adsense_ifytony

A Simple Rule for Handling Disagreements Successfully

2009-08-11T02:02:00.000-07:00

Do you live in a peaceful home? Or do you and your spouse seem to argue and yell about everything? Did you know there is something you can do in your relationship that can transform it from contentious to serene?

Early in our dating relationship, my wife and I set one ground rule for how we would handle disagreements and any other problems that arose. That rule was very simple -- we were not allowed to yell at each other.

Of course, we broke the rule periodically. But because we knew it was unacceptable, doing so caused pretty serious consequences. I remember one time I raised my voice at my wife and it literally stunned her. I could tell by her reaction that I had crossed the line.

Through the years, this rule has stuck. But not only that, it has really guided our relationship with each other (and even with our children). Why? Because we learned that yelling at each other was disrespectful and degrading. We also hated that it seemed to make the problem we were dealing with even worse. It showed that we were willing to drive the other person down in order to get our point across.

It also encouraged a "win at all costs" attitude, which is selfish at its core. And, when we did yell, it never solved any of our problems with a godly solution. If I won an argument by yelling, the outcome was rarely biblical. One thing I noticed about my own heart was that yelling was a way to distract her from the real problem. This was a big problem when I knew she was right, but I was not willing to admit my own fault.

While the rule started out as a law in our relationship, it has become a real desire and expression of grace. It has taken time, but the law actually taught us about grace in ways we never expected. It wasn't until a few years after making the rule that I read James 4:1: "What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?"

So the next time you feel your tone of voice getting out of control, ask yourself if your passions are taking over or if you're solving the problem with your spouse's best interest and, more importantly, the Lord's will at heart. Doing so can do wonders for the emotional climate of your home.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

Is Your Spouse an Easy Target for an Affair? Even If You Say "No," Read This...

2009-08-11T01:52:00.000-07:00

Do you ever take your spouse for granted? Do you ever say, "My spouse would never cheat on me?" If so, you need to be careful. Here's why...

Many affairs come completely out of the blue. They happen to those who least expect it. And many of them happen to people you would least expect. I once heard a woman who had an affair say, "I wasn't looking to have an affair. And I never dreamed I would fall into one. It just happened."

Well, it didn't just happen. It is possible she never thought about it. But the affair happened because she didn't have her guard up. Any time you say, "I'll never have an affair" or "I'm sure my spouse would never have an affair," it's a clear sign that you've become apathetic toward sin -- and don't fully understand its power.

1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." If you let your guard down, you become a prime target for sin to creep in. The devil loves it when you become apathetic and take things for granted.

But even worse than apathy is the self-righteousness these thoughts produce. They are a sign that we think we (or our spouse or someone else) is above sin and unable to fall into sin. And that simply isn't true.

Remember, God's strength is best exhibited in our weakness. So when we acknowledge our weakness and how easy it would be for us to fall into sin, we are far more likely to remain dependent on God and His watchful protection.

Admitting our weakness also shows that we are "sober-minded." We understand the reality of our situation and our powerlessness in the face of temptation. It's in this weakness that God's power is made evident.

As a spouse, you have to stay on guard for your loved one. While you can't prevent someone else from giving into temptation, there are some things you can do help them stay faithful. You can show your spouse consistent devotion. And you can serve them with your words and deeds.

Remember, your spouse is human. They need to be built up and encouraged. Tearing them down all the time is a sure way to drive them away. If you provide the right kind of environment, any temptation to infidelity is far less prone to take root, much less grow into maturity.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

3 Ways to Get Your Husband to Talk to You

2009-08-11T01:48:00.000-07:00

A study that found that most women want their husbands to talk to them. The desire is so great, that the majority of women said this was more important to them than sex, money, or children. So how can a woman get her husband to talk to her?

It's a tricky question, because the very nature of the question makes it sound like you can manipulate your husband into talking. Well, that's not the right way to go about it. You can't simply make someone talk if he doesn't want to. In fact, if you try, you're more likely to drive him away than you are to find success.

But that doesn't mean you're stuck doing nothing. There are, in fact, many things you can do to encourage him to talk. Let's look at three of them.

(1) Pray -- This seems obvious, but most people pray according to their own desires, not according to their husband's greatest need. In other words, do your prayers sound something like this, "Lord, please make my husband talk to me." If they do, then you know your prayers are focused on you and not on your husband.

The next time you pray for your husband, try this instead: Pray for his relationship with God. If he's not talking to you, then he's not leading you and your family. He's not fulfilling his duty as the spiritual leader of the home. So his relationship with God isn't where it needs to be. You can't force your husband to have a right relationship with God, but you can pray for him. So pray and trust God.

Once he gets his relationship with God in order, you'll be amazed at the difference in his willingness to talk. It probably won't come all at once, though, so be patient.

(2) Give up control -- Remember what happened in the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve fell? The curse against the woman was that she would desire her husband. Another way to think of this is that the woman would desire to control her husband. A major reason a man refuses to talk to his wife is because it's his way of maintaining control of an area of his life. The minute he opens his mouth about it, a controlling wife will instantly take control of it. So he remains quiet.

Many wives don't realize they're controlling. The best way to discover what your husband thinks is to ask him if you're controlling. But be prepared for an answer you may not like. And don't get defensive. Listen closely to what he says. You might learn something about why he doesn't talk to you.

If a controlling wife wants her husband to talk, she has to give up control. She can start by repenting and asking God and her husband for forgiveness.

Then she needs to take the focus off of what he's not doing and turn her attention to what he is doing. Encourage him, praise him, and find ways to build him up. Use Philippians 4:8 as an outline for action: "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

(3) Study your husband -- Who does your husband talk to? Why does he talk to them? What does he get from them? By studying your husband's conversation habits, you might discover some things you're not offering him in your discussions with him.

Also consider what really turns him on. What are his interests? Try to learn more about those interests and talk to him about them. Remember, the goal here is to start a habit of conversation. So even if it doesn't go very deep, at least you're getting him to talk.

Finally, study his strengths and weaknesses. How can you encourage the areas where he's strong? And how can you help out where he's weak? Service will go a long way toward starting conversation.

Every man is different. And the reasons they don't talk are just as varied. But these three principles will help you focus on the real priorities.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

The Romance Of A Beach Wedding

2009-08-10T03:12:00.000-07:00

How romantic can a beach wedding ceremony be? What better way to say 'I love you' than with the sand running between your toes? It's all true; a beach wedding is beautiful, romantic and picturesque. But they have their problems too.

So where are you intending to have your wedding? Is it a Caribbean beach wedding or a Hawaii beach wedding or maybe your intending to have a Florida beach wedding? It doesn't really matter which divine tropical location you're going to have your ocean theme wedding at, they all have one thing in common. They are all warm to hot and that can play merry hell with your choice of clothes. It's not much good wearing a really beautiful gown only to have hideous wet marks from heat induced sweat ruining the look and all the photos. So wear something appropriate and pick the cooler morning or late afternoon for the beach wedding ceremony. Wear something light and loose in natural materials, for instance cotton, and for the men (who sweat more) suggest under vests to absorb the sweat and keep them feeling cooler and dryer during the ceremony.

Wind and The Beach Wedding Ceremony
Remember that it is an outdoor wedding and therefore you are at the mercy of the elements. Mostly in the tropics, they are at least predictable and can be worked around. For instance remember it may well be windy so don't have things that are easily blown around as part of the decor of your reception. And make sure that things like the centrepieces are heavy enough to stay where they are put. Use lovely heavy glass vases or add a layer of sand inside the containers to increase their weight. And you can outline the path to your beach wedding ceremony with stones or sea shells to give even more of a marinefeeling to your ceremony.

And don't forget to be prepared for the worst. Just in case the weather should turn to rain have a back up room in the venue which you can use so the wedding can happily proceed. Make sure the guests are fully informed of what is happening before the time arrives.

The Unity Sand Ceremony
Another idea is to have the more traditional Unity Candle Ceremony replaced by the Unity Sand Ceremony. At your beach wedding, you can even scoop up the sand at your feet to use in the ceremony and as a permanent souvenir of the glorious beach where you had your beach wedding ceremony. It also solves the problem of the wind blowing the Unity Candle out.

The Unity Sand Ceremony is a ceremony a couple of minutes long during which the bride and groom pour sand into a Unity Vase from a separate container each and is really well suited to a beach wedding. This symbolizes their two separate lives coming together, being joined and continuing on as one. It is a simple, beautiful and heart felt ceremony. Other family members, particularly children of the couple, are also able to join in and feel part of the beach wedding ceremony.

An outdoor wedding site can be pretty noisy with wind, surf, birds and maybe other happy people if you are on a public beach. So ensure that there is some kind of public address system so you can be heard taking your vows.

Soft Sand and High Heels
Soft sand can be difficult for the elderly or disabled to walk on. And it can be a real challenge for high heels. For yourself consider sandals or bare feet for your beach wedding, it's wonderful feeling the sand squidging up between your toes. And for your guests, seriously consider getting some flooring for the seating and tables to prevent them from sinking into the sand.

Keep the ocean theme flowing through the food you serve. Use sea shells or abalone shells to serve seafoods in. Have a Hawaiian pit roast or a BBQ instead of a 'normal' meal. And for the cake, have it laced with dark or heavy rum as they do in the West Indies.

We may have made the idea of a beach wedding sound as if it has insurmountable problems. But this is not really so. At least no more so than any wedding has challenges to over come. With a little planning, your event can be a true high light of your life.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

Graphology and Lover's Compatibility

2009-08-10T03:03:00.000-07:00

Very few people are blessed with the art of discovering accurately how compatible they are with their partners and that too without seeking any professional help. This can be done by analyzing their handwriting. Moreover, it has also been proved that handwriting is full of relationship clues which clearly reveal the degree of compatibility in a relationship.The final edition related to the degree of compatibility of your pair.

Flow
Both writings are graceful with few corrections and erasures: Your pair moves on well.

One writing is graceful and one arrhythmic: A combination which can well be saved by the sense of humor. You are bound to bump into one another by stepping onto each other's toe.

Both are arrhythmic: Your pair can be comical and heartbreaking.

Self-Image
Both with retraced Ts and Ds: You will adhere to certain standards for acquiring a self image and will feel uncomfortable unless and until those standards are met.

Both without retraced Ts and Ds: You people may go off in any direction unauthorized by anyone.

One with retraced Ts and Ds and one without: One may disapprove of the conduct, dress or language of the other, and also will be embarrassed by undignified situations.

Bonding
One with round dots over Is and Js: This pair forms long and strong bonds with people, values and beliefs.

One with round dots over Is and Js and the other without: One feels secured and bonded; while the other feels unsecured and unbounded.

Both without rounded dots: Neither bonds easily and your relationship may slip away.

Simplicity
Both without beginning approach strokes: Both of you never waste time on hesitations. You strip away unnecessarily. Your thinking is uncomplicated and at times can also be elegant. In business, science, art and music, the two of you can be a good combination.

One with approach strokes and one without: This combination gets place by a more circuitous route.
Both without approach strokes: You tend to beat around the bush.

Generosity
Both with final strokes that are long and turn upwards: Both of you are kind, seldom, spiteful and open-minded.

One with long upturn final strokes and one without: This is a nice combo, especially, if the less generous one is able to accept generosity gracefully.

Both without long, slightly upward final strokes: With this pairing, sharing is not always easy, and one may need something which the other has, that something may be denied.

Self-Reliance
Both underscore their signature: You do things well independently. You can be a successful business combo.

One with underscored signature and one without: This combo too, works well.

Sexual Loop Guide
Both with long lower loops of Gs, Ys and Js that return to the baseline: In lovemaking, you are likely to be active and play the normal 'sex roles.'

Both with long lower loops that fail to return to the baseline: You both are willing to make love, but you tend to get to everything very prematurely.

Both with strange, oddly shaped loops: You are beyond kinky.

Both with exaggerated lower loops: You are led by fascination and genitalia.

Both with short, straight G, Y and J loops: This pair would rather see a G-rated movie.

Both with exaggerated lower loops in relation to the rest of writing: Both of you may find sexual satisfaction in fantasy and neither of you may need to have fun with the other.

Both with no lower loops at all: You treat human sexuality as a simple reproductive function that can be made effective and productive.

Both with narrow, squeezed lower loops that return to the baseline: This pair is sexually inhibited by fear of trusting.

Both with a variety of lower loops: Both of you do a lot of sexual research and investigation.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

About the Author
Abhishek owns MysticBoard.com. http://www.mysticboard.com is the place where she can be consulted and contacted. In the website Graphology

Lord, I'm Ready to be a Wife

2009-08-10T02:46:00.000-07:00

Most people don't believe in "‘till death do us part," anymore.

Christine Pembleton believes she knows the secret to making your marriage last. In her book, Lord, I'm Ready to be a Wife (www.christinepembleton.com) (Josephine Communications); she shares her views of how to become a good Christian wife and the importance of finding the right man to marry.

There are 3 types of unmarried women, according to Pembleton. The single woman who is living her life for herself, the "married" unmarried woman who gives her boyfriends all the benefits of marriage without the commitment, and the "wife-in-waiting" who is ready to be a wife, but waiting until the actual marriage to act like one.

The single, unmarried woman lives her life the way she wants to. Any man she meets must fit himself into her life.

"This mindset preserves her life as a single woman and it works to keep her life where it should be - a life that fulfills her God-given destiny," she said.

The unmarried "married" woman acts as though she is married, but without the commitment. She washes his clothes, cooks his meals and may even engage in pre-marital sex because she loves him and wants to give him everything he "needs."

"She bases her life choices on what's important to him and his goals," she said.

The "wife-in-waiting" has a life of her own, but is flexible enough to meet her future husband partway in order to build a life together. She is willing to make huge adjustments in her life, but only for the benefit of a marriage license. It is the "wife-in-waiting" that a woman looking for a good Christian marriage should strive to be.

"A wife-in-waiting may wait a little longer for her husband and be frustrated with how
many men will try to challenge her standards," she said. "But when she meets a man who wants to be a husband to her, she'll have the best chance of having a happy marriage. And enjoying being a wife to one man, the man she'll prayerfully share the rest of her life with."

Pembleton believes that it is not enough to have the right mind-set to have a happy marriage; you must also make sure you choose a man who is ready to do the work of being a husband. It is important to identify the qualities we are looking for in a husband, not just discount men because of the negative aspects we find in them.

"Being able to identify the Godly character in a man is your strongest tool for recognizing the man the Lord has sent you," she said.

It is important, according to Pembleton, to trust in the Lord that he will bring the right person into your life. It is then up to you to recognize him.

"You have to trust that God will bring you the man who will love you and add value to your life," she said. "Every choice you make should be weighed by God's standards."

Things to look for in a good husband:

• He is willing to rise to the occasion of being a husband to you.
• He shares a common destiny with you.
• He's interested in you
• He's a man you can respect

Once you have found the right man and become a wife, it is time to change from being "a wife" to being "his wife". This means tailoring your thoughts to what your husband truly needs.

"It will take some time, but since marriage is a life-long commitment, you'll have more than enough time to learn about your husband and how you can help him best," she said.

How To Come Up With Romantic Ideas ForYour Partner's Birthday

2009-05-20T02:54:00.000-07:00

If you are newly married and have yet to start your family, you should take advantage of the time you have to spend together. Though having children can be one of the greater joys of your life, you will find that you do not have as much time for each other as you wish you did. It is important that your relationship is on solid ground before you add children to the mix. This is why you should take extra time to make every day special. When it comes time for someones birthday, you want to put in some extra thought. Make sure you can come up with some romantic birthday ideas for your spouse to make the day extra special.

Romantic birthday ideas might be no different than what you would plan for any other romantic evening. You may want to take your spouse out to eat, or perhaps out to see a special event that you both might love. You may want to take some time to rent a hotel room to get away for the weekend, or perhaps book a room in a romantic bed and breakfast situated in a calm and peaceful setting. When we are young, birthdays are often spent with friends in a party atmosphere, but when you are married, you may want to give romantic birthday ideas a try.

What may separate romantic birthday ideas from regular birthday ideas is the thought you put into the day. My husband often tells me that he is not romantic, but I know that this is not true. Romance is not as hard as many men make it out to be. Simply putting a little bit of extra thought an extra work into something is what makes it romantic. If you are showing someone that you care and have taken time out of your day for their pleasure, you have found the secret to romance. Romantic birthday ideas can be just about anything, as long as you have indeed but that thought into what you want to do for your partner.

If youre like most husbands, and you have no idea what romantic birthday ideas may be, I would advise you to search online to see what others have done. You may find a great deal of wonderful ideas there from which you can choose. There are some people who say that romance is dead in our modern world, but I do not believe that. There are many romantic birthday ideas out there that will tell you the same. Many women have a very simple idea about romance, and many of us are not the high strong and high maintenance women you might see in movies are on television. As long as you have put some thought into what you are going to do for us, we are going to think you are the most wonderful and romantic man in the world.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

How Can You Keep a Long Term Relationship with Your Partner in a Marriage?

2009-05-20T02:49:00.000-07:00

Once you decided to get married with your beloved, it is time to be sure there is consensus between you and your partner. Some issues might be left over and never be discussed thoroughly before. The problem is those issues might be quite important and might ruined your marriage in the long run.

