Sunday, February 29, 2004
Sundays are for love.
I love Sunday afternoons. They're quiet, lazy and so good for showing my sweetie loads of lovin. Especially after he shows me some by going away. Confused?
Well, as a busy author, mediator, businesswoman and mom of two teenagers, there's not much time left in every week just for me. So, my honey, Peter, makes some for me. He leaves me alone in our house most Sundays for about 5 hours. Is that lovin? Is that romantic? You betcha.
First couple of hours I lounge about in my pajamas- flannel, of course. Reading the paper, eating snacks and watching 'girl TV'. You know, HGTV and all the makeover shows, stuff that he politely watches while thinking he'd rather have a lobotomy.
Then, when I'm good and relaxed, it strikes me: Pete is a great guy! It's easy in the stress of daily living to forget that little fact. That's when the cooking starts. I cook to let him know lots of things. Mainly, that I miss him when he's gone.
Most Sundays Pete returns home from his adventures (guys need me time too!) to find a beautifully presented, lovingly-cooked meal prepared just for him. (Sometimes that leads to other types of 'home cookin', if you know what I mean:0)
Point being, love, like matter, is never lost. It simply changes form. Giving love fully, wholeheartedly, without expectation generally means you'll get some in return (and from the most unexpected places)
HOLIDAY ALERT
We're still looking to name our new holiday! Thanks to folks who've already participated. Let's hear from the rest of you at info@whatsromantic.com. Ciao, Dina
I love Sunday afternoons. They're quiet, lazy and so good for showing my sweetie loads of lovin. Especially after he shows me some by going away. Confused?
Well, as a busy author, mediator, businesswoman and mom of two teenagers, there's not much time left in every week just for me. So, my honey, Peter, makes some for me. He leaves me alone in our house most Sundays for about 5 hours. Is that lovin? Is that romantic? You betcha.
First couple of hours I lounge about in my pajamas- flannel, of course. Reading the paper, eating snacks and watching 'girl TV'. You know, HGTV and all the makeover shows, stuff that he politely watches while thinking he'd rather have a lobotomy.
Then, when I'm good and relaxed, it strikes me: Pete is a great guy! It's easy in the stress of daily living to forget that little fact. That's when the cooking starts. I cook to let him know lots of things. Mainly, that I miss him when he's gone.
Most Sundays Pete returns home from his adventures (guys need me time too!) to find a beautifully presented, lovingly-cooked meal prepared just for him. (Sometimes that leads to other types of 'home cookin', if you know what I mean:0)
Point being, love, like matter, is never lost. It simply changes form. Giving love fully, wholeheartedly, without expectation generally means you'll get some in return (and from the most unexpected places)
HOLIDAY ALERT
We're still looking to name our new holiday! Thanks to folks who've already participated. Let's hear from the rest of you at info@whatsromantic.com. Ciao, Dina
Friday, February 20, 2004
Post-Valentine's Blues
Do you feel it too? I'm blue now that Valentine's day is gone for a whole year. Personally, I'm in favor of adding another day of pampering-in-the-name-of-love to our calendar. What do you say?
August 14th is the day, but what shall we call it? National Heart Day is taken. Kiss me Day doesn't work. Maybe there's a romantic character from literature or history we can honor like St. Valentine.
You've got ideas and we want to hear'em. Drop us your suggestion at info@whatsromantic.com. We'll definitely read it and the best one will get a free copy of our book, Ideas for the Romantically Challenged due out this summer. Ciao, Dina
PS Pete's writing a provocative article on Romance in the 21st century for next week.
Do you feel it too? I'm blue now that Valentine's day is gone for a whole year. Personally, I'm in favor of adding another day of pampering-in-the-name-of-love to our calendar. What do you say?
August 14th is the day, but what shall we call it? National Heart Day is taken. Kiss me Day doesn't work. Maybe there's a romantic character from literature or history we can honor like St. Valentine.
You've got ideas and we want to hear'em. Drop us your suggestion at info@whatsromantic.com. We'll definitely read it and the best one will get a free copy of our book, Ideas for the Romantically Challenged due out this summer. Ciao, Dina
PS Pete's writing a provocative article on Romance in the 21st century for next week.
