend cheated on you before, he will do it again. So if you are thinking about taking your ex back, make sure that there will be some real change.
When you decide you are going to get back together with your ex boyfriend, you would be smart to read a decent manual on how you can change his behavior. Otherwise the two of you are likely to go straight back to the patterns you were in before, which led to the breakup in the first place. To do things different this time, you need some knowledge of male psychology.
There are plenty of psychological courses out there on how to get an ex boyfriend back, and change how he acts in the relationship while doing so.
Although they are often aimed at girls who have difficulty getting a guy back, they can also hugely benefit girls who can get their ex boyfriend back, but want to learn how to get him back on their own terms.
About the Author:
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Solve Boyfriend Problems - Tips For Handling Boyfriend Problems
Like anything else worthwhile, finding solutions to boyfriend problems involves time. It also involves getting help from those who have gone before you. Following are the top things to watch out for.
-One of the things you will have to consider is if you are willing to accept whatever he might have done. Everyone deserves a second chance so this is something you will have to come to grips with: What are you ready to forgive and what aren't you willing to let go? Consider even the questions of: Do you still love him? Do you really want to re-establish a solid relationship with your boyfriend? Why? Do you want to have a solid love affair with your boyfriend because you are afraid of being lonely, or that you don't believe you should be left out of his life? You will be playing a very dangerous game with your heart if you want to solidify your relationship for any other reason than love.
- Self pity can kill and your chances of working things out. Throw it aside and keep a close eye on your emotions in front of your boyfriend. You don't want to come off as needy or desperate. Keep looking for and building the positive aspects of your relationship.
- You must find out what caused the problems with your boyfriend. You have no chance of a long term relationship if the causes of your problems remain hidden. Find them, fix them and move on. If you do this, you have a good chance. Figure out and discuss what needs of his are not being met and work on finding solutions that you can both live with.
- Do your best to keep the channels of communication open. Even if he is the cause of most of the problems, he must know that you are willing to talk even if it is just a simple hello on the street. You don't have to be the one to start talking but, he is much more likely to do so if he feels that you will give him a reasonably civil treatment if he does make an effort to talk with you.
- Above all else, analyze what went wrong. There must have been a problem that led to the weakness of the relationship, so find out what the problem was if you want to find a solution to your boyfriend problems. Find out what caused the arguments, of which of his needs weren't being met, and work on rectifying those issues.
About the Author:
Things You Need to Know About Each Other Before You Get Married
Avoid problems in marriage, heartache, separation and divorce by getting to know your partner NOW before you get married. How they cope with different issues and situations will give you a much better understanding of whether they are the one for you or not.
What kind of issues and situations should you be discussing before you get married? Here are some important topics and some example questions that you should really know the answers to before you get married.
1. FAMILY & FRIENDS - ESPECIALLY THE IN-LAWS
What values do you want to bring from your family into our marriage?
What do you like about your family and what things don't you like?
2. HEALTH, FOOD & WELL BEING
Are we happy with each other's approach to healthy living? Are there things that we could change that both the other person such as drinking, smoking, lack of exercise?
What is your family history and do you have any worries for your health?
3. WORK LIFE
How long will we be at work and from what times?
What gives you real job satisfaction?
4. ETHICS, CENTRAL BELIEFS AND CONVICTIONS IN LIFE
Which person in your life as had the biggest impact on you and why?
Would you ever stand up and physically fight for anything, if so what?
5. FINANCES
How much do we owe in debts and what are our assets? What does our balance sheet look like?
How do we manage our finances?
6. SEX LIFE
Do you discuss with your partner what you love about sex and what you hate?
What are your expectations about sex?
7. HOLIDAYS
How would you like to spend your free time?
What be your all time holiday destination and why?
8. HOBBIES & INTERESTS
Are we happy with our social life? Is it there anything else we need socially?
Are there any hobbies or interests you would like to do in the future either together or on your own?
9. PARENTING AND KIDS
What kind of parent will you be?