The followings are the some issues you need to think about:

1 Faithfulness in the relationship
No one would stand a third person in a marriage. However, what is the boundary of being unfaithful? Everyone might have a different ruler. Discuss it with your partner and see how the differences between your and your partner's thoughts are.

2 Respect & tolerance
We should respect and trust our partners. Any unreasonable doubt on your partner would only lead to breaking up and harm the relationship between both of you. Never check the mobile phone record or email of your partner. This is the basic respect and trust you should have for one another.

3 Household income expectations
There are lots of expenses when a couple lives together. These expenses include the rent, transportation, food, entertainment etc. What kind of living standard after getting married should be discussed in detail in order to avoid mismatch of expectations.

4 Religious beliefs
Respect the religious beliefs of your partner. There is no reason to ask your partner to give up his / her religious belief just because of you. Understanding and respecting the difference in religious beliefs is vital in order to keep a good and long term relationship.

5 Common hobbies
What is the hobby of your partner? If you love outdoor activities a lot but your partner only wishes to read a book in the living room, it will only result in argument and disappointment. It is not saying that you two must have the same hobbies. Sharing is the key, even though you might have different hobbies, you can still share the happiness and joy of your hobbies to your partner. Let him / her know more of you would tight you two closer together.

6 Having children or not
It is important to discuss if you would like to have a child or not before you get married because sometimes it is a great dispute between a married couple. One might be keen to have two to three children but the partner might not want to have one child. Consensus and agreements should be reached before marriage as it is not a right and wrong issues. If you / your partner would like to bring along a child into the marriage, you have to make sure that the children and your partner would accepted each other in order to have a happy family relationship.

7 Happy Sexual relationship
Sex is an important key in enforcing the marriage. However, sometimes a couple is too shy to discuss about it such as how frequent sexual activities should be taken place, this is especially true in places like Hong Kong? What is the best position to give you and your partner the most sexual pleasure? There is no point to avoid discussions on this issue.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

The Question That Can Radically Change Your Marriage (and Other Relationships)

2009-05-20T02:47:00.000-07:00

What if I told you there's one simple question you can ask your spouse every day that would completely change your relationship for the better? If your marriage is lukewarm at best, asking your spouse this question could add new life and vitality to your relationship.

Wives, imagine if your husband came walking through the door after returning from a tough day at work and, after the usual greetings, asked you this: "Honey, what can I do for you that would make your day?"

Then, once you picked your jaw up off the floor, imagine being able to tell him that one thing that would make your day better -- and then seeing him drop everything to do it.

Husbands, how incredible would it be to have your wife call you at the office and ask, "Honey, what can I do for you that would make your day?"

The trouble with this question is that it's simple to ask, but sometimes following through on the request is difficult. Your spouse could ask you to do that one thing you dread more than anything else. Or he or she could ask you to do something that's not very pleasant, it may hurt you, or it might ruin your day to do it. It might cause you to be vulnerable in ways you don't want to consider.

But imagine how your spouse will feel when you've done it. Just today I asked my spouse this question. She was gentle with me and said, "Oh, I just love it when you take care of the kids so I can take a shower in peace." So guess what I'm doing tonight? You got it. Playing with the kids. Now, not only do I get the joy of playing with the kids, but I also get the joy knowing that my wife is happy too.

The question can go beyond marital relationships. You can ask your kids this question. You might want to put some ground rules in place before they answer, though. For instance, it can't involve money, etc. But when your kids get the opportunity to ask you to do something, it will make their day. My kids, who are still young, usually ask me to play something with them.

Before you ask, make sure your mind is set on doing whatever they ask, no matter how hard it is for you. Obviously, sinful things are off limits. But, otherwise, it's a great test to see how willing you are to serve your spouse.

One final note: Don't give your spouse a guilt trip for telling you what will make their day. Don't say, "OK, I'll do it if you really want me to." Just do it with a cheerful heart. After all, you asked for it.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

Can Your Marriage Survive a Crisis?

2009-05-20T02:45:00.000-07:00

You may have heard it said, "Into every life a little rain must fall." Some people seem to live in places where it rains more often than others. And some marriages seem to live where monsoons are a regular occurrence. But what happens when the really big storms come? Is your marriage built to withstand a lost job, a church split, a major health problem, or the loss of a child?

Unfortunately, most marriages struggle to survive small problems. If that describes your marriage, there's little hope it will survive when a crisis hits. So now is the time to prepare. Now is the time to learn how to handle small problems. Here are six things you should consider:

First, make sure you and your spouse have God as your only priority. If work, church, or family is your priority, then what happens when one of those is taken out in a crisis? Your whole life is in shambles. But we know for a fact that God will never change. He will always be there. He is the Rock that can weather any storm. Like Job, you can say, "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21). If God is your priority, He can take away anything you have, but your focus is unchanged.

Second, with God as your priority, remember that He should determine how you respond to your spouse in every situation. Not your emotions. In order to do that, you've got to know His Word and what it says about marriage.

Third, in the midst of a crisis, you will be hurting. But remember that your spouse is hurting too. Take the time to listen to that hurt. Even if you think you're hurting worse than your spouse, treat them as more important than yourself and work to minister to them. Self-sacrifice in the midst of a crisis is very hard, but it will go miles toward protecting your marriage.

Fourth, don't let pride destroy you. You may not think you need help, but there are those in your church who can do a lot more for you than you ever thought possible. Let them love you and minister to you.

And, finally, spend a lot of time on your knees. Acknowledge God's sovereignty, confess sin, admit weakness, and state your willingness to submit to His will. This goes right along with my first point, but I can't overemphasize the importance of it.

If you start to practice these disciplines before you have a big crisis, you'll be able to weather the storms a lot better. And it's possible your marriage will do more than survive a crisis -- it might just grow even deeper and richer during those really tough times.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

The One Thing Your Husband Is Attracted to That You Shouldn't Lose as You Age

2009-05-20T02:36:00.000-07:00

Vanity makes growing old tough. It gets tougher to keep that extra weight off. The skin just doesn't seem as tight. And the hair just doesn't seem as full as it once was. But everyone wants to look good, especially for their spouse.

Well, there's something every woman should hold onto as they age. It's a feature that can fade with stress and anxiety. But if you can keep it, your husband will definitely notice.

In fact, if you manage to keep it, it will endear you to your husband almost as much as anything else you can do. So what is this that's so vital for your marriage? Is it your shapely figure? Or your beautiful hair? Or your soft supple skin? No, it's none of these.

It's your smile. I know it sounds simple -- it really is -- but there's a lot of depth to showing those pearly whites (even if you had to have them whitened). Proverbs 15:13 says, "A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed."

When a woman smiles, she can change the whole complexion of her family. You know the old saying, "When Momma ain't happy, ain't no one happy." It's true. The woman is the emotional seat of the home. Her joyful spirit is contagious. And it's attractive to her husband. Very attractive!

But don't put on a fake smile. Proverbs 27:19 tells us, "As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man." The same is true of the woman. A fake smile will last only so long. A smile that reflects a heart set on Jesus will shine no matter what your teeth look like.

How can you make your smile real and everlasting? Ecclesiastes 8:1 gives the answer: "Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed."

If you really want to romance your man; if you really want him to notice you and only you well into your old age, there's one thing you should focus on more than anything else -- gaining wisdom.

Not only will it make you someone your husband really enjoys talking too, it will also build his respect for you. And it'll soften your heart and make your face shine like the sun. He won't be able to refuse you.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

The First Step to Successful Dating/Courting -- And What Married Couples Can Learn From It

2009-05-20T02:31:00.000-07:00

If you're anything like me, you learned a lot about dating and marriage from the world. The ways of the world are so enticing. They feel so good they just can't be wrong. But when you tried them, you discovered that the world's idea of dating causes a lot more broken relationships than it does successful ones.

As Christians, we know that broken relationships are a tragedy. Someone always gets hurt. And those wounds often leave deep scars. It happens so frequently today that many of us have become battle hardened. As a result, some run away from relationships. But some people actually develop cravings for the battle. That's why we have such problems with perversions and criminal acts today.

The world tells us that the physical side of the relationship should come first. Even the way we find relationships is based on physical attraction, sizing each other up, and I've even heard people talk about the other person's smell. It gets pretty ridiculous.

But there is a better way. And it starts with how we handle relationships with the opposite gender from the very beginning.

Many Christians have turned to courting instead of dating because of how it encourages two people to get to know each other. But even courting has its problems. I know many people who have the same scars from courting as others get from dating.

Why? Because courting has behind it a purpose -- marriage. When that purpose isn't fulfilled, there's a broken relationship, wounds, and scars.

Courting is a great way to move through the period between friendship and engagement. But too many people take short cuts through friendship because of a deep desire to be connected to someone else.

But doing so can be a disaster. The friendship phase of a relationship should be the longest phase. It's a time to get to know the other person. Find out what their likes and dislikes are. How they respond to different problems. Do they solve problems biblically? Are they willing to compromise in areas that you aren't? And it's a great time to evaluate without any pressure of dating/courting, engagement, or marriage. Thoughts about these can easily skew our judgment.

Spending a lot of time in the friendship phase doesn't always guarantee successful relationships. There is no perfect formula when it comes to fallen people. But it can help you keep things in their proper perspective and protect you from too many deep battle scars. It also lays a super foundation for your relationship with the one you do end up marrying.

And whether you're married or still single, remember that you should always base your friendships on service (serving your friends) and building them up in the Lord. Married couples often say their spouse is their best friend, but then turn around and tear them down at every opportunity. That's the world's view of relationships. Avoid it!

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

Wedding Video Tips

2009-05-20T02:28:00.000-07:00

Some of the same considerations involved in selecting a photographer for your wedding photos also apply to choosing the right videographer. Wedding video, however, is a newer art than wedding photography, and the two forms of preserving your memories cannot really be lumped together when shopping for these professional services.

Nowadays, nearly everyone has a home video camera, and the quality of pictures they produce is quite good; better, in fact, than professional equipment could turn out just a few years ago. This has led many people to neglect the importance of using a professional videographer to record once-in-a-lifetime events. Yes, your friend Bob's nifty new handy-dandy super camcorder can turn out some pretty good-looking stuff, but if you depend on friend Bob to provide your wedding video, you are setting yourself up to be sadly disappointed.

First of all, Bob's new camera, while quite snazzy, still will not be up to the level of equipment the serious professional videographer will bring to your wedding. When shopping for video, ask the videographer to explain to you what a 3-chip camera is, and why it makes better video than a home camcorder. Also ask him about the various tape formats used by the pros...SVHS, HI8, Betacam, and get him to explain the advantages of these over standard home formats. Oh, and wouldn't it be nice to have great sound quality on your video, so you can actually hear your wedding vows, and your music? Chances are pretty good that friend Bob won't own the sophisticated wireless microphones the professional uses to record even a whisper.

Ever sat and watched Bob's 6-hour production of Little Bobby's Birthday Party? This brings us to one of the areas where the pros really excel, editing. No, editing is NOT "cutting out" or throwing away any of your wedding video. Editing is an almost magical process whereby the professional videographer refines and assembles the pictures he carefully gathered at your wedding into a polished, pleasing record of your wedding day. Every videographer has his own style, and there are as many types of wedding video available as there are videographers. Look at lots of sample videos, find the videographer with a style that pleases you, and with a personality you can be comfortable with for six or eight hours on your wedding day.

After your wedding is over, all you will have to help you remember a very important day will be your wedding photos and your wedding video. Select these professionals with care and you'll never be sorry!

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

Six Simple Fast Ways To Save A Marriage

2009-05-20T02:26:00.000-07:00

Let's face it, no relationship is perfect. At some point, even the best suited of couples will find themselves having difficult times. Each marriage has its share of ups and downs, but can still be a satisfying and happy relationship if both partners want it to be. If you're currently experiencing problems and wonder if they can be worked out, just remember that there are many ways to solve marriage issues.

One of the best marriage advice is to start communicating more effectively. Poor communication is a major reason any relationship fails. If you don't know how to fix what's wrong in your communication skills, try buying some books or look for local self-improvement classes. Many talk about improving communication, and you might even find one about the many ways to save a marriage!

Another way to save a marriage is to curb your criticism. Even if you're upset with your spouse, there are many ways to express your feelings, and some are more effective than others. When it comes to the marriage tips, yelling and nagging are not among the recommendations. Share your feelings, but only in positive and constructive ways. Hurtful criticism will never help.

One way to save a marriage that isn't as talked about sometimes is the need for a private life. While you share your life with someone you love, you will have many interests and friends in common. But having friends and interests of your own is healthy and can go a long way to building a successful marriage.
Taking care of yourself is another way to save a marriage. When you take time to do something for yourself to get physically fit or take classes to improve your self-esteem, it can only enhance your relationship. Feeling better about yourself makes life better all around.

Individual and couples therapy are also positive ways to build healthy marriages. Sometimes it really helps to talk to an objective third party, someone who's trained to recognize destructive patterns in relationships. Therapists can offer advice on many tips to save a marriage, even a relationship with serious problems.

A valuable way to solve marriage problems is for both partners to commit to being completely honest with each other. Secrets and lies are no way to save a marriage; they can only hurt or undermine trust. It can be scary opening up and completely trusting, but it's one sure fire way to strengthen the intimacy of any relationship.

So what are the ways to solve marriage problems? There are many, but if you're committed to the relationship and willing to do what it takes to work through the problems that arise, then you'll benefit from any way to save a marriage that you choose.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

Pursuit of Happiness In A Marriage

2009-05-20T02:19:00.000-07:00

Happiness is a precious gift. The pursuit of happiness should direct one to look within oneself and to the love that surrounds us. Happiness means well-being, sound health, and calm mind. Man is a social being and in spite of the nuclear society we live in today, all our relationships make us what we are. And one of the most important of them all is the institution of marriage. Marriage means commitment, love and understanding. More often than not the pursuit happiness ends in marriage.

Marriage is a firm bonding based on love, passion and sexual desire. Each equally important in its own sphere as we know that life should have a complete balance of love and commitment. Marriage is an ultimate commitment of life to peruse the natural way to attain happiness.

Pursuit of happiness through a marriage however is an individualistic view. While even half a century earlier marriage was the ultimate goal, the contemporary world has seen a drastic change in the way relationships are viewed. While marriage is still a revered institution it is no longer a respectability and recognition mandate, especially for women. Both genders today are equally ambitious and successful which makes the pursuit for happiness all the more definitive.

A happy and successful marriage today entails partners who deserve each other. They are a perfect match intellectually, physically and emotionally. Pursuit of happiness in marriage also includes the achievement of material comforts that ease the way for two people to share a lifetime together.

Pursuit of happiness in a marriage depends on making the right choices. Since ancient times marriage has been a source to attain real happiness and fulfillment in life. Marriage brings a sense of completeness in both men and women. This philosophy is reflected in all religions and isms that teach us to look deeper within ourselves. Marriage is the most natural institution formed by man. Evolution has made humans realize their gender differences and compatibility. Marriage has given them a formal bonding and an atmosphere to raise their children.

The pursuit of happiness through marriage is therefore a phenomenon that has come down through generations. It is a time-tested and proven theory which holds true even today because it is result of not human actions but human belief. It is an intrinsic aspect of human practicality. That is why, while many customs have come and gone with civilizations, marriage has lasted over centuries. Man's pursuit of happiness is incomplete without the sanctity and bliss of a wedded life.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

I'm an organised person, always have been. I've never seen the point of being any other way. Even as a kid, my homework was always done on time, and I

2009-05-20T01:56:00.000-07:00

The Compromises of Marriage

2009-05-20T01:54:00.000-07:00

I'm an organised person, always have been. I've never seen the point of being any other way. Even as a kid, my homework was always done on time, and I made beautiful revision timetables to help me through my exams. However, unlike the other kids in my class, I stuck to mine. I didn't see the value in making these beautifully coloured creations if they were not strictly adhered to.

As an adult, my friends laugh at me, call me anally retentive, as I pull out my notebook and cross things off my check list. But I don't see the problem with being organised. If a job needs doing, I do it. If a bill needs paying, I pay it. I find this strategy saves time, effort, and heartache in the long run. If you don't do so something straight away, you only waste time thinking about doing it. Do it, and move on – think about something different. It makes so much more sense.

Well, this outlook has served me well for thirty odd years. However, I recently married, and have been forced to relinquish some of my control. We both work, and being a “new man”, my partner believes we should split both the daily chores and the general management of the household.

Now, this is fine in principle. However, the reality is very different. My “new man” is not as organised as I am. He waits for final reminders for bills and leaves everything to the last minute. This happened recently with our car insurance. I wanted him to shop around, get better quotes – which admittedly he did – but on the day it was due. However, I spent the previous two weeks writing “remind Steve about car insurance” on my to-do list. I could have done the job five times in the amount of time I spent asking him whether he'd sorted out the policy, which lead to even more frustration. This system was supposed to be saving me time and stress, not adding to it.

This has inevitably lead to arguments. He has called me a control freak. I have called him lazy and incompetent. However, I have been talking to my girl friends, who are always the best judges of whether a woman is being reasonable in a relationship, and they have told me I should be grateful that not only does he want to do his fair share, he is actually doing it.

I don't want to be a nagging wife, and I do want to appreciate my husbands efforts. I have therefore decided to bite my tongue, and to stop putting his tasks on my lists. Marriage, after all, is a series of compromises, and maybe, just maybe, relinquishing some of the control of my ordered life will be good for me. Next time it's his turn to pay the bills, I'm going to keep quiet, and see what happens. I'm just hoping he doesn't let me down.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

Is Your Spouse an Easy Target for an Affair? Even If You Say "No," Read This...