Thursday, February 19, 2004
Basking in the Afterglow...
Let's just say that my Valentine's Day was well, eh, very romantic! I'm still sighing....
Peter pulled out all the stops. Yep, the works. And, best of all, he surprised me. I'm rarely surprised.
Here's what happened. We took my kids, Kaitie and Jared, for a big Valentine's lunch at the local dim sum spot. We had a great time, especially playing 20 questions. Kaitie stumped me with Missy Elliot. Anyway, once we got home and I didn't notice anything I thought, "same old, same old- no gifts for me". I dropped off the kids at their father's house and came home.
Somehow, Peter snuck out and came back with bags of groceries. He sat me in front of the TV saying, "Don't move. I'll call you for dinner."
I heard some rattling, a little cursing and a couple of mysterious questions before being called. What did I find?
Romance! Our dining room table, beautifully set, with a gorgeous Caprese salad, champagne and LOBSTERS. Not just any little chicken lobster- a big one. A big, ol' 5 pd lobster waiting on my plate. I'm a diva in disguise and lobster and champagne are my comfort foods! I was in heaven.
And, after that lovely bubble bath in the Jacuzzi, Pete was too!
This was my best Valentine's Day ever!! Better than the champagne and stuff was the effort it took to surprise me. I love you, honey
Let's just say that my Valentine's Day was well, eh, very romantic! I'm still sighing....
Peter pulled out all the stops. Yep, the works. And, best of all, he surprised me. I'm rarely surprised.
Here's what happened. We took my kids, Kaitie and Jared, for a big Valentine's lunch at the local dim sum spot. We had a great time, especially playing 20 questions. Kaitie stumped me with Missy Elliot. Anyway, once we got home and I didn't notice anything I thought, "same old, same old- no gifts for me". I dropped off the kids at their father's house and came home.
Somehow, Peter snuck out and came back with bags of groceries. He sat me in front of the TV saying, "Don't move. I'll call you for dinner."
I heard some rattling, a little cursing and a couple of mysterious questions before being called. What did I find?
Romance! Our dining room table, beautifully set, with a gorgeous Caprese salad, champagne and LOBSTERS. Not just any little chicken lobster- a big one. A big, ol' 5 pd lobster waiting on my plate. I'm a diva in disguise and lobster and champagne are my comfort foods! I was in heaven.
And, after that lovely bubble bath in the Jacuzzi, Pete was too!
This was my best Valentine's Day ever!! Better than the champagne and stuff was the effort it took to surprise me. I love you, honey
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
It's a Boy!
So there is some big news to announce, my sister Martha just gave birth to a baby boy this morning. His name is Joshua Louis Eugene Martel and he weighs in at 6 lbs and 5 oz. Very exciting!
You may ask "What does this have to do with your book?" Certainly a good question and one I'm prepared to answer. As we have been conducting our research we have discovered that the most universal idea of romance is providing your sweetheart with whatever it is that shows them that you love and support them. In this case, Carl, the baby's father, was there every step of the way to support my sister when she needed it the most. In her words, "he was amazing."
So with Valentine's day behind us we can suggest making the extra effort to support your sweetheart, this will let them know that you really care. So forget about the heart shaped box of chocolates and remember to do the little things, like chores around the house or errands around town. Keep in mind that each time you do something to make your partner's life easier it stands as a monument to how much you love them.
So there is some big news to announce, my sister Martha just gave birth to a baby boy this morning. His name is Joshua Louis Eugene Martel and he weighs in at 6 lbs and 5 oz. Very exciting!
You may ask "What does this have to do with your book?" Certainly a good question and one I'm prepared to answer. As we have been conducting our research we have discovered that the most universal idea of romance is providing your sweetheart with whatever it is that shows them that you love and support them. In this case, Carl, the baby's father, was there every step of the way to support my sister when she needed it the most. In her words, "he was amazing."
