10 Ways Couples Can Put the THANKS in Thanksgiving
With Thanksgiving as its finale, November is a great month to focus on the many people and things there are to be thankful for in our lives. The great food is just a bonus! If you and your spouse want to put the “Thanks” in Thanksgiving this year, here are 10 suggestions to get you...
MONDAY LOVE – A Special Anniversary Gift
As my 36th wedding anniversary approached, I tried to think of something that would celebrate our marriage in a way that flowers and dinner out just didn’t capture. Don’t get me wrong – flowers and special dining are always welcome. But after the first 10 or 30 years, sometimes they say “obligation” instead of “celebration.”...
GIFT YOUR SPOUSE PEACE OF MIND – Making a Will and other Important Stuff
We often spend more time talking about what we should do than it takes to actually do it. Most of us don’t want to even think about what would happen in the event of a crisis or our death let alone plan for it. A potential consequence of ignoring the inevitable is compounded grief for...
The Marital Spat – 7 Winning Strategies
Many marriage experts will tell you to ‘fight fair’ when arguing with your mate. But where’s the fun in that? How can you be the winner if you’re busy focusing on how your spouse is feeling or the long term effects? Here are 7 great strategies to help you be the winner of that marital...
Calling All Spouses: The 30-Day Gratitude Challenge Update
Those of you participating in the 30-Day Gratitude Challenge have either passed the half-way point or are very close to it, depending on when you started. (If you haven’t started yet, it’s not too late – there’s no bad time to get started!) We surpassed our goal of 100 people making a firm commitment to...
Calling All Spouses: The 30-Day Gratitude Challenge
Remember the ‘Gratitude Journal?’ It made it’s debut 10-15 years ago on a popular talk show. It was a simple concept: each day write down things you are grateful for. I didn’t buy the official Gratitude Journal and I don’t remember if there were official rules, but my take was to write down five things every day...
5 Lessons I Learned Early in Marriage
My husband gets me. We get each other. He would never buy me anything baby blue or pastel pink to wear. I wouldn’t gift him silk pajamas. If he sees a movie before me, I ask him if I would like it – confidant that his response will serve me well. I am his personal...
Is Snooping on Your Spouse OK?
Some will automatically respond: “Absolutely not – that is an invasion of privacy that marriage doesn’t overcome.” Others, just as quickly, will answer; “Of course it’s okay – there shouldn’t be secrets between spouses.” I think the answer is a firm: “Hmmm – it depends.” Being married does not entitle us to know every thought,...
Behold Me Busy
We’re so busy we don’t have time for each other. Oh, we carve out moments here and there, but we must be quick because we have a slew of other matters waiting for our all-important attention. We quickly listen to each other, but we don’t hear. We lob information to the other that is never...