2009-05-20T01:37:00.000-07:00

Ever Wished Your Spouse Were Gone? Read This...

2009-05-20T01:25:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wished your spouse were out of your life for good? Or even dead? Don't scoff! Many people think about what life would be like if their spouse died, even wishing it would happen. And Christians are just as guilty of it as non-Christians. While every relationship goes through rough waters, there's nothing about these thoughts that's good for you, your spouse, or your marriage. If you want a healthy marriage, there are a couple of things you can do to avoid these thoughts and restore your relationship.

(1) Repentance is always the first place to start when you have any treacherous thoughts. As part of your repentance, you've got to change your perspective. Thoughts of having your spouse disappear are a sign that you think his or her presence is the cause of your unhappiness. They're also a sign that you're focused on your own gratification, instead of God's pleasure. Turn your focus to pleasing God and loving those around you. Consider your spouse as more important than you -- even your own happiness. And treat your spouse as a child of God.

(2) Pull the log out of your eye. It's quite possible -- maybe even probable -- that you're the cause of the problems you're experiencing, not your spouse. You've got to make sure you've dealt with your side of the equation first. Then you can deal with the sliver in their eye. But mentally throwing your spouse out with the sliver, like throwing the baby out with the bath water, is the wrong way to get rid of a spouse's irritating trait.

(3) Stop giving your spouse the silent treatment when you get into an argument and you don't get your way. Not talking to your spouse is an easy way to pretend for a moment that the other person doesn't exist. Instead of dealing with a hard situation, you're finding an escape. Only this escape doesn't mean you physically leave the house. You just act as if the other person has. It provides temporary relief, but does nothing to solve the problem.

We also know that small things, such as pretending the other person isn't there, will escalate to more extreme thoughts. So stop problems while their small and easier to deal with. If you can't solve an argument on the spot, agree to take some time to pray, cool off, and come back together at an appointed time to continue the discussion. That's the only silent treatment that works.

The best relationships are those in which you invest everything you've got into them. If you want a good marriage, give it your all. Do everything you can to help your spouse succeed. You can't do that if you're wishing evil on them.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

Marriage Celebration For Queen Elizabeth And Prince Philip

2009-05-20T01:21:00.000-07:00

What does a royal couple do to mark such an important occasion as a diamond wedding anniversary? Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh celebrated their nuptials by returning to their roots, so to speak.

While Queen Elizabeth has lived most of her life in England, she did reside for a brief period on the island of Malta. Those around at the time of the closely watched and somewhat controversial wedding of Princess Elizabeth to the Grecian-born Prince Philip will remember the short stint the royal couple spent on the island of Malta.

Just two years after renouncing his Greek heritage and claim to royalty there, Philip was fulfilling his duties as a British royal and serving in the Royal Navy at his post on the Mediterranean island.

Additionally, he had been conferred the title of Duke of Edinburgh by Elizabeth's father, King George VI. Elizabeth visited her new husband at various times in Malta, and both lived there for a two year period between 1949 and 1951, not long after the birth of their first child, Prince Charles.

Little is known about the couple's private life in Malta at the time. It seems fitting, however, that the Queen and Duke returned to the place they spent a significant part of their early years together. And that they did; to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary last November. The couple paid tribute to their own wedding vows by sharing the occasion with other couples who were also marking their diamond anniversaries. Indeed, what better way to celebrate such a milestone than to meet and consort with the royal couple of Britain? Said one diamond anniversary celebrant: "My husband and I were delighted to meet the Queen for the first time in our lives."

Many royal watchers and newscasters have billed the Queen and Duke's visit to Malta as a "second honeymoon." Though neither of them has ever admitted this publicly, it was reported that the trip was the idea of the Duke himself, perhaps an anniversary gift to his wife.

Their stay in Malta was only one stop on a royal tour, which included an official trip to Uganda. While they may have been able to disguise their stay in Malta as official business, many of those who had the opportunity to mingle with Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh speculate that there must have been an element of romance in their brief visit.

The Queen is said to have many fond memories of her early years with her husband and young son in Malta before ascending to the royal throne of Britain at the tender age of 25. At the time of the royal couple's residence there, Malta was a Protectorate of the British government. Though Malta gained independent status in 1964, the island still maintains very close ties to the British Monarchy. Those who reside there joyously celebrated with the Queen and the Duke in November. There is little doubt that Malta remains an important location in the lives of the royal couple.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

Ladies,

2009-05-20T01:19:00.000-07:00

Which is more important? Which do you desire more?
Or is it both?
What's holding you back from getting what you want? Are you claiming your too tired to put any effort into getting what you want?
Are you having trouble communicating what you want? Is your partner just plan hopeless? Does he know how to give you what you want?

Do you desire to have him romance you regulary? When is the last time you felt special, needed, wanted and desired by your partner?
It's time to get what you want and how you want it? The best part is you don't even have to ask for it. He will just do it!

Do you remember when he would take you out, bring you flowers, cards, gifts etc! He would open the door, help you with your coat, not burp or fart in front of you! Oh the good ole days! Ladies I can bring those days back. I can get him to do all those things and more and he will love it too.

I can get him to give you the foreplay that you need want and desire. I can get him to surprise, shock and treat you like the goddess that you are!

Out goes your worn out tired old husband/partner, in comes the new and improved most romantic man on the planet! Ha you laugh! No I have proof! It can and will happen, "I've done it to the most unresponsive, laziest couch potato men in the world."

Of course ladies he will need some attention to it's only fair. I believe if the men get what they want and you get what you want it's a WIN-WIN.

Men Want Sex Woman Need Romance.
Let Me Give You The Secret. So You Both Get What You Want!

You need to nurture your relationship on a regular basis. It's essential for the relationship to not only survive but thrive. If you care about your partner and your relationship you must take the necessary actions to make that happen.

Have you ever considered your partner looking elsewhere to get their intimate desires met?

Unfortunetly, many many people do just that. They can't communicate what the NEED and DESIRE from their partner. Do you want to take that chance?

How did that feel when you thought of that?

Could you imagine it?

What would be an easier experience, going through the heartache of that or giving an hour or so per week to fulfilling each others needs? Keep the one you have. It's easier than you think. Also way more fun than you can imagine. Think for a moment can you say your partner is 100% satisified with the love, sex and romance you provide?

Are you?

Please if you know of others that feel like this pass it along. Go to my comment area or blog and rave about it.

Thank you

Gina Grey-Romance Directo

Erotic Massage And The Benefits To Long Term Relationships

2009-05-20T01:08:00.000-07:00

People who have been married for many years often find their sexual lives becoming stale and predictable. The business of life, children and careers can interfere with maintaining a close bond and the deep understanding and intimacy we all long to share with another person can slip through our fingers. We may have started our relationship feeling like soul mates but as time passes we can easily lose touch with one another.

Erotic massage is the perfect tool to bring a long term, committed relationship back to life. It can be extremely beneficial to each person individually as well as restore the foundation of your connection to each other. Erotic massage invites emotional and spiritual energy into a relationship in a way that common sexual encounters can not.

Many relationships are damaged over the years by harsh encounters and differences of opinion. It is hard to be together for any length of time without saying things you regret or having your feelings hurt. Erotic massage can heal these emotional hurts by bringing positive spiritual energy to your body, mind and soul and allowing the negative energy to escape through the use of touch. Indeed an erotic massage can often bring the receiver to tears, but they are the tears that release the negative energy and make room for the positive energy that can replace it.

As we age together as a couple we often encounter physical difficulties that can interfere with intimacy. We are less agile or have sustained an injury. Our joints may hurt and we may be less than healthy from years of stress and poor heath care. Massage can greatly improve the physical well being of an individual. The power of the touch of a loved one can work out years of neglect and ease the discomfort of physical pain. This will pave the way for more enjoyable erotic interaction.

Anger, hurt and physical pain can all stand in the path of spiritual fulfillment. Using massage to remove the debris of life will open you up to a heightened spiritual awareness. As the immediate discomforts of day to day living fall away you will be reinvigorated and able to take hold more firmly of life, love and happiness. Spirituality and wholeness can than move into the place where once you were consumed with earthly cares and regrets.

Use the ancient tool of erotic massage to relax together in moments of intimacy. Full body massage shared by committed couples can help erase years of stress that may have shut down or stalled even the healthiest of relationships. The power of touch is both therapeutic and healing. Use it to find your way back to one another.

The first thing you must do is put aside all expectations developed from your previous years of sexual encounters. Make a decision to begin anew using a new method of connection. Agree to take the time and effort to learn erotic massage techniques gleaned from centuries of use and practice. They will provide the vehicle to finding your way back to true intimacy.

The foundation of erotic massage is relaxation and openness. Begin any couple massage by creating a quiet, comfortable space for uninterrupted enjoyment. Soft music, candles and massage oil are all useful tools to bring to the experience. Take the time to prepare. Talk about the how, what and where, of the massage a day or so before so that you can begin to anticipate and prepare.

When the time comes leave several hours open and preferably let the experience spill over in a night wrapped in each other's arms.

Unleash the Power of Touch TODAY!

Break the Cycle of Divorce

2009-04-27T02:27:00.000-07:00

If you grew up in a broken home, you've probably heard that your marriage is far more likely to end in divorce. Well, that doesn't have to be the case. Christ came as a restorer, not a destroyer. So in Christ you can restore many of those things that were lost in the broken home you grew up in. And you can have a very successful marriage.

In the book, Breaking the Cycle of Divorce: How Your Marriage Can Succeed Even if Your Parents' Didn't, John Trent shares several ways to overcome the legacy of divorce. Here are a few of them:

(1) "Embrace the love that will never abandon you. Understand that, while people might let you down, God will always come through for you. Accept the love that He offers you -- unconditional love that you can count on, no matter what. If you haven't already, begin a relationship with God through Christ. Make it a top priority to build a closer relationship with God each day.

(2) "Know that you have a choice. Recognize that you aren't a powerless victim. Know that what happened to your parents doesn't have to happen to you, and that you aren't a slave to your past. Decide to choose to respond to your circumstances in ways that will lead to a positive future.

(3) "Face your fears. Take your fears out of the dark (lurking in your imagination) and bring them into the light by talking about them openly with your spouse. Pray about them specifically rather than just worrying about them. Seek and accept help from a close friend or a professional counselor to confront stubborn fears.

(4) "Focus on positives instead of negatives. Ask God to renew your mind and help you reprogram your thinking about your marriage and life in general so you're more positive than negative. Write several lists: one that lists ways you and your spouse are not like your parents, one that lists ways your marriage is not like your parents' marriage, and one that lists your spouse's strengths and positive attributes. Then post your lists in prominent places in your home or car where you can see them every day to remind you.

(5) "Rely on God's power rather than your own. Don't try to wrestle with your struggles on your own. Instead, invite God to work in and through you, empowering you to handle everything that comes your way. Trust that whenever you ask for His help, He will respond -- day by day, and moment-by-moment."

I would add one item to this list: learn to solve problems biblically. This is the primary reason Christian marriages fail. When you try to solve problems according to your opinion or emotion or those of your spouse, there's no standard to determine who is right or wrong. Both of you should learn to submit to God's Word and follow it in problem solving.

If you can't figure it out, then seek help from a biblical counselor. Trent says, "Schedule some strategic sessions so the counselor can coach you through the issues. Realize that just a few short meetings can benefit you."

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

How The Law Of Attraction Can Help Your Dating Success

2009-04-27T02:19:00.000-07:00

According to popular literature, 'The Law of Attraction' can help you get ANYTHING you desire. This includes the woman of your dreams! From what many "experts" have said, if you simply wish for (and imagine) your ideal mate, she'll magically appear.

But can this really be done? Well that's a pretty important question to ask.

The other day I was reading the popular book "The Secret". While I think this book contains a lot of useless information, there are a few principles listed which can help your dating life. What the author discussed was how The Law of Attraction can help achieve you want out of life, including meet your dream woman.

Now if you're not familiar with The Law of Attraction, then let me to provide the text book definition:

Basically it stats that a person's thoughts (conscious and unconscious), emotions, beliefs and actions are said to attract corresponding positive and negative experiences "through the resonance of their energetic vibration."

In other words it means that if you believe in attraction you can get what you think about. Ultimately your thoughts determine your outcome.

Furthermore you can implement The Law of Attraction by following these 4 rules:

1) Know what you desire and ask the universe for it. (The "universe" is mentioned broadly, stating that it can be anything from God to an unknown source of energy.)

2) Focus your thoughts upon the thing desired with great feeling such as enthusiasm or gratitude.

3) Feel and behave as if the object of your desire is on its way.

4) Be open to receiving it.

Now the question is how can you apply The Law of Attraction to your own dating life? Well it's simple. All you have to change around the basic tenants and make them apply to your own dating life.

So if you take the above 4 rules, your own personal Law of Dating Attraction would look like this:

1) Formulate your idea of your perfect woman

2) Think about this perfect woman and describe her perfectly

3) Use visualization to see yourself meeting her, attracting her and ultimately seducing her

4) Go to specific places and look for opportunities where you can meet her

While I personally believe The Law of Attraction doesn't work in the real world, it's important to clearly identify your ideal woman. If you can create a perfect image of what she's like and her personality, then you'll discover it's actually pretty easy to meet her.

So if you're having trouble finding your dream woman, then I recommend that you follow this simple exercise. You might be surprised and meet her!

A Marriage Built On Rock

2009-04-27T02:14:00.001-07:00

A gigantic castle built high onto the cliffs was surrounded by a massive twenty foot thick rock wall on three sides and a heavy wood door reinforced with metal. The ocean protected its rear side with a shore line of jagged fearsome looking boulders that prevented all boats from accessing its shores. It was an impenetrable fortress protected with parapets attached to the walls for the thousands of armed forces that further guarded it from enemy attack.

It was an awesome sight that had intrigued many kings and mighty generals who tried without success to conquer its people and bring its kings to an early grave. Yet every spring without fail a new ambitious army would defiantly take a stand and wage war!

Have you ever wished that your relationship was as strong as a castle built on a gigantic rock? A refuge where you would feel totally safe and secure where nothing could penetrate the fortress you built around your family. People couldn't break your marriage up! Raging storms could not topple the steel and stone that kept you safely knit together against all forces of natural disasters and wars.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you were provided with everything you needed in order to keep your marriage strong and true? Boy wouldn't it be great? Except, in today's world, a marriage like this is seldom protected against the bad things that normally happen to people.

Most marriages fail in the first one to three years. Even though the couple are in love, they can't stand up against the controversy that takes place when one of them loses a job or goes through a sickness that makes them dependent on their mate. When the love dulls and real life suddenly kicks in, they notice their mates flaws and they realize how much they must sacrifice for the other person's children who were born from another marriage.

When you are a Christian and your marriage is in shambles you blame God. You did everything right and yet all you do as a couple is fight. You don't understand why God won't make the other person see that they are wrong and you are right. Doesn't God want your marriage to work?

On the other hand if God was never a part of your marriage, then you cry and become emotional, while telling all of your friends what a liar you married. They are very consoling while pointing out to you the other person's flaws, but behind your back they may be secretly laughing at your mistake.

Unfortunately either story can be millions of peoples experience when they fall head over heels for the wrong person. Most people have no idea what makes a good marriage and being blind to the other person's flaws is one of the prices you pay when you take a flying leap into the passion of love.

What makes a marriage a union that stays together no matter what the couple faces in life? When you are dealing with people it is not black or white. It takes work that can only happen when both are no longer two people; but one. This takes a supernatural power! It takes praying to a higher power than ourselves. It takes knowing how God wants two people to make it in order to stand up to the bad things that are meant to destroy love on the earth.

If you really want to know what makes a marriage strong then you must look at our world for what it is. It is a battleground of good versus evil. It is a journey that takes you on a quest of knowledge that is meant to pit you against opposition so you will make the right choice.

It is an emotional rollercoaster that can take you on the most exciting ride that you have ever experienced in life. But in order to hold tight to your love you must understand the rules to playing the game of life.

Ephesians 6:10-12, "Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power. Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks. For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age."

What does this have to do with marriage? It has everything to do with marriage. Look at yourself as if you are a castle no matter how strong you are in the spring there is always an army that wants to take you on and destroy the world that you created for yourself. They want what you have and they will stop at nothing to get it.

This is how our world works. When you love, Satan wants to destroy your marriage because he hates love. Satan stands for everything that can possibly go wrong in your marriage. God on the other hand stands for love. Because you love you are following God. Satan fights against love because he is the enemy of everything good.

A great battle is raging outside the walls of your marriage wanting to topple the walls and end your love. The only way to save the marriage is to understand how to shield yourself from the war that is meant to annihilate your marriage.

Whether you are a Christian or you don't pay any attention to God, you will still be attacked if you love someone. For God is love! Your only defense is to understand what kind of offense you must build in order to fight back!

Ephesians 6: 13, "So put on God's armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground."

You must have a strong belief system in God if you want a long-lasting marriage. The only way to do this is to read your Bible and pray for protection against Satan. A couple who prays together stays together! When you are in a world that is intertwined with an unseen spiritual world your only defense is activating your faith in God and casting all of your cares onto Him.

