Overview

Everyone cherishes the opportunity to give and receive during the holidays. Giving gifts at this special time offers a way to honor those we love. Thinking up a special gift to wow the spirit or warm the heart can be fun and when you've given just the right thing, it's like hitting the jackpot. However, since coming up with new ideas every year isn't easy, here is a guide that might help spark your imagination without emptying your wallet.     Go Green Give something that grows. Even those who aren't gardeners love to receive plants, trees or flowers as gifts. A s... more ...

Twinkling lights, clinking glasses and crackling logs on the fire automatically give the holidays a romantic feel. However, the season can also place extra pressure on dating couples. How do you balance your relationship with the stresses and significance of the season? Follow these holiday dating tips to help you negotiate the mistletoe this year.     Talk About It No matter how long you have been dating, communication is key to avoiding some of the worst holiday dating mistakes. You may want to set some ground rules to manage expectations. For example, you can agree on whether ... more ...

There's nothing new about feeling gun shy after a relationship ends badly. However, when a marriage ends, feelings of disbelief accompanied by deep sadness and an intense sense of failure can make you want to give up relationships forever. Some people who divorce may never remarry. But for many, divorce is simply a case of having made the wrong match. Dating after divorce offers another chance to make the right one.     Are You Ready? Be patient and gentle with yourself. Make sure you have given yourself time to heal after your divorce. If you are full of anger or still locke... more ...

Everyone has heard of writer's block but you may not know that being "blocked" creatively can happen to anyone. It can happen when your mind is busy with life's details and you feel overwhelmed. Sometimes it happens and you simply feel stuck. Solutions to problems are hard to find or you feel like you are in a rut. Whether you need to grease the wheels for work or whether you are a creative person who needs a jumpstart, the following tips can work for you.     Morning Pages Julia Cameron, the author of "The Artist's Way," wrote that people of all t... more ...

Colder temperatures are here and they call for a change in the cocktail menu. While the sizzle of summer means sipping on cool, fruity drinks like a margarita rimmed in salt or a tall gin and tonic, the change in season calls for drinks that are deeper, warmer and bring to mind evenings with friends around a crackling fire. Autumn is a great time to return to traditional cocktails. Dig out your cocktail shaker and try some of the drink recipes below before the holidays arrive. Then, make room for sparkling wines and festive champagne drinks.   Manhattan This classic drink brings us bac... more ...

I know u guys haven't seen me on here for awhile. It is because I met the woman I truly love here. You may or may not know her as capricorn1. We have been an item since last March and are deeply in Love. We need to thank you Graham and your partners for giving us the opportunity to meet on your site. This is the most awesome feeling I have had in my life to find true love at 58 and to all you people that haven't found the perfect match yet be patient. I remember being here with some very special people that helped me through some hard times when I first joined this site a few years bac... more ...

You live in one city and the one you love is across the country. Family obligations or work keeps each of you tethered to your towns but you are determined to hang on and somehow make your relationship work. Some people might think this sounds like heartbreak and torture and consider all long distance dating to be doomed. For others, long distance dating is romantic and somehow they make it work for them. Here are some ideas on how to make the most of a faraway romance.   Same Wavelength When you start a long distance romance, pick a moment to talk about the ground rules. Know that par... more ...

For many of us, there comes a time when we realize that our parents should no longer live alone. They may need to move into a different living situation because of health reasons, financial reasons or simply because their current home has become too large for them to manage on their own. Adult children want the best for their parents and sometimes they assume that moving their mother or father into their own home is the best solution. But is it? Consider some of the following issues before you make this decision.   Options Your parent may wish to move in with you or perhaps it is you w... more ...

If you tend to cringe when you open your utility bill each month, you probably need to be more proactive about how you use energy at home. Small, simple changes in every day habits can mean big savings, especially if you are consistent. Try some of these tips and you may be able to look at your next utility bill with your eyes wide open.       Lower the Lights Turning off the lights when you leave a room and only using the light you absolutely need seems like common sense but many people leave lights blazing throughout their houses as if every night was a party. Consider in... more ...

Life is stressful. No one can deny that every now and then even the little problems in life seem like too much to handle. While you can't get rid of stress, you can limit its effect on you. Simple tools that you can use anytime, anywhere can help put things in perspective and give you the calm you need to carry on. You don't need to be a yoga expert or spend weeks at a meditation retreat to use these relaxation techniques. Grab a cup of hot tea and try some of the following strategies to help you deal with every day stress.   Meditation There are many different kinds of meditat... more ...