So with Valentine's day behind us we can suggest making the extra effort to support your sweetheart, this will let them know that you really care. So forget about the heart shaped box of chocolates and remember to do the little things, like chores around the house or errands around town. Keep in mind that each time you do something to make your partner's life easier it stands as a monument to how much you love them.
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
Valentine's Day Redux
Okay, Valentine's day has come and gone and I haven't even commented on it. Well I'm proud to announce that our Valentine's day was quite romantic.
We began the evening with dinner, not just any dinner but lobster and champagne, Dina's favorites. This was a big surprise for Dina because I bought her a big lobster, giant you might even say. She was not allowed in the kitchen while I was cooking so she was totally amazed when she came into the dining room and saw her plate, or more to the point she saw the lobster which basically hid the plate. Not surprisingly this was a huge hit.
Next, we retired to the living room for some slow dancing to Norah Jones, also a Dina favorite. Finally, I ran a bath complete with bath oils and candles surrounding the tub. This would have to rate pretty high on the romance scale, especially for someone such as myself who does not have a history of being a romantic guy.
What should be emphasized here is that you too can learn to be romantic. We are not talking about genetics here, you can study and become more romantic. So if you haven't signed up for our mailing list please do, that way we can let you know when the book is going to be released, among other things. You'll find the sign up on our home page
Okay, Valentine's day has come and gone and I haven't even commented on it. Well I'm proud to announce that our Valentine's day was quite romantic.
We began the evening with dinner, not just any dinner but lobster and champagne, Dina's favorites. This was a big surprise for Dina because I bought her a big lobster, giant you might even say. She was not allowed in the kitchen while I was cooking so she was totally amazed when she came into the dining room and saw her plate, or more to the point she saw the lobster which basically hid the plate. Not surprisingly this was a huge hit.
Next, we retired to the living room for some slow dancing to Norah Jones, also a Dina favorite. Finally, I ran a bath complete with bath oils and candles surrounding the tub. This would have to rate pretty high on the romance scale, especially for someone such as myself who does not have a history of being a romantic guy.
What should be emphasized here is that you too can learn to be romantic. We are not talking about genetics here, you can study and become more romantic. So if you haven't signed up for our mailing list please do, that way we can let you know when the book is going to be released, among other things. You'll find the sign up on our home page
Friday, February 13, 2004
Ode to Last Minute Shopping
I tried to compose a rhyme for those in hot pursuit of a rose, a card, the last box of truffles. I got this far using the Night Before Christmas. Oh well. Feel free to fill in the rest! Ciao. Here's hoping your tomorrow is sweet!
Valentine Day Blues
Twas the night before Valentines and all through the land,
every creature was stirring to see if chocolate was at hand.
Not Whitmans. Not Godiva, not even a Lindt.
I tried to compose a rhyme for those in hot pursuit of a rose, a card, the last box of truffles. I got this far using the Night Before Christmas. Oh well. Feel free to fill in the rest! Ciao. Here's hoping your tomorrow is sweet!
Valentine Day Blues
Twas the night before Valentines and all through the land,
every creature was stirring to see if chocolate was at hand.
Not Whitmans. Not Godiva, not even a Lindt.
Thursday, February 12, 2004
SCORE!!! A Valentine's Day Success
Ok, I can breathe a sigh of relief now. Not only did I get a great gift, but he loved it! So, what did I get Peter? An old standby, I'm a bit embarrassed to say. I got him a massage.
Not just any massage. This was a 90 minute, I'm so mellow, unbelievable massage. Should Matt Myers, a fabulous bodyworker, ever come to town, run, don't walk to book an appointment with him. He lives in Amsterdam but frequently returns to the Ozarks (his hometown) to start a cross country tour. This guy can turn your to brain mush, serious mush.
On another front, the symphony is way romantic. It's so intense and beautiful. And, you may win some points for having come class.
If you haven't already, read our new article on gift buying and how it is like training for the Olympics here Ciao, Dina
Ok, I can breathe a sigh of relief now. Not only did I get a great gift, but he loved it! So, what did I get Peter? An old standby, I'm a bit embarrassed to say. I got him a massage.