God is your offense and your defense against Satan's evil forces. Satan fights against love, while God holds love together and makes it strong!

Ephesians 6: 16-18, "At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you. Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people."

God wants to help you stand up against the evil forces that want to topple your castle into the ocean below. He wants to make your marriage so strong that nothing can stand up against it and make it fail. God wants to Save your relationship and make it last in to a 50 year commitment, but you must ask Him for His help.

Joshua 5:13&14, "While Joshua was near Jericho, he suddenly saw a man standing in front of him, holding a sword. Joshua went up to him and asked, 'Are you one of our soldiers, or an enemy?'
'Neither,' the man answered. 'I am here as the commander of the Lord's army.'"

Joshua was about to take the Israelites into the Promised Land. They were going to have to fight! Because they prayed and relied on God, he sent them a supernatural army to fight for them.

When you are in a great game of life you will face opposition. But when you activate your faith in God, He will send out thousands of Angels to defend your love. Our prayers make us strong. Our belief system gives us the faith to stand up against family problems, sicknesses, devastating storms, and the wars that will happen to people. This is how you make your marriage last: build your castle on the solid rock of God!

What is Bad About a Beach Wedding?

2009-04-27T02:06:00.000-07:00

Beach weddings are becoming more popular due to quite a number of reasons. It is cheaper than a formal wedding. Both of you and your guests can walk on the beach with the bare foot. Some couples also consider beach weddings informal or causal and the guests may just love the notion of being causal.

In fact there are really plenty of advantages for holding a beach wedding. You may also find your own reasons for your beach wedding. Although there are so many advantages, such a wedding is not free from problems.

The weather

A beach wedding is an outdoor one. As all the other outdoor activities, the weather conditions can render problems. If it is sunny on your wedding day, the weather is indeed blessing you and your guests. On the contrary, if it rains all the day, it may just ruin all your plans.

To this end, a contingency plan is always very essential. You may need to move to another location if it rains. If it is not raining heavily, you may still have your wedding on the beach. In this case it will be better if you can prepare some kind of shelters, a few marquees for example, so that your wedding can continue under the shelters. The shelters can be a good idea even if it is sunny since it can protect both of you and your guests from the sunshine.

The wind

It is usually quite windy on the seaside. You may think that there should not be any problem even if it is windy. You may even think that it will be good to be windy or breezy since it will be cooler under in the summer. However, it is not really true.

The wind can spoil your plan. One of the most obvious problems is that the wind will blow the sand on the beach up. This will eventually lead to a case that your food is covered with sand. It may also affect the camera of the wedding photographer.

As a result, you should well inform your wedding photographer and make sure that he or she will prepare to protect the camera from the wind or sand. You should also cover the food so that it can be protected.

The bugs

There will probably be bugs on the beach. It will be quite impossible to find a beach without bugs. This renders two problems. Your guests may feel uncomfortable with bugs. You should advise them to bring their own insect repellants and also prepare some in case they forget to bring their own.

Besides, the bugs can lead to hygienic problem. Again, you should cover all the food and store them well. If it is possible, you may take your food out only when it is time to serve the guests. Otherwise it will lead to a bigger problem if the food is "polluted".

The safety

The beach is not a dangerous place indeed. However, it may have safety issues for your elderly guests. It is your obligation to prevent the guest from danger. You should make sure you can prepare seats for the elderly guests since seats are not a must in a beach wedding.

How to Protect Yourself from Cyberstalkers

2009-04-27T02:01:00.000-07:00

A Cyberstalker is a person who electronically harasses another person via email, instant messaging, forums, chat or any other electronic means. Although the type of harassment varies, it often includes threatening messages, which can be very intimidating.

Being the victim of a cyberstalker can be a very scary thing. However, unfortunately, it is difficult to prove. There is an entire industry devoted to helping one person find out everything they want to know about another person. Background checks can be run with very little information. Running a background check will require more than an online screen name, but far less than a home address, telephone number or a social security number.

Please, do NOT provide an online dating partner with your real name, or the name of the city in which you live, until you have established a relationship over a period of months.

There is a great deal of information available about every individual and it is very easy to acquire that information online. With only a first and last name, and the city in which a person lives, a determined cyberstalker can find out the physical address and telephone number of the person they are stalking simply by looking in the local telephone directory. Local telephone directories are available online. Try typing your own name into Google and see just how much information is available about you. You may be very surprised.

Your address and telephone number are not the only pieces of personal information that a determined cyberstalker can find out about you simply by knowing only your real name and the city in which you live. There is more information about you than you can even imagine, and the sad thing is, it's part of the public record.

About the only personal information that is not part of the public record is your driving history, your medical history, and your social security number. Everything else about you is a matter of public record.

Actually, driver's license information used to be really easy to acquire. However, back in 1989, a crazed fan of an actress managed to get her home address from her driver's license information and went to her home and killed her. After that incident, changes were made and it became much more difficult to get driver's license information. However, it can still be done.

All legal issues about you are a matter of public record - and not just criminal history either. If you have ever bought or sold a piece of real estate, that transaction is a part of the public record. If you have ever filed a will for probate, that is also a matter of public record. If you have given birth or gotten married, it is recorded. Most public records can be found online.

The sword cuts both ways. If you want to run a background check on an online dating partner, all you need is his or her name and city of residence. Both pieces of information can be obtained if you know his or her ISP email address or use an instant messaging system other than the one provided by the online dating service to which you belong. But please remember that the sword is truly double edged. Anything that you can find out about him or her, he or she can find out about you.

To really protect yourself from becoming a victim of cyberstalking, or to prevent online dating partners from running a background check on you, remember these four important points:

1. Do NOT provide your real name.
2. Do NOT provide the name of the city in which you live or were born.
3. Do NOT provide your ISP email address.
4. ONLY use the chat service that comes with your membership in an online dating site.

Online dating sites provide a great service and can enable you to find the person you desire. However, you must use common sense and take the necessary steps to protect yourself.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

Why You Need to Hire a Wedding Planner

2009-04-27T01:56:00.000-07:00

Couples often find it difficult to decide if they need to hire a wedding planner or not. There is no doubt that planning a wedding is time consuming and stressful. In order to make your wedding a success, you need to make tremendous amount of decisions. You will also need to stand all the stress from your friends and relatives who give you "advices" on your wedding. Below are some of the issues you need to consider when you plan your wedding.

Church wedding or civil wedding

The first thing you need to consider when you decide to get married is whether you will have a church wedding or a civil wedding. If you choose the former, you will need to deal with the church officials and it can be very time consuming. Besides, there are a lot of details you will need to go through. Besides the wardrobe, the seats, the flowers and the flower girls, you will also have to plan for the rehearsals.

Wedding Invitations

Another thing you need to think about is the wedding invitations. You will need to calculate and estimate the number of guests to be invited. Apart from this, you may also find it hard to prepare the wordings on the invitations. Sending save the date cards or not can also be a hard decision. You will also need to collect all the RSVP cards from your guests and arrange for the reception.

Wedding Photography

You will certainly need to take photos in your wedding. I have never attended a wedding without a wedding photographer. Indeed it is not an easy task to seek for the right photographer. Different photographers provides different styles of photos. There are also cases that the wedding photos are all in a mess because a proper wedding photographer is not hired. You may even need to take videos in your wedding and this comes to another difficult task to seek for the right vendor to help.

Wedding Dresses and Jewellery

Most brides share the same point of view that it is difficult to find the suitable gown. You will need to consider your body shape, skin color, hair style and so on in order to get the most suitable gown. You will need to consider the jewellery too. Getting a perfect match of gown and jewellery that suits you is extremely difficult.

Reception

For your reception, you firstly need to consider the venue. You have to choose a venue with a size that matches the number of guests to be invited. As in the case of wedding photographer, different venues deliver different atmospheres. The decorations can also be a difficult task. After you have settled the venue, you will start to think of the caterer. You may need to approach caterer to caterer in order to choose the best one to serve your guests.

The above are in fact some of the issues you will need to consider. Other items such as wedding favors and transportation have not been mentioned yet. If you can afford the time to consider all of them and make the right decisions, a wedding planner may not be really necessary. On the contrary, if you are already busy at work and cannot afford the time and effort, a wedding planner can really help. The wedding planner does not only help you to save time but also help you to save money in some cases.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

Feminine Vaginal Dryness Can Be A Thing Of Your Past

2009-04-27T01:51:00.000-07:00

One of the most common problems that women complain about when they enter menopause is vaginal dryness. While some women assume it's just a fact of life, there are many different things that can alleviate the problem.

Vaginal dryness can result in uncomfort and pain during intercourse for both partners. Beyond that, many women will find they experience feminine itching through the day, due to the lack of required secretions. While many women try to live with the diecomfort, there really is no need to, because there are solutions to this common problem.

While there are other times in a woman's life that she may experience a deficiency of vaginal secretions, menopause (and perimenopause) is the most common. Other common times to experience this problem include after childbirth and even stress can bring it on.

Usually, the cause of vaginal dryness is from low estrogen levels. Estrogen levels typically start to decrease noticeably during and after menopause, which is when many women start to complain about a lack of vaginal secretions. Finding a solution is usually the job of a doctor, but some women like to try to treat their problem without medical help.

One way to increase estrogen production (which in turn should increase vaginal secretions) is to take an estrogen replacement. This is the job of a medical professional, as there are many different ways to administer this female hormone. It's also important to consider that too much estrogen isn't any better than not enough. There are however, a number of herbal supplements that can help women regulate their hormone levels.

Some herbal supplements for women are better than others, but one that keeps receiving high accolades is Provestra. It's made for women and formulated for helping regulate estrogen levels as well as provide a daily vitamin supplement. If you'd rather avoid taking a supplement, you can also try to cure the problem right at the source with a lubricant.

While there are countless lubricants available, why not use one designed specifically for women's needs? Vigorelle is a high quality presonal lubricant that will help alleviate the pain associated with sex during vaginal dryness. The formula also contains safe and natural ingredients that are known to increase blood flow to a woman's genitals, effectively increasing sensitivity for sexual intercourse.

Vaginal dryness affects a large percentage of women, but the topic often seems taboo to talk about. By taking care of your body and increasing your vaginal secretions, you can enjoy your sex life much more.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com

Be In The Know With These Online Dating Jargon

2009-04-27T01:47:00.000-07:00

Online dating has been growing in popularity as it provides a great venue for single people to search for other single individuals as well who are looking for potential partners. Being new on the online dating scene can keep you in the dark with certain terminologies that are being used. A few helpful online dating terms are mentioned here.

Online daters who chat or exchange emails use emoticons to express certain emotions. Smiles, happy faces, winks, and other emotions that you could practically think of are readily available to be used. In some cases, emoticons are not available for use on the site so chatters use colons and parenthesis to express the various emotions. Make sure you know which characters to use as well as understand the various emotions that people send you when you chat or engage in some emailing with them.

Instant messaging enables you to send messages on the spot to prospects that you maybe interested in. This feature also enables you to chat and engage in conversation as you test the waters before investing in any time or getting involved in deep emails.

Joining an online dating site will have you receiving many emails from prospects. Most online dating sites provide a blocking feature that will enable you to screen the emails that you will get. In case, you want to block certain prospects from contacting you, you can do it with this feature.

You can actually enter online dating chat rooms and read the messages posted without you posting any message at all. Basically you are just trying to get a feel of the atmosphere before engaging or including yourself in the conversation. This is actually termed lurking.

While many online dating sites just leave everything in your hands to search for your perfect match, there are some who offer matchmaking services. They basically match people based on their chosen preferences and on their profile.

Avoid sending the wrong message by writing letters in all caps. This is actually considered as shouting online.

Many online dating sites currently offer video profile features aside from the typical profile information that you could post. The great thing about video is the chance to bring words and pictures to life.

To establish a connection with prospects you basically send them personalized emails. However, many go fishing for potential mates by writing one standard email and sending them to many prospects.

Enjoy your journey in cyber space as you venture into finding that special someone.

The Problems with Cookie Cutter Weddings

2009-04-27T01:41:00.000-07:00

If you just want, "A Wedding," then perhaps a cookie cutter wedding is the way to go. It is, after all, easy. As a matter of fact, there are wedding facilities available, and not just in Las Vegas or Reno, that provide everything you expect - that is as long as you expect a white dress, black tux, a smattering of flowers, a standard white wedding cake (that might even be artificial so they can reuse it), and a few pictures. If that is all the celebration your wedding deserves, then a cookie cutter wedding is probably for you.

But...

If you want a wedding that truly celebrates your new life together then you want to get away from a cookie cutter wedding - as far away from it as possible.

To do so, requires planning and planning a wedding requires thought. It is not hard work, but it is not easy either. Especially, since, in most cases the weddings that little girls grow up dreaming of are little more than cookie cutter weddings.

This is natural. Often a young girl is dazzled by the first wedding she sees, which more often than not is no different than the past fifty that have happened in that community. That is why they are called cookie cutter weddings.

It is also, in my experience, one of the reasons that grooms have no interest in being involved in the planning of the wedding - because a cookie cutter wedding does not actually involve planning, it involves scheduling. And since he did not grow up dreaming of his wedding, he wants to plan, not simply schedule but knows from the experience of life that he will probably not be given that opportunity.

But the marriage of two unique individuals deserves a celebration that is individualized to match their blended personality. Maybe it will be elegant. Maybe it will be fun loving. Maybe the ceremony and reception will be adventurous in some way. That is something the couple must decide.

What do you do if all you can afford seems to be a cookie cutter wedding format? Simple. Have fun with it. Why not play with the idea and create a theme out of it?

Give cookie cutter wedding favors to your guests, to complement the pizza sized warm chocolate chip cookies brought to every table in place of the wedding cake. Occupy any children at your wedding reception with the opportunity to decorate small baked treats to take home after the celebration. If you are really daring, you could even have someone create cookie bouquets for you and your bridesmaids to carry - but then again, maybe that is going a bit too far. Still, it would create a memorable cookie cutter wedding - that will be anything but!

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

Wedding Favors, Bridal Party Gifts & Unity Candles - Online Savings

2009-04-27T01:37:00.000-07:00

Most couples spend a bundle on their wedding without even realizing that there are affordable options that are available to them online.

Some of the best products for weddings -wedding favors, bridal party gifts, and wedding supplies-can be found online, and at great savings to you. Because online businesses do not carry a large overhead like regular brick-and-mortar stores, they are an ideal place to shop for all of your wedding-related items.

Whether it's a fairy-tale wedding with hundreds of guests, or a simple wedding with only family and close friends attending, you can save between 30% to 40% when you shop online and get the same exact products that are being sold in retail stores.

What do you need for your wedding?

The groom usually purchases gifts for his best man, groomsmen, ring-bearer, and his ushers. Brides usually purchase gifts for her maid of honor, bridesmaids, and flower girl.

ENGRAVED OR MONOGRAMMED GIFTS FOR YOUR BRIDAL PARTY

Flasks, money-clips, cufflinks, mugs, shot glasses, pocket-knives, lighters, pocket watches, and cigar humidors are all excellent gifts for the groom's best man, ushers, and groomsmen. For the ring-bearer, depending on age, the groom can purchase items such as an engraved silver train bank, personalized baseball or baseball bat.

Bridesmaids will love a sterling silver locket with their initial engraved on it, or personalized heart shaped compacts. Engraved charm bracelets make nice gifts for flower-girls.

PERSONALIZED HEIRLOOM QUALITY UNITY CANDLES

Unity candles are a wonderful way to commemorate your wedding, especially candles that are personalized with the names of the bride and groom, wedding date and style of choice, ranging from simple to extravagant. Heirloom quality candles can be passed down for generations to come.

WEDDING FAVORS FOR ALL OF YOUR GUESTS

Wedding favors make great lasting impressions on your treasured guests, and luckily, the best wedding favors are available online. Crystal favors make elegant wedding favors and are available in many styles. There are also place card favors in shapes such as wedding bells, wedding cakes, tiny chairs, and more.

Everyone wants their day to be one of the most special and memorable days in their lives. Make yours even better by knowing that you saved some money in the process.

Shop Online!

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

I Love Him, But What Can I Do To Turn Him Gay?

2009-04-27T01:35:00.000-07:00

You spot the good-looking Adonis at a friend’s party and fell head over heels in love with him. But alas! Gorgeous girls have already surrounded him and he seems to be enjoying every bit of the attention showered on him by the members of fairer sex. Now what can you do? Will you leave the party midway with a broken heart? … ‘Hope I had a magic wand whose touch could make him my man’ – you utter these words to yourself…

This is, of course, a tricky situation. Turning a straight guy into gay is something next to impossible. It largely depends on your luck. Still, our suggestions can definitely be of great help…

If he is an unknown guy, try to make friendship with him. If he is already your friend, then make an effort to take your friendship to a higher level. Don’t run after something impossible; instead opt for a more practical solution.

After becoming friends with him, you can ask him his opinions on various gay issues. Thus, you can get a, somehow, clear picture of his attitude towards gay people. If his reactions seem positive, then you can ask him directly whether he has same-sex preference, or to be more precise, whether he harbors sexual feelings for you.

Take your time to come out. Let your friendship blossom first. If you really find him worth of you, then other things may wait for sometimes. Earning his trust as a friend is crucial. Don’t disclose your intimate desires and innermost feelings for him hastily. If he is a genuine guy, he will never let your friendship go, in spite of knowing that you are gay.

