Marriage Monday: Good Partner

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If you want to have a good partner, be a good partner.

Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.

Marriage Monday: An Article From a Friend

Had a friend send this to me and I enjoyed it so much I wanted to post it. I'll share the four here (and only a snippet of each). Pop on over and read the whole article. It's a fun one!

15 Ways to Stay Married for 15 Years by Lydia Netzer

1. Go to bed mad. 
The old maxim that you shouldn't go to bed mad is stupid. Sometimes you need to just go to freakin' bed.

2. Laugh if you can.
In any fight, there is one person who is really mad, and one person who isn't that mad. That person should deflect the fight. Make a joke, do something stupid or corny, make the other person laught. If the fight is very serious for you and you fell like you really want to play your falg and die on this hill, fine. Do it. But.... ( go read her article!) :)

3. Be proud and brag.
Let your spouse hear you talking about them in glowing terms to other people.

4. Do your own thing.
Doing your own thing, having your own friends, being completely insanely passionate about something that the other person has no idea, really, about, is awesome. It allows your spouse to be your cheerleader, uncomplicated by knowledge or personal investment. And it means you'll always have stuff to talk about, because you're not overlapping all the time.


Check out the rest of her list here or copy/paste this link (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lydia-netzer/marriage-secrets_b_1459770.html)

Thanks Amelia for sending this to me!

If you guys find good stuff you think I'd like send it on over or leave it in the comments!!! I love reading and finding new things on marriage and relationships.

Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.

Reading Report March 2014

Reading Report

What I read in March 2014

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

Paranormal, Fantasy, YA

Kami has always had that voice in her head. Only this one talks back and has a life of his own, somewhere else. One day her small town turns upside down when the Lynburn family returns and starts causing trouble. And Kami finds out that the voice in her head is a real boy, and he's here. 

Witty, funny, spunky, punchy. I liked the set up of this plot. Laugh out loud moments kept the story moving right along. I liked it so much I bought the second one on my kindle since my library, oddly has the first in the series and not the second.

Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

Contemporary, YA

Courtney made plans with her boyfriend Jordan to road trip to college orientation. Only now that it's time to go they've broken up and she's still being forced to take the trip. 

I was intrigued with the story line enough to pick it up but I wasn't as impressed with the writing. Overall it kept my interest enough to keep reading but I kept wanting for more meat to the story. 

Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally

Contemporary, YA

Parker's Senior year is completely different than her previous ones at Hundred Oaks High. She was on the all-star softball team, working towards Valedictorian, and had lots of friends. Now she's quit the team, sticks close to one friend and is trying to decide just how much of a new life she wants.

Something about the series keeps bringing me back but also something about each book rubs me a bit the wrong way. I was especially excited about this one because I loved/played softball in high school but other than knowing the guys on the baseball team there wasn't much play. I can't decide if I'm leery about recommending this book because of some of the plot points or a bit of the story telling. I'm still on the fence.

Hold Me Tight by Dr. Sue Johnson

Marriage, Self Help, Psychology

From Goodreads: Emotionally Focused Therapy views the marriage relationship as an attachment bond. Johnson teaches that the way to save and enrich a relationship is to reestablish safe emotional connection and preserve the attachment bond. 

Though it's been practiced among therapists longer, this book released in 2008 is a newer way to look at the relationship of a married couple saying it's okay to be dependent on one another. The book is loaded with case studies from  her own practice, advice to work through your own situations and exercises to learn what may need to be worked on. I'd highly recommend this one. 

The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston

Mystery, YA, Contemporary

She's been half a dozen identities in half a dozen places and is tired of getting yanked from her life by the witness protection folks, 'the suits'. Somethings got to change and she's decided that her latest placement in Louisiana is going to be her last.

I enjoyed this one. Though the main character is a jr/sr (I can't remember) in high school, it seemed written for a younger audience, maybe middle grade. I had my theories on the ending but it was a fun ride to follow. 

The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

Contemporary, Adult

Pat is trying to cope with reality after life in a mental institution. He's convinced he's becoming a better man so his wife will take him back. He works out hours a day and reads the high school English class reading list. People aren't sure how to treat him. He's still on the road to recovery.

The book was way better than the movie. 

The Sisters Grimm The Fairy-Tale Detectives

by Michael Buckley

Fantasy, Middle Grade, Mystery

Sabrina and Daphne have been bumped around to foster homes after their parents disappear and end up with Granny Relda, who they thought was dead. They find out they have a bit of a colorful ancestry, the Brothers Grimm. Fairy tales are actually case files and the girls have a big job ahead of them.

A fun book to read with my kids. They enjoyed it.  

The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks

Fantasy, Middle Grade

For his birthday he receives an old cupboard and a plastic Indian. 

This was my first read through and it was fun. I'm going to get my daughter to read it this summer.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Historical Fiction, Contemporary

Jacob loses his parents, falls behind in school and one night jumps aboard a freight train moving through town. He's thrown into the circus life. 

I've had this on my shelf for years and finally got to it. Though some scenes were pretty dark and others unnecessary it was an interesting read. I'm in the middle of the road on this one. 

Must Love Dogs by Claire Cook

Romance, Chick Lit

After a divorce Sarah is ready to start dating again. Her sister convinces her to put a singles ad in the paper. 

Kind of reminded me of My Big Fat Greek Wedding. The family is all involved in her business and wants the best for her only it causes problems and crazy times. 

Tell No One by Harlan Coben

Mystery, Thriller

Dr. David Beck is madly in love with his wife Elizabeth. But one gut wrenching night changes his life when she's gone forever. Eight years later every one is still telling Beck to move on but one day he receives a message and then another and he's sure there is no other explanation, his wife is still alive. Only something a bad and dark and secret is going on and he must stay alive long enough to figure it out.

Read this one for book club. Not my typical read but I really liked it. I'd recommend it.

The Unidentified Redhead by Alice Clayton

Romance, Adult, Humor

Grace heads back out to LA for a second chance at acting. She crosses paths with the newest, hottest up and coming actor Jake Hamilton and sparks fly!

Really funny. A cute plot line. Very steamy. But be warned, there came a point in the book when it seemed like the author was trying to hit a certain number of pages of the sex scenes lasting.

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

Contemporary, Humor

Bernadette Fox is one of a kind. She doesn't really go out and she doesn't really socialize. Her daughter Bee is her world. They live in a huge (very run down) old boarding school. The book is how a little drama unfolded.

Strange, funny, crazy, and silly. This felt like no book I've ever read before. I'd recommend this one if you're looking for something different. 

Marriage Monday: Daily Actions

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The future of your marriage depends on your daily actions.

Marriage365.org

What are your thoughts on this?

How do you think this applies to you and your relationship?

Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.