What are your personal experiences from your youth?
10. THE FUTURE AND YOUR PAST
What do we as a couple want out of life?
What are your long-range goals? Short-range goals?
11. COMMUNICATING
Are we going to be honest and open in our relationship?
What is your way of dealing with issues that bother you?
12. PETS IN THE HOME
Do you want pets in the future? If so what kind?
What are the reasons for wanting/or not wanting a pet?
13. TYING THE KNOT AND THE HONEYMOON
What are the reasons why you would like to get married?
Do you have cold feet?
14. RELIGION
Does religion play an important part in your life?
Are you spiritual?
15. CONFLICT AND PROBLEMS
How will we deal with problems or difficult areas in our life?
How will we handle each other's contradictions?
16. FAMILY AND HOME LIFE
What will our strategy be for chores? Do we have different standards of organizing things and keeping things clean?
What are your expectations on "alone time?" Is this something that you need?
About the Author:
What You Can Give Your Man This Valentine's Day
Here are the some choices for your guy this Valentines Day:
Chocolate-y goodness. Guys love the sweet stuff too! There are even specialty chocolate stores that have "special blends" for your guy. Think about it - you can give nature's aphrodisiac to your man.
Watches. Steel wristwatches are always classy and can be used on various occasions. You can pick your guy something practical; a model perfect for his everyday grind. Or you can go for the dress watches; show pieces for the more formal occasion. Think James Bond.
Sleepwear. Here's the fun thing about deciding to buy your man sleepwear for Valentines Day: you can pick something for him to wear or something for you! Pajamas for him make good gift sets; it's intimate and thoughtful. Sexy lingerie (with you in it!) is even better. Presenting lingerie as a gift has the makings of a really good surprise.
Gadgets. Men can't get enough of gadgets, so get him something electronic to keep him occupied when he's bored. If you're on a budget, get an add-on accessory for a gadget that he already has like earphones or speakers. Better yet, if you can afford it, get him a new phone or a gadget that he really wants.
Treats. The best way to a man's heart is through his stomach, so why not get your man a sweet offering? You can always get food baskets from different shops, or make one yourself and load it with cheese, wine, coffee, meats, pastry, junk food, and cookies.
Sports is always the key. Admit it, unless you're the type that enjoys watching games with him, you've gotten a bit miffed at your guy for being just a little too engrossed in sports. So why not, this time, have a change of heart? Go out and experience the thrill of the game with your guy by going wall-climbing, biking, or playing ball together. Aside from getting some exercise, you and your man can use the time to bond. But if you're really a couch potato at heart, then grab a couple of tickets, get some chips and soda, and prepare to watch a game!
A lazy day. If you're up to the challenge, how about giving your guy a day to just relax and worry about absolutely nothing? You can make him breakfast in bed, save him from the chore that he hates the most and keep him in a distraction-free zone for the entire day. If you can get him some well-earned rest, yours might be his best Valentines gift ever.
Personalize. You can use your talents to give him something special for Valentine's Day. You can paint his image on a mug, or make a scrapbook of your life together. Use your imagination.
Something to indulge his hobbies. You don't have to like what he likes, just affirm it. If he obsesses about hot cars, get him a subscription to an auto magazine. If he plays golf, perhaps a new club. Remember, the point of Valentines Day is to appreciate his likes, not just yours.
The Best Pick Up Line In The World
Actually, the BAD pick up lines are cheesy and never work. The GOOD pick up lines always work - in fact, they work so well, they aren't even considered real pick up lines!
This is especially true of the best pick up line of all. It is a line that has yet to fail, and most of all - it will NEVER get you rejected!
Want to know what it is?
"Hi!"
Okay, please don't stop reading - there's more to this, I promise!
You may have noticed that following the advice of saying "hi" to random women does not lead to much. After all, you could say "Hi!" to every woman you meet, and never get more than a "hi" right back.
Well, I have good news! If you modify the way in which you start talking to these women, you'll find that you can get a conversation going without any trouble at all.
