Trade in Folly for Jolly – 4 WAYS TO REDUCE HOLIDAY STRESS
The holidays can be a wonderful time of family, fun, good tidings and joy. They can also be a time of unrealistic expectations of Norman Rockwell picture-perfect families with a Martha Stewart in every kitchen. Which leads to holiday angst and marital stress. Chances are even if Norm was still around, he wouldn’t be tapping...
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...
5 Ways to Stop the Fight Before It Starts
Our last chat was about strategies to win that marital spat if things weren’t going your way. But is there really a winner when spouses argue? The best fight you can have with your mate is the one that doesn’t get started. Here are 5 ways to change the course of a discussion that’s headed...
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...
What to Say – and What NOT to Say – When They Tell You They Have Cancer
So many of us don’t know what to do or say when we find out someone we care about has cancer. My ongoing experience with breast cancer has given me an opportunity to find out first hand what was helpful, and what not. Before I get to my list of what NOT to say to...
7 Tips to Share From the Cancer Closet
Now that I’m out of the ‘cancer closet,’ I’d like to share some of the tips I picked up from the experience. None of this process is fun, but it can be less difficult. 1. Get the deodorant before it’s necessary. The day before radiation treatments started one casually mentioned to me that most deodorants...