Archive for January, 2011

You can’t have a marriage that is positive with a negative mind. One way to think positively about your marriage is by saving $5 a week for your romantic weekend away.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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Friday is here and the weekend is ahead of you with two full days enjoying family and friends. You want to carve out some time with your sweetheart and reconnect. Both of you are trying to figure out the best time you can do this. With your children’s games and commitments to meet with friends for dinner you’re not sure how you can find any private time this weekend. How do you make time when you are overbooked?

Have you thought about scheduling your babysitter an hour earlier so you can go out for a cup of coffee before you meet with your friends? Or perhaps you can schedule an hour at the beginning of the week. Hire your favorite babysitter and go for a walk. Don’t forget to hold hands, put your arms around each other. Did you know when you walk together your heart will beat in sink with each other? Talk about connection!

These little weekly connections are so important for your marriage, even if it is only an hour. Talk about the kids, your week, issues you need to address together. You are a team and if you don’t take the time to connect and discuss things together you will both feel like you are taking care of the family and your marriage alone. How can you feel like a team in this marriage if you don’t try to connect weekly?

Grab your sweetheart, grab an hour and reconnect, your marriage will grow with love and respect knowing you can both work through anything together. That is what a good marriage is made of.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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There are people in our lives who leave a lasting impression. My Uncle Leo and Aunt Odette was a couple who did just that to many people including myself. Sadly they passed away last week 6 days apart. The legacy they left behind will not be forgotten by their family, friends and the people they encountered. They have been a wonderful example on how to live a good and loving life.

Like you and me they have had heartbreak and disappointments through out their life but they didn’t let it seep into their marriage. They stood strong together, made difficult decisions and accepted what couldn’t be changed. They made their life stand out by their giving and loving hearts not only to family and friends, but to strangers too. As they lived their life together they quietly taught us all the importance of caring for each other whether you had money or you were homeless.

They left us a 70 year romance we can tell our children about. They were partners in their marriage, neither of them was above the other, they made decisions together. Their life was by no means perfect. They had their ups and downs and I am sure they both questioned why they married each other at times but they stood strong together and worked through it. So many couples today are willing to easily throw in the towel when they hit a bump in the road. It is too easy to say “I’m Done!” Uncle Leo and Aunt Odette didn’t say “I’m Done!”  They chose the harder road. They said “We will get through this together!”

One of the most endearing things my Uncle would do is every month on their anniversary date he would bring his wife a small gift. I remember my mother telling me about this several times through the years. It might be Aunt Odette’s favorite piece of chocolate, a flower, cologne, etc. Something small, nothing expensive, just a little something to say he loved and cared for her. This little act of monthly love Uncle Leo did I am sure helped them get through the difficult times. My Uncle did this until his health prohibited him from being able to get out and buy something.

Aunt Odette gave of herself to their relationship. She always put Uncle Leo first. She made sure he was treated with respect and love. Over the weekend after my Uncle’s funeral their daughter told me Aunt Odette would make sure Uncle Leo would get the best they had to offer for breakfast, lunch & dinner. She remembered one time there was only one piece of lemon meringue pie left and Aunt Odette knew Uncle Leo had a big sweet tooth.  Aunt Odette insisted Uncle Leo eat it, she told him she wasn’t hungry. Uncle Leo ate the pie until he was full. There was a little left so Aunt Odette finished it off. She scrapped the plate until there was not a crumb left behind. She put him first even in her death. She waited until they had his funeral before she passed on to be with the Lord and him. She let him have his day, a chance for people to talk about him and his life of being a servant to people and the love he gave to anyone in need.

What a beautiful lesson and example they taught their children and anyone who knew about their little acts of love. We can all learn through their example, the giving of self, the forgiveness of wrong doing and the forgetfulness when things weren’t right. They left the biggest legacy of all to each and everyone of us and that is the gift of love and the memory of a romance of 70 years.

Let me leave you with this thought.  Uncle Leo was getting a little forgetful and every so often he would ask one of his daughters “Who is that woman in my room?” They would answer, “Dad that is your wife.” He would look at them, smile and say “Oh good because I like her!”

May we all have a 70 year romance like they did!

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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Jump at the chance to show your sweetheart you love them. Keep saving $5 a week and you both will be jumping at a chance to show each other a whole lot of lovin.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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Is there a tourist attraction you live near but have never made a point to go and visit it? So many of us live near places that tourist will make it a point to see but because we live so close we keep putting it off. A friend and I were talking and laughing about how so many people, including us, never quite make it to that special place.

This friend was telling me how she and her husband lived in Denver, CO for years but it wasn’t until they were ready to move away they went on a tour of Coors Brewing Company. It is right in Denver and they drove pass it all the time and they kept saying we will go see it when we have more time.

I am embarrassed to say my husband, Larry, has never been on a tour of Hearst Castle in San Simeon, CA. We have drove to San Simeon and walked on their beach and went to the tourist center but never spent the money to get on the tour bus that goes up the hill to Hearst Castle. It is only 1 ½ hrs away from were we live. We could easily make it a day trip but we haven’t yet.

Let’s make a commitment if you live within 1 ½ hours or less from a place you have always wanted to go to but have never taken the time to do it you will go there this year. Over the weekend while you are on a date talk about the places you both want to go to and write it down. Decide which ones are really important to you both and make a resolution you are going to do it this year. Find out how much it will cost and when is the best time to do it. If it is expensive start putting a little money away every week until you have enough to pay cash.