Now, let's consider how a guy says "hi" to a girl he doesn't know. He will either look at her with a grumpy shy face, try to catch eye contact, nod his head and quickly look away. Sometimes, a guy will say "hi" very quietly, almost whispering and again look away.
Using the line like this will never work, because women will typically reply to you in the same fashion you started talking to them.
If you are shy and quiet, she will be too. If you just nod, the most she will do is nod back. If you say "hi" very quietly, that's all she will do in return. Can you see how this works?
If you want to get a good response, you MUST do two really simple things to make this pick up line work.
The first is to say "Hi" in a clear, friendly, audible way, and do so with a smile on your face. She has to be able to HEAR you say "Hi" and at the same time not be alarmed by you. That is why the smile is important.
Smiling when talking to a woman will ALWAYS get you a better result than if you didn't smile. (Trust me on this!)
Step two must follow IMMEDIATELY AFTER she responds to your greeting. All you need to do is follow up with some type of other question that leads into a deeper conversation.
It doesn't really matter what you say. "How is it going?" will work in a pinch, but its better to follow up with an observation about your environment, especially if there is something funny to comment on nearby.
For example, let's pretend you're in a grocery store and you spot a woman you want to meet. You could approach her and say "Hi!" When she replies, follow up with something like: "Hey, do you know anything about cooking? What do you need to make good mac and cheese?"
From there, you can begin chatting about a number of topics, all of which can lead to the inevitable conclusion: "You seem like a cool person. We should hang out sometime. What's your number?"
See how easy that is? And don't worry if you mess up or the conversation doesn't go anywhere. After all, you're just saying "Hi!" With enough practice, you'll be the master at getting a girl's phone number in no time.
About the Author:
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Remember the Guys with Groomsmen & Best Man Gifts
The groomsmen are normally a small group of the groom's closest friends and family members who help him keep himself sane during the hectic and trying process of planning the wedding and making sure that his bride gets everything she desires. The best man, usually the groom's best friend, is responsible for putting together the bachelor party and standing up beside his friend at a critical time when his knees could give out. These men deserve some special recognition for what they do to ensure that the groom is ready when the big day arrives. Giving each one of them a groomsman gifts and the best man a special best man gift is the best way to show exactly how grateful the couple is for all their assistance.
Groomsmen gifts and a best man gift should be more meaningful than the wedding favors that are given as "Thank you" gifts to all of the guests. These items should be very personal and have a masculine flavor about them to thank these men for all their help and show how much their willingness to help and to stand up beside their friend are appreciated.
Typical examples of groomsmen gifts and best man gifts are flasks, sports mugs, and coolers. Most of these items are available at reasonable prices and can be engraved or etched with the name or initials of the man receiving them at little or no extra cost. Personalization makes these gifts more valuable and lets the men receiving them know how important their help has been to the couple as they put together their dream wedding.
It is customary to give the best man something of a slightly higher value than the rest of the groomsmen gifts due to the greater responsibility he shoulders as he helps the groom plan the event and holds the ring until the time of the ceremony to keep the groom from losing it. If possible, many couples give the best man the same gift as the rest of the groomsmen, then add something else especially for him in special recognition of his unique contributions to the process of preparing for the wedding.
The wedding day is all about the bride and making her dreams come true. Some very special people who contribute to this by helping the groom out are the best man and the groomsmen. Remember these guys with groomsmen gifts and best man gifts.
About the Author:
9 Steps to Romancing Your Chronically Ill Wife
It's important to know that you are not alone. Nearly 1 in 2 people live with a chronic illness in the U.S. which means that a lot of marriages are disrupted by this uninvited third party of illness, often including mental illness as well. Sadly, seventy-five percent of them end in divorce.
So! Can you get the spark back? Yes! Here are some creative romantic gift ideas and ways to say, "I love you."
