Saturday, January 28, 2006

Valentine's Idea: Singing Valentines


Here's a truly romantic way to say I love you to that special someone. A singing valentine delivered by a barbershop quartet from the Saltaires Show Chorus.


I had a singing valentine delivered to my sweetie in the hospital one year. It was wonderful and she really enjoyed it. She received many compliments by both the patients and the staff.

The Saltaires are local to Utah. If you know of another such group in your area, post the contact info as a comment.

A Quick Thought

A successful marriage isn't finding the Right person; it's about being the Right person.

Friday, January 27, 2006

And the most important trait in a mate is... - Yahoo! News

I saw this quote in the news today:
"In the United States and Canada, humor was considered the most important trait by both men and women, getting 63 and 73 percent of the vote respectively."
I don't really put much stock into such studies, but when it proves my point, then its ok.

When did you and your sweetie laugh together last? Valentine's is a great time to laugh together. Like I told you before, I gave my sweetie a chocolate fish that says "Your a keeper". We still chuckle about it. Fine some way to laugh together often

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Valentine's Idea: Personalized Kisses


Gimme a kiss
Originally uploaded by oliviermela.

Like Fortune Cookies, Hershey's Kisses contain a little message. And like fortune cookies, you can change out the little message for your own, more personal message.

While we were engaged, my sweetie gave me a pack of Hershey Kisses that she had personalized. It was so much fun to receive and to read all the fun, thoughtful and goofy things she had written. We kept those little messages for a long time after.

The procedure is simple to follow, the trick is to be careful as you go.
First, get a bag of kisses and CAREFULLY make a small opening in one end. Extract one kiss and practice opening it so that you can keep the foil nice for rewrapping. Also, keep the kisses paper to use a guide. Now eat that kiss.

Second, write on a sheet of paper a bunch of fun, thoughtful, complimentary, goofy little sayings. Each should be the size of the kiss paper you took out of the first kiss. Now cut out each paper but don't let them blow away.

Next, carefully take a kiss out of the bag and unwrap it. Replace the standard kiss paper with one of your own. Now, with equal care, rewrap the kiss and set it aside. Should you accidentally tear the foil, go ahead the evidence. You don't have to eat the foil unless you like that sort of thing.

Once you have done all the kisses you are going to do, remove any remaining kisses from the bag and eat them. Now carefully insert your romantically enhanced kisses back into the bag and seal the opening.

Present the kisses to your sweetheart. If your sweetie is not very observant, you might need to drop a hint so that all your hard work does not go unnoticed.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Simple act of kindness


Rusty Car in Vermont
Originally uploaded by Kerstin Martin.
A few years ago, I had a bad day. It was early November and we were all getting excited for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Then there was an unexpected company meeting and I found myself unemployed in the middle of an economic slump. Then on my way home from what had been my work, my car died on the side of the freeway.

There I was, standing beside my car on the side of the road, wondering about my car, and concerned about how I was going to take care of my sweetie and kids when I heard a voice. It startled me because I hadn't even noticed the man stop.

There beside me was a perfect stranger. He asked what was wrong and if he could help. Turns out he keeps a full gas can in his car, "just in case". Soon the car was started and I was on my way. I am forever grateful for that small act of kindness.

What the stranger does not know is how that small act affected me and my family. That simple act changed my whole attitude from "woe is me" to "I can overcome this". One person stopping and noticing a stranded stranger made all the difference in the world.

You can make the difference for your sweetheart as well. Perform some unexpected act of service for your sweetie. This is particularly effective in high stress situations. Something as simple as doing the dishes when its not your turn or giving them a break can mean so much more than just the value of the act. It can readjust someone's whole view.

Funny thing is, I never even thought to ask the strangers name.

Monday, January 23, 2006

Valentine's Idea: Fresh Fruit

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I have been looking for a gift that is sweet, but healthy, to give my sweetie for Valentine's Day. Chocolate is easy to do, but is not particularly healthly. This year, consider something unexpected like Fruit Gifts from Hale Groves featuring Florida's Indian River Citrus

Friday, January 20, 2006

Valentine Idea: Candy Heart Image Generator


candyheart
Originally uploaded by m0smith.
Here is a fun Valentine's idea for your sweetie. You can make your very own candy hearts for your sweetheart. Of course, its just a picture and you can't eat it. Well, I guess you could eat it, but its wouldn't be very sweet.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Valentine, Nebraska - Heartcity USA

Valentine, Nebraska - Heartcity USA: "As the 'Heart City' of America, Valentine is the site from which thousands of Valentine's Day greetings are mailed each year. Visitors and residents alike find that Valentine's Day greetings bearing the Heart City's postmark adds an extra special touch to the annual lover's holiday."

f you would like to send special greetings with the special Valentine postmark, please complete the following.

* Address your card as you would if you were sending the card from your location, stamp and all

* Place those cards into a larger envelope and mail them to:

Cupid's Mailbox
PO Box 201
Valentine, NE 69201.

* To have your cards delivered by February 14th, they need to be delivered to Cupids mailbox by February 5th. All letters received after this date will still receive the cachet but might not be delivered until after Valentine's Day

* The Post Office will start sending out stamped letters on February 5th.

Sweet Deal: Free Doughnuts


Krispy Kreme is having a sweet deal for Valentine's Day. When you buy a dozen doughnuts, you get 12 Valentine's Day cards. Each card is good for one free doughnut.

Also, don't forget to sign up for your free $300.00 gift card.

Scriptures on Marriage: Proverb 15:1


Free!
Originally uploaded by [ CK ].
In Proverbs we read:
A SOFT answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

What happens when someone raises their voice? Naturally you yell back at them. It is human nature to match the tone of the answer to the tone of the question. Often this leads to an argument where one is neither needed nor intended. If you yell at me, I'll yell at you is the same mentality as "an eye for an eye", which leaves the whole world blind.