Our resolution is going to Hearst Castle this year. We are looking forward to the beautiful drive up the coast, having lunch and taking one of the tours of one of our most popular national parks in the California. Don’t let another year pass you by, plan your special date with your sweetheart to go to that out of the ordinary place and see what tourist are enjoying and talking about.

Where would you like to go to?

Website/Blog Changes Coming Up

Starting this week you will be receiving 3 blogs a week instead of the 5 days a week you are used to. This will allow me to direct my attention this year to making a bigger and more informative website for you. I hope you are as excited as I am to watch SusrpriseKiss.com grow and become the number 1 place you refer to when you are looking to bring more romance in your relationship.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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Starting this week you will be receiving 3 blogs a week instead of the 5 days a week you are used to. This will allow me to direct my attention this year to making a bigger and more informative website for you. I hope you are as excited as I am to watch SusrpriseKiss.com grow and become the number 1 place you refer to when you are looking to bring more romance in your relationship.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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Are you planning a flight to a romantic destination for a special anniversary this year? As you know planes carry all kinds of germs!

Here are 6 tips for keep those pesky germs at bay.

1. Bring alcohol wipes in your carry on bag. Wipe the table tray, your armrest and headrest. This should kill all the viruses and bacteria lingering on these items. Don’t forget to wipe your hands with them and your luggage handle when you pick up your baggage.

2. Don’t read the magazines provide for you on the plane. You don’t know who has been handling them and how sick they were. Those germs have a funny way of sticking on things.

3. You need to stay hydrated while on the plane so ask for an extra beverage to keep mucus membranes moist so they can keep those germs away.

4. Use an alcohol based sanitizer for your hands.

5. If you want to brush your teeth use bottle water instead of the water in the bathroom. EPA found one in seven bathrooms in planes have the E. coli bacteria.

6. When you board your plane spray saline nasal spray in each nostril. If you are taking a long flight do it again every few hours. This will help to keep your nasal passages nice and moist which will help to keep those germs away.

Follow these 6 simple tips and you will be less likely to get sick while on your romantic vacation.

Sometimes though you may turn up sick, so don’t forget to bring aspirin & Alka-Seltzer.  Also, before you leave make sure your pharmacy is in the area you are visiting. When you are out of town you can call your doctor if you catch a bug or forget your medication and have it filled online and pick it up in the area you are visiting.

May you always have a healthy, happy and very romantic getaway for you and your sweetheart whether it is in the same town or across the country.

Website/Blog Changes Coming Up

Starting this week you will be receiving 3 blogs a week instead of the 5 days a week you are used to. This will allow me to direct my attention this year to making a bigger and more informative website for you. I hope you are as excited as I am to watch SusrpriseKiss.com grow and become the number 1 place you refer to when you are looking to bring more romance in your relationship.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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Starting this week you will be receiving 3 blogs a week instead of the 5 days a week you are used to. This will allow me to direct my attention this year to making a bigger and more informative website for you. I hope you are as excited as I am to watch SusrpriseKiss.com grow and become the number 1 place you refer to when you are looking to bring more romance in your relationship.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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Bringing  joy to your marriage is contagious and saving $5 a week for your anniversary can bring lots of “joy” when you are on your romantic weekend away.

Website/Blog Changes Coming Up

Starting this week you will be receiving 3 blogs a week instead of the 5 days a week you are used to. This will allow me to direct my attention this year to making a bigger and more informative website for you. I hope you are as excited as I am to watch SusrpriseKiss.com grow and become the number 1 place you refer to when you are looking to bring more romance in your relationship.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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It is Friday night and you are both so happy it is the end of a rough week. All you want to do is go home and close the doors to peace and quite. You don’t want to go out to dinner you are just too exhausted. Your boss or customers were too demanding and they have used up all your energy for anything else.  But wait! You both know the kids are waiting for you to feed them and take care of their needs. And you are both asking when it is time to take care of our needs?

Call family or close friends and see if they will take the kids overnight. If there isn’t anyone available then hire a babysitter or one in training. Once you have the children taken care of. Have your sweetheart pick-up the kids’ favorite take-out. As for you and your spouse keep it simple and order Chinese.

Once you get home set out a picnic blanket for the kids in the den then hand the babysitter dinner for everyone including herself with instructions to the kids you and your spouse are not to be disturbed unless the house is burning down or someone is really hurt. Also, instruct the babysitter what time you want the children to go to bed.

Then grab candles, a bottle of wine or sparkling cider and head to the bedroom. When your spouse gets home eat your Chinese food together in bed out of the boxes with your chop sticks. Don’t forget to turn on some soft music and most importantly lock the door.

After dinner draw a warm bath for both of you and sprinkle bath salts in the tub, to sooth your aching muscles and mind. If your master bathroom only has a shower no problem just sprinkle the aromatic bath salts on the floor of your shower and let the smell ease the tension away. I like the smell of [amazon_link id=”B0013L764S” target=”_blank” ]Burt’s Bees Therapeutic Bath Crystals – 16.0 oz.[/amazon_link] it is male and female friendly. Dry each other off slowly and enjoy. Need I say more……

At some point once the kids are in bed one of you will need to bring the babysitter home. You will want to plan ahead approximately what time and who will have the task of taking them home.  While the other is out go into the kitchen and make two cups of Hot Chocolate or Hot Apple Cider. When your sweetheart gets home sit by the fireplace and relax knowing you are ready for the weekend with your children and all the enjoyment you have together as a family.

What is your favorite way to unwind with your spouse after a hard week of working?

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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