Causes of Marriage Break Ups

Opposites attract but only up to a point. According to Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott,one of the main reasons many couples break up is that they have not enough in common. This can happen early in a marriage or even sometimes, as it seems recently in growing numbers, after the children have moved out of home. Couples find they have nothing in common. Nothing left to talk about. A solution to this might be to take up a hobby or sport together. Before I broke my arm which has out me put of action for months, Mick and I played … Continue reading

Exercise and Music

What kind of music do you listen to while you workout? A new study says the type of tunes that play on your iPod as you run (or participate in other cardio exercise) influences your physical endurance. The new research, which is set to appear in the Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, is part of a 20-year study highlighting motivational qualities of music in sport and exercise. The findings illustrate the benefits associated with exercising in time to music. In one part of the study 30 participants exercised on a treadmill while listening to songs by pop stars such … Continue reading

“Right Fighters”

I don’t get the chance to watch Dr. Phil very often, but a while back I happened to catch part of one of his shows. As he does so often, he was trying to help a couple understand why they fight so much. In this case it was because one of the spouses (I forget if it was the husband or wife) was what he calls a “right fighter.” What a Right Fighter Is Right fighters only care about being right. Whatever the argument is, as long as they’re right (or think they’re right), they’ll keep the argument going until … Continue reading

Fewer Children Read for Fun

I have spent a lot of time and article space on reading lately. In those articles I have discussed the various aspects in reading and reading instruction. However one thing that I have not fully addressed is the fact that children should enjoy reading and read for fun. Sadly fewer and fewer children are finding that reading is fun. In fact, recent surveys show that the number of 17 year old children that admit they rarely or never read for fun has rose from 9% to 19% over the past twenty years. As children grow older the desire to read … Continue reading

Using Scrapbook Supplies for Other Uses

Call me frugal, but I have a tenacious appetite for finding new uses for items I already have, so that I do not have to spend the money to purchase something new. Scrapbooking supplies are no different and can be used it a variety of unique ways that go far beyond the album on your shelf. Altered Items – Obviously, the most common use for scrapbooking supplies outside of actual scrapbooking is altered items. This means taking your papers and embellishments and turning something ugly into something beautiful. My favorite altered items to do are CD and DVD tins to … Continue reading

Resolutions for a Yappy New Year

Happy New Year! (Or as Murph would say, “Yappy!”) I’m changing things up this year. Instead of making my resolutions right before the New Year starts, I’m making them right as the New Year starts. Even before I took stock of 2007, I was thinking a lot about resolutions and what I want to accomplish in 2008. Therein lies the problem. I never have any shortage of goals. If anything, I have way too many. So I’m going to try and keep it simple this year. Resolutions re Writing in the Pets Blog • To be more like these fellow … Continue reading

Resolutions for a Yappy New Year

Happy New Year! (Or as Murph would say, “Yappy!”) I’m changing things up this year. Instead of making my resolutions right before the New Year starts, I’m making them right as the New Year starts. Even before I took stock of 2007, I was thinking a lot about resolutions and what I want to accomplish in 2008. Therein lies the problem. I never have any shortage of goals. If anything, I have way too many. So I’m going to try and keep it simple this year. Resolutions re Writing in the Pets Blog • To be more like these fellow … Continue reading

More About Finding “The One”

Previously I discussed the heartbreak and discouragement that some people have trying to find the right person to spend their lives with. For some, finding true love takes longer than for others. These people can experience loneliness and hopelessness. However, finding your mate does not have to be so hard. Taking a close look at yourself and digging deep into your heart to discover what type of person you are looking for is a good start. Going to the right places to meet the types of people you are looking for is also helpful. In addition to interest clubs and … Continue reading