Friday, June 27, 2008

Dating without dollar's

Dinner and a movie can drain your allowance, but resourceful daters can still hae a stellar time. Here are some inexpensive ways to release your inner cupid:


-Print out a map of the constellation, grab a balnket, pack snacks, then head out for some stargazing.


-Do a little research and conduct your own historic sites tour


-Prepare a meal together- it will be more memorable for havbing created it together


-Good weather is ideal for a coin-flip date. Take a walk with no particular destination and at each intersection, flip a coin. Heads, turn left; tials, right


-Learn a new skill together, like in-line skating, juggling or guitar.


-Lousy weather is great time to melt her heart with chocolate fondue or snuggle up for a popcorn-enchanced movie marathon. Select a favourite or two each, or rent by theme: pirates, superheros, dating


-Do you share a hobby or other interest? Together, you can hunt for fossils, scrounge garage sales or attent a poetry reading


-Romantic picnics can be set anywhere: you backyard, a scenic park or even your living room floor. Don't forget the candles!


-Find a park and fly a kite or see how fast you can make it to the top of the monkeys bars. -Where will it end? At an ice cream palour, of course!

-Don't have just a date: chronicle the experience with a digital camera. Then create a memory album.


Remember, money can't buy a good date-the best one are those spent with someone whose company you enjoy no matter where you are.

7 Stages of marriage

Every marriage is unique, but most follow a similar path that flows through seven distinct stages. Understanding the work required at each can give you a road map for handling rough times, and help you and your spouse focus on how to be happy, secure and satisfied.


Stage 1: PassionThe honeymoom pahse when romance and intense attraction lead to comitment.


Stage 2: RealisationDisappointment and conflict mark this unavoidable period. The challenge? Laying the groundwork for a long future together


Stage 3: RebellionSlf-interest versus shared interest. Knowing the difference between a destructive desire to flee and a healthy need to be your true self is this stage's key test.


Stage 4: CooperationIn time, marriage means managing money, building careers, raising kids. Going from lover to partner to parent can get rocky.


Stage 5: ReunionOnce the kids are grown, then what? For happy couples, it's time to enjoy each other again. But the ideal can be hard to achieve. Passion's embers need stoking; expectations need rejiggering


Stage 6: ExplosionJob loss, health woes, illness or death in family-such event can come in waves. Will your marriage be source or sorely tired by new roles, limitation and fears?


Stage 7: CompletionMarital bliss often soars after decades together because "knowing" each other now has a deeper meaning- and a bigger payoff