Instead, answer in a softer voice. A softer voice does not sound angry. You must listen harder to hear a soft voice. Remember that our home should be a safe harbor in the storm.
Our home should ideally be a refuge where each member feels safe, secure, loved, and insulated from harsh criticism and contention that we so often encounter in the world.
Wayne S. Peterson

Monday, January 16, 2006

Date Night Idea: The Importance of Being Earnest


Wilde Zen
Originally uploaded by urbanbohemian.


In The Importance of Being Earnest, one of the characters quips:
The very essence of romance is uncertainty.
What a wonderfully succinct way to sum up what romance is. The corollary is that what kills romance is a lack of uncertainty. Romance requires surprise, suspense and breaking out of the box. This is even more true after years of marriage than it was while dating.

The Importance of Being Earnest is a wonderful date night at home movie. A delightful romantic comedy which both husband and wife can enjoy. The movie description from Amazon:
Starring Reese Witherspoon (LEGALLY BLONDE), Colin Firth (BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY), and Rupert Everett (MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING), here is the hilarious adventure of two dashing young bachelors and the outrageous deceptions they find themselves in over love! Whenever Worthing (Firth) wants to leave his dull country life behind, he makes visits to the city posing as his fictitious "brother" Ernest. There, he becomes smitten with the ravishing Gwendolen (Frances O'Connor, A.I.). But when Worthing is in town, his playboy pal Algy (Everett) is in the country and falling for Worthing's young and beautiful ward, Cecily (Witherspoon) -- while also impersonating Ernest! Pandemonium ensues when these two would-be Ernests find themselves face-to-face and in the predicament of explaining who they really are!
This movie is also funny.

Friday, January 13, 2006

Notice the little things

Photo by Ahamed Aqmal
I came across this photo today and found it an interesting metaphor for marriage. Perhaps nothing is more common place than loose change. I see it everyday and don't give it much thought. Sometimes I drop a nickel or dime and don't even bother to retrieve it.

Yet this picture makes loose change look like something special. The lighting and the sharp focus highlight something that is often overlooked. It reminds me of my little kids who think nickels and dimes are wonderful and treasure each one.

After years of marriage, its easy to overlook the little treasures in your relationship. Both the husband and the wife do many little things everyday. Often these little chores, little acts of kindness and little expressions of love go overlooked and under-appreciated.

Today stop to consider the importance of the treasure you have and pay your sweetie a compliment. Observer something that had previously gone overlooked. Find something your sweetie does then truly and sincerely thank them for it.

Saturday, January 07, 2006

An Old Farmer's Advice


Tractor
Originally uploaded by S*W*Q.
I saw this floating around the Internet:

* Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.

* Keep skunks and bankers and lawyers at a distance.

* Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.

* A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.

* Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled.

* Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.

* Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.

* Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.

* It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.

* You cannot unsay a cruel word.

* Every path has a few puddles.

* When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

* The best sermons are lived, not preached.

* Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.

* Don't judge folks by their relatives.

* Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

* Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.

* Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you none.

* Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

* If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.

* Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.

* The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'.

* Always drink upstream from the herd.

* Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

* Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.

* If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

* Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

Date Night Idea: Mating Dances and Wild Romances : Utah's Hogle Zoo


Mating Dances and Wild Romances : Utah's Hogle Zoo: "
Feeling a little wild? Want to act like an animal? Utah's Hogle Zoo takes a different approach to Valentine’s Day during the Zoo’s adults only, after-hour's event, Mating Dances and Wild Romances. Bring your sweetheart and join us on for an evening of fun while you learn how different animals play the 'mating game'. This adults only, evening event includes dinner, dessert and a goody bag. Enjoy fun activities showing how each animal has its own idea of beauty and its own strategy for finding a mate, as well as animal presentations led by the Zoo's Education Department.
Participation is encouraged, but not mandatory!

Date: Saturday, February 11, 2005
Time: 6 p.m.- 9 p.m.
Price: $35 for members and $40 for non-members (price is per couple)
Location: Utah's Hogle Zoo Edzoocation Station

For more information call (801) 584-1769."



If you have some interesting or unique Valentine's Date Ideas, post in the comments.

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Valentines Romantic Ideas: Oriental Trading Company

Valentine's is a great time of year. Romance is in the air and there are lots of romantic ideas about for married couples. One thing you might not of thought of, this is also a great time of year to replenish or start your spontaneity kit. This kit is a collection of simple things that will allow you to do something special for your sweetie on a moment's notice. The few weeks before Valentine's is about the only time to stock up on heart shaped boxes, I-love-you stickers, and romantic candy. A fun and cheap place to find this sort of stuff at a great price is at Oriental Trading Company.










Valentine 100x100Oriental Trading Company has a lot of great ideas for Valentines at a good price. They specialize in holiday novelties and are a great place to get ideas for Valentines day. Below are just a couple of example of the things they have. Also $2.95 standard shipping in the contiguous United States through January 31st on purchases of $60 or more! Enter key code RRRVA06 at check out.

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VALENTINE LOVE LETTER BEARS

4" Plush Valentine Bears Holding Love Letters. Each holds a love letter.

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VALENTINE HUGGERS

3” Tricot Valentine Huggers. Easily attaches to flower stems, gift packages and pencils with VELCRO® brand closure paws. Assorted red and white.

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RED FOIL-WRAPPED CHOCOLATE ROSES

1 1/2" Red Foil-Wrapped Chocolate Roses. A milk chocolate rose on a 6" green stem.
OTC Valentine 2006 Promo; Expires Jan 31Don't forget to Enter key code RRRVA06 at check out for saving on shipping.