Mr Anniversary Gift

Some days, you have no time for stuff that isn't at the top of your to-do list. On those days, life is so busy that there seems to be zero opportunity to do anything time-consuming, even something important like making your marriage stronger. If you have just half a minute, then I've found an entire list of ideas to help you transform 30 seconds into a loving and memorable moment with your spouse.

1. Send him a "Remember when?" email at work. ("Remember when we rented that shack with the outdoor kitchen in Jamaica for our honeymoon, and we ate dinner under the stars every night?"; "Remember our date last Friday?!")

2. At a dinner party, wink at him across the table.

3. Put on an eye mask and pretend to have fallen asleep while he's brushing his teeth. Then surprise him with a kiss.

4. When you peck him good-bye in the morning, let your lips linger and your hands travel south just a bit.

5. Rescue him (loudly) from an unwanted phone call by shouting that you need his help right away. (If he asks how he can thank you for that good deed, use your imagination.)

6. While getting dressed to go out, let him know that he looks so good you want to chase him around the bedroom. Then do it.

7. When he comes home, say that the sight of his face still sends you, just the way it did when you first got a crush on him.

8. Slip a favorite photo of you two into an unexpected place (his tennis-racket cover, his T-shirt drawer, the book he's reading).

9. Make him comfortable when he's sick by handing him a box of tissues and the TV remote control, while brushing up against him when you deliver them. (Sensual contact may help strengthen his immune system — or, at the very least, make him happy.)

10. While waiting in a movie line, whisper in his ear, "I'm having thoughts about you that aren't rated G."

There's another 60 plus idea to go

Labels: happy marriage, love, marriage, romantic ideas, unexpected love

Redbook recently asked happy couples across the United States to tell us about marriage-strengthening solutions they've developed over their years together. Those couples were able to come up with a Top Five in how to keep your marriage thriving and rewarding.

• Daily Habit #1: Talk to Each Other
• Daily Habit #2: Flirt
• Daily Habit #3: Get Stupid Together
• Daily Habit #4: Declare Your Independence
• Daily Habit #5: Share a Spiritual Moment

Can you think of other healthy habits couples may want to incorporate into their daily lives?

Labels: happy marriage

Traditionally, a couple should get pearls on their 30th wedding anniversary.

The Thomas sisters tweaked convention by building on the pearls of wisdom their parents imparted from the beginning and created a need-based scholarship for Evanston Township High School seniors in their parents' names.

"We wanted something more enduring and more representative of the occasion we were celebrating -- a long-term achievement of passion and commitment," Murphy Thomas said of the $20,000-plus she helped raise for the Rose and Andy Thomas Educational Fund honoring her parents' volunteer work and devotion to schools.

The Evanston couple were presented with the surprise gift in a Louisville, Ky., restaurant during a New Year's Eve party as relatives dressed in university gear looked on. Their 30th anniversary was Jan. 8.

"There wasn't a dry eye in the room," Rose, 58, said. "I was so proud of them. I turned to Andy and said, 'Whoever thought the kids were listening to us all these years?'"

The Thomases made it a habit to take their four daughters to places like local soup kitchens, inner-city schools and a Mexican orphanage so they would form bonds with others and grow compassionate in the process.

Complete story

Labels: 30th anniversary, pearls, scholarship

It would've been two years ago Saturday that a woman lost her wedding ring at a Portland hotel -- and on the eve of that terrible anniversary hotel staffers made an unlikely discovery.

At the Silver Cloud Inn in Northwest Portland, workers were renovating room 222 replacing the toilet when a ring fell out of the trap.

Hotel staff went straight to the log book and found hand-written notes about a customer's lost ring two years ago.

They called the woman's husband who retrieved the ring with much relief on Friday.

It dates back to 1941, one of the few keepsakes remaining from his long-lost parents.

”It really has a lot of sentimental and it was really wonderful for the silver cloud to call me and return the ring,” ken, the Brush Prairie resident said.

He didn't want to give his last name.

Ken surprised his wife who apparently was just devastated over losing the ring two years ago.

Employees were so thrilled to have found the ring they had it professionally cleaned before the owner came to retrieve it.

Complete story

Labels: anniversary, celebration, engagement ring, ring

It is routine for people to go in for a medical or dental exam, so why not do the same for your marriage?

