Wednesday, December 27, 2006

DR. PHIL GIVES 2007 ADVICE TO COUPLES

Dr. Phil gives some solid advice for 2007, and suggests that couples simply try to be a better partner rather than try to fix their relationship. We couldn't agree more...and have the perfect set of tools to do just that...Be A Better Partner. OK, so we are engaging in a bit of shameless self promotion thanks to Dr. Phil's unwitting endorsement. ;)

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

DON'T FORGET DECEMBER IS LIGHTEN UP MONTH!

Yes, it's a busy and somewhat stressful time. That's exactly why we chose it as lighten up month. Remember, take deep breaths, work together to get through the stressful days, and try to make each other laugh...speaking of which here is a joke to get you started:

During the wedding rehearsal, the groom approached the pastor with an unusual offer: "Look, I'll give you $100 if you'll change the wedding vows. When you get to the part where I'm supposed to promise to 'love, honor and obey' and 'be faithful to her forever,' I'd appreciate it if you'd just leave that out." He passed the minister a $100 bill and walked away satisfied. On the day of the wedding, when it came time for the groom's vows, the pastor looked the young man in the eye and said: "Will you promise to prostrate yourself before her, obey her every command and wish, serve her breakfast in bed every morning of your life, and swear eternally before God and your lovely wife that you will not ever even look at another woman, as long as you both shall live?" The groom gulped and looked around, and said in a tiny voice, "Yes," then leaned toward the pastor and hissed: "I thought we had a deal." The pastor put a $100 bill into the groom's hand and whispered: "She made me a better offer."

Friday, December 08, 2006

Debbie is a great help...

Just by saying "everything is going to be allright". And you know, she's right. Despite the ups and downs, everything IS going to be allright!

Monday, December 04, 2006

PARTNER GETAWAY

Check out this recommended excursion for you and your partner in Oakland, CA:
www.segwayoffroad.com

thanks to Better Partner Debbie Bardon for submitting!

Saturday, December 02, 2006

Debbie and I went Christmas shopping together yesterday - our last planned activity for "Togetherness Month". One thing that Debbie did really struck me. She knows that, for me, shopping is as about as fun as a being banished to a Siberian gulag. So, she started off our little trip by accompanying me to a cigar store (she hates cigars) and encouraging me to indulge one of my favorite vices. This helped set the tone for a really enjoyable excursion - minus the shopping of course:)

A smart strategy...and a partner that really cares. Boy am I lucky!

-Paul

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Today's tip: Try to round out "togetherness month" with some holiday shopping together, but be sure to spend plenty of time paying attention to each other and not just the shopping. Hold hands, sit down and have a cup of coffee or lunch and talk.

Remember: The gift of time and attention you give to each other is far greater than any gift you could possibly buy each other!

Monday, November 20, 2006

We had our first Book signing yesterday evening at a local bookstore. Didn't get a huge crowd, but those attending did seem to enjoy learning about how to use the book and calendar. They also had some great suggestions on how to make the most of "Togetherness Month" through various couple activities.

Also got some takers to participate in a new couples group we are forming here in the San Francisco East Bay, which will meet for the first time in January 2007. It is not a therapy group, but an attempt to bring couples together to discuss positive ways for couples to work on their relationships, share ideas, and to offer peer role modeling. Also may be the beginnings of a socializing group. If interested, shoot us an email at info@beabetterpartner.com.
Here's our latest spoof video... "I got YouTube Babe!"


For folks who haven't yet seen the calendar, here it is...







And here's the book...

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Communication is hard...but sometimes ya just gotta take a risk and do it!

Today I told Debbie something that was bothering me, right after it was in fact bothering me, instead of holding it in or acting it out passively in some other negative way. Long story short...we both felt better as a result.

I just saw this quote, too, which speaks far more eloquently than I can about the importance of such seemingly trivial acts:

"All my life has been a preparation for this moment, for which no preparation was needed. I reach within for that unique gift which I have to offer my world. With the skills that I have honed, I shape it and polish it and call it my best. All this is but wrapping paper, for the heart of the gift is my heart, it has always been with me, and now I offer it to you."

-Paul

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Our friend Paul Johnson of Save the Relationship was interviewed on the Tom Leykis show out of LA last night. The topic of the show was "Is marriage necessary". Of course the answer is that marriage is necessary for those who want and are ready for marriage. Unfortunately, Tom's premise (and the way that he attracts listeners) is by appearing to be an unapolagetic misogynist so the callers he lined up were men like himself who hate women or see them as possessions. Sad that someone can actually make a living and a reputation off of shooting for the lowest common denominator when it comes to relationships.

Another reason why Be A Better Partner was created...to take the high road and focus on the positive benefits and possibilities of relationships and marriage. Maybe Lambs on Love will have their own radio show someday - and have a platform from which to speak about healthy and happy relationships and why they are so important for men, women, and their families.

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Check out this really nice article on us Featured in today's Vallejo Herald Tribune

Thursday, October 26, 2006

We had a reporter over yesterday and did an interview about Be A Better Partner. It was good, not just for the publicity, but more importantly because it gives us a chance to articulate why we are doing this...

because couples (including us) need support and encouragement.

because there is no silver bullet for finding happiness in a relationship...it takes work, some faith in yourself and your partner, and as much love as your heart can hold.

because we are all of us in this together, and the more we can share with each other the more we can learn and make improvements in our individual relationships.

and because it is important to remember why we fell for our partner to begin with and not to take them for granted, ever...

Monday, October 23, 2006

Thanks Everyone for your kind words and emails of support!
Our launch is going great - we could use your help though.
We need some folks to post reviews and rate us on some web sites, like:
  • lulu.com (our main seller of the Handbook & calendar - just click on either from our home page to go straight to our storefront to give us a rating or review) or try clicking here: http://lulu.com/lambsonlove
  • amazon.com - Click here to rate or review our handbook:
  • Or, if you're really hi-tech, we'd love you to add our home page to your delicious favorites, squidoo lens, or add a link on your own blog (we'll happily return the favor!)

So - we're off and running and SO glad to be "out" in public now with our first official business together: Lambs On Love! Thanks again & stay tuned on this blog for more fun updates!

xoxo

deb

Friday, October 20, 2006

So you launched...now what?

Well, I suppose we should take a moment to talk about what we hope to do with this blog. We intend it to be an open forum for people to talk about relationships. What makes them work better, what makes them stronger, and how we can get there.

Rather than focus on what doesn't work (God knows there is enough of that) we would prefer to focus on what does and what we can learn from it. To kick things off here is our (Debbie & Paul's) short story - an audio clip taken from the introduction to our Be A Better Partner Handbook.

The bottom line: It has been quite a relationship roller coaster ride (including trying to publish our stuff and get this business off the ground) but we made it and are going strong!!! Sure there are some days when we bug the s--- out of each other, but those days cannot possibly match the majority of days when it all feels right...and we go back to cherishing each other.

Care to share your short story...???

Thursday, October 19, 2006



is FINALLY live! Check it out HERE...

You might also enjoy our spoof video





Don't worry, we will eventually get into some serious discussions about improving relationships, but we though we would start things off with a chortle or two...after all Be A Better Partner is all about you having fun with your significant other. Feel free to share your thoughts here...