Give him enough time and space to think over your sexuality. Maybe, this is for the first time in his life he has heard a man professing love for him. So, he will definitely need some time to get over with the confusion. He can even become very much scared.

Never force him to fall in love with you. Instead, get closer to him gradually. Try not to have sex forcefully with him by any means. Too much of queer persuasion can have tragic consequences. So, be careful.

If you are successful in developing a strong bond of friendship with him, then your process of seducing him gets easier. Once, your friendship reaches such a level that you two cannot live without each other, then attracting him sexually won’t be that difficult. Remember the tagline of the awesome cowboy-romance ‘Brokeback Mountain’ that says ‘Love is a force of nature’. The movie depicts a deep and passionate love affair between two cowboys. One of them, though straight, could not control himself from falling in love with another man. The force called love is so powerful that it can make one person fall in love with any other individual; sometimes even the gender of the person becomes inconsequential.

Though you cannot turn a straight guy gay, you can make someone aware of his true sexuality. As heterosexuality is perceived to be ‘normal’ in our society, many gay guys grow up thinking that they are straight, which they are actually not. In these situations, you can help him to discover his preferences through your love, affection and power of seduction.

As per the Kinsey Scale of the Kinsey Report, sexual orientations of different people are divided into seven levels. Exclusive heterosexuals are labeled as ‘0’ whereas the number ‘6’ is used to signify exclusive homosexuals. So, if your guy has a higher number (say, 4 or 5), the possibility of making him aroused with your sexual foreplay increases.

Some straight people are pretty curious about gay people and love to experiment. If your guy falls under this category, then you can get him easily.

Try to read his sexuality from his behaviors and gestures. Give fleeting touches to his various body parts. Caress his hairs and forehead with your fingers if he has got a headache. You may just ask him whether he wants his back rubbed by you while bathing. Asking for a satisfying oil massage too is not a bad idea at all.

Give him hugs regularly and occasional kisses too! Watch his expressions during and after these activities. If he is not trying to prevent you much, then you can be sure that he has developed feelings for you.

Join a gym or swimming club together. Then, you can have the chance to see each other’s bare bodies. Try to notice whether he is staring at you while working out or swimming.

Tell him that you have a great choice of clothes, especially underwear. Make him dress in front of you. It can provide you an opportunity to touch his private parts. If you are fortunate enough, he will get excited right away. Now, he will let your hands play all over his body.

But, keep in mind - never ever lose your precious self-esteem just for the sake of a guy.

Be patient. Sometimes, letting things unfold in their natural course of action is the best possible way. Keep your hopes alive, maybe he is not gay, but that doesn’t mean he is 100% straight. Still, there are chances left of being at least bi-sexual. If he is destined to be yours, then, someday you will surely be in his arms!

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

Dating and Introduction Services

2009-04-27T01:27:00.000-07:00

Though most people meet their dates at social organizations, in their daily life and work, or are introduced through friends or relatives, and took their dating from there, the dating agency industry emerged strongly, but discreetly, in the Western world after World War II, mostly catering for the 25–44 age group. Newspaper and magazine personal ads also became common as introduction services.

In the last five years, dating and courtship have seen changes due to online dating services and introduction services. Telecommunications and computer technologies have developed rapidly since around 1995, allowing people that are dating the use of home telephones with answering machines – mobile phones, web-based systems or by visiting a matchmaking agency to find prospective partners. "Pre-dates" can take place by telephone or online via instant messaging, e-mail, or even video communication. A disadvantage is that, with no initial personal interview by a traditional dating agency head, Internet daters are free to exaggerate or lie about their characteristics.

While the growing popularity of the Internet took some time, now one in five singles is said to look for love on the Web, either by joining single dating sites or searching for a dating agency which has led to a dramatic shift in dating patterns. In 2004 research in the United Kingdom suggests that there were around 150 introduction services there, and the market was growing at around 20 percent a year due to, first, the very low entry barriers to setting up a dating site, and secondly, the rising number of single people. However, even academic researchers find it impossible to find precise figures about crucial statistics, such as the ratio of people dating to the large number of inactive members (whom an agency will often wrongly claim as potential partners, leaving them 'on the books' long after they have left) and the overall ratio of men to women in an agency's membership. Academic research on traditional pre-Internet agencies suggests that most such agencies had far more men than women in their membership.

Traditionally, in many societies (including Western societies), in dating men were expected to fill the role of the pursuer. However, the anonymity of the Internet (as well as other factors) has allowed women to take on that role online. A recent study indicated that "women pay to contact men as often as the reverse, which is quite different from behavior in telephone-based dating system[s]" (from Wired magazine).
There is still plenty of room for a matchmaker to thrive, however, and only time will tell which industry wins out in the end.

An introduction agency we believe with good reason is the country's most successful dating agency is a success in London called Drawing Down The Moon. It began in 1984 in a bookshop near the British Museum, bringing together people from the local business, professional and creative communities.

The many success stories have encouraged the staff to extend their dating agency in separate premises and we now have expanded into offices in Adam and Eve Mews, Kensington

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

Honest Lovers Can Be Winners

2009-04-27T01:23:00.000-07:00

Homely women have been cornered in a culture that worships physical beauty. They have tried all paths in their search for an acceptable man and have not had a date in years. They have tried going out on blind dates, many of the guys were perfect for them but they never returned. There is no hope for these homely women of ever finding a guy and they have no choice but to accept final rejection. There is no fury like a woman that is scorned. Many women take alcohol or drugs to quiet the pain of their loneliness, others have swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills and said goodbye to a cruel world. The brave woman does not tear herself apart but becomes a prime fighter against her loneliness and finds other interests.

Men and women are not as compatible as is generally thought. Most single men find women useful only as a means to satisfy their sexual needs, but if the woman is the mother of his children she is needed for many other things. Women on the other hand need men for financial reasons and little else. It is surprising that so few men and women accept the fact that they are psychologically unfit for each other.

A heterosexual man will not date the most beautiful or intelligent women for more than a few times unless he is sexually rewarded. I have observed this fact to be true after witnessing thousands of breakups after the man was denied sexual satisfaction. Of cause there are exceptions to the rule but that does not alter my assertion. Most single men after being sexually satisfied find something else to do which leaves the woman alone. It is a rare man that hangs around a woman after she gave him what he was after. It is no different after watching a good movie. When it is over it is time to leave. A man who shares his children with a woman is bound by responsibility. His relationship to her is more complex but his psychological incompatibility remains. More than half of married couples break up before ten years of marriage. They wisely go their own ways. The others remain for financial security or other factors that rarely have anything to do with love.

A single woman spends a lot of her time searching for a husband. The type of guy she is looking for hopefully can give her the financial security she needs to live like a queen. There are not that many wealthy guys available so she compromises and accepts a middle income husband. After having a few children and working like a slave to rear them, she comes to the realization that she does not need him at all. With his child support payments and her job she can have a better lifestyle without his annoyance. After a long court battle for their assets she finally is rid of him. Her house is now her castle and she and the children are happier without him dictating to them. Her phone is now alive with divorcees that want to meet her for dinner or dancing. She is free at last and she will never return to the type of life she just gave up.

The homely women are no longer lonely. They have found lots of girlfriends and spend quality time with them. The community center is not far from their homes and is open all the time. The art classes have taught them how to paint in oils and they are there every evening. Board games are available and women love them. After hearing all the heartbreaking stories from the divorced and sometimes battered women at the center the homely women are happy that they never got involved with a man. It comes to their mind that their homeliness might have served as a blessing.

There is nothing evil about a single man that enjoys sex with a woman. Most men do, and it is programmed into their genes. Men seek out women for the sole purpose of having sexual pleasure. But due to the mindset of women men must not disclose this secret to anyone but trusted male friends. It is against a women’s financial interest to date a guy that is only focused on having sex with her. She wants a man that enjoys only expensive things, and places his sexual desires in a secondary position. Men have interests that are not hers and he does not need the company of a woman to share them.

Men and women should be honest with each other and disclose their real purpose in dating. But if they did they would never date. If a guy told a woman all he wanted from her is sexual pleasure she might slap him and walk away. That is why a man has to lie and tell her that he is interested in theatre and traveling---if he does a love session will soon follow. If a woman told the truth and said all she needs from the guy is financial security or a free vacation in Europe he will be insulted. It is obvious that some sort of give and take values have to be accepted if men and women will be able to get along.

There are sex toys available to women and they work perfectly. Woman that try them never give them up. There is no sexual advantage for a woman having a man. The dildo does a much better job. Men that ask women for a date should be ready to spend enough money to give the lady a great time. If they are broke they are absolutely useless to a woman with a sex toy.

I am a man and understand men’s needs. We all enjoy making love to attractive women. Some men are more fortunate and have a better sex life than others but we all get our hugs and kisses. I think it is wrong to lie to a woman about your real needs. Tell her the truth after you have taken her out nicely. If she thinks you are worth keeping you will get what you are after. Guys that are cheap or broke should stay out of the dating game. They are causing harm to women by their lies. Men and women can get along but only if they are honest with each other.
melviiin1@verizon.net

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

Benefits of a Free Dating Service

2009-04-27T01:16:00.000-07:00

Using a free dating service is something that you may want to consider if nothing else is working for you. After all, why stick with the same old way of finding a date if you get rejected time after time. While free dating is not going to guarantee success, it will definitely put you on the right track to finding a mate.

There are a few benefits of a free dating service. First off, and most obvious, you do not have to pay any money. There are many online dating sites that have a lot to offer, but at the same time they charge a high membership fee. If you have the option of using a free dating service and one that charges a fee, which one makes more sense to you?

Another benefit of a free dating service is that they bring in a lot of traffic. Just like you, many people of both sexes are going to get involved because they do not have to pay any money. This can lead to tens of thousands of members. And of course, the more members of a dating site the better chance you have of meeting that special someone. All in all, this may very well be the biggest benefit of a free dating service.

Finally, these services offer just as many features as those that require a fee. You will be able to upload pictures, message other members, add a profile, and much more. The bottom line is that you are not giving up anything by joining a free dating website.

As you can see, there are many benefits of joining a free dating service. Why pay money for something that you can get for free? You might as well save your cash for all the dates you will be going on

Married Couples Make New Friends

2009-04-08T01:36:00.000-07:00

While the idea of marriage mostly brings us the idea of having a long term partner and family, we often do not think of marrying someone in a way that we relate it to having friends. In fact, when people get married, the first thing that we would conceive about it is all about how to strengthen couple relationships or building a family. Yet, in actual life, making marriages strong and making them last can also be attributed to the fact that married couples are not separate from other people. Once we get married, we do not and should not isolate ourselves from other people. In fact, when we get married, we have all the more reason to go out, as well as to make individual and couple friends.

Being part of a marriage means that we are now part of a new unit of society. This means that we now have the responsibility to form a family of our own and establish our own roles in the community and in society. With these facts, we must also be aware that we can strengthen ourselves for this role if we continue interaction and relationships with other people outside the family. Getting married should not stop us from making new friends and acquaintances.

Having couple friends is one great dream for most but is actually hard to achieve if you do not know how to do it. In fact, when people enter marriage, they usually find themselves too busy with having a family and working their daily lives that they no longer have time to socialize. This can be very evident in many married couples. Oftentimes, married couples do not have the time and opportunity to meet old friends or make new ones. This situation can bring stress to any kind of relationship.

A healthy relationship should provide each individual the right and freedom to still be in friends' company. Being happy, having fun, and going out with friends can relieve you from great everyday stress and problems. It would be so much better if you and your partner would also go out as a couple, together with other couples.

Finding couple friends can be difficult for those who are too busy or who simply do not have the chance to meet new couples. One way to solve this is to become a member of online couple friendship websites. These websites offer couples the chance to meet other couples in their area. Also, couples who meet through these websites are given a choice to choose other couples who would fit their criteria. This means that you can choose couple friends who share the same hobbies, interests, family ideas, and others.

These kinds of relationships built through online means can be further developed into something that will further strengthen and excite a marriage. Meeting other couples through online means is one effective way to make friends not for yourself as an individual but for you and your partner. Meet other couples and make your marriage stronger with such social bonds.

Meet new Married Couples at Couples In Common! While you are at it check out these great Married Couples Articles.

How to get her wondering if YOU like her… for a change

2009-04-08T01:22:00.000-07:00

hear from a lot of guys who ask, "how do I know if she likes me?" They always want to know if there's subtle body language hints they should look for, or some other "magic signal" that indicates "female liking."
I always tell them this is a bad way to think because it gives her the authority and control in the interaction, something women can't stand. She should be wondering if YOU "like her!"
Why is this important? Think about it for a minute—what emotion are guys feeling when they wonder "does she like me?" Attraction! Aha… could this be useful to us?
Absolutely. When a woman wonders, "does he like me?" she's attracted. She wouldn't wonder that otherwise because she wouldn’t care. So, the question is, how do we get her to wonder if YOU like her?
One of the best ways is by engaging in unpredictable, "naughty boy" behavior, saying and doing things you shouldn't, and so on.
But another great way is by touching her the right way, for just a tiny bit longer than a "friend" would… but not as long as a "waldo" does. Here's what I mean: if I shake her hand, I look her in the eye, smile my naughty boy smile, and hold and squeeze it just a bit longer than I should. But then I let it go.
If I give her a hug, I do the same, holding it longer than a friend, but less so than a guy begging her favor. I let it go just before she wants me to, which creates uncertainty. And uncertainty creates attraction because she starts wondering, "does he like me? I think he held my hand longer than if he wanted to be friends, but then he let it go… what does it mean?"
When you get a woman thinking about you in this way, and you build anticipation, you can create serious, rapid attraction. Women love this, but rarely get it because most men are too afraid, or too eager. Fall right in the "sweet spot of uncertainty" and you'll have more attraction than you can handle.
To discover even more amazing attraction secrets, go to http://www.women-approach-you.com/cb/?cb=tess10

Russian Dating Tips

2009-04-08T01:18:00.001-07:00

Russian women are known world over as very pretty and good hearted women. They make excellent partners as a dating companion or wife. If you have just started dating a Russian woman or are starting out, you will find lot of good tips in this article.
The first of many Russian Dating tips is to look at the emigration laws in your country. If you guys get close, and decide to marry, this study will help. Before you begin dating, just have a look at the laws regulating marriage, travel and immigration.
Second tip on the list of dating tips is providing information about yourself, your lifestyle and your family. You can begin by showing your partner, pictures of home, cars and describing every person in your family too. Be honest and do not exaggerate these things. Most Russian women you will meet will not be interested in the money you make but it best to tell them about yourself.
Third tip on the list of Russian Dating Tips will be to clearly discuss your intentions with Russian women. If you are looking for life partner or just a dating partner, ensure that she knows about it. The knowledge about your intent will make her more comfortable and assure her that you are not just cheating her. Since this is a long distance relationship, especially in the beginning, you should bring in more honestly and express yourself clearly. Russian women like such clarity.
Fourth tip that will come handy, is to send small gifts that will express your love in a romantic manner Its not the money but the thought that will count. Russian Women love such thoughtfulness from their partners. They have never been wooed before so this will bring you closer to her. Though, they come from poor country, they are not hungry for your gifts, but it will go a long way in cementing the relationship.
Fifth Russian Dating Tip is to become the man of house. Traditionally, Russian women have always lived in male dominated household, where males got the bread, while women kept the house. This makes them look up to the male member if the family.
Sixth dating tip for men wooing Russian women is to learn the language. Dating agencies can help as will language courses etc. if you learn Russian language, you will be able to communicate better, express yourself better in the native tongue of your partner.
Next tip is to talk with your partner. Russian women like talking, discussing their future with their partners. Romance and love for them isles about holding hands, its more about planning future with the partner.
All the above Russian Dating Tips will help you grow in the relationship with your partner. You will easily see lot of love, romance blossom in your relationship. Russian women are very special and prefer to be wooed and cared for by men. If you are honest, you may find a life partner from amongst these pretty women.

How to bring romance back into your life

2009-04-08T01:15:00.000-07:00

“There are 3 great things in this world. The first thing is for you to love someone. The second thing is for someone to love you back and the third greatest thing is for the first
and second thing to happen at the same time...”

I was talking to a bunch of friends and I found that some of them were complaining about the lack of romance in their lives, and I wondered why. One of my friends in particular I noticed complains a lot about everything and one of my friends is always happy about everything. Upon analyzing and looking at their lives I found that there was really not much difference in their lives. It was just the way they looked at things.

The way we look at things really affect us and the quality of life we lead. My spiritual guide and master, a very wise man, says focus on what you want in our life and that will grow manifold in your life. How true! My friend who focuses on the negative seems to be drowning in not so desirable situations, while my friend who always nearly focuses on the good things she has, seems so happy and content, and more and more good thing seem to come her way.

In introspection I have found the same works in my life too. Whatever I seem to focus on seems to multiply and envelopes me. The same situation if I change the way I look it again changes everything. The same situation, the same life but just the focus is different and such a different result. Now I have started focusing on what I want, and not what I don’t have. Nature has created everything in abundance and all I have to do is ask and then put my efforts towards getting it and at some point it comes my way.

The same way I was relating this to my friends. Focus on what you want. In this situation – romance. Okay, so let’s look at it. What are you doing about it? Well, at the moment, honestly nothing, except complaining about the lack of romance. So let’s turn it around. Think of what you have and what you want. So what do we have- a great spouse whom we love. Now what do we want- romance, romance rekindled, a romantic life.