Now you can - thanks to James Cordova and his Marriage Checkup --

James Cordova's answer is what he calls the Marriage Checkup. It is a program he has tested in two smaller studies and that now is under scrutiny in a major federally funded study that will evaluate 200 couples in the next four years. A couple fills out detailed questionnaires that evaluate satisfaction levels for the couple in terms of co-parenting issues (a major tension point), sexual relationship (ditto), intimacy and the level of commitment toward each other.

The next step is an interview that allows Cordova and his team of graduate students to determine a couple's relationship history. Each partner identifies one major complaint and three main strengths of the relationship (in a sort of positive-to-negative ratio that affirms Gottman's findings). During that interview visit, the couple participates in a social support exercise to determine how well the spouses express themselves and listen to one another.

Two weeks later, the couple receives a detailed report in the mail. Couples will get scores for their questionnaires that reflect the health of various parts of the relationship and, more often than not, come as no surprise to the wife and husband.

Cordova cited one busy couple. They both felt deeply lonely, despite successful work lives and raising small children at home.

"Like lots of people, they put off nurturing a marriage until they get around to it," said Cordova. "But they never get around to it. We talked to them about taking more control of their marriage."

To that end, Cordova's team advised the lonely spouses to create time in their weeks rather than "find" the time. One option offered: Get a book about marriage and read it together during that created time. The idea is to "engage in a conversation with each other" but "not use the time to find or solve problems."

More on this study

Labels: anniversary, happy marriage, marriage, married couple, therapy

Come September, an Illinois couple expects to pledge their undying love among the dearly departed in this St. Louis suburb's city cemetery, even though those who approved the request are dead set against seeing it become a trend.

I've heard of some pretty off-the-wall weddings before, but this one is right up there at the top.


Kind of makes you wonder how they will celebrate their anniversaries -- in a morgue?

The complete story here

Labels: strange wedding, unique wedding, wedding

Research shows that getting married prompts a 50 per cent increase in housework.

When a woman is single, ironing, cleaning, cooking and other duties take up about ten hours a week. But after they are married, or have simply moved in with a boyfriend, they typically do 15 hours of housework every week, according to a report in the latest edition of Economic Journal.

For men, the effect is opposite. Before getting married or starting to cohabit, they do an average of seven hours' housework a week. Afterwards-that drops to five hours. The research says that men are willing to take a back seat because they think women enjoy taking control of the house and all the duties.

But women say they are forced to spend much more time at the kitchen sink because they are frustrated by the piles of dirty dishes left by their partners.

For many couples, the arrival of children means the housework duties multiply, and many women tend to pick up the lion's share.

The research, by the economist Helene Couprie, is based on a sample of more than 12,000 men and women in the British Household Panel Survey. A spokesman for the Economic Journal said it shows women tend to have more of a 'taste' for housework because they do more than men, even when single.

Women who hate housework, but cannot persuade their husbands or boyfriends to do it, could be helped by one compelling argument.

Scientists discovered recently that men could live longer if they did more chores. Hiding away from household duties and shirking childcare can even lead to them 'dying of boredom'.

When in review of this article and study, it's easy to see just how men might benefit from a little surprise gift of flowers once in a while. If they're not willing to get up off the couch, they should at least be willing to romance their lady a bit more.

This complete article and study can be found here

Labels: anniversary, marriage

This book makes one wonder if children don't have more common sense then adults when it comes to knowing what it takes to make a happy marriage. While parts are a tad cliche, others are unexpected, leaving the rest of the book refreshingly funny. The book contains a child's eye view as well as illustrations by the children. But since we all don't have the common sense it takes to keep that marriage happy, we tend to lean a little more toward the cliche approaches to love. One of the most cliche for men is sending flowers.

With products and services like those of Just Paper Roses, it's easy to add a new and refreshing flare to the same old cliche which is bound to make your love very happy.

Labels: happy marriage, just paper roses, marriage

Books can only provide that little nudge in the right direction in checking your attitude toward your marriage but are you doing what it takes to keep that spark alive? Flowers just because, perhaps?

Not many men realize that giving a woman a gift that she can convert into a keepsake and reflect back upon years from now is one of the most precious gifts you could give.

Labels: books, gifts, marriage, wedding

Tim and Faith - 10 years



The couple that tours together, stays together. So it seems for McGraw and Hill, both 39, who began their coupledom in 1996 while on their Spontaneous Combustion tour. Ten years later, the country superstars, now with their three daughters, are still hitting the road. "I can't imagine it getting any better," McGraw says. "Aside from being able to do something I love for a living, I've got the best wife in the world."