Buy her food that she can eat without guilt--even if you have to hunt it down. Did you know chocolate contains phenyl ethylamine, a chemical that produces the feeling of "being in love"? Look at your pharmacy for Russell Stover's sugar free chocolate. Starbuck's just introduced a heavenly new drink, a sugar-free Cinnamon Dolce'. Now that's romantic!
Women with a chronic illness are the same as most women. They want their man to hold their hand. Give affection generously, but also carefully to not cause more pain. Rub her back, call her a pet name you haven't used in five years, and don't pressure her for more. Cuddle, snuggle, and cuddle some more like you will never let her go.
Talk to her about how much you admire her and how she copes with the daily-ness of living with a chronic illness. Remind her that you're never going anywhere and you feel blessed to be married to someone who shows so much strength in character when her body is weak.
Buy her something she wouldn't buy herself like a $20 bottle of lotion, a CD she's mentioned or a rocking chair for the patio. What is something that she could enjoy when she isn't feeling well? Pamper her.
Give her a getaway. In short, take the kids out of the house an entire day and don't say anything when you come home at 4 p.m. and she's still in her pajamas.
Write little notes that she can find any time. And don't forget to say thanks too! For example, if she does laundry, put a note in your own sock drawer to find when she puts them away that says, "I know laundry isn't easy for you to do. Every time I find clean socks here I am reminded how much you love me and how blessed I am."
Get romantic at home. Looking for a romantic dinner idea for staying home? Buy an electric fondue pot and pledge to dip something in candlelight one evening a week and just talk.
Are you having troubles starting up some romantic conversations? Buy a book about conversation starters or fill a jar with topics. Do a search online for "romantic conversation starters."
Take the time to create the atmosphere. The new flameless candles that operate on a battery are great for a romantic environment. Make up a play list on your ipod that will take her back to simpler days. Bring a big bouquet of roses into the bedroom when she isn't looking.
It's no surprise that women are complicated beings and rarely can you read her mind to know exactly what she needs and when she needs it. So be sure to just ask her outright. "What is on your mind most these days? How can I help you around the house more? What can I do to communicate just how much I love you?"
The good news is that perfection is not a requirement. Just by making the effort to increase the romance in the relationship will score you some big points. And she may not let you even have a chance to finish reading that book on romancing your wife, because if she sees you reading it, your willingness to read it may be all the romance she needs. One last piece of advice, doing the dishes or the laundry really can be the best way to your wife's heart.
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Make Sweet Memories with Photo Album Favors & Wedding Cameras
Photo album favors are simply small albums with only a few leaves in them to preserve the most precious photos from the event for viewing over and over at will. They are quite inexpensive, but as "Thank you" gifts for the guests, they can be priceless. Each guest can save photos from the ceremony and reception that mean the most to each individual. This is best handled by including a wedding camera they can use to capture those moments themselves throughout the ceremony and reception.
Wedding cameras are pretty much just basic disposable 35 mm cameras with the cardboard shell printed in ways that allow one to choose some that will match the theme and colors chosen for the wedding. They can look very attractive sitting on the tables for the guests and they serve a wonderful purpose by allowing the guests to take the photos of the moments they find the most beautiful or the most funny during the event to keep as mementos to remember the entire scene.
Going to a discount store and buying a lot of disposable cameras may appear to some couples to be a way to save a few dollars. The fact is that a stack of such cameras would look out of place and take away from the perfection of the day where a camera decorated in a manner appropriate to the theme of the event can add to the decor. Wedding cameras are also not that much more expensive, if any, than the ones from the discount store if purchased online. Internet businesses have a much wider selection of items for sale at lower prices than local bridal shops or discount stores because of the differences in space needed for display and competition on a worldwide scale that forces prices down to the bare minimums.
Photo album favors and wedding cameras are the perfect combination of personalized wedding favors to thank the guests for attending and making this the most perfect day in the lives of any couple. They put the power in the hands of the guests to pick and choose the moments they feel are worthy of saving on a photograph and give them a place to store and keep these memorialized moments forever. They also help to cut down of the cost of professional photo prints that will be required to give each guest one by letting the guests catch the couple and capture the poses they want on their own camera. This makes the combination of Photo album favors and wedding cameras the most valuable and cost effective way to express one's gratitude to the guests, yet cut costs in the grand scheme things.
