Test Drive

I have always wanted to go on a test drive date. Now that my husband is looking online for a new vehicle (we can't actually afford one but he says he's just doing "research" ), I think I will spring this idea on him. . . . and best of all it's FREE, unless you actually buy a car then its one of the most expensive dates you'll EVER go on!!! :)

Special Date

For a very special date, return to the place where it all began. Where ever you sealed the deal (marriage or proposal) , at a church, temple, garden or a beach, take a picnic or flowers and dessert and sit where you can see it. It doesn't have to be the exact location especially if you've moved since then but someplace that is similar. Then eat your lovely meal and reminisce about that day and every year since you've been married. If you really want to get into it, write some vows or a poem or just let them know how special they are to you.

The Relationship Report Card- a practical tool for change and improvement.

Does your relationship need some reflection and re-evaluation? Try this exercise:

INSTRUCTIONS-
* You grade yourself and your partner.
* Get your partner to grade him or herself and you.
* Compare and discuss your grades; you'll gain great insight into your relationship.
* Celebrate everything from a B- to an A+.
* Work to improve your Cs and Ds and Fs.



Grade Yourself Grade Partner
Affection
Arguing Skills
Attitude
Commitment
Communication
Considerate
Couple Thinking
Creativity
Empathy
Flexibility
Friendship
Generosity
Gift-giving Skills
Honesty
Household Mgmt.
Listening Skills
Lovemaking
Patience
Playfulness
Romance
Self-Awareness
Self-Esteem
Sense of Humor
Sensitivity
Spontaneity
Tolerance

How would you grade your relationship?

A = Passionate, exciting, loving, fulfilling; not perfect- but clearly excellent.
B = Very good, solid, better- than-most, consistent, improving.
C = Average, acceptable, status quo, okay- but static, ho-hum, sometimes boring.
D = Below average, unhappy, dismal; bad- but not hopeless.
F = Hopeless, depressing, dangerous; tried everything, it didn't work.

Taken from 1001 ways to be Romantic- Gregory Godek

Puppy love

Before I got pregnant, Bro and I seriously researched getting a dog. We both felt strongly that before seeing a breeder that we would do our best to find a rescue dog at one of the local shelters. Many a date night we would hop in our car to see these homeless cuties (and some scary ones). The absolute best place we found was the Seattle Animal Shelter, not only was it the cleanest and most humane but they have the biggest selection of animals. Long story short, I became prego and presto- the dog idea went on hold indefinitely. However, for a date, we still like to go visit these wonderful ragamuffins. Shelters located WHEREVER you live!

Bed Bath & Beyond

Bed Bath & Beyond is a great place for a date and let me tell you why:

1. There are fun doodads to look at like the As Seen on TV Ear Lift, As Seen on TV Hercules Hook, and LumaTweeze Professional Lighted Tweezers.

2. You can sit and have an intimate conversation while receiving full body massages from their display massage chairs.

3. For dessert, they conveniently have oodles of candy in the front by the registers.

4. And best of all you can buy that new shower curtain you've been doing without for almost a year!

You make my heart beat faster!

My hubby and I are going on vacation to La Mexico in a month, due to this fact, my husband has been spending an extra hour away from me at night to go jogging (like I don't already think he's the hottest thing since . . . since . . . well, I just can't think of anything hotter!) I recently borrowed Cindy Crawford's The Next Challenge Workout (Copyright 1993) VHS tape from a girlfriend and I begged him to stay home with me and try it instead. He thought it was going to be silly but it turned out to be really fun and I have to say that I have a whole new admiration for Cindy (wow!) and my buns are killing me this morning! I think the library carries workout videos so you could do this date for free in the comfort of your own living room and you don't even need a babysitter (preferably your kids are asleep but in our case Bro used our babe as an extra weight). Thanks Cindy for a great date- I owe ya!