Here are some easy steps to getting what you want:

• Focus on the positive
• Ask for what you desire and then surrender it
• Put forth self effort to attaining what you want.

Here is one way to jumpstart that romance and bring the zing back. Surprise them with a getaway. Nothing says romance more than a getaway. You could do it in so many ways. Send them an invite asking them to go away with you. Include a gift with the invite. You don’t have to spend money, you can write a poem or surf the net and find a poem that reflects your thoughts. Draw them a card, it’s the thought and effort that counts. Pick out some flowers from your backyard; make a cd of your favorite songs that you can bring to the getaway.

You could even put together a basket of romantic things that both you and your partner like. Some ideas for the basket would be wine, chocolate, favorite music, love coupons made out by you for your loved one to redeem, favorite romantic movie, lingerie, or some fun adult toys. If you don’t have time you can always get a basket from a store, there are plenty online, however make sure you plan for it.

There are many different ways you can plan your getaway. First surprise them with the invite and gift and then you can either keep it a complete surprise or let them know the plans. Here are some ideas:

• Weekend getaway to some place close by, a favorite bed and breakfast, or spa resort
• Long beautiful scenic drive ending with a nice romantic dinner
• Picnic at a park or favorite outdoor location. If you are planning on a picnic you could surprise them and bring a picnic basket with your most favorite foods and wines. Don’t forget the dessert. Maybe some chocolate dipped strawberries or some delicious chocolate.

If you are going away for the weekend and you have already made arrangements then you can have flowers or a gift basket waiting for your loved one at the hotel or bed and breakfast. If you have time to make the basket then customize it and make it as personal as you can. If you don’t have time you can find a nice naughty and nice basket online.

All that is between you and what you can do is your imagination. Let it run…. Rekindle the memories and the special moments you have spent together and let that inspire you to bring that spark back.

Stag Weekends in Europe – an Essential Guide

2009-04-01T03:35:00.000-07:00

The newest and hottest Europe stag weekend destinations are rapidly emerging as Krakow and Budapest. Each city a beautiful Eastern European location, rich in history and each now offering a range of exciting attractions and activities for visitors. If you’re struggling over choosing where to go on a stag weekend or what to do to celebrate a stag weekend you could do a lot worse than giving Krakow or Budapest careful consideration. There are a number of specialist online companies now offering a great range of stag weekends in both Krakow and Budapest catering for parties of different sizes and tastes, so it’s worth making the Internet your first port of call when organising a stag.

While the essential cornerstones of stag weekends remain largely the same whatever the location – booze, birds, more booze, more birds and some sort of ritual humiliation of the groom to be – there are a couple of essentials that should be considered when thinking about an ideal weekend away.

It’s often a case of organisation that can make the difference. A well-organised and planned weekend will not only prove immensely fun but also memorable for all the right reasons. A poorly organised stag weekend can turn into a nightmare. How best to organise a successful stag weekend? The best advice perhaps is to consult the experts. So whether you select Budapest, Krakow or another popular east European destination such as Bratislava or Warsaw there are a number of reasons why it’s a wise idea to hand the planning of your stag weekend over to a professional organiser.

1. Local knowledge and guidance: Organising groups of people is tough enough at the best of times. Add copious amounts of booze and high spirits to the fact that your group is in a completely new city in a new country with a new language and the problems spiral. Local knowledge is essential along with an English-speaking guide. There are numerous ways a stag party group will benefit. From being met at the airport and transferred to your tried and trusted accommodation, the organising of taxis, the selection of good quality value for money bars and clubs. Good local knowledge is an essential ingredient of a successful stag weekend. It should shield the party from some of the more unpleasant aspects of a city’s nightlife – over-zealous doormen, commission-hungry taxi drivers and unscrupulous club owners.

2. Tried and tested venues and activities: This goes hand-in-hand with local knowledge really. You’ll have a far more memorable time if the activities you’ve organised for the group have already been verified sure-fire winners. From paint-balling, go-carting, pistol shooting, wine tasting, caving, fencing, golf, city tours, pub crawls, it’s all there. What’s more the professionals have vetted the quality of the activities and the value for money leaving you with only the enviable task of getting on and enjoying them.

Australian Weddings - Traditions and Etiquette

2009-04-01T03:26:00.000-07:00

The marital union of, usually, a man and a woman is a life cycle event celebrated in all cultures and is the focus of considerable folklore. This begins with beliefs and customs that may be observed in the lead-up to the wedding day.

For example, in many Christian or European societies it is widely believed to be unlucky for the bride and groom to see each other for twenty-four hours — sometimes more, sometimes less — before the wedding.

The wedding car may be decorated with streamers and also, of late, with a Barbie Doll, dressed in the same material as the bridesmaids' dresses, attached to the bonnet. Other mascots and forms of decoration are also common, including the traditional white ribbons.

Beliefs and customs relevant to the wedding day itself vary widely. In Lithuanian tradition, for instance, it is a popular custom to prevent the bride and groom from entering the reception. The groom must convince the guardians at the door and the guests that he and his bride should be allowed in.

Gifts are offered as an inducement. Barring the way to the fully wed state, with all its attendant rights and obligations, is a widespread facet of wedding customs, a rite of passage that marks the transition of the newlyweds from unmarried to married. Barring customs are also reported in British, American, Japanese and Carpathian tradition.

There are many interesting and colourful wedding customs observed in different ethnic and religious groups in Australia, such as stamping on a drinking glass (Jewish), linking ribbon coronets worn by bride and groom (Greek), the groom arriving at the wedding on horseback (Indian), and sugared almonds being given to wedding guests (Greek, Italian and many other ethnic groups).

The custom of giving sugared almonds has also been reported in France, Wales, England, Scotland, Israel and Belgium. In other places, raw nuts are considered appropriate food and/or gifts at weddings, a continuation of the widespread association of nuts and fertility, though in Italian tradition the nuts are generally said to symbolise good luck.

Almost always, an Australian wedding ceremony is followed by a reception, supper or party for the newlyweds and their friends and families. Often held at a reception centre or other public facility hired for the purpose, wedding receptions may also take place in the home of the bride or groom.

Characteristic elements include music, dance, song, food and drink, and speeches and toasts by the father of the bride, best man and groom. It is the duty of the best man to read out telegrams, letters, cards and faxes from absent well-wishers on this occasion.

In the past, these messages may have been of a playfully suggestive nature, though this feature seems to have faded from the contemporary observance of the custom. The gifts to the newlyweds are usually displayed at the reception.

It is important to note the dramatic changes in marriage practices in Australia even in the last twenty years, and their consequent effect on wedding customs. These changes have been documented by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and the 2001 Census shows changes such as the rise in non-church weddings.

Civil celebrants performed 53% of marriages in 2001, and of all marriages, 32% of all marriages, church and celebrant, are estimated to end in divorce.

In the same census, 72% of couples stated that they had cohabited before marriage, although this does not stop many of these couples eventually celebrating a legal marriage, sometimes with their children present, in simple or elaborate ceremonies which may be devised by the bride and groom themselves.

Another marked change in Australian society is the high rate of intermarriage between couples of different ethnic origins. All of these changes suggest that social commentators, need to be cautious about making pronouncements about marriage, or weddings, in Australia.

Mens Wedding Bands - How to Pick a Keeper

2009-04-01T03:22:00.000-07:00

When casually dating, you can try on different personalities, character traits, likes and dislikes with little to no harm inflicted on either party. But when you are looking for marriage, certain elements need to heed more attention than others. Goals, values and morals are as important as ambition, responsibility and accountability. Picking the right man to build and share a life with is the foundation for a wonderful relationship. Selecting a mens wedding band follows the same line of thinking implemented when selecting a suitable partner for marriage.

When you are in the market for a mens wedding band, you must consider his style, his build, and more importantly, the demeanor in which he portrays himself. First you'll want to assess his build. Does he have a large frame, medium or small build? If he's tall and fairly broad, a substantial ring with a wider, heavier band such as a tungsten carbide ring in the 7-10mm range would be ideal. A more slender man or one who is of short to medium height, would be better suited in a slimmer band, like a 3-6mm width.

Once you know the right width, you can then narrow your choices down further by identifying the type of mens wedding band that best suits his personality. If he is a sophisticated man that values quality and has the best TV, car, sunglasses and clothes, then selecting a wedding ring that caters to his desire for the best is top of list. You will most certainly want to look at mens wedding bands that are substantial in weight, keep a lustrous shine and possibly even embellished with diamonds or other gemstones. Tungsten carbide rings are quite popular among this group, as they feel and appear luxurious and with the nearly indestructible quality they are known for. Mens wedding bands made from tungsten carbide will certainly exude confidence, class and most importantly, quality. If on the other hand your guy is lighthearted, values a sense of humor, carefree and spontaneous a lightweight titanium ring may be more suitable for him. Titanium rings are ultra light yet incredibly strong. They can be simple in design or carry a creative and stylish flare.

Style can also be determined by his noting his preference of metal. There are many popular metals that range in price, durability and appearance. Platinum rings are quite expensive and often times selected purely for the assumed prestige. On the other hand, a man who values quality over prestige may be more pleased with a tungsten ring. Far less expensive than platinum rings, tungsten weddings bands portray that same luster and shine as platinum, but have far more resilience to damage and destruction. They are a bit heavier as well, which is ideal for a man who likes a solid weight. Titanium rings are nearly as durable as tungsten rings but are significantly lighter in weight, hypoallergenic and offer a lighter grey color, or they can be shined to an almost reflective tone.

Another popular choice involves enhancing metals with other metals or gemstones. Titanium can be combined with white gold, yellow gold or platinum to create a more elaborate look. Diamonds, sapphires and other gemstones can add a unique touch for the refined gentleman.
Knowing your man, his likes, favorite pastimes and even the kind of friends he has can make shopping for a mens wedding band more productive and enjoyable. Taking into consideration what he does, both for business and pleasure can pinpoint a ring style that blends well with his lifestyle.

Ladies,

2009-04-01T03:19:00.000-07:00

COPING WITH PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR, and surviving it!

2009-04-01T03:15:00.000-07:00

Some interactions with your significant other can leave you feeling emotionally drained, dejected, and distressed. Those behaviors are not only confusing and hard to accept, but they have the capacity to damage your confidence and self-esteem. Vicious passive aggressive behavior can take its toll on you, slowly altering your personality, until you barely recognize your own actions. You feel depressed, you might cry or yell more often than before, and you feel out of control.

How do you identify passive aggressive behavior?

- Unexpected, unprovoked angry outbursts, disproportionate to the issue at hand
- Isolation or pouting without an obvious reason
- Dismissing your feelings off hand
- Ignoring or blocking you from communications with others
- Being sensitive and caring one minute; acting hostile and resentful the next

Even when we all do some passive aggressive behavior here and there, especially when we are resisting some other person ordering us around, but we don't want to challenge him, everyone knows what this behavior looks like.

What you need to look for is not the occasional response that blocks cooperation while saying that it is forthcoming, but look for the passive-aggressive behavior which is ingrained and the habitual way of dealing with the world, you included.

It can come across as a maddening mixture of evasiveness and contrition, agreeableness and resistance, connection and aloofness and in severe cases is often masked by more obvious mental illness, like depression.

The classic description of passive aggressive behavior includes a "stubborn malcontent, someone who passively resists fulfilling routine tasks, complains of being misunderstood and underappreciated, unreasonably scorns authority and voices exaggerated complaints of personal misfortune."

Sometimes you can even perceive him as doing a clever obstruction of all your plans to move ahead, progress and develop new experiences for both, so scared this person is of change and your role in any change happening to him/her. If you push a lot, then you will be served with aggressive outbursts, coming like "out of nowhere," but destined to protect his personality from any adult demand coming his way.

Do you need to know more? If you think passive aggressive behavior is the cause of your unhappy situation there are steps you can take to resolve it. Perhaps you need to get a copy of www.passiveaggresive.com, an ebook that will give you strategies to respond to Passive Aggressive tactics! If you are ready to break free of the chains of passive aggressive emotional bondage, if you are tired of feeling humiliated and alone, if you are ready to take control of your emotional well-being once and for all, then this e-book is for you.

The Compromises of Marriage

2009-04-01T03:12:00.000-07:00

Erotic Massage And The Benefits To Long Term Relationships

2009-04-01T02:20:00.000-07:00

How to Turn Desperate Housewives into Fulfilled Spouses With Personal Love Letters

2009-04-01T01:57:00.000-07:00

There is no need to look for Wisteria Lane in your neighborhood. Desperate housewives can be everywhere; housewives desperate for love and attention from their husbands, that is. According to top psychologist Dr. John M. Gottmann, men are often emotionally deficient when it comes to expressing fondness and admiration to their spouses. Well, it is time to reverse that trend.

Love letters. Did you and your wife exchange them when you were dating and engaged? Personal love letters are one of the most revered ways that husbands and wives communicate. Drafting and writing a personal love letter takes energy, thought and time. As a matter of fact, the success of marriage enrichment programs like Marriage Encounter, depends upon how willingly spouses share their feelings, affectionate and otherwise, with each other.

Dr. Gottman's book, The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, builds on the concept of making regular deposits in a spouse's emotional bank account. One of the exercises for building fondness and admiration is thinking of and writing down one's positive feelings for the other spouse. In a sense, a personal love letter is a form of everyday honeymoon that a husband can give freely to his wife. Here are eight rules to follow.

Rule Number One: Make the Letter Positively Personal
Anything put into writing can be read, saved and reread. The first rule for a personal love letter is to make it personal and positive. Love letters carry a message of worth from a husband that affirms and cherishes his wife. So, it is critical to make a list of the positive things about your wife that you want to assert. Avoid any critical, ambivalent remarks. Let them go and focus on what you cherish about your wife.

Rule Number Two: It's About Her
A personal love letter is a direct communication to and with your wife. Use the word "you" early and often. Share your feelings. My parents have been married for more than 55 years. On my mom's 80th birthday, our family gave personal testimonies that we taped and made into a DVD. My dad stood up and used the song, "You Mean All the World to Me." He choked up with emotion in front of us all and it was so powerful to witness the love he had for his wife. Make your wife feel special, too.

Rule Number Three: Start with a Special Endearment
If you have a special name for your wife, use it. Write a personal greeting, like
- My most beautiful ______________ (your wife's name)
- Dear wonder of my life
- You're the best thing that happened to me

Rule Number Four: Make it Specific and Meaningful
With a little practice, writing a personal love letter becomes a great habit! Make sure that the words you write express things that are specific and meaningful to your marriage, yourself and your wife. For example, you may write a personal love letter on the birth of a child, an anniversary, a special thanks for favors done, or for any reason that you can find. (Remember, the more reasons, the more letters!)

Rule Number Five: End with Love
Don't just write, "well, that's about it." Get creatively romantic. Use something that sums up your feelings and lets your wife know that you continue to love her. Use endings like: Forever Yours, All my love, With love forever, I am so happy you are in my life, You mean the world to me. Then, sign your name.

Rule Number Six: Make It Pretty
Wives love getting a special gift and the packaging is often as important as what is inside. In other words, don't write your personal love letter on the back of a paper bag. Make it pretty. Use special stationery (you can visit a scrapbook store and buy just one sheet for less than 50 cents.) Or write your letter in a romantic greeting card. Use your own handwriting, too. A card typed on a computer seems artificial and mechanicals. Decorate your letter with a personal drawing like hearts or XOXO (shorthand for hugs and kisses), or use stickers.

Rule Number Seven: Special Delivery
Make sure your personal love letter gets your wife's attention. Use surprise. Mail your letter in a special envelope, like Priority Mail or through Special Delivery. Put the letter under her pillow, in her lingerie drawer, on her dinner plate or at the breakfast setting. Use her favorite color envelope.

Rule Number Eight: Do It Again and Again
Trust and ongoing commitment rank high with every wife. Write another personal love letter when you go out of town (I give my wife a card for every night that I'm gone), on Monday mornings, when she's doing the laundry. Your marriage relationship will grow with love beyond your imagination as you regularly write a personal love letter to your wife.

With a little, consistent effort, husbands can write personal love letters that create a hope-filled atmosphere, and have one of the best love nests in the neighborhood.

Buying A Wedding Gift in a Tough Economy

2009-04-01T01:53:00.000-07:00

Now there's one thing left to do: buy the wedding gift that you will give to the bride and groom.

The only question is... where do you shop for wedding gifts? First and foremost, try not to stress overly much about wedding gifts. Many times the bride and groom will have taken steps to appease your anxieties and stress, by creating a bridal or wedding registry with an online website such as amazon.com, or with a store like Target, Walmart or Bed, Bath & Beyond. However, you should know that because it is against wedding gifts etiquette to make mention of registry locations and website URLs within a wedding invitation, you'll have to ask family and friends of the bride for her registry information, or search for it yourself.

Most places that offer wedding registries offer the ability to search for people who have lists, so you should definitely avail yourself of this opportunity.

What makes a good wedding gift? Well, some of the best wedding gifts are the ones that have the most meaning or value. Feel free to send a personal touch along with your gift in the form of embroidered pillows, or a special set of wine glasses that will have significant meaning for the marrying couple. Embroidered, engraved, silkscreened and monogrammed items are always a hit, because these types of wedding gifts also make very nice trinkets and mementos to cherish.