Choosing Bridesmaid Gifts and Maid of Honor Gifts
The variety of items from which to choose when selecting bridesmaid gifts is pretty large. These items do not have to be very expensive, but they must be more valuable than the favors that are given out to everyone who attends the wedding. One special touch that could be added for just a little extra cost is having the items personalized with the initials of the lady to receive each one.
Cosmetic bags and jewelry pouches are two classic examples of the type of items that make good bridesmaid gifts. Others can be found easily and at fair prices by shopping online. Online stores are not limited by the amount of space they have available for display when choosing what items to carry. They are, however, subject to competition from a worldwide market that forces them to keep their prices down to an affordable level if they want to attract business. Local bridal shops do not face this level of competition, therefore, they can charge higher prices.
Maid of honor gifts are pretty much the same as other bridesmaid gifts, with some improvement in recognition of her status. It is not uncommon for a bride to give all of her bridesmaids the same items, then give the maid of honor something extra. When this is not viable, the bridesmaid gifts can all be the same, except something is added to the maid of honor gift. Personalization is a good example.
The bridesmaids and the maid of honor are a very special group of ladies that are responsible for helping the bride as she plans out her wedding. This group of ladies is comprised of friends of the bride, normally, so she should have an idea what sort of items each one would like to receive as a gift.
Giving these ladies bridesmaid gifts is important when thanking them for the help they give in planning a wedding. The maid of honor has to shoulder more responsibility than the other bridesmaids, so her gift should be a little better than the ones given the rest of the bridesmaids. Online shopping will usually yield a wider range of suitable items for giving as bridesmaids gifts or maid of honor gifts.
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The Aftermath Of A Divorce
For some people, a divorce makes them feel less of the individuals that they are supposed to be. If you are like that, you will most likely spend you time focusing on your weak points and rehashing past events. Doing this is only going to get you stuck in one place without the hope of moving forward. Others become broody and vengeful. Their former sweet dispositions are tainted by the pollution of a divorce because they let it and they can spend their whole life plotting revenge and wallowing in self pity. Others may go on a binge, eating everything within sight.
Some human beings have been known to throw in the towel, withdrawn from the society and become recluses till they die. All these changes are negative and will do you absolutely no good. To let your divorce change you positively do the following;
Accept: Accept the fact that bad things do take place and some times, the fact that you maybe a good person doesn't exempt you from that. Also, accept the fact that you played your own role to the best of your ability and forgive yourself for those times that you did not give in your best.
Embrace: Embrace life, friends and families, don't exit from any of these. Bowing out of the social scene can have a wrong impact on you.
Change yourself: Get a new wardrobe, haircut or body. Go out and do those things that being married kept you from doing. Dye your hair the color of fire or wear sexy dresses to a dinner with friends every night. Doing something that is not in line with what you would have usually done can give you a boost in confidence and give you enough reason to live.
Hope: Don't ever lose hope. Once you still feel the flutter of hope in your chest, you understand you can come through a divorce strong and beautiful.
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Monday, February 9, 2009
Honeymoon Packages - Remunerative For Company, Fun For Couple
Some couples may worry that an affordable honeymoon trip might not get them far from home, or to a somewhat exotic location. It is certainly true that the necessary expenses of a wedding and setting up a home may limit the honeymoon budget, but there are ways to compensate for this. Some couples are fortunate to have the family help with or pay for the honeymoon as a wedding present. Having numerous guests contribute toward the honeymoon is another option that opens a lot of travel doors.