Labels: celebrity couples, faith hill, hollywood couples, hollywood marriage, tim mcgraw

Demi and Ashton - 1 year




Since getting married in September 2005, Kutcher and Moore, 44 have blended seamlessly into each other's lives, with the 29-year-old actor playing picture-perfect stepdad to Moore's three daughters. Kutcher, who was introduced to Demi by a pal in 2003, told Oprah Winfrey that the key to their bond, "is that she calls me on my crap ... and I call her on her crap.'"

Labels: ashton kutcher, demi moore, hollywood couples, hollywood marriage

Some people are built to be sappy. My sister, for instance -- her turn-ons include romantic comedies, diamonds, flowers, snuggling, and babies. An elaborate wedding proposal involving a Jumbotron, an adorable monkey in a tuxedo, and enough carats to restrict normal finger mobility would completely kill with her. If you are one of those people, then this article is not for you.



Everyone else, listen up: When it comes to the lovey-dovey stuff, you are not nearly as punk rock as you pretend to be. Yeah, I know, nobody wants to be in one of those gross couples that makes single people gag, but deep down inside, I bet you like doing some of that touchy-feely junk. Snuggling. Giggling. The occasional sweet nothing. Well, it’s time to own up to it. Stop living a lie. By continuing to deny your mushy side, you’re only hurting yourself. It’s not easy, I know. But I can help, because I did it.



Let me share my coming-out story with you. My personal distaste for the tradition-ally romantic has mostly centered on gifts. There’s something crass about popular images of couples-type giving, a kind of money-equals-love formula that I find icky. Like in those diamond ads where the message is always something along the lines of “Don’t be fooled, at heart all women are grasping, materialistic harpies.” Plus they always feature dudes buying stuff for their ladies, and never the reverse, so there’s an air of anti-feminism about the whole thing.



Too sophisticated for all that crap?


Continue reading this complete article on Yahoo Personals

The way to a man’s heart truly is through his stomach. Here’s a list of foods that help put your partner in the mood for love and why they work:

Raw Oysters: This is one of the most popular and well-known “sexy” foods on the aphrodisiac list. High in Zinc, which increases sperm and testosterone production, oysters also contain a hormone called dopamine, which increases libido. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice onto them for extra zest.

Asparagus: Loaded with vitamin E, a key nutrient for a healthy sex life and treating impotence.

Eggs: Hard boil them and spread a little caviar on the top, and you have an aphrodisiac bomb that is guaranteed to make waves long after the meal is finished. Eggs are rich in B6 and B5, both crucial for libido and balanced hormone levels.

Almonds: Both the smell and nutrient make-up of almonds make these crunchy morsels a “must eat” on Valentines Day. Full of essential fatty acids, they are particularly important for male hormone production. To get her in the mood, light an almond scented candle during dinner and she will never know what seduced her.

Figs: Known as a food fit only for the gods and goddesses, figs are high in amino acids and improve sexual stamina. Flambé fresh figs and serve them over vanilla ice cream with a balsamic reduction– a sure way to sweeten anyone’s mood.

Avocados: Avocado trees were referred to as “testicle trees” by the ancient Aztecs, and rightfully so. Moreover, avocados are bursting with folic acid, a type of vitamin B that helps turn protein into energy, and potassium that helps boost men and women’s libidos.

Chili: Spice up your night and get a good hit of vitamin C at the same time, by incorporating some chili into your Valentine’s Day dinner.

Bananas: Packed with bromelain enzymes, potassium and riboflavin, eating one banana a day is guaranteed to keep you energized.

Garlic: Perhaps known more as a “turn off” than a “turn on,” garlic is actually a very effective aphrodisiac. Garlic contains a potent ingredient called Allicin that increases blood flow and libido. But don’t forget to bring the breath mints or you will be sent home early.

Chocolate: Finally, what we have all been waiting for, the chocolate! This is the surest way to a women’s heart. Nibbling on a piece of dark chocolate immediately produces a chemical called phenylethylamine, which is believed to produce the feeling of “being in love.” So, a gift a chocolate should, in fact, sweep your beloved off his or her feet and into your arms.

And ladies, if you play your cards right, your man might just surprise you with a nice bouquet of paper roses.

Source

Labels: dating, just paper roses, relationships, valentines day

For their 20th wedding anniversary, Kate Marshall did not give her husband, David, the traditional gifts of china or platinum.