If you're looking to really make a bold statement, make your choice of wedding gifts something truly spectacular. Send the bride and groom on a cruise, off to the spa for an afternoon of relaxation and delight, or even on a hot air balloon ride.

These are the types of gifts that will be remembered and treasured for a life time.

Finally, once your gift is purchased, look forward to the wedding. In addition to seeing the bride and groom on their very special day, you will also have the opportunity to relax, mingle with friends and loved ones, and enjoy the choice of wedding favors that the bride and groom will be giving to you.

Know that the marrying couple will enjoy the effort put into picking a beautiful wedding gift for them.

Dating Tips: Commitment - 5 Signs That He is Ready

2009-04-01T01:50:00.000-07:00

It’s becoming ever more acceptable to be casual versus committing in a relationship. From swinging married couples, casual speed dating events, to “friends with benefits”, the word “relationship” takes on a whole new meaning in modern times.

With the current view of relationships so much more relaxed than in the past, it has becoming easier (and less pressure) for many start up new relationships, and just have fun. However it has also become more difficult to now find a more serious, committed relationship. This is even more of a problem when you are starting with a casual relationship that you want to turn more serious.

If you are ready to turn your casual relationship into something more solid, and you think that he may also be ready – but you are not sure – keep your eyes peeled for the following signs of a commitment-ready man.

1. He wants to meet your family – If he wants to meet your family – or he already has – it’s usually a sign that he is ready to move forward. Meeting the family is an important step in announcing your seriousness to the world, or rather the people in the world important to you. By doing this he is showing that it’s also important to him, and that he wants to see if he can fit in with your relatives. Seeing you with your family also lets him get to know a different part of you, growing the relationship naturally.

2. He is an initiator – There’s something to be said about making the first move. You know he’s ready when he is the one calling you to hang out, or when he independently comes up with great activities for you to spend time together doing. Does he answer your calls and emails promptly? Does he call or email you even before you even get a chance to do the same to him? If the answer is yes, chances are he’s ready to move forward.

3. He is financially stable – This one’s a no-brainer. A man who is stable and prepared, is ultimately stabling and preparing himself for a good reason. It’s highly likely that the reason is marriage, or at least a committed relationship, be it with you or another. If he’s at this stage, and let’s you know it, chances are he thinks you are ‘long-term’ material.

4. Using the “We” word – Using terms that unite you, especially in front of others, usually indicate he’s already ahead of you in the commitment department. If you hear the words “we”, “us”, and “our” versus “I”, “me”, and “my” you can be certain that he already considers you a couple, and that he is ready to commit more.

5. His friends are all married, or in deeper relationships – People tend to move with their cohort, and like-minded people tend to move together. If his friends all hit the strip club every weekend, and stay out all night, chances are he’s doing it as well – and doing it because he wants to. If his friends are in relationships, or even married, it’s a good sign that it’s the direction he also sees himself heading towards.

Dating Tips: 5 Signs He is Interested in You

2009-04-01T01:48:00.000-07:00

Women hate rejection. Its one thing for a man to be rejected, but let’s face it: for females it’s a much less frequent occurrence, making it all the more horrific when it happens. There are of course non confrontational ways to approach or pick up men, such as going speed dating, or giving online dating a try. Though they offer less pressure, no matter how you play it, there will inevitably be some threat of potential rejection at some point.

Unfortunately, rejection is a part of life.

Fortunately, much of it can be avoided.

If you pay attention to body language and other behaviors, you can begin to develop a sixth sense for picking up any romantic interest directed your way. Learning to read the cues of a person interested in you will lower your rejection rate, and improve your dating stats.

Male or female, singles are most often far too indirect or shy in directing their romantic interest. We often send mixed messages because we have no idea what is going on in our own heads, let alone in someone else’s. What’s needed is a clear set of cues that let you know when a guy is interested.

Signs He Is Interested:

1) He’s everywhere. Have you ever met someone, and all the sudden you are seeing him everywhere? Chances are he liked you. When a guy likes you, he will do everything he can to get you to notice him. Whether it’s stopping by because he was “in the neighborhood” or calling because he forgot some miniscule detail you talked about, a guy who likes you will manage to appear as often as possible in an attempt to gage your opinion of him.

2) He mimics you. Studies show that when you are attracted to someone, you begin to pick up similar habits, mannerisms, and vocabulary. Kind of creepy, kind of cute, remember that imitation is the greatest form of flattery. If you notice him using your catch phrase, giving the same facial gestures, or using your jokes, chances are he’s into you.

3) He shares his personal space. Men are notoriously territorial. Typically, they need at least a shoulder width between them and anyone they interact with. If you notice him letting you get closer than that, by his own choice, it’s a sign that he is interested in letting you get closer to him.

4) He makes eye contact with you. Eye contact is important for gauging honesty and trust in another person. Remember, eyes are the window to the soul, and if he has no problem in meeting and holding your gaze, chances are he’s honestly into you. It’s also a mild challenge, challenging you to try him out both romantically and sexually.

5) He listens. Men generally do not like to discuss the ins and outs of most things if they don’t have to. More direct than women, men use what is called “report” talk versus the “rapport” talk of women. So if you notice he is listening to you (actually listening, and providing poignant feedback) you can bet that he is interested in you. Trust me, a man wouldn’t listen to you go on about the new season’s hottest accessories if he wasn’t.

Dating Tips: 5 Signs That She Likes You

2009-04-01T01:44:00.000-07:00

Men detest rejection. For them it is embarrassing, shameful, and can even be painful in certain situations. True, there are several non-confrontational ways to pick up or approach girls, such as trying speed dating events, online dating, and though they offer less pressure, no matter how you go about it, there is some potential for rejection eventually. Sadly, rejection is an unavoidable part of life, but luckily, a lot of it can be avoided.

If you pay attention to subtler behavior like body language, you can learn to develop a sense for any romantic interest directed your way. Understanding how to read the signs of a girl that likes you will lower your rejection rate, and improve your dating stats altogether.

Whether you are a man or a woman, single people are often far too shy or hesitant in directing their romantic interest. They often send mixed messages because we have no clue what they’re actually thinking, let alone what the person they like is thinking. Fortunately there is a set of FIVE signs she likes you.

Tips and Ideas on Choosing the Perfect Wedding Party Gifts for Your Guests

2009-04-01T01:42:00.000-07:00

Wedding party gifts are a must for any bride and/or groom that helps with the planning and execution of her or his wedding. A wedding party gift is a great, non-verbal way to thank somebody for their help in organizing and planning out your wedding. Typically, those who receive wedding party gifts include your parents, your flower girl and ring bearer, bridesmaids and groomsmen, the maid of honor and the best man, the wedding planner, and anyone else who has played a role in your special day.

Many companies and online shops offer collections of excellent wedding party gifts that are perfect for any wedding and are sure to please. Monogrammed totes and personalized watches are always a must-have for the maid of honor and the bridesmaids. For the men, consider personalized golf caddies, leather bomber jackets, messenger bags and even cuff links. If you have children participating in your wedding, then you can choose from many wedding party gifts that will be perfect for them. Play pretend kits, gift certificates, small trinkets and artistic creations are all wonderful presents for children.

As you already know, many couples choose to present presents to those who have helped them plan their wedding, as a way of showing their appreciation and thanks. Often these wedding party gifts will be presented at the rehearsal dinner that often occurs the night before the wedding itself. In most instances, the type of gift chosen is used for everyone who is in the wedding party. But there's no law saying that you can't pick out more personalized items for individuals, and choose to give them at other moments, when the occasion is better suited.

Some tips for making the most of your wedding party gifts:

First, make a budget and plan on sticking to it. If you do choose to pick out different gifts for different individuals, make sure all of those wedding party gifts are in the same price range.

When selecting presents, make sure to keep the interests of the person you are giving a gift to in mind. The best man who has a drawer full of watches probably doesn't need another one, no matter how nice that particular wedding gift might be.

Present presents to the men at the bachelor party, and presents to the women at the bachelorette party.

Be sure to thank each person individually and in person, in addition to giving them wedding party gifts.

Bridal Shower Etiquette: From Shower Invitations to Wedding Gifts

2009-04-01T01:37:00.000-07:00

The purpose of a bridal shower is to give the bride time to kick back and relax, and have fun with her female relatives and friends. Often many different games are played at a bridal shower, and gifts are often bought for the bride. Some of these gifts may be intended as housewarming presents or items that the bride and groom can use together, but other times the gifts are more for the bride herself to enjoy and pamper herself with. If you plan on following bridal shower etiquette, then you should know that traditionally, it is the duty of the maid of honor to organize and host the shower, while the bridesmaids should all pitch in to help with the planning and setup of it.

Shower invitations are an integral part of any bridal shower theme. In the planning process, once a date and a time is set, then it is time to consider a bridal shower theme, and immediately select matching shower invitations to send out to all of the invited guests. Regardless of the type of shower being held, invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks in advance, so that those guests who are invited have time to plan out their schedule accordingly and purchase a gift, if they would like to do so.

Wedding gifts are something entirely separate from the gifts that are given at a bridal shower. While bridal shower presents may focus mostly on the bride, with only some of the wedding gifts having any function for the bride and the groom, and/or the home they will have together, the presents given at a wedding are definitely intended for both the bride and the groom. Most of the time the bride, or the bride and the groom will get together and create a store or online registry that contains many of the items they would love to have when beginning their life together with. Because it is considered tacky and in poor taste to include bridal shower registry information with wedding invitations or bridal shower invitations, it is generally relied upon word of mouth to get the word out about those registries.

If there is no wedding registry to work off of, then relax and know that any of the following items will make for a perfect wedding gift: pots and pans, dishes, kitchen appliances, home decor items, spa and luxury bathing center gift certificates, gift cards to home furnishing stores, electronic items, towels, curtains and bed linens.

Dating Tips: Holiday Fashion Mistakes to Avoid

2009-04-01T01:34:00.000-07:00

The holiday season is upon us once again! With all of the bustle and anticipation surrounding Christmas, it’s easy to get caught up in all of the excitement. ‘Tis the season to deck our halls and houses – and ourselves - in full Christmas regalia. The holiday season is notorious for bringing out a heightened sense of fashion in people, be it naughty or nice.

During the holidays, the term “nothing to wear” can take on a whole new meaning. The holidays are full of prospective situations for fashion disasters – work parties, family dinners, gatherings with visiting friends and family – for some people, it’s all too much to deal with.

However, with a little guidance, you can avoid committing the most common Christmas fashion faux pas. Look your best this season, with the following tips:

The Top 3 Holiday Fashion Mistakes

1. Too Much Skin
It’s the wintertime. Unless you live south of, or close to the equator, that means the temperature outside is anywhere from cold to frigid. Short skirts and open backs look great in winter issue magazine, but in the real world of cold weather and snow they just look ridiculous. And that goes for open-toed shoes as well. If you want to feel sexier, or more revealing during the holidays, put away your miniskirt and tube top, and opt instead for off the shoulder or halter tops, lace coverage (where you would normally show bare skin), a slit in your skirt, or tights instead of bare legs.

2. Too Much Glitter
‘Tis the season for shimmer, glitter, and sparkle! There aren’t many opportunities during the year to embrace so much glitz over such a long period of time, so it’s perfectly natural to want to indulge in all the twinkle that comes with Christmas. There is no shortage of shiny apparel during the holidays, so don’t fight it, just don’t overdo it. Keep to the 20% rule: No more than 20% of your outfit should be metallic, sparkly, or glittery. Choose a top that is edged with sequins or glitter, versus a whole top of shine. If you are using glitter to capture the attention of that someone special at your speed dating events or your cute office co-worker, opt instead for accessories that sparkle, versus shiny base pieces. This way, you can also use the items year round – you are more likely to wear a gold belt again, versus a red and gold sequined halter. Remember too, if you are full figured, busty or hippy, avoid large amounts of glitter. The bright shine accentuates volume.

3. Too Much Red and Green
Like glitter, there are essentially no other holidays during the year where you can wear Red and Green together, so it’s normal to embrace the shades for one month of the year. Similarly, don’t overdo it. Wearing all red or all green, or all red and green are fine, just as long as you stick to non-offensive shades if you’re wearing them as your main colors. The most common red and green offense happens when people mix too many shades of one or both colors together. Try to stick to one shade of red and one shade of green per outfit. You can’t combine any and every shade of green with any and every shade of red just because it’s the holidays. Tone down your tones.

Just because it’s Christmas, doesn’t mean you can be tacky! Stay away from these top holiday fashion faux pas, and you will be perfectly attired for every event this holiday season

Wedding Favors: A Thank You from The Bride and Groom

2009-04-01T01:32:00.000-07:00

One of the many challenges brides and wedding planners face overcoming is finding the perfect wedding favors. The purpose of a wedding favor is to thank guests for attending the wedding, providing their support and encouragement to the bride and groom, and to thank them for any gifts they might have given them. (It should be noted that the gift of a wedding favor does not replace or excuse the need for a thank you card and letter.)

The tip to successful wedding favors is choosing favors that are both thoughtful and unique. Most brides try to pick favors that are simply popular. Instead of following the latest trends, you should instead aim to choose the type of favors that will uniquely reflect your personal sense of style and creativity. A wedding favor should create a lasting impression among all of the guests at your wedding. Additionally, a wedding favor that can actually be used is also a very appreciated type of gift.

So, what type of wedding favors should you seek out? Well, some marrying couples try to find wedding favors that will reflect their own personal sense of style, or perhaps their own culture, religion or sense of beliefs. Others may opt for more casual, fun and whimsical items, the types of gifts that simply bring a smile and provide some sort of function to the recipient.

What's hot right now? There are many different big ticket wedding favors that are making the rounds at weddings this year. Chinese take-out boxes are always quite a popular choice, regardless of culture, religion or heritage. These inexpensive boxes can be colored or decorated so that they match the theme of the wedding, and then filled with delicious edibles, or small personal items. The nice thing about these types of wedding favors is that they are very inexpensive and also very easy to customize. And because they can be colored and decorated to match the theme of any wedding, it is quite easy to adapt them to any wedding, no matter its style.

Other ideas for unique and fun wedding favors include chopsticks, small photo albums, personal snow globes, tote bags filled with personal items, and even gift certificates.

For more ideas on some great wedding favors, consider checking out online shops that sell favors. You'll find a lot of unique and custom ideas. Of course, you can also consult with your wedding consultant or planner, and see what kind of ideas they might have for you.

How Did Wedding Favors Become part of Tradition?

2009-04-01T01:30:00.000-07:00

Wedding favors have a rich heritage, which dates back to the early dynasty of the Romans. The tradition of exchanging wedding favors is one that is indulged in throughout cultures around the world. In American society there is a lot of focus placed on wedding favors, though they certainly aren't the only aspect of wedding planning. However, the giving of favors from the bride to all of those who have helped make her wedding day very special is not only a tradition, but it is also part of wedding etiquette.

So, what are wedding favors and what do they do? Typically, a wedding favor is a small memento or thoughtful trinket that the bride of the wedding presents to all of the guests that have attended. When wedding favors first came about, they consisted of sugared almonds, fancy chocolates, cookies and other delicacies. These have been given for centuries. But these days, edible creations are not the only limitation for wedding favors. Anything that is small, thoughtful and worthy of being made into a gift makes for a perfect favor.

Today, marrying couples may favor more personalized wedding favors. Think of small, highly decorated photo frames, custom labeled wine bottles, packets of floral seeds, personalized candy bars with custom wrappers, even jewelry and expensive cosmetics.

When should a wedding favor be presented? There are several options for when a bride may give out wedding favors. Sometimes a bride will hand them out directly as guests enter or leave a reception. In other events, the favors may be gathered in large baskets, which are then placed in open and public areas for guests to help themselves to. Depending on the type of wedding favor being used, it may fit in with the wedding theme so well that it becomes part of the place settings at the reception.

Planning for wedding favors might take several months. The nice thing about shopping for favors is that depending on the item you are considering for a favor, you'll be able to find it at any discount retailer, or even a dollar store. The internet offers many online websites where wedding favors can be purchased, and specialty shops may also have wedding favors for sale.

If you need ideas for wedding favors, consider consulting with a wedding planner. These individuals are highly experienced with wedding planning, and will be able to help you find wedding favors that are perfect for your upcoming wedding.

Dating Tips: Holiday Date Ideas

2009-04-01T01:28:00.000-07:00

Dating Tips: Holiday Date Ideas

For most of us, the holiday period means more time off to spend with friends, family and other loved ones. Under the latter category falls everything from your significant other to the cutie you see at the bus stop every morning. Take the opportunity this holiday to spend some quality seasonal time with your romantic interest. Not only is more time available, itâ€™s a special time of year, charged with excitement and mystery, perfect for a romantic adventure.

Because the season is so special and unique, there are all sorts of date options available that you normally donâ€™t have during the rest of the year. Take the time to check out the following Holiday Dating Ideas:

1) Skating â€“ Skating is a traditional winter past time, and is perfect for budding romance. There are plenty of opportunities to dazzle your date with your moves, or fall â€œaccidentallyâ€ into your dateâ€™s arms.

2) Skiing â€“ Skiing, like skating, is a traditional winter past time. Unlike skating, it offers the added intimacy and coziness of the ski lift, perfect for cuddling.