Cruise ship companies have designed some affordable honeymoon trips as well, featuring the relaxing lifestyle of a cruise as a great way to start life together. Getting away on a cruise, during which all amenities are provided and included, is an excellent way to leave work schedules and the stress of wedding plans behind. The wide range of cruise options makes this choice quite popular. Couples can choose to spend their honeymoon in such wonderful locations as Alaska, the Caribbean or Europe. The options include everything from simply relaxing on deck in the sun to entertainment and dancing in the clubs and theatres on board. Of course, the best part of all this is that cruise packages are available in nearly every price range, with options for smaller cabins a great way to limit the expense.
Couples planning a honeymoon trip should start by asking a few questions about goals and objectives for the trip. If the beach is the desired destination, this should be put at the top of the priority/planning list. There are some excellent beach resorts close to home for just about everyone. Suffice to say it isn't necessary to travel halfway around the world to get to a beautiful beach. Larger budgets might allow a trip to Tahiti, while those on a more limited financial standing can find excellent relaxation on the Florida, Virginia or California sand.
For some who want to include golf in their activities, the opportunities range from the more expensive trip to the home of golf, Scotland, to the more affordable trip to Florida, the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, or the sunshine of Phoenix, Arizona. Never fear, honeymoon package trips are available to all of these wonderful destinations.
Some honeymoon couples choose to stay in a home on their trip, rather than incur the expense of a five-star hotel or a resort villa. Home exchanges have become quite popular in recent years and this choice can trim a few dollars of any honeymoon trip. Because lodging and the associated amenities are a large part of honeymoon costs, a bit of creativity can help keep the expenses in line.
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How To Handle Valentines Day After A Breakup
Of course, if you really want to get back with your ex, here are some tips to help you navigate the next few weeks. They'll help you get back on your feet - and give you the best chance possible to reconcile with your ex.
First, no matter how sad or lonely you're feeling right now, you'll never feel better if you spend all your time sitting around feeling sorry for yourself. It's time to focus on something besides the breakup. It will probably be hard at first, but once you give it a try, you'll be surprised at how much better you feel.
Now that you're single, it's time to focus on yourself again. Which friends have you been neglecting? Call them up and see what they're doing. Just be sure you don't spend all night talking about your ex, or how bad you feel. Instead... relax, forget about what happened and just have a good time.
Another suggestion is to take a good look at yourself. If you've had the same hairstyle for years, it's time for a change. Go out and get a new haircut. Try some new clothes. Buy something that makes you feel great. Splurge a little - you deserve it!
Next, what have you always wanted to do, but never had the chance? Have you always wanted to play tennis or learn to play an instrument - but never had the time? Here's your chance to stop dreaming about it and do something about it instead!
Take that first step. Call and ask for more information about the trip you want to take. Where can you take photography lessons, or learn more about sky diving? Whatever it is... sign yourself up and get started today!
Doing things like this are what will help put that sparkle back into your eyes. You'll start to feel stronger - and stand a little taller. By focusing on something new and exciting, you'll soon realize that you're going to be all right after all.
So stop feeling sorry for yourself. Start focusing on something positive - something that's important to you - something that gets you excited. You'll be happier, and that will make you much more attractive to everyone... including your ex.
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Online Dating Has Its Advantages
Internet dating allows singles to easily start new friendships without any judgment on the other person's background. Online dating has the power to remove the first impression that is given to someone on their first face to face meeting.
How many times have we been wrong about a person just because we don't like the way they dress or the way they talk? With dating on the Internet the impression is built over time because you're there to find as much out about a person as possible before you pass any judgment.
Although there have been a few scammers using online dating services, you have many dating services that go out of their way to make sure every one's dating is as safe and secure as possible. You can also find sites that have been created to expose any dating services that have been set up just to take people's money.
They help the authentic sites get the respect they deserve, and keep singles protected who want to use this excellent method of meeting people online.
Online dating is no more dangerous than dating offline, and it can be fun as well as effective. Learn to guard your personal information and never divulge other sources for communication like your office email. You'll be a lot safer if you join a dating service that already has thousands of happy members.