Devoted to practicing the art of gratitude, Kate crafted a journal with prompts celebrating their union and singing his praises. She filled in answers to her own sentimental queries, such as "I love when you ...," or "Do you remember this romantic time together," and gave it to her husband.

He loved it so much that he made her a similar journal the following year, for her birthday.

"It was such a positive experience," says David Marshall, sitting close to his wife in their Moraga home. "It brought back all the reasons that we were attracted to each other in the first place."

Three years later, they've rewritten the book of love. "What I Love About You" (Broadway, $13.95) is the fourth fill-in-the-blank journal from the Marshalls, who collaborated on 1998's "The Book of Us," which helps couples chronicle their lives. That book has sold 125,000 copies.

Just in time for a Valentine's Day filled with meaning, "What I Love About You" makes anyone in a relationship reconsider: Does my partner really know how, or why, I love him? Like their previous books, this one draws from memories, but also playfulness.

"Seeing you makes my insides go ..." allows the giver to illustrate his internal butterflies; "Your laugh sounds like ..." lets her be goofy.

"This is a gift for the giver and the receiver," Kate says. "It made me feel wonderful writing it. And receiving a book about how wonderful you are is pretty great."

While Kate insists she's the less verbally intimate of the two, David says the prompt-concept makes expressing themselves easier on guys, who can have a tougher time in that department.

"It's easy enough to buy a beautiful greeting card where the sentiments are pre-written and just sign one's name," he says. "But quite often the personal feelings do not come through."

And if it sounds like something only two crazy young lovebirds can enjoy, think again.

"You can use it to reconnect with your partner, too," Kate says.

The act of remembering and writing down the ties that bind, especially during tough times, can be transformative, the couple says.

"Complaining is easy and sometimes feels more urgent," Kate says. "But ultimately there is nothing more important than saying 'I love you,' and nothing more rewarding."

source

Bam Margera and his childhood sweetheart have officially declared their future wedding anniversaries to be held on February 3rd.

I can't imagine what life would be like with this guy - but obviously it's pretty darn special given that Missy has hung around for so many years.

Congrats to the happy couple!

Source

Labels: Bam Margera, celebrity anniversary, celebrity wedding, wedding

Judy Hester couldn't contain her excitement when the doorbell rang Monday morning.

She figured it was someone delivering flowers from her husband in honor of their 40th anniversary. Hester got a surprise all right, but in the form of a suspected bank robber seeking refuge.

"He was stuffing wads of money into his shoe," Hester said. "He looked panicked."

Police said Jabre Williams fled to Hester's home in the Carriage Hills neighborhood after allegedly robbing the Wachovia Bank branch at 2895 East Blvd.

After a brief manhunt, Williams, 20, of 1520 Gibson St. was taken into custody when police found him hiding under a car in Hester's garage. He is charged with first-degree robbery and is in the Montgomery County Detention Facility on a $30,000 bond.

Montgomery Police spokesman Capt. Huey Thornton said police received an alarm call from the bank at about 10:40 a.m.

Thornton said Williams walked into the bank wearing a red bandanna over his face.

Investigators said he shoved a customer before demanding money from a clerk.

Thornton said Williams told the clerk he had a gun, but would not say whether police found a weapon on the suspect or near the crime scene.

Williams then took off on foot, igniting a 30-minute search in the Carriage Hills community. Thornton said several residents notified police after they saw Williams running down the block.

Hester said she was making preparations for her anniversary when she heard the doorbell, looked out of the peephole, and saw Williams run into the garage next to her house. She said she didn't know why he chose her home.

"Maybe because the carport was open," she said. "He did hide himself in there."

After police took Williams into custody, Hester called her husband at work and told him to come home. She said she locked her door while she waited for him.

"It was scary there for a bit," Hester said. "Hopefully, this anniversary will get a little better."

Thornton said the FBI is overseeing the investigation because bank robberies are a federal crime.

source

Labels: 40th anniversary, surprise

The folks at Just Paper Roses have come up with a rose for nearly every occasion - including holidays. I simply fell in love with the St. Patrick's Day and Easter Roses.

Of course today is Groundhog's Day - and I think this is the only holiday they don't have covered.

Punxsutawney Phil has that base covered and according to his reports - we may be enjoying our own rose gardens sooner this year.

Happy Groundhog's Day

Labels: groundhogs day, holidays, just paper roses, valentines day