Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Exulant Solstice to Everyone


Flight Of The Solstice Dawn
Originally uploaded by tarotastic.
Today is a great day to Create Your Own Holiday. Winter Solstice makes the shortest day of the year, but it is also the longest night of the year. Do something sweet you surpise your sweetie today. I'm going to suggest avoiding candies adn such though. We are on goodie overload at out house again this year.

Some ideas include:
Exulant Solstice to all.

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Who needs a computer?


calendar
Originally uploaded by ! - ivan - !.
I saw this and laughed. Yes, my dear sweetie must remind me of my own siblings birthdays. I do manage to remember our anniversary every year all by myself though.

Because I had forgotten the dates for a number of my friends' and relatives' birthdays and anniversaries, I decided to compile a list on the computer and have the dates highlighted on screen when the machine was turned on. I went to a number of computer stores to find a software program that would do the job but had no luck at the first few. I finally found one where the clerk seemed experienced.

"Can you recommend something that will remind me of birthdays and anniversaries?" I asked. "Have you tried a wife?" he replied.

Friday, December 16, 2005

Romantic Christmas Tip: Building Anticipation


December 15th
Originally uploaded by Krypto.
Did you get your sweetie something special for Christmas? Of course you did, or you better soon. Want to know how to make it even more fun? Use the same principle as the advent calendar.

An advent calendar is a way to count down the days left until Christmas. My sweetheart made one that is just a blank wall hanging with 24 buttons on it. Each day a new element is added to one of the buttons. On Christmas it is a creche with baby Jesus, angels, animals and so on. Our kids love to add a new element each day. It helps to build the anticipation and excitement for the big day.

Use the same technique with your special gift you are giving your sweetie. Start leaving obscure clues and dropping obtuse hints about the nature of the gift. Your hints can include things like cost, size, and intended use. Be sure to only give one hint a day. Also, be sure that none of the hints or all of the hints together don't give it away.

Perhaps an example. Say you are giving your sweetie an iPod for Christmas. You hints might include the following:
  • Its smaller than a breadbox (classic size comparison)
  • Its goes well with your skin tone (maybe jewelry or clothing)
  • Its shiny (more jewelry)
  • It will make everyone jealous
  • It will help with your daily chores
  • It will enhance your beautiful eyes (compliment)
I think you get the idea. Leave each hint on a post-it note in an obvious place. By the time Christmas comes, your sweetie will really be feeling the anticipation.

Good Luck and have fun. Merry Christmas everyone.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Recipe for a Happy Family

I saw this and thought we need to remember to cook up a happy family along with all the other Christmas and holiday cooking we do.

Ingredients:
  • 1 Heartful of Love
  • 1 Portion of Understanding
  • 2 Handsful of Generosity
  • 1 Dash of Faith
  • 1 Cup of Laughter
  • 1 Heaping Tablespoon of Forgiveness
Directions:
Combine ingredients, and stir frequently with tenderness. Sprinkle freely
with kindness and serve daily to your family.

.....Mrs. J. Alexander in the Keen Ager News

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Free Date Idea: Christmas on Temple Square


Christmas on Temple Square is a wonderful opportunity for those of you in the Salt Lake area. Bundle up, check out the lights on temple square and enjoy a free program. The link is for the calendar for events taking place on Temple Square for the month of December. On each day is an entry named Christmas on Temple Square. Click on that entry to see what is playing that day. For example, a few of the presentations on the 14th:
  • Pleasant Grove High School Chamber Choir and Advanced Women's Choir; Jim Wilcock, director 5:30 p.m.
  • Roy High School Combined Choirs;Nina Doxey, director 6:30 p.m.
  • Copper Hills High School A Cappella Choir;Don Findlay, director 7:30 p.m.
  • Jordan High School A Cappella Choir;Peter Steenblik, director 8:30 p.m.
BTW: If you have know of any ideas for free Christmas dates in your local area, feel free to email me or post a comment.

Friday, December 09, 2005

Wisdom from Grandpa

I found these humorous saying floating about the Internet. They are both funny and thought provoking:
If a man has enough horse sense to treat his wife like a thoroughbred, she will never turn into an old nag.

