Monday, January 29, 2007

Last Minute Adventure Ideas:

Go to the movies - see something adventurous this time!
Order something adventurous when you're eating out this week!
Prepare something adventurous to gear up for Surprise Me Month, starting Wednesday!!

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Over 65% of Americans spend more time with their computers than with their significant others. Say it aint so!...so

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

ADVENTURE MONTH IDEAS

So far we have had the following "adventures" this month:

1. We gave blood together
2. We went on a hike to a place we had never been before - a local reservoir (and it was beatiful!)

Next up...we will take turns reading a book on relationships to each other one night a week. The idea here is to eplore uncharted territory in our relationship.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

51% OF WOMEN LIVE WITHOUT SPOUSES

According to a report put out today, the majority of women in the United States are now living without spouses. Apparently this is due to women waiting longer to get married, more women not getting married with their partners, and women outlinving their husbands.

Sunday, January 14, 2007

QUESTIONS THAT COUPLES SHOULD ASK (OR WISH THEY HAD) BEFORE MARRYING

From a December 17, 2006 New York Times article...

1) Have we discussed whether or not to have children, and if the answer is yes, who is going to be the primary care giver?
2) Do we have a clear idea of each other’s financial obligations and goals, and do our ideas about spending and saving mesh?
3) Have we discussed our expectations for how the household will be maintained, and are we in agreement on who will manage the chores?
4) Have we fully disclosed our health histories, both physical and mental?
5) Is my partner affectionate to the degree that I expect?
6) Can we comfortably and openly discuss our sexual needs, preferences and fears?
7) Will there be a television in the bedroom?
8) Do we truly listen to each other and fairly consider one another’s ideas and complaints?
9) Have we reached a clear understanding of each other’s spiritual beliefs and needs, and have we discussed when and how our children will be exposed to religious/moral education?
10) Do we like and respect each other’s friends?
11) Do we value and respect each other’s parents, and is either of us concerned about whether the parents will interfere with the relationship?
12) What does my family do that annoys you?
13) Are there some things that you and I are NOT prepared to give up in the marriage?
14) If one of us were to be offered a career opportunity in a location far from the other’s family, are we prepared to move?
15) Does each of us feel fully confident in the other’s commitment to the marriage and believe that the bond can survive whatever challenges we may face?
RELATIONSHIP IMPROVEMENT IS LIKE TRAINING AN EXOTIC ANIMAL?

Not exactly, but this article from a June 25, 2006 New York Times is enjoyable and well written just the same. And it make some important points about how to "train" your partner...

"I followed the students to SeaWorld San Diego, where a dolphin trainer introduced me to least reinforcing syndrome (L. R. S.). When a dolphin does something wrong, the trainer doesn't respond in any way. He stands still for a few beats, careful not to look at the dolphin, and then returns to work. The idea is that any response, positive or negative, fuels a behavior. If a behavior provokes no response, it typically dies away. "

Saturday, January 13, 2007

USA Weekend Columnist Dennie Hughes offers some good relationship advice in her weekly "Relationtips" Column.
Here's a marriage counseling joke sent by Cory Church that will give you a good chuckle!

"A husband and wife go to a counselor after 15 years of marriage. The counselor asks them what the problem is, and the wife goes into a tirade listing every problem they have ever had in the 15 years they've been married. She goes on and on and on. Finally, the counselor gets up, walks around the desk, embraces the wife and kisses her passionately. The woman shuts up and sits quietly in a daze. The counselor turns to the husband and says, "This is what your wife needs at least three times a week. Can you do this?"The husband thinks for a moment and replies, "Well, I can drop her off here on Mondays and Wednesdays, but on Fridays, I fish."

Monday, January 01, 2007

Celebrating Adventure Month in January?

Share your ideas!

We Lambs are sitting down to map ours out later today, but here are some ideas from our Calendar Hub calendar:

1. Rent a tandem bike or Segways for a day
2. Head out on the subway or a bus for a day without deciding in advance where you'll go or what you'll do (warning - this may take a special kind of couple to do this activity!).
3. It's National Blood Donor Month - helllloooo? need i say more?
4. It's winter - hit the slopes and try snowboarding or ice skating!

Whatever you do - Have Fun for goodness sakes...and Happy New Year!!!