Tuesday, November 29, 2011

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.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5395463

Saturday, November 26, 2011

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.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4260567



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

Friday, November 25, 2011

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

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

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


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/18782

Saturday, November 19, 2011

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.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

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.