And a Happy New Year

One reason most New Year's resolutions fail is that we try to do too much.

Looking back at the old year, we may be pleased with our accomplishments, but we also remember, all too clearly, our failures and disappointments. Another year older, we feel increasing pressure to reach our goals before it is too late.

With the best of intentions, we make those lists. Lose 10 pounds. Organize all the closets. Find a better job. Do Date Night every week. Finish the novel. Make love more often. Take a French cooking class.

It's overwhelming.

The Marriage Experiment That Backfired on a Marriage Therapist

by guest contributor Emil F. Harker

Can you imagine how life would be if we became our spouse's ideal partner? I didn't say perfect person, I said ideal partner.

Yeah, I get that there are some limitations. For example: My wife would love it if she had to tip-toe to kiss me. She would also like to run her fingers through my thick, dark hair. I'm 5'10" and she is 5'7" – no tippy toes required. I also have no hair - I'm shaved totally bald.

Accomplishing Something By Doing Nothing

by guest contributor Steve

My wife and I recently returned from a week-long vacation in the Caribbean, where we stayed at an all-inclusive resort. It was a special occasion, so even though it was more expensive than we usually spend on a vacation like this, we traveled first class and got a one-bedroom suite with a butler. Neither of us knew what to expect from the butler service, but it was amazing. (More on that some other time.)

Do I Need a Map?

The other day, my husband had an early-morning appointment that went more quickly than he expected. He gave me a call, and since he wasn't far from where I was, we agreed to meet nearby for a quick breakfast.

He said, "Let's meet at the McDonald's on Roscoe."

I was stumped. I couldn't picture the place he meant. "On Roscoe?" I asked.

"Right. The one at the corner of Roscoe and Topanga."

One More Gift

The holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate our capacity for compassion and generosity. Family gatherings, parties, gifts, time spent together – all these express our love and appreciation for family and friends. Now is also the time to express ourselves at an even higher level, by sharing some of our resources with others.

Don't Give Bad Christmas Gifts

A Google search for "Bad Christmas presents" turns up results that are hilarious, sad, enraging, incredible, and -- for some -- all too familiar.

The gift you choose for your mate sends a message. Make it a message of love!

Before choosing a gift, ask yourself how it is likely to be viewed by the recipient. Will this be welcomed as an expression of good will, or will it look like a thinly-veiled criticism? Will the gift you choose say that you put some loving thought into it, or will it be something so generic it could have come from a stranger? Will it show that you understand your partner's desires, or will it appear that you don't really know anything about them?

Happy Anniversary

As of today, Hubby and I have been married 10,975 days. In case you're counting, that's 30 years.

Time passes so quickly that we hardly notice it. Yet, looking through our wedding album, I know how much has happened and how much has changed. Of our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles who where there that day, only a few are still living. My sister, who was just 15 when she served as my maid of honor, is now the mother of two teenagers. Many of our friends have become grandparents.

Dumping the Landline?

A recent report indicates that nearly half of American households have ditched their landlines, preferring to have wireless phone service only. The younger people are, the more likely they are to prefer cell-only, but people of all ages are making the switch. Even my mother, now in her eighties, gave up her landline service a few weeks ago. Experts predict the death of the landline any minute now.

However, this morning I realized that I can't give up my landline because it serves one very important function in my life. When I can't find my cell phone, I use the landline to call it so that I can locate the cell phone by following the ring.
 

Avoid Bad Christmas Gifts

Is your significant other a disaster when it comes to gift giving? In the past, have you received gifts that were disappointing, baffling, thoughtless, or downright insulting?

Maybe your loved one is a secret Grinch, out to ruin the holiday for everyone. If that's the case, there's probably nothing you can do. More likely, though, you are dealing with someone who is just clueless. In that case, you can help your sweetheart do the right thing.

Improve Your Marriage: Review

Improve Your Marriage: Don't Overlook the Obvious by Russell Irving is not your typical self-help book. The author doesn't present a radical new system to fix your relationship. He doesn't use special jargon or a trendy catch phrase. His book doesn't even have chapters.

And that's the point. Irving's contention is that people tend to over-complicate and over-think their situation, when what they really need to do is take a clear look at what's in front of them and apply some common sense. With that in mind, he has put together a collection of observations, suggestions, truisms, and comments aimed at helping people get on the right track.