Not just any massage. This was a 90 minute, I'm so mellow, unbelievable massage. Should Matt Myers, a fabulous bodyworker, ever come to town, run, don't walk to book an appointment with him. He lives in Amsterdam but frequently returns to the Ozarks (his hometown) to start a cross country tour. This guy can turn your to brain mush, serious mush.
On another front, the symphony is way romantic. It's so intense and beautiful. And, you may win some points for having come class.
If you haven't already, read our new article on gift buying and how it is like training for the Olympics here Ciao, Dina
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
Four Days and Counting!
Yikes! How can I be so unprepared for Valentine's Day? Concentrating so hard on the book and various details, I forgot to get a present for Pete. Here's where the rubber meets the road, folks. Can I come up with something personal, unique and romantic for him?
Normally, I'd turn to music, his passion, as a gift. But, we just saw a concert last week (Cassandra Wilson's oh, baby!) and will go to the Symphony on Thursday. That's a lot of music. Clothes won't work; it's sort of a backhanded compliment. "Gee, honey, I love the way you look. Now, wear these new clothes". Still, those tight black jeans I bought him for the holidays definitely light my fire...
Aha! I've got it. You'll have to wait to find out if it works (he reads this blog too).
We're adding articles to the site soon. Drop by and read the premier article. Ciao. Dina
Yikes! How can I be so unprepared for Valentine's Day? Concentrating so hard on the book and various details, I forgot to get a present for Pete. Here's where the rubber meets the road, folks. Can I come up with something personal, unique and romantic for him?
Normally, I'd turn to music, his passion, as a gift. But, we just saw a concert last week (Cassandra Wilson's oh, baby!) and will go to the Symphony on Thursday. That's a lot of music. Clothes won't work; it's sort of a backhanded compliment. "Gee, honey, I love the way you look. Now, wear these new clothes". Still, those tight black jeans I bought him for the holidays definitely light my fire...
Aha! I've got it. You'll have to wait to find out if it works (he reads this blog too).
We're adding articles to the site soon. Drop by and read the premier article. Ciao. Dina
Saturday, February 07, 2004
Countdown to Valentine's Day!
So it's Saturday night and I'm posting on the blog, how could this be? Well I was due for a post since it's been a few days since my last one. Dina and I just came back from a very nice, I might even say Romantic, evening out.
First, we had a fabulous Thai dinner. Lots of courses and lots of flavor, just the way we like it. Mmmm, I can still taste the spicy seafood. Then we made our way over to the Berklee performance center to see Cassandra Wilson, one of our favorite jazz singers. It was a tremendous performance, she brought the house down. If you have never heard Cassandra Wilson I would highly recommend her. She possesses an extremely sultry voice that absolutely oozes with, you guessed it, romance.
Anyhow, just as I was sitting down to write this entry I realized that we have just one week left until Valentine's Day. Are you prepared to turn up the heat and make your sweetheart swoon? Well if you're still deciding what to do then I suggest that you make your way to our download page and get a hold of our 10 Sweetest Ideas to thrill your Sweetheart.
Don't be caught with your drawers down, so to speak, be ready to show your honey that you love them!
So it's Saturday night and I'm posting on the blog, how could this be? Well I was due for a post since it's been a few days since my last one. Dina and I just came back from a very nice, I might even say Romantic, evening out.
First, we had a fabulous Thai dinner. Lots of courses and lots of flavor, just the way we like it. Mmmm, I can still taste the spicy seafood. Then we made our way over to the Berklee performance center to see Cassandra Wilson, one of our favorite jazz singers. It was a tremendous performance, she brought the house down. If you have never heard Cassandra Wilson I would highly recommend her. She possesses an extremely sultry voice that absolutely oozes with, you guessed it, romance.
Anyhow, just as I was sitting down to write this entry I realized that we have just one week left until Valentine's Day. Are you prepared to turn up the heat and make your sweetheart swoon? Well if you're still deciding what to do then I suggest that you make your way to our download page and get a hold of our 10 Sweetest Ideas to thrill your Sweetheart.