Information that is personal should only be shared once you have established a friendship with the other person. Use your commonsense and trust your instincts. Once you get to know someone it becomes easier to spot if they're lying to you, and if someone sounds too good to be true, they probably are. ----------
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How to find your dream date
If you answered "yes" to the above questions, you're not alone. A lot of men are looking for their dream dates in time for the day of hearts. But many are lost and don't know what to do. To help you in your quest for your ideal soul mate, here are some things to consider:
Look in the right places. Bars, fancy restaurants and hotels are traditional places to find your woman. But don't limit yourself to these places. Learn to explore. Be like Magellan and sail off to other spots like malls, bookshops and theaters. Don't go too far though. That dream date you're looking for may be your next door neighbor!
Don't date. That's right! You read it right. Instead of showing her around town, getting drunk and doing something stupid, why not invite her out for coffee for a change? That way, you'll be more relaxed and at home with each other.
Be yourself. Don't talk to impress or brag about your talents or riches. You may hook her for the wrong reasons. Don't speak like a geek either. Your date might not be interested in the lecture you recently gave at the Smithsonian Institute!
And don't think you can get her with your canned pick up lines. She's heard it all before and that won't make you stand out among the other guys she's dated. Let her do the talking instead and be a good listener.
Pay attention to what she's saying (even if it doesn't make sense sometimes!) Remember that less is more. The less you talk about yourself, the more mysterious you become and chances are the more attractive you'll be to her.
Be naughty. No, I don't mean putting your fingers or hands where they don't belong! Say something witty or mischievous. Better yet, say something sexy and funny at the same time. Your date will be puzzled at your remarks at first but will like it in the end. But don't overdo it or you might get slapped!
Prepare for her tests. If you tease her, there's a big chance your date will also tease you. Some women do this by asking you to buy something for them. It's a test designed to see how well she can manipulate you. Don't fall for this one! Instead of falling for her charms and doing what she says, get back at her with a witty remark like, "Do I look like the bank?" Be funny and firm at the same time. It'll drive your woman wild!
Read. This is important. If you can't carry a conversation with her or at least add to what she's saying, she'll lose interest in you. Read all sorts of materials - books, newspapers, or anything under the sun. That way, you won't look like an ignoramus.
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How To Ease The Pain Of Breaking Up - 5 Tips
As with all of the traumatic events that people go through in their lives, life must go on. It is vital to your own well being to find a way to look past the pain. Getting on with your life should be more than surviving, you want to be thriving again. Below are some suggestions for getting past the pain and moving on.
1.) Surround yourself with people and friends. Even though you may have lost your partner, you still have others in your life who care: be with them. Now is not the time to be the rugged individualist.
Keeping it all to yourself will make your attempt at getting over the pain even more difficult. So give your friends a call and get a little support in a time of need.
2.) Don't spend your time brooding over the break up or on the relationship that was lost. It is a normal thing to want to analyze the details of the breakup, but this can soak up too much of your emotional reserves and energy.
As I said before, being with other people is important for getting past the pain. Seeking advice about your breakup can be therapeutic but don't overburden them with this. The reason for being with people is to get out and have some fun.
3.) Be careful with the type of music you play. Avoid any music that may resurrect old emotions associated with your break up. Music can have a strong effect when it comes to pulling on your emotional strings. So play something more happy.
4.) Don't get snagged by the self pity, sadness trap, because you could get drawn into the living death called depression. Believe me when I tell you that you do not want to end up there. Depression is a type of mental illness which disrupts and harms the lives of those afflicted with it.
The "sweet melancholy" of romantic music or of movies seems to feel good and doesn't cause harm. But this is because the sadness induced is artificial and comes to an end when the movie or song is over. However, real personal sadness can be a consuming bottomless pit that has no end.
5.) Most important of all, you must be optimistic about where you're going in life. This optimism should also be applied to your future prospects of finding love. Everyone that has a life will have been through a break up and have successfully moved on.
There may be a good chance that you can get back together with your ex. If not, there will be other lovers in your future. You only have to make the effort and just do it.
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