On anniversaries, the wise husband always forgets the past - but never the present.

A foolish husband says to his wife, "Honey, you stick to the washin', ironin', cookin' and scrubbin'. No wife of mine is gonna work."

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Eating Together Regularly

Our lives our busy. Work, chores, homework and errands all work to minimize the amount of time we have to ourselves. Sometimes it is just a chore find time to eat, let alone do it together on regular schedule.

Now think back to the time you spent courting your sweetheart. How many of your dates revolved around food and eating? Dinner and a movie, picnic in the park, or a shared ice cream sundae. One of the turning points in our courtship is when I cooked for my sweetie and future wife for the first time. I worked hard to set an elegant mood and prepared the best meal I could. My sweetheart really appreciated it and it was a wonderful meal together.

Eating together seems to be an important aspect of human relationships. Even at work we "do lunch" when we want to spent time together. How much more important with the love your life?

Work hard to schedule evening meals together as a couple. Might be a good idea to turn off the TV so you can talk as a couple or as a family. Then, for a special treat, take time to have lunch together. Its one of the most romantic things you can do. I'll elaborate another day.

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Making the best out of your marriage

Nobody has things just as he would like them. The thing to do is to make a success with what material I have. It is a sheer waste of time and soul-power to imagine what I would do if things were different. They are not different.
Frank Crane

In a marriage, things are not always "perfect". Perfect is of course a relative idea. My idea of perfect and my sweetie's notion of perfection are not necessarily the same. We come from different backgrounds, with different life experiences and different expectations. Even after 16 years of marriage, we still don't see through the same eyes.

How do we handle the differences? Do we pine away the time, wishing our sweetie were different, more perfect, more like yourself? Do you waste energy trying to perfect your sweetheart? Seems like a waste of time and energy.

It is far better to focus on the positive aspects of your sweetie and your relationship. There are lots of wonderful things about your sweetie. Spend your time and effort in showing your appreciation for that fabulous person who married you. Expend some energy on finding unique ways of complimenting your sweetie more.

Rather than spending time and energy wishing things were different, spend that time and energy making things the best they can be.

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Points to Ponder


42-15349135
Originally uploaded by Kurt81.
1. Anger is a condition in which the tongue,
works faster than the mind.

2. You can't change the past,
but you can ruin the present by worrying over the future.

3. Love .....and you shall be loved.

4. God always gives His best to those who leave the choice
with Him.

5. All people smile in the same language.

6. A hug is a great gift, one size fits all.
It can be given for any occasion and it's easy to exchange.

7. Everyone needs to be loved,
especially when they do not deserve it.

8. The real measure of a man's wealth is what he has
invested in eternity.

9. Laughter is God's sunshine.

10. Everything has beauty but not everyone sees it.

11. It's important for parents to live the same things they teach.

12. Thank God for what you have, TRUST GOD for what you need.

13. If you fill your heart with regrets of yesterday
and the worries of tomorrow, you have no today to be
thankful for.

14. Happy memories never wear out....
Relive them as often as you want.

15. Home is the place where we grumble the most,
but are often treated the best.

16. Man looks at outward appearance but the Lord looks within.

17. The choice you make today will usually affect tomorrow.

18. Take time to laugh for it is the music of the soul.

19. If anyone speaks badly of you, live so none will believe it.

20. Patience is the ability to idle your motor,
when you feel like stripping your gears.

21. Love is strengthened by working through conflicts together.

22. The best thing parents can do for their children,
is to love each other.

23. Harsh words break no bones but they do break hearts.

24. To get out of a difficulty, one usually must go through it.

25. We take for granted the things that we should be giving thanks for.

26. Love is the only thing that can be divided,
without being diminished.

27. Happiness is enhanced by others but does not depend upon others.

28. You are richer today if you have laughed, given or forgiven.

29. For every minute you are angry with someone,
you lose 60 seconds of happiness that you can never get back.

30. Do what you can, for who you can,
with what you have, and where you are.

31. The best gifts to give:

To your friend, loyalty;
To your enemy, forgiveness;
To your boss, service;
To a child, a good example;
To your parents, gratitude and devotion;
To your mate, love and faithfulness;
To all men and women, charity;
and To God, your life.