Don't be caught with your drawers down, so to speak, be ready to show your honey that you love them!
Music has its Charms...
Just in from a Cassandra Wilson concert. This woman is a singer of enormous talent, charisma and style. Don't miss her if she comes to your town! She's so good she made me fall in love.
I truly believe that I fell in love with music at the same time I fell in love with Peter. Now, I've always liked music and listen often, but I'm a book person at heart. Peter, well, he LIVES for music, especially live music. Our first dates were spent grooving to Latin singer, Ibraham Ferrer; rockers, David Byrne; jam band, Medeski, Martin and Wood, and others. We saw live music constantly. The energy, the passion, the heat captured my heart--- and Peter did too.
Sometimes romance isn't about the activity, it's about the feeling. Share one thing you truly adore with your sweetheart and maybe he or she will fall back under your charms.
PS. Thanks for taking our romance survey. We just need a few more to finish so if you haven't already, click here to take the survey.
Ciao. Dina
Just in from a Cassandra Wilson concert. This woman is a singer of enormous talent, charisma and style. Don't miss her if she comes to your town! She's so good she made me fall in love.
I truly believe that I fell in love with music at the same time I fell in love with Peter. Now, I've always liked music and listen often, but I'm a book person at heart. Peter, well, he LIVES for music, especially live music. Our first dates were spent grooving to Latin singer, Ibraham Ferrer; rockers, David Byrne; jam band, Medeski, Martin and Wood, and others. We saw live music constantly. The energy, the passion, the heat captured my heart--- and Peter did too.
Sometimes romance isn't about the activity, it's about the feeling. Share one thing you truly adore with your sweetheart and maybe he or she will fall back under your charms.
PS. Thanks for taking our romance survey. We just need a few more to finish so if you haven't already, click here to take the survey.
Ciao. Dina
Thursday, February 05, 2004
Mama said There'd be Days Like These...
Life sucks and then you die. Strong statement, I know. Today that feels very true. I rush around with my tween and teenager chauffeuring them to their myriad of rehearsals and social events. I get their favorite foods (Nutella and sparkling cider) and get barely a thanks. I catch shit about my parenting style. (I'm too strict or not strict enough, depending on who you ask) Frankly, I've had it. Really, I'm thinking about running away from home and joining the circus (you know the Club Med type).
Instead, I share my frustrations with my honey, Peter, who says, "There are good days and bad days. That's what parenting is about." Normally, I'd accept that. Today, I find it an incredibly lame response. Why isn't he acknowledging my pain, I wonder. Where's the kudos for persevering in a difficult situation- adolescence? In short, where's the love???? I expect to be loved and supported in a way that feels good to me, not platitudes.
Of course, my emotions (and hormones) are running wild. My rational self realizes that my partner can't be everything to me and, more importantly, shouldn't be my sole source of comfort and reality-checks. Still....How can he love me but not know how to comfort me. Maybe, being a comfort in troubling times is also one of the definitions of romantic. What do you think? Ciao, Dina
Life sucks and then you die. Strong statement, I know. Today that feels very true. I rush around with my tween and teenager chauffeuring them to their myriad of rehearsals and social events. I get their favorite foods (Nutella and sparkling cider) and get barely a thanks. I catch shit about my parenting style. (I'm too strict or not strict enough, depending on who you ask) Frankly, I've had it. Really, I'm thinking about running away from home and joining the circus (you know the Club Med type).
Instead, I share my frustrations with my honey, Peter, who says, "There are good days and bad days. That's what parenting is about." Normally, I'd accept that. Today, I find it an incredibly lame response. Why isn't he acknowledging my pain, I wonder. Where's the kudos for persevering in a difficult situation- adolescence? In short, where's the love???? I expect to be loved and supported in a way that feels good to me, not platitudes.
