"Yes'm, old friends is always best, 'less you can catch a new one that's fit to make an old one out of."Sarah Orne Jewett
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Do You Have A Vision?
Here’s one of the most important questions you’ll ever be asked (that is, If you’re a dad, or you ever plan to be): Do you have a vision for your family? Now I know the answer for many of you will be a resounding, “Yes!”. I think at some point all of us ...
Fresh, Fun Music for the Whole Family
Fresh, Fun Music for the Whole FamilyMusic Spotlight Interview with Chip RichterBy Lisa M. HendeyThe gift of music is a wonderful thing to share with our children and musician Chip Richter makes it even better. I was so happy to discover Chip’s music, ...
The Annual Cheetem Family Holiday Letter
This is a parody of a wealthy family's attempt at social normalcy and an oblivious trophy wife does the talking. What she doesn't know...well, she may never know. The Annual Cheetem Family “Holiday” Letter By: Noelle Franzen Seasonal Greetings to ...
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Anyone can splurge on a formal dinner or a pricey bottle of perfume, but it takes creativity and forethought to be truly romantic.
The key lies in personalizing your celebration. Here are ten ideas to fuel your own creativity:
1. Empty a box of chocolates. Then cut out 50 to 100 hearts from lace doilies, construction paper, or fabric. On each cutout, record something about your mate that you love. Be specific, "The way you smell when you come to bed at night," "The way you take care of me when I’m sick," "Your recipe for pancakes"...
Fold the cutouts, place them in the chocolate box, and top with a red satin bow.
The time you spend coming up with these ideas will contribute to your own romantic mood, and what your partner thinks is a plain-old box of chocolates will instead be a treasured gift for years to come. Plus, you can add to the box for future birthday, holiday, or Valentine's Day celebrations.
2. Build a romantic fire. Before the kids go to bed, have fun roasting marshmallows. After their lights are out, host your own indoor picnic, complete with a bottle of wine and chocolate-covered strawberries.
3. Recreate your first date together. What were you wearing? Where did you go? Do you remember what you talked about? Spend the evening reminiscing and reflecting on how far you’ve come as a couple.
4. Spoon all night.
5. Choose a book in which you are both interested, fiction or nonfiction. Read a new chapter each night before bed. This cozy tradition will allow you to spend some quality time together and often makes for thought-provoking breakfast conversations.
6. Make a tape of the songs special to your relationship. Include "your song," songs from your wedding, songs from favorite movies. Add a personal
voice dedication and leave it in your partner's briefcase, Walkman, or car stereo.
7. Turn off the TV.
8. Kidnap your spouse. Arrange for a babysitter for a few hours--or a few days. A friend of mine had a lot of success with this one. She knew her husband had always wanted to get married in Vegas, but he had agreed to a large, formal ceremony hosted by her family. So, after they had been married 10 years, she surprised him at work with a packed suitcase. They caught an evening flight and renewed their vows before an Elvis impersonator in a Vegas chapel. Years later, they’re still talking about it.
9. This one requires a babysitter, too. Next time you’re visiting your parents or in-laws, leave the kids with the grandparents and travel to another town, where no one will recognize you. Check into a hotel or B&B. Dress like another person. Act like another person. It’s fun to slip into another persona from time to time.
10. Have a scavenger hunt. Write a few poems, wrap candy kisses inside, and hide them around the house. Each poem should be a clue to finding the next one. Make sure the final clue lands your mate someplace you want to end up for the entire evening. A romance package, including a bottle of champagne and new lingerie, is a nice touch.
Create some romantic memories today. Now with your pocketbook, but with your imagination.
Copyright 2004 Susie Cortright
Susie Michelle Cortright is the author of Rekindling Your Romance after Kids and More Energy for Moms. She is also the founder of the award-winning Momscape.com, a website designed to help busy parents find balance. Visit http://www.momscape.com today and get Susie's *free* course-by-email "6 Days to Less Stress."
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Putting The Post-Deployment Family Back TogetherNPRby Jessica Mador The Ross family eats dinner at their home in Mahtomedi, Minn. Kevin Ross joined the Minnesota National Guard in 1999. When parents deploy to a war zone overseas, their absence can have ripple effects that are felt long after they ...and more » |
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