PLACES, PEOPLE, EVENTS, GOOD FOOD AND MY LIFE

I received a forwarded e-mail from a friend about Tips Of A Happy Marriage. I would like to share my insights for each and I hope these will will interest all of the married couples out there and even for those who are still single and in a relationship (maybe you can apply it when the right time comes). So here they are:

1. Always keep the spark alive-Expressing your feeling to your partner even in simple ways can keep the spark alive. You can do simple things that make your partner feel special like saying I Love You frequently, starting your day with a kiss, preparing your partner's favorite dish or fixing his breakfast, making simple surprises that you think can make him/her happy, date once a week or even once a month (doesn't mean always go somewhere fancy), talk about dreams. etc.

2. Do not Nag-Never ever nag your partner. Whatever problems you encounter talk about it in a nice way so that both of you can think of the best solution to solve your problem. You must have healthy arguments and learn how to compromise and value your partner's likes and dislikes.

3. Laugh together-"Laughter is the best medicine." When you share good laughs together you will have a fun and healthy relationship that will draw you more close together.

4. Ask for each other's opinion. You must always seek your spouse's opinion when making decisions. Both of your opinions are important because it will reflect both of your lives.

5.Compliment-Say something nice to your partner that will make him/her happy. All of us like
to hear something nice. It makes us feel good.Right?

6. Respect your partner. Respect is love, Love is respect, as most of the people say, which is true. You must show respect at all times whether it's just the two of you or you or with other people. You must accept each other's differences because no one is perfect. Even if both of you have different attitudes towards life or whatever aspect it could possibly be,you must respect each other. Sometimes in a relationship the loving feeling can be gone if you don't respect your partner's emotions and feelings.

7. Admit when wrong- No one is perfect so don't be arrogant in admitting that you are wrong or you commit a mistake. You must apologize and move on from the conflict.

8. Do not forget special days. Do not forget important dates in your lives and surprise him/her that will make him feel loved and special.

9. Pray for each other daily- We must pray for each other and make sure that God is the center of your relationship.

10. End the day with a hug and kiss. This will keep your relationship intimate.
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Also I want to share with you our moment last weekend at Little Grand Canyon that makes me smile.

My husband loves sailing and it is a form of his relaxation after the whole week's job. Here are our precious moments together last week:

By the way, I posted here in my site the "101 Ways to Say to your husband I love You". Now, I want to share some TIPS ON HOW TO BE A GOOD HUSBAND for all the husbands out there. I originally got these tips from socyberty.com. Here they are:

1.Make time for your family.
This is not a choir and should not be treated as work. Spending time with your mates and on your hobbies is important, but time with your family is the one thing you can never get back. Treat time with your wife and kids with that same excitement and sense of anticipation as you do a boy's night out or a day at the game. Let your wife know that this is where you want to be, even if being dragged through the sticky plastic tunnels at the Fun Station is not your idea of fun it is your kid's idea of fun and surely seeing them happy is reward enough.

2.Take the kids off your wife's hands at least once every two weeks.
Dedicate a weekend day to spending time with your kids, set it in stone and make it clear that this is Mums day off. This is a day she can get her hair done, catch up with friends, go out to lunch or just rest at home and read a book. You reward for this will be quality time spent with your kids, a happy relaxed and rejuvenated wife and in fairness, you get to do the same. You get to take a day off too and spend it doing your thing, what ever that is, without guilt and without building up resentment from your wife.

3.Make a regular time to take your wife out.
Book a baby sitter once a month, and take her somewhere special, somewhere you both like. Treat her how you did when you were first courting. Talk with her, tell her she looks beautiful and how much in love with her you still are. Do not waste this special time to just appreciate her. In return she has a chance to appreciate you too.

4.Plan little surprises for her.
Leave her favourite chocolates in the fridge, bring home flowers from work, or call her through the day just to say thank you. It could be thank you for the lunch you packed, for the breakfast you made or maybe even thank you for last night. Be thoughtful, little things such as these mean a lot to a woman.

5.Be spontaneous with helping around the house.
Don't be judgmental. Do not start playing Mr. Clean because today is the day first day this year you decided to pick your socks up, literally off the floor. Do not make her feel like she has not been doing a good job around the house and that is why you have stepped in. You are instead just trying to ease her load, make your intentions clear.

6.Do not ever tell your wife she is losing it.
Or that she is not the spring chicken she once was, or tell her "Yes dear that does make your bum look big!" Use your common sense, none of this would make you feel better so do not say these types of things to her.

7. Be honest about your feelings.
If something is troubling you, or if you are not sure what to do about something, talk to your wife. You are a team, in this life together so do not shut her out. She will only worry more. Never foolishly believe that she does not know when something is bothering you. Talk.

8.Listen to her.
This one is easy. When she speaks to you Listen.

9.Do not put her down in front of other people.
Never set out to embarrass your wife. It is just hurtful. Never use her failings just to get a laugh.

Finally guys,
10. Take care of her when she is sick or tired.
Treat her, as you know she would treat you. With loving-kindness.

Finally, there really are no tricks to a happy marriage. A good marriage is built on thoughtfulness, love and kindness with a little humor thrown in. Good luck and may all your troubles be small.