Archive for August, 2011

We all know through the years marriage can have its ups and downs in a relationship but did you know you can keep the sparks alive even during the down times? Here are 5 simple things you can do to stay connected with each other.

  1. Smile – When you see your spouse smile at them. A simple smile is all it takes to make your sweetheart feel loved which in turn makes you more appealing to them.
  2. Change Your Routine – Something as simple as getting up before the kids are out of bed and having breakfast in bed together or on the living room floor can give you both a feeling that you are special to each other.
  3. Cuddle – You don’t need to go out on a date to enjoy each other. Cuddle up on the sofa and watch TV. It helps you both to feel closer.
  4. Touch – A pat on the hand or touching their shoulder is all it takes to let them know you care about them even when life is stressful.
  5. Alone Time – It is important to allow each other alone time. We all need down time, maybe it is a girls or guys night out. Or maybe you just want to read in another room where it is quite and your spouse wants to watch something on TV that you are not interested in. Everyone needs alone time and so does your relationship.

Follow these 5 simple steps when your relationship is going through a down time and you both will be keeping the sparks alive.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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Count the successes in your marriage not the mistakes. Keep saving $5 a week and you will be having a very romantic evening away with your sweetheart.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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You want to do something a little different on date night and you don’t want it to be just your normal dinner night out with your sweetheart. You still want to go out to dinner but does it seem you are always doing the same thing and eating at the same restaurant? You can still go out to dinner but change it up a little and make it a memorable evening.

Try a Date Night Crawl – head to a different restaurant for each course. Start out by going to a restaurant or bar and having a drink and hors d’oeuvres. Then on to your favorite place to have salad or soup next you will head out to dinner at a different place. Lastly grab your sweetheart and head to a little café for coffee and dessert or your local bar for a dessert cocktail.

If you are watching your money you could have hors d’oeuvres and drinks and after go for dessert and coffee at someplace different. Change it up to your likings.

For us I could see us going out to our favorite sushi place and sitting at the bar and sharing a rainbow roll along with a glass of wine. Then going to the Madonna Inn and splitting a piece of their famous chocolate cake at their Copper Cafe. Yum!

Plan your Date Night Crawl ahead of time so you won’t be trying to figure out where you are headed to next. You don’t want to have the infamous conversation while you are out by saying “Where do you want to go now?” And the other person saying “I don’t know”. Then one of you makes a suggestion and the other doesn’t want to go there.

We have been there done that like most couples. Your Date Night Crawl will be a Date Night Flop if you don’t make plans ahead of time. My suggestion is one of you plans the evening one time and then the other plans it another time.

Changing things up every so often makes for an interesting evening and your relationship won’t seem so BORING!

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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How courteous and respectful are you with each other? Do you just assume because you want to do something your sweetheart wants to do it to? Did you know couples who are considerate to each other are happier and closer to each other than couples who don’t take the time to consider whether the other person would be interested in doing what they want to do?

Yes there are times you need to go to a function with your sweetheart and it isn’t what they are interested in. When you receive the invitation check with your sweetheart and find out if they would like to go with you. Checking with them first before you say you will both be there is common courtesy. If you wanted a friend to attend something with you, wouldn’t you ask them first before saying yes for both of you?  Treating your partner with the same respect as you would a friend is saying I honor who you are as a person. Just because you are married doesn’t mean they have to do everything you do and vise a versa.

If your partner does decide to attend the function with you help to make them feel comfortable. Introduce them to someone who may have the same interest they do or make sure they are with you and include them in the conversation. You will both feel connected.

Remember courtesy and respect for each other goes a long way to keep a marriage strong.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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You will both have plenty of time to just be there listening to each other with no interruptions on your romantic weekend away if you keep saving your $5 a week.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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We forget how important touch is in our relationships. Did you know you don’t always have to have sex to feel intimate together? There are times when you are just too tired or you or your sweetheart has had surgery and the doctor has said no sex for 6 weeks but you miss the feeling you have when being intimate together.  Then you will want to go to Plan B.

You have seen me write about kissing everyday and the importance of hugging but there is more you can do, particularly when you can’t have the intimacy you want. That’s when Plan B can help.

Plan B is about going to bed naked with the intent of no sex and having your naked bodies touching each other. It may take some getting used to, so you may want to try this a few weeks before you go for surgery to help you understand the importance of this intimate gesture. You could plan on the first night no sex and then the next night sex.

Trying Plan B could make you look at sex and the pleasure of touching differently. It helps you to feel closer and when you are able to make love you may find it more enjoyable. The pleasure of your two naked bodies touching each other may become a part of your weekly ritual once you understand the close connection you get from it.

Once you are able to roll in the sack then start the celebration with a surprise gift and note in the morning. Purchase a Wachamacallit Candy Bar and write on a post-it-note and attach it to the candy bar:

 “I’d like to play with YOUR whatchamacallit!”

A big thanks to one of my readers, they were kind enought to send me this cute idea with the Watchamacallit Candy Bar.

Send me your ideas on how you like to surprise your sweetheart. You might see it on SurpriseKiss.com!

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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Did you know that texting your sweetheart is a potent relationship booster? Do you want to stay connected even when you aren’t together? Then text you sweetheart. It can be as strong as or maybe even stronger than writing a love letter. Texting can keep those sparks flying.

You are letting them know you are currently thinking of them during your busy day. Don’t text them every hour or everyday, make it count when you do.

You are letting your sweetheart know they are special to you.

A quick note saying:

“I’m still smiling over the fun we had together between the sheets late last night.”

That text can make them smile and remind them of that special feeling you had together. People will be asking your sweetheart all day why they have a smile on their face.

Or you could text:

“Love Ya!” or “Can’t wait until tonight to relax with you and watch TV together.”

Just a quick simple text is all you need to let them know you are thinking of them.

So keep the flames burning even if you have been married for a longtime. Text your sweetheart and make them feel loved by you. It’s a marriage booster.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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You don’t need an excuse. You just need to keep saving $5 a week for your romantic night alone together.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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Sorry this is a bit late (planned on posting this on Wednesday) but my mother-in-law has been in the hospital since Monday. I will try to write a post for date night by tomorrow.

Don’t know what websites and apps are the best to use to help you with your romantic weekend away? I have the same problem since there are so many available to us on the web.

Thanks to the Today Show and Nilou Motamed from Travel & Leisure Magazine has taken the guess work out for us. You will want to take the time to watch this short video and even pick up the magazine. FYI, Wal-Mart magazines are 30% off the regular price. (Helping to keep the cost down for you.)

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Do you use any of these websites/apps and how do you like them? Do you have your own favorites maybe Nilou didn’t mention?

Happy travels to you and your sweetheart.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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You will discover how special you are to each other if you keep saving $5 a week for your romantic weekend.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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