Romance

Romance means so much to so many people, and it is hard to know what to do. It is going to be Valentine's Day before you know it, and you probably already have a plan for that day. But, are you ready for day to day romance?

Here are some easy and cheap ways to romance your bride:

Surprise her! Fold the laundry so she can take a bath and read. You will reap the benefits (unless she falls asleep in the tub).

Take out the trash without having to be coaxed to do so, unless you do it all the time anyway, and in that case, good for you!! Pick up the living room without having to be asked, and without your commenting on the state of your house. A tired pissed off wife is not that much fun.

Play with your kids while dinner is being prepared by your spouse. They are your kids, too. Or, even better, cook dinner for her and the kids without her help. Clean as you go so that you don't have so much to clean up when dinner is over. I know, I know, you worked hard all day -- so did she, especially if she is a stay-at-home mom! The emotional and physical demands on a mother is more than you can possibly imagine. Do this without expecting an ovation for your sacrifice.

Take a turn helping with that darn homework. That is a chore that you can share with her.

If you come home and your wife isn't there and the house is a mess -- suffice it to say that she probably had plenty to do that distracted her from the housework -- help out and clean it up, because it is your house, too. She will be very happy to see that.

Take a turn putting your children to bed. I know you worked all day and are tired. So is everyone that lives and works and has children. Get over yourself and just do it. Your wife will be grateful, and your kids will love it. A special daddy is a daddy who takes time to just be with his kids. Read them some books, spend some time just talking to your kids. You'll be surprised at what goes on in those little minds. Your wife could be turned on by this.

If she is a mother, make a date with your kids every Saturday morning away from your house so that your wife can have a few hours to herself to do whatever it is that she wants. Don't give her a cheesy "coupon" book for future favors. Just do it and do it often.

Clean something that you know she hates to clean.

Love your wife the way she needs you to love her -- not the way you need to love her or the way you want to love her. You can learn what turns her on, you can learn what makes her feel loved. Pay attention to details. It honestly does not take all that much to figure out what makes her happy.

Here are some cheap and easy ways to romance your husband (besides the obvious one):

Have him watch whatever he wants on TV without your commentary on his choice of shows. You may not know this, but men are different than women (in most cases) regarding their choice of TV viewing. I promise you will not die if you have to watch that show about the alligators.

Rub his feet while he is watching said TV shows. Just relax and "be" with him. Don't try to discuss the days events while the TV is on. Save that for some other time. Men don't like to be hammered with conversation every minute they are home. Let them relax for awhile with silence and your companionship. Don't always be doing something else while he is relaxing--relax with him. He needs to be wanted.

Have sex and have it often. It is good for him and good for you. You may not always be in the mood,  but be in the moment, and you just might find out your mood is subject to change.

Love him the way he needs to be loved -- it might not be your way, but it is what he needs.

Men need respect. Make an effort to respect and love your husband for who he is -- not who you want him to be. You will be surprised at what happens.

Let him play computer games or video games if that is what floats his boat. Don't nag him about his choice of recreation. Is it really that important that he likes what you like all the time? So what if he likes a video game that you don't? What is the big deal? Do you want him controlling your leisure time? Probably not, so offer him the same courtesy. If the man is the head of the house (and that is what God intended), that means his opinion needs to be respected also. 

Make sure you connect during the day. A text message can work wonders in his day if it means you were thinking of him. Send him an email. Leave him a phone message. Just let him know that he matters to you.

This list is not intended to be all inclusive. Use your imagination. Treat him or her like they are your best friend. Treat them with the courtesy that you would treat an honored guest in your home. No one can do all these things all the time, but with practice, you can do most of them some of the time and watch the atmosphere in your home change. It is possible to live in a harmonious home.

People don't want love they can live with, they want love they can't live without. Love them like that. You'll be glad you did.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to anyone who actually reads this blog. I don't know of anyone who reads it regularly, not even my kids. Maybe when I pass on, they will be interested.

Anyway, I keep hearing this, "Now things can get back to normal." I don't want things to go back to normal. What is normal? Why not keep ourselves in the holiday mode all year long (except for the non-stop eating)? I think that more people probably think about Jesus in December than most months. I think that people are just happier during the holiday season once the shopping is done and the stage is set for the holidays. People seem kinder in December (all except the walmart employees). I wish we could keep that feeling of good will toward men all year long. I guess that is too much to ask.

I am very busy in January. I work in an office and I have to change all my files over to new ones for the new year. That means taking all the old ones out and putting them in file cabinets in the back room. That means that for the first month or two of this new year, I will be traipsing back and forth to the back to locate something that someone needs. I like organization, I am just not good at it. My desk looks a mess. I try really hard, but it doesn't come easy to me. I know I can find what I need, I just need to put it away instead of put it down. If only I could train myself to do that at home, too. Wow, that would be good.

I am stalling putting my Christmas decorations away. Not because I am particularly lazy, but because I really like my tree and hate to see it taken down. I know it has to go, but I am holding on for a bit.

I really want to go back to Weight Watchers, too. I know, it didn't take last year, but that shouldn't stop me from trying again, should it? I hate that I let myself get so fat again. I do it every single time. I sabotage myself. I have no one to blame but myself.

I love the holidays. I wish they lasted longer.