Of course, my emotions (and hormones) are running wild. My rational self realizes that my partner can't be everything to me and, more importantly, shouldn't be my sole source of comfort and reality-checks. Still....How can he love me but not know how to comfort me. Maybe, being a comfort in troubling times is also one of the definitions of romantic. What do you think? Ciao, Dina
Wednesday, February 04, 2004
Wow, what a week! We started off with the superbowl and our hometown team, The Patriots, came away with a thrilling victory in the final moments. For me that was the very definition of exciting. On Monday my voice was almost gone from all the screaming the night before.
Nevertheless, it was back to business and we continue to make some great progress. We are beginning to add some links (on the links page, not on this one). Our first press release goes out tomorrow and our first list is ready, the 10 sweetest things to thrill your sweetheart.
Meanwhile the surveys continue to come in. If you haven't taken the survey yet please do, you'll find a link on our homepage. Who knows, if you have a good story of your own we might even use it in the book.
That's it for now, but I'll be back soon.
Nevertheless, it was back to business and we continue to make some great progress. We are beginning to add some links (on the links page, not on this one). Our first press release goes out tomorrow and our first list is ready, the 10 sweetest things to thrill your sweetheart.
Meanwhile the surveys continue to come in. If you haven't taken the survey yet please do, you'll find a link on our homepage. Who knows, if you have a good story of your own we might even use it in the book.
That's it for now, but I'll be back soon.
Tuesday, February 03, 2004
Why Sports is Like Broccoli
Weird, but true and I can prove it.
When I was a kid my mom always wanted me to eat vegetables like broccoli. I hated broccoli, even though I never really tasted it. It looked funny and smelled bad.
I did everything I could to avoid eating it: hid it under my napkin, fed it to our poodle Fifi, stuffed some in my mouth then made a well timed trip to the bathroom. (Hey don't judge. You did the same.) I felt the same way about sports. Looks funny, and guys who watch it smell bad.
Over time I got a new attitude. I ate broccoli raw because, well, it was good for me and didn't taste THAT bad. Same for sports, I'd watch because it made my honey happy and occasionally something exciting happened (besides who can resist a man in tight pants!). It was a compromise at best. One, I could barter for other things like antiquing trips. "Honey, I watched the Celtics the least you could do is comb through dusty junk with me." Quid pro quo is never romantic.
Watching Super Bowl XXXVIII with Peter and our excited friends I finally saw the light. I like sports. Not for the game, rather for what it does for our relationship. Peter was engaging, funny and just plain thrilled about the game. I like him like that. He's like a sports encyclopedia. I learned a lot about penalties and game strategy from him. I saw him in a entirely new light that made me love and appreciate him even more. That, my friends is romantic.
By watching sports we shared and got closer. Isn't that what this whole romance thing is about anyway?
Want the Top 10 Sweetest Ideas list for this Valentine's Day? Visit us and Take the survey for your free copy.
Weird, but true and I can prove it.
When I was a kid my mom always wanted me to eat vegetables like broccoli. I hated broccoli, even though I never really tasted it. It looked funny and smelled bad.
I did everything I could to avoid eating it: hid it under my napkin, fed it to our poodle Fifi, stuffed some in my mouth then made a well timed trip to the bathroom. (Hey don't judge. You did the same.) I felt the same way about sports. Looks funny, and guys who watch it smell bad.
Over time I got a new attitude. I ate broccoli raw because, well, it was good for me and didn't taste THAT bad. Same for sports, I'd watch because it made my honey happy and occasionally something exciting happened (besides who can resist a man in tight pants!). It was a compromise at best. One, I could barter for other things like antiquing trips. "Honey, I watched the Celtics the least you could do is comb through dusty junk with me." Quid pro quo is never romantic.
Watching Super Bowl XXXVIII with Peter and our excited friends I finally saw the light. I like sports. Not for the game, rather for what it does for our relationship. Peter was engaging, funny and just plain thrilled about the game. I like him like that. He's like a sports encyclopedia. I learned a lot about penalties and game strategy from him. I saw him in a entirely new light that made me love and appreciate him even more. That, my friends is romantic.
By watching sports we shared and got closer. Isn't that what this whole romance thing is about anyway?
Want the Top 10 Sweetest Ideas list for this Valentine's Day? Visit us and Take the survey for your free copy.
