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Attitudes Toward Marriage

Everybody has something to say about marriage. Some of it is positive, some extremely cynical. I’m inclined to think a lot of a person’s ideas about marriage and response to marriage come from their experiences of marriage. This means the model they saw in their parent’s marriage and sometimes in the marriages of friend’s parents. Good reason for parents to be careful about the sort of messages they are sending their children about marriage. It will shape a person’s own expectations of and attitude towards marriage. It is also shaped by their own experience of love and marriage and what … Continue reading →

Exercise Boosts Your Brain at Any Age!

If you’re worried about your brain’s health, you might want to think about your physical fitness levels. A new study from the Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden looked at the link between physical fitness and brain fitness (or, if you want to be technical about it, call it “cognitive function”). Researchers looked at data on more than a million Swedish men born between 1950 and 1976 who enlisted for military service at age 18. Included in those 1.2 million men were more than a quarter of a million siblings — and some … Continue reading →

What Makes for a Happy, Lasting Marriage?

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What makes for a happy, lasting marriage? According to Edward and Ella Chapman who this week celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, it is: ‘Love, respect and complete commitment to one another,’ Bev and Geoff Woodham who recently celebrated 40 years, say their secret to a long and loving marriage is ‘being great mates who share interests and enjoying life together.’ From my own point of view of over 40 years married, I’d say love, respect, and enjoying each other’s company come near the top of the list. Respect for the other person as they are without trying to change them … Continue reading →

Keep Your Focus

The other day I had a frightening experience. I’m not a confident person in the water, because I can’t swim well- only while my feet can touch bottom and I never put my face under water. The concept terrifies me. The beach we go to is usually calm, which is why we go there. But this day there were some largish waves. I was careful not to turn my back on them. Mick caught one of the waves into shore. In the process, he lost the cap he usually wears to protect his eyes from the sun. I turned to … Continue reading →

Gossip and Loyalty in Marriage

Two things recently started me thinking about gossip and loyalty in marriage. One was in the book ‘Take Joy’ by Jane Yolen where she talked of certain ’emotional core truths.’ She went on to mention some core truths about herself. One of these was ‘being loyal’ to those she loved. The other sign recently that tickled my fancy was this. ‘I never repeat gossip, so listen carefully the first time.’ But what has gossip got to do with marriage? Sadly, I thought it related closely to not being loyal to our spouse. Listening to guys talk at times, I hear … Continue reading →

Before Disaster Comes Show Your Love

Australia is reeling. A staggering number of lives have been lost as a result of the bushfires that have been rampaging for days. Whole towns have been wiped out. Many people have lost their homes and possessions in the worst disaster to hit Australia as bush fires rage through parts of Victoria. Fires have also hit New South Wales but to date no lives have been lost there. Other than the lives of loved ones, what would you try and save in case of a fire? It’s hard to imagine, isn’t it? As I started to think about what I’d … Continue reading →

How to Keep Your Marriage on Track

Do you want to know how to keep your marriage on track? Recent blogs have looked at the ups and downs in marriage. While Mary Ann’s been focusing on the things that can disrupt and harm a marriage and how to deal with them, I’ve mostly focused on the positive side of trying to build a marriage up. Together they give a good picture of what is involved in keeping a marriage on track. My calendar the other day says ‘little kindnesses, little acts of considerateness (I would have said consideration, but you get the drift), little appreciations, little confidences…they … Continue reading →

How to Get Your Marriage in Better Shape

You’ve heard the old adage ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away,’ but how about,’a compliment a day keeps divorce away.’ Okay, maybe that’s a tad simplistic but the general principle, of making a habit each day of complimenting your spouse for something they have done or for some quality you love about them, is sound. E.g. I might say to Mick,‘I really appreciate the way you support me and come to events where I’m singing even though sometimes it’s boring.’ At the supermarket the other day a woman packing the bag jokingly said to me, ‘That’s for Muscles … Continue reading →

Personalized Valentine Gifts to Display Around Your Home Forever and Always

If you’re looking for a way to fill your home with love, try putting it on display. Literally. I found tons of cute personalized items that you can decorate your love shack with just for Valentine’s Day, but that would also be appropriate to keep up or use year round. I broke them down by category and listed them below. (And I found all of them at Personal Creations unless otherwise specified.) Décor Better Half Glass Block: Your name’s on one side, his is on the other, and “My Better Half” is below. Creative. $17.95 “Soul Mate” Glass Block: “Soul … Continue reading →

Personalized Gifts to Delight Your Valentine

Valentine’s Day is just a little better than two weeks away but there’s still time to order gifts that can be personalized to make your sweetheart feel truly sweet. Below is a list of my favorite finds for her, for him, and ones you can personalize to give to either him or her. For Her Sterling Silver Better Half Pendant from Personal Creations: Two bodies form a heart, but it’s the personalized sentiment card that can be personalized that makes this gift special. $69.95 Rhinestone Heart Pendant with Keepsake Box from Personal Creations: What girl wouldn’t like to get a … Continue reading →