3) Build a Gingerbread House â€“ Studies show that couples who cook together stay together! This delicious activity is a fun and more intimate way to spend the evening together. Not a baker? Worry donâ€™t, pre-made and ready-to-go gingerbread houses are now widely available.

4) Charity Event â€“ Thereâ€™s nothing like doing good deeds for others to get your Christmas buzz going. Sharing quality activities is a great way to really get to know each other in a good light, and nothing says â€œheart of goldâ€ like volunteer charity work.

5) Tree decorating â€“ You have to decorate your tree each year anyhow, you might as well make it a romantic affair! Invite your date over to help decorate your tree, and regale each other in tales of ornaments and holidays past.

6) Seasonal Parties - This is the best time of year for specialty parties and events. Why not try going to see a Christmas choir? Or try a holiday speed dating and singles events? There are all sorts of options during the holidays.

Dating Tips: 5 Signs Itâ€™s OVER

2009-04-01T01:25:00.000-07:00

Ending a relationship can be one of the most painful and humiliating experiences you can endure. When its over a million questions fly in your mind: What could I have done differently? How did it get this bad? And of course, Should I have seen this coming? The answer to this last question is YES, you should have seen it coming. Relationships have certain facets that fall apart leading up to the break up. Here are five classic signs of a relationship ready to crumble:

1. Asset Ownership â€“ You used to share everything with each other, mind, body and soul, and now you canâ€™t even share a meal without arguing over who paid for more, or who got the bigger half. When youâ€™re in a relationship, the fine boundary between â€œmineâ€ and â€œyoursâ€ is often dissipated. When the relationship starts to fall apart, people begin reclaiming whatâ€™s theirs in a very grabby, territorial way.

2. Word Ownership â€“ The word â€œcoupleâ€ means something that joins or links two separate things into one. Naturally, couples often think and act as one in many aspects of the relationship. The most obvious and psychologically important way that two people show the world they are one is by using unifying words such as â€œwe,â€ â€œus,â€ and â€œour.â€ If those words suddenly turn into â€œI,â€ â€œme,â€ and â€œmy,â€ you know youâ€™ve got a problem. When this happens you are both making a stand, verbally and psychologically, at being independent and separate from the other. You are setting up for a break up.

3. Lack of conversation â€“ When you get together, and ask â€œhow was your day?â€ the answer is â€œfine.â€ When his or her friend stops by and asks â€œhow was your day?â€ the answer is lively, excited and engagingâ€¦exactly the opposite of the response you were given. How could the same day give two completely different accounts? It canâ€™t. But two different people can elicit differing responses. If your answers seem a little flat, itâ€™s a sign that your significant other is no longer interested in sharing thoughts and ideas, and no longer interested in including you in their life. Itâ€™s almost as though they were saying â€œthereâ€™s no point in telling you anything, when we wonâ€™t be together soon anyway.â€

4. No Phone Calls â€“ When youâ€™re in a relationship, you usually talk to your significant other at least every second day, if not every day. When your relationship is breaking down, the number of calls dwindles down to the point where you wonder if you even have a boyfriend or girlfriend at all.

5. Negative & Overly Critical â€“ You used to bring optimism and positivity into each others lives, and now you only seem to drag the other down. Do you notice that you fight over nothing? Nit picky over things that donâ€™t matter? Critical and annoyed with each other over habits or behaviours that used to be endearing? Itâ€™s a sign that theyâ€™re upset over the relationship, and are taking it out on other aspects of life and each other.

If you notice these signs, fear not. Either work on getting the relationship back to where it was, or cut your losses, break it off before it gets messy, and start going to singles events to get back in the game!

Becoming a Couple Again - Couples Dating

2009-04-01T01:22:00.000-07:00

In every relationship you have two people, a couple. The word couple has many definitions, but the first and foremost way to define the word couple is: two of the same sort considered together; pair. As two people spend more time together, usually over a few or many dates, they begin to find similarities between each other. Truly the backbone of a couple is that there is no aloneness. Someone has found someone similar enough that they want to spend their time with.

There are many stages to becoming a couple; meeting, dating, learning through good and hard times, and then the possibility of being one in marriage. Should two people decide to become a couple, roles automatically become established. Dare I say, often some fall into the woman/man, mother/father roles and also live the roll of their occupation as well. With this, couples can lose sight of who the individual was that they had started dating and why they became a couple in the first place.

It is easy to go day to day sometimes without remembering who you are and who the person is that you are committed to and think, "Hey, I've been working so hard (in this role) and no one's done anything thoughtful for me lately. This is boring/not worth it. Where's the reward?" I believe that at that point couples begin to think, "Why can't things be like they used to be? It used to be so fun and easy. Why were things different? How did it get like this? We need that back again!"

Start doing those acts that you did when things were fun and easy! Bring it all back, begin dating again! A couple is never too busy to take time to date and it is never too late. Who says you can't? Remember, as a couple, you are a team; a pair. Going on a date is as good for you as it is for your partner.

If you feel like you will get bored with each other, think again! When you put it all behind in an effort to fall in love again, you will wish your dates would last for hours. A great way to ensure that you will not be bored on your dates is to try couples dating. Another part of being young and single/dating is that you have and make time for your friends.

How to get her wondering if YOU like her… for a change

2009-04-01T01:13:00.000-07:00

Married Couples Make New Friends

2009-04-01T01:09:00.000-07:00

Sun Safety on Holiday

2009-04-01T01:08:00.000-07:00

You're off on holiday at last! There are so many things to remember, not least your travel insurance and your sun cream. Once you've got your trip covered, here's how to cover up in the sun...

Soaking up the sun can be really relaxing, but sun damage can lead to an increased risk of skin cancer and premature ageing. Even in the short term, sunburn can ruin your holiday - no one wants to cover up all week with painful, lobster-like skin.

How can I protect myself from sun damage?

Choose loose, cool clothing that covers you up. Wear sunglasses with UV protection and a hat to protect your face and neck. Take regular breaks in the shade and ideally keep out of the sun from 11am to 3pm.

Make wearing sun cream part of your routine. Cancer Research UK recommends a minimum of sun protection factor (SPF) 15 for most people. You don't have to buy the most expensive brand but check that your cream blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Use generous amounts, reapply after going in the water or sweating and if you're near the water, take extra care as you'll burn more easily.

When do I put my sun cream on?

Put your sun cream on at least 20-30 minutes before you go outside and reapply after 20-30 minutes in the sun and then every two hours. Always put your sun cream on before your moisturiser and make-up and don't forget the areas that are most commonly missed: your hair parting, your ears, nose, lips, feet and skin around the edges of your clothes.

Who's most at high risk from skin cancer?

People with fair skin, red or fair hair, light eyes, or a lot of moles or freckles need to take extra care in the sun. The same goes if you have a family history of skin cancer or a previous bad experience of sunburn. You might want to cover up, stay in the shade or wear sun cream that's SPF25 or more. If you notice changes to your skin or moles, speak to your GP.

Do children need extra protection?

Children have sensitive skin and need extra protection from the sun. Use SPF25 and reapply every two hours and after they've been in the sea, the pool or playing with water. Put them in loose clothing with long sleeves, preferably cotton and check shoulders, backs and necks are covered.

Hats are a must, ideally with a wide brim or a flap that covers the neck, as are sunglasses with UV filters. Babies under 12 months need to stay in the shade.

Can sun cream go off?

Eventually. Sun cream lasts for 2-3 years but check the expiry date on the bottle - you won't be protected if it's out-of-date. Keep your sun cream cool and out of direct sunlight as this can damage it.

For the ultimate relaxing holiday, get your travel insurance sorted before you go.

3 Great Places to go camping in Europe

2009-04-01T01:04:00.000-07:00

With camping becoming a great way to socialize and explores the wonder of nature more and more resorts are becoming available for the new or experienced camper. Camping abroad bring with it all the delights of camping in the UK plus the added bonus of a change of climate and a chance to experience a different culture. All the comfort of you own camping equipment provide the ideal unique camping experience. So where do you want to go? Below is a selection of popular camping destinations and some of the benefits that they offer those looking to explore outside the UK.

Spain
This is a popular location for new and experienced campers. The Internacional Amlafra campsite Situated outside the popular location of Benidorm is a great location and offers a wide range of facilites onsite. There is also a tram station five minutes walk away from the campsite if you are looking to explore the area. The location is also only 10 minutes drive away from the centre of Benidorm itself. Spain offers plenty to do and lots to see, which a broad range of tourist attractions and activities to keep you occupied.

Italy
What better place than Italy to experience some Italian culture, get some first hand experience of what Italy has to offer and really embrace the great affection that the Italians have for tourists. Some of the Italian campsites are situated in breath taking areas of the country which are surrounded by outstanding natural beauty. Well established for great food like Lasagna and the universal Pizza this would provide you with the ideal time to try for yourself some of the delightful food available. Italy is worth visiting for the historic land and scenery if for nothing else.

France
Don’t fancy a lot of traveling? Well, a short trip away by train or ferry and you’re there! France, not only being well recognized for it’s large contribution to the wine industry, it also offers some outstanding rural views in a country that is steeped in natural beauty and historic culture. Ideal for those looking to relax, the country provides a multitude of locations and areas that are very unique and increasingly popular.

Although this is a list of three great places to go there are many more popular destinations that might inspire you - happy travels!

Explore Devon for a Great Camping Experience

2009-04-01T01:02:00.000-07:00

Why Devon for a camping holiday? ‘Why not?’ should be the question, especially when you consider Devon is a popular travel destination for a European holiday, particularly for all those who are passionate about camping. With the returning tourists coming back year after year as well as people discovering the delights of camping for the first time

Liberate yourself from all of the time consuming devices that distract you from relaxing and enjoy the rural countryside and embrace all that a Devonshire camping holiday has to offer. Leave behind the laptop, the MP3 player and the portable TV and experience first hand breathtaking walking, scenic views and engulf yourself in the Devon countryside.

Just because you have left all of your mod cons at home doesn’t man that you’ll have to sit around in the darkness trying to create fire. You’ll be presently surprised about how much the campsites have evolved through out the years. A standard campsite offers such this as: storage facilities, modern washblocks, hot showers, drinking water, dishwashing facilities, chilrdens play areas, bottled gas, good size hardstanding pitches with electricity, washing machine, dryer, freezer facilities, parent and baby rooms, motor home service point, also a range of bars, shops and restaurants, Wi-Fi available if you are unable to leave the laptop behind, electric sockets as well as facilities for the disabled

This is a great way to have an intimate holiday with your family and the Devon campsites offers some idyllic camp sites situated near leafy green woodlands and golden beaches. The surrounding area always provides an array of things to explore
What a better way to start the new year than a break away from the routines of everyday life than a break away that allows you to become closer to nature no matter if you are a first timer or a dab hand to this experience you’ll have a great time.

Keep yourself busy on your Shanklin Holiday

2009-04-01T01:01:00.000-07:00

The Isle of Wight is widely documented as being on of the most relaxing and enjoyable places to visit in the UK. The most popular resort on this island is Shanklin based on the south east coast. The town is easy to get to with a railway service connected to the ferry terminal at the northern tip of the Isle of Wight. Well known for its excellent weather and gorgeous setting, the tourists are usually found in the quaint shops or the old style tea rooms giving them a flashback of more innocent and friendly times.

There are also many family owned restaurants and pubs that offer some of the finest seafood dishes and local beers and ales. There are a huge variety of Shanklin accommodation available from campsites and guest houses to some top class hotels. Shanklin is also very good for a bit of retail therapy. The 2 main streets are Regent Street and Main Street, here you will be able to buy food, clothing or maybe a little souvenir to remind you of your stay on the Isle of Wight.

But let’s discuss the real reason that families return year after year. The gorgeous sandy beaches and crystal clear waters are ideal for some time relaxing in the sun. Fortunately the surrounding cliffs act not only as a great vantage point for sea views but also shelter sun bathers from possible strong winds. There is also plenty available to keep the kids busy with an amusement park and pitch and putt as well as a range of pubs and restaurants to keep your energy up!

Another highlight of the Isle of Wight is the Shanklin Chine. This historical gorge was carved by a stream which is calming and quaint during the day but once the evening comes the waterfall and surroundings are illuminated creating an unworldly atmosphere. This is a definite must when you go on your Shanklin Holiday.

Planning the Perfect Baby Shower

2009-04-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

We’ve all been there. Your best friend has announced their going to be a mother. Instantly you’ve become a party planner! This is an exciting time for the mother to be but it can be a stressful time for those in charge of planning the festivities. Fear not, this can be an easy process.

Once you’ve been charged with the planning of the party you’ll need to determine the size of the party. Keep in mind that the people you might like to see at the party might differ from the people the expected mother might like to see. Make sure you include all of the family and friends that the mom to be would want to see. Once you have the size of the party determined it will help you with how much you need to purchase for the party.

One of the pit falls of planning a baby shower is the desire to go to as many places as possible. Once a theme is established you should be able to find one place to meet all of your needs. With the popularity of the Internet, shopping online has become one of the most common places to shop because of the vast services, business and products available. However, you can still do one-stop shopping online as well. Shopping on 20 website can be just as daunting as going from store to store looking for the perfect baby shower favors .

Depending on the theme of your party it might be necessary to know if you should be planning for a little boy or a little girl so the first few weeks could be a waiting game until you know. That is, if the parents want to know. If they don’t want to know what they are having fear not; just go with a unisex party. Also, if that is the case, you can put that on the invitations so those buying gifts for the baby can buy something that would fit either a boy or a girl.

Lastly, keep in mind that a baby shower should be festive and exciting for everyone. This is a time to celebrate life and the more festive an environment is the more fun the mother will have. Baby shower favors always help to improve the fun factor and there is a wide range of favors out there for baby showers so take some time to look around to see what might get your party started off on a high note. Also, baby shower games are always a hit.

There are several online resources on some of the most popular games so this should be an easy and fun step to plan. Remember, have fun planning the party and everyone will have fun at the party!

How to Protect Your Children Online

2009-04-01T00:55:00.000-07:00

Mary Kay Hoal tried everything she could to keep her daughter off of myspace.

She forbade her from using the site, put password locks on the computer and even blocked the site. Still, her daughter found ways to access the popular social networking site. Hoal's concerns stemmed from information and statistics that showed 29,000 registered sex offenders were on myspace; one out of every five kids are sexually solicited online, and nine out of ten children are exposed to pornography online.

When she looked for alternatives for parents worried about the dangers lurking in the cyber-shadows, she found none, so she decided to do something about it.

The result is www.yoursphere.com, the only social networking site for kids and teens that's backed by the Federal Trade Commission through the site's Privacy Vaults approval. The site's Chief Technology officer worked at the California Department of Justice tracking anonymous online sex offenders, as well as the Megan's Law database. Moreover, it requires verified parental consent for a minor to logjoin.

Yoursphere.com has taken the bull by the horns, put a stake in the ground and is saying to the world: what's happening to kids online is NOT OKAY. Kids need to be protected, deserve to be protected and we're the only site that's actually doing something about it in a tangible and meaningful way.

The fact is that the dangers of the Internet for kids are very real, despite the safeguards in place in many homes. According to recent statistics, one out of every five kids is sexually solicited online. Even though it's a crime for sex offenders to work with children, or live near schools, online sexual predators are interacting with kids online and the anonymity available to them online eliminates offline barriers. Nine out of ten children are exposed to pornography online.

• When was the last time a parent or teacher didn't get involved offline when their child was being bullied, but online almost half of kids 12-17 that are bullied only tell a parent 10% of the time. At yoursphere no one is anonymous. Yoursphere is the only online community that requires verifiable parental consent

• Confirms the identity of the parent providing consent

• Confirms that the parent or guardian providing consent is not a registered sex offender

• Is exclusively for kids and teens through age 18.

• Exceeds COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines for protecting kids online through our approval by Privacy Vaults Inc.

• Whose policy is "no creepers allowed": predator, sex offender or pornographer targeting youth; any person setting up a profile with the intention to exploit, harass or solicit.

• No fake profiles. (No one is anonymous on Yoursphere.com)

• Offers our members monthly contests and a rewards program.

• Provides a platform for our members to engage in positive activities of shared interest – in "spheres" (sports, academics, music, fashion, moves & TV, art & photo, gaming, notebook).

"The bottom line is that we're the only place in the online world that that has taken extraordinary measures to help ensure the safety of its members and meets or exceeds standards set by the government," Hoal said. "Our opinion is that if it's a behavior that is illegal, immoral or unacceptable offline, then it's unacceptable online."

Increase your chance at getting pregnant.

2009-04-01T00:50:00.000-07:00

Trying to get pregnant can be a time consuming and daunting task. Women should be aware of their cycle to be able to determine the best time to become pregnant but before doing that, getting a check up at your doctor prior to working on conception will help make the best determination on when prime ovulation starts. Get an ovulation test either over the counter or via your doctor to help predict the best times to get pregnant.

One of the biggest influencers in getting pregnant is emotional based. Trying to hard or "wanting it to happen" can affect your ability to become pregnant. Relaxing during prime ovulation time can help increase your ability to get pregnant. Staying healthy is another key to getting pregnant. Don't smoke, drink, and always eat well. Your body will respond to increased healthiness and allow pregnancy to happen more naturally.

HTML CODE

2009-03-02T02:41:00.000-08:00

http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd