Other Ways to Stay Warm Besides Snuggling

As the winter settles in everyone knows how uncomfortable a cold house can be - but how can you exist comfortably? Keeping a home warm in the winter takes a great amount of fuel or energy to keep the temperature at a comfortable range. Most would be happy if there house was around 70 degrees but the reality is that it can be expensive to heat up a house. Several things can make warming a house even more difficult including vaulted ceilings, older leaking windows and generally drafty doorways.

Aside from the economics of heating a house several issues can pop up, most notably the drying of the air which can cause havoc for those suffering with sensitive allergies. Your sinuses can become dried out and your skin very itchy as well as inflamed. Beyond the actual heating of your house there are several relatively low cost methods to stay warm inside a cold house.

The most obvious is to cover up - whether it is long sleeve pajamas or ankle length pants while you're lounging. The simplest solution is to keep your feet and hands warm - this will trick your body into thinking you are warmer then it feels. Another solution is to minimize your heating systems output and turn the heating to a minimal level while you're not in the house. If you have a programmable thermostat it is easy to set a schedule by day and times to activate when you want it. Since most people work during the day, you can program your thermostat to come down a couple degrees while you're gone. This will also help you save some money. When you're sleeping and confined to one room you can use a down comforter to keep you snug in bed and maintain your body temperatures.

When you're not sleeping in a cold home and lounging there are other steps you can partake in to stay comfortable. While relaxing on a couch you can use a down throw or a down blanket to stay warm and snug. You can also make use of thick robes whether they are made with cotton or plush microfiber fabric. There many styles of plush novelty socks which come in all kinds of cute patterns and are made using a very silky feeling stretch microfiber.

Recently there has been a large number of warmth products designed for use on the couch that are basically robes worn in reverse. Pop culture has enjoyed a rash of competing products all designed with the same goal - to keep you warm on the couch while allowing easy mobility when needed - whether it be for reading or knitting or just plain old channel clicking.

The reason why down as a filling material works so well is that it helps to trap air which in turn keeps your ambient body temperature around you keeping you in comfort. This compares with woven blankets made with wool or polyester which require excessive layers to keep you warm. Down itself is light, airy and cloud like in its ability to keep you warm with little weight.

To make your home more comfortable you can bundle up with a warm down comforter. A down comforter is a very economical way to keep your body warm while in bed and to keep a cold house from causing discomfort. To buy your own down comforter manufacturer direct visit ShopDownLite.com.

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Do You Have a Couples Hobby?

Some of the best times shared between a couple are when you have an avid interest in the same thing. If you don't have a common interest today, then get one tomorrow. Hobbies for couples can be as extravagant or as humble as you wish, just be sure the both of you are having a good time and have a common goal to achieve. If you are low on ideas, take a shot at one of these top five hobbies for couples:

Dance.

Ballroom dancing has caught the country by storm, with record breaking enrollments from singles and couples alike. The technique can be mastered from absolute beginner status, and this type of dance is well suited for all ages and fitness levels. Not only can you have fun and whip yourselves into shape, but the cheek to cheek contact does wonders for the bedroom.

Sports.

Not everyone likes the same sports or teams, but finding a common ground for sporting events or participation can enrich your spare time and your dialog. Perhaps the event is not as important as the time you spend together, so you might try a monthly game of any kind at your favorite sports arena year round. Buying a gym membership together is another great way to bond and encourage each other, or perhaps you would like to try something new, like a Friday night ice skating session at your local rink.

Film Making.

If you have a video camera, you are ready to go. Shooting a good video is child's play, but shooting a great one is a visual craft. The art of film making allows you to express yourselves together in ways you might never have dreamed of without the use of a camera. Be as clever and as artful as your talent takes you, and load your movies up on YouTube. The playback and critique is more fun than the shoot, and the sky's the limit as to what you can do.

Traveling.

Traveling can be costly, but its also one of the best investments you can make into yourselves. Not every trip needs to take you across the Atlantic, but every trip should be well-planned and touch your inner most beings. Part of the travel fun is to get your plans in order and book the trip from scratch. This can be done with a phone call to a travel agent, but the most fun and connectivity to one another is to secure your travel plans yourselves. Both of you could become experts with online price comparisons and finding those best bargain deals from Expedia, Orbitz, Hotels.com and more. The travel hobby starts long before your plane takes off, with careful study of each destination, your daily itinerary and even mapping out your dining guide. Travel near, travel far, but get those suitcases out and ready to go.

Photography.

Taking quality photos is an art form and requires some careful consideration before clicking the shot. Most people settle for a quick snap without contemplating that their photos are permanent records of life. Low-cost workshops and online training are available to help you set up and conquer a shot, or you may opt to teach yourselves from a text book. A photo containing flattering lighting conditions, angles and artistry is an item to treasure for life. You be the camera person, and the other the subject, or mix and match your visual skills. Photography as a hobby that does not require much investment, but the rewards of having outstanding photos of yourselves will last for generations.

Joe Cline writes articles for west Austin realtor blog. Other articles written by the author related to Austin real estate and west Austin real estate can be found on the net.

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Check out the our Radio Show -What Others Do, to find out more about couples hobbies.

Great Gift Idea for Your Lover

Here is a great gift idea for your lover this holiday season.  OOOOhhhh! Christmas Tree is a great way to ring in the cheer this time of season.  Pick up your copy and find other great issues to download on your mobile device or e-reader at

http://sexychallenges.com 

Thanksgiving!

Both abundance and lack exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend... when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that's present -- love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature and personal pursuits that bring us pleasure -- the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience Heaven on earth.
- Sarah Ban Breathnach

As I write this month's article I'm filled with gratitude. Five years ago I was in a job I hated. Today, writing newsletter articles and sharing my experiences of self-care with you is part of my job - what a joy!

And though some days I can still get caught up in what I DON'T have yet, what I HAVEN'T done yet and what I'll probably NEVER have or NEVER do, all it takes is a few moments reflection about what I have to be grateful for and my thoughts are completely turned around.

Two experiences over the past month have helped me to get into the right frame of mind.

During eight weeks of the winter I'm blessed with a volunteer opportunity at a program that provides dinner and shelter to those in need. While I started out three years ago as a dinner helper, I soon realized that my music could be a real gift to our guests and volunteers - infusing the atmosphere and creating opportunities for camaraderie, nostalgia, relaxation and joy. Not to mention lots and lots of singing.

Now my "job", for 8 Wednesday nights every winter, is to set-up my guitar and songbook (complete with a list of songs that guests can thumb through to make requests) and fill the room with music. I absolutely love it.

I've noticed that many of our guests are often cheerful, friendly and helpful, and deeply appreciative of what they receive. With all they're struggling with in their daily lives - struggles I can only imagine - they manage to celebrate the moment, show kindness to others and express their gratitude.

The other mind-altering event was of course the devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami of December 26, 2004, that destroyed so many lives and has impacted the entire world.

The gifts of gratitude I receive from my awareness of both of these realities so different from my own are many. Whenever I'm outdoors in the Canadian winter weather and I notice myself thinking that's it's too cold or too wet I immediately express my gratitude that for me the experience is only brief and temporary. In light of all I've seen and heard about in the last few weeks, what do I have to complain about?

Tonight, when you're getting ready to sleep, why not stop for a moment and make a list of everything YOU have to be grateful for. I'll get you started with the basics:

I'm grateful to have a roof over my head.

I'm grateful to have money in my wallet.

I'm grateful to have food in my fridge.

What would life be like without even one of those things? What else can you think of to be grateful for?

(c) Copyright 2005, Genuine Coaching Services.

Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, is the author of “The Everyday Self-Care Workbook”. To receive one of her free monthly newsletters, subscribe at http://www.genuinecoaching.com/newsletter.html

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Add a Little Sensual Spice This Holiday!! ;-)

Great Thanksgiving Thing to Say

Lee Bogle - "The Lovers"

"The thing I am most thankful for is YOU!"

This is a great thing to say to your lover on Thanksgiving or anytime.

Great Comic I had to Share

I had to share this comic from one of my favorite artists Scott Hilburn.  Check out his comic called The Argyle Sweater.  

Howling?

"Howling at the moon isn't just for wolves.  Let your animal out tonight"

- Rob Alex - 

Spice it up a Little

10 Tips To Spice Up The Holidays

1. Read A Dr. Ruth Book together
2. Men take some time to shave tonight (Your face).
3. Take A bubble bath together. Hot tub spas Resorts that rent by the hour.
4. No Time? Invest in a little sexy something new, possibly just fishnets can help set your environment.
5. Invest in 100% Cotton Flannel Sheets.
6. Read a sexy sorry in bed together (Outloud)
7. Tell him/her what you like best about him/her.
8. Candles set the mood.
9. Try a completely new position, Kama Sutra Book has pictures.
10. Give one another a massage. Possibly on a Electric Blanket with flannel sheets over the blanket.

Love notes in his/her briefcase, car, coffee cup, inside the shoes.

Baby, it's cold outside - Let's get heated up. If you have to go for a long drive and talk looking forward - not at one another
sharing your desires.

Sometimes with all the Winter details you forget about the HEAT that keeps the simmer in your exciting sex life. Even if it's late, work was tough all day - just say 10 minutes of special time set aside for one another.

Maybe, ask one another to act out a fantasy. Write them down on a slip of paper gather them all up put in a vase and pull out one a night and go all the way.

Life is meant to be enjoyed. Relax, close your eyes, take a deep breathe, meditate and get the energy for at least a 10 minute session that could turn into a hour of FUN..

Wear something sexy under your clothes all day and call your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife and flirt with them - "bet you can't guess what I have on..."

Try a straw? Make a promise to one another 2009 with be the new year of experimental sex.

Call Toll Free 888 400 2829

[http://www.eroticeveningwear.com]

[http://www.sexxxyleather.com]

(c) 2008 F & S Inc.

zahzel@live.com

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Is Your Sex Life like the Changing Weather.

Are you having difficulty keeping any sort of rhythm to your sex life? Are you working too much? Is your partner working too much? Are either of you not working enough? Are you spending too much time together? Maybe the long winter days and cold nights have you spending too much time inside. Believe it or not an excess of time and inactivity can actually decrease your sex drive and desire to be intimate. You would think that it is actually the reverse, right? If you had a bunch of time to be with your partner does it not make sense that you would be more intimate and making love more frequently? Well, not necessarily so. When couples have too much time on their hands to spend with each other boredom can set in. And it is not necessarily boredom with each other rather than a growing depression from not feeling active and productive. The monotony of daily life can at times cause stagnation.

All couples have ups and downs in the bedroom; times where the passion is intense followed by lulls in libido. This is completely normal and the natural cycle of things, however, do not allow momentary lapses in your libido's strength to grow into disinterest. This could cause insecurity in your partner, develop cracks in your relationship, and cause major problems down the road. Do not allow your lovemaking to get boring or routine and work through what I like to call the sexual spring weather cycle in your relationship. Approach your partner and talk about the issues you may be facing and brainstorm ideas to help you both through the stagnation. There are so many ideas out there you can use to spice things up and rekindle the passion.

Routine is good, but too much of a good thing can be detrimental to your outlook and cause phases of depression. These are dangerous times for a relationship and can make you feel as though something is wrong with your situation when in reality all you are conflicted with is too much idle time. Take this time and make it productive again. Snap yourself out of your phase and give a boost to your relationship by focusing on doing something unique and original with your partner.

Try new things and refresh your lust for life and each other. Do not be afraid to take a risk on a new adventure whether it be out in the real world or in the bedroom. Be a little bit more daring with your approach to lovemaking and try to spice things up by looking for creative sensations and experiences both your and your partner have never entertained before. Perhaps try some new products that are designed specifically for introducing new and exciting feelings to foreplay or intercourse; sensation balms and intensifying gels which cool or warm the skin or areas they are applied to are great or maybe by some new lingerie to fire up his imagination and yours. Creativity is the key!

Sensation Balms and Intensifying Gels: Sensation Balms and Intensifying Gels are amazing and a great addition to any experience to heighten feeling and create new sublime sensations. Balms and gels have many different erotic effects on the skin including producing tingling sensations to give a dancing and euphoric feeling, warming effects to give a heating sensation without burning to encourage optimal blood flow and arousal to erogenous zones, and cooling effects which produce minty and fresh tingling just like light blowing or kissing would produce. All of these will ensure more pleasurable lovemaking and may really provide some added spark.

Sexy Lingerie: Need I say more? Sexy lingerie all by itself will pierce the thick clouds of inactivity and send a bright ray of passion and inspiration into your bedroom. Whether it is a light and flowing baby doll piece or a more daring and sensual bustier or corset, sexy lingerie will produce the desired results for the both of you. Not only that, but depending on your personal tastes on any given night, sexy lingerie can fulfill those desires. If you feel naughty and more adventurous one night your can certainly don more sexual and enticing lingerie. If another evening you are feeling cute and cuddly you can also adapt your lingerie to reveal this. Lingerie is so versatile and multifaceted that it is perfect for any situation with a little imagination.

Just as time apart can be damaging to a relationship, too much time together, if it is not the right type of time, can also be destructive. Where the mind goes the body follows so exercise and inspire the mind and your libido and ultimately your body will respond favorably once again; and help your body along. Offer it the stimulation that it needs to best improve your relationship and intimacy with your partner. Pull yourself out of that relationship winter funk and get through those sexual spring weather cycles with imagination and help from products and ideas designed for such cases.

Benjamin Gooding writes about finding great romantic gifts and has a passion for helping others find amazing anniversary gifts for wives or romantic gifts for her.

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Money Fights

We can all agree that the number one cause of all relationship breakups is something to do with finances or money in general. But what is surprising is that behind the fights people have about money is not money itself but the mismatch of their thoughts towards money.

It doesn't matter how much money you earn of have if your thoughts doesn't match that of your partner definitely you will have challenges dealing with one another. The situations don't end in relationships alone but include business associates and others.

Normally, what we don't realize is that we are dealing with thoughts and not that paper itself because without value being attached to that thing called money then it becomes useless in itself.

For us to have mutual understanding between us or amongst us we need to raise our awareness towards what is causing the fights or lift between us or among us. Once we comprehend what we are dealing with it becomes a road map towards the way we are dealing with one another which can work.

You can begin by becoming aware that your partner's thoughts towards money are not the same like yours. Instead of feeling angry to him/her just choose to understand. What is important is to recognize your relationship to the person as being of value than what you are angry for.

Before I married my wife Christine, life was in the blues and everything was perfect and we always talked of heaven and how we were meant for each other. Then came the day we got married then we started getting irritated to each other over small things and there came the money.

The only thing we ever fought about was money and it almost cost our marriage. We didn't know at the time was that the meaning each of us contributed to money were so different. To my wife money meant to buy this and to me it meant to save for the future but the good news is that we worked on that through communication and using what am sharing here in this article.

Does all this work? Try it and never regret.

hesbon nyambane kerongo is personal growth enthusiast and he is committed to providing free articles which can be found at http://www.yourbesthere.com

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The Spiritual Relaitonship

What is a spiritual relationship?

A relationship is how we relate to other. A spiritual relationship is a relationship that aims for the highest good for those in the relationship. It is one that facilitates our spiritual growth.

Here are some tips on how to cultivate a spiritual relationship with another.

1. A Spiritual Being in Physical Experience

Most people believe they are physical human beings, with perhaps some tendency or inclination to seek a spiritual experience. Living with this belief automatically limits our spiritual experience for it puts our spirituality in the backseat.

Instead, choose to believe that we are spiritual beings in physical manifestation. This choice automatically brings your spiritual experience into center stage, and you will begin to see every relationship as an opportunity for spiritual growth.

Remember, whatever you choose to believe in, you're right, for a belief is merely a perception of reality.

2. Free Will

As a spiritual being, we have free will and complete control over our life. However, this is only true IF we have full control over our mind. The more mindful or conscious we are, the more free will we have.

Therefore, in every situation in a relationship, we have a choice as to how we choose to respond. We have the freedom to respond positively or negatively. Responding positively not only helps us to grow spiritually but also offer the other person an opportunity to do so as well. When we respond negatively, we miss an opportunity for growth.

3. Do not judge

To judge implies that we are superior to another. It implies that we know better or are more evolved. This is the working of the egoic mind. Every time we judge, we validate and strengthen our egoic mind.

Our egoic mind is the proverbial devil in disguise. If it cannot win by force, it will try to win through cunning and trickery. It is so good and subtle at this that we are often fooled by it.

To judge also implies that we are forcing our own beliefs, concepts, desires and expectations on another. In other words, we are not honoring their free will.

Each time we judge another, we are doing ourselves and the other person a disservice. We are perpetuating a negative tendency that continues to validate our egoic mind. At the same time, we encroach on the other person's space and choice, and are more likely to create a resistance in him or her, rather than a positive respond.

4. Do not blame

To blame also implies superiority over another. To blame another also means we do not take responsibility for our share in the relationship.

A relationship is a two-way thing. It takes two to tango. You cannot clap with one hand. This means that in a relationship, both are equally responsible for the outcome.

When we blame another, we are actually saying, "It is your fault, not mine."

However, we should also remember not to blame ourselves. Since every relationship is an opportunity for spiritual growth, take every situation as an opportunity to learn and evolve. There is no need to blame oneself or others.

5. Acceptance

Learn to accept ourselves and the other person, together with all the strengths and weaknesses. We are here to evolve into a spiritual being with full consciousness in our physical manifestation. Each of us are here for certain unique lessons.

Through acceptance, we help each other to grow. Through acceptance, we let go of our tendency to judge, blame and control.

In cultivating a spiritual relationship, we are BE-ing unconditional love.

Dr. Tim Ong is a medical doctor who runs his own thriving medical practice. In his free time, he enjoys giving public talks, teaching meditation and offering his service to hospice work in the community. He also has keen interest in self improvement, mind science and spirituality. Dr. Ong is the author of "From Fear to Love: A Spiritual Journey" which was recently launched. He is the webmaster of http://fromfeartolove.com and http://theselfimprovementsite.com

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