do something wonderful for my husband on our tenth anniversary.

that our new house will be our gift to each other. We have worked so hard up to this point, and it has strengthened our relationship as a result. Something about teamwork can be quite powerful!! After the house is in place, we will try for a get away weekend at one of our family’s properties to save $$.

in July! I need to start plotting…as I am usually bad about these things, and overly practical. Taking a trip around the actual date will be difficult, as I am scheduled for a work-related speaking engagement the weekend just after. Not sure what the limitations will be on child care either, so I am thinking a Hawaii trip right now is out of the question. A get-away weekend, however , might be a nice thing. We’ll see….

and we’ve been having many wonderful mornings and evenings out on our little patio. What a great idea.

due to my blowout birthday bash, there was not enough extra this month to cover my surprise…hmm….but never say never. I might have a secret stash of 20’s somewhere. We went out for dinner alone on Friday night….got into a nasty argument in the car in the parking lot…all those things that you want to say but don’t say in front of the kids….but somewhat normal for our relationship. Great day on Saturday….lots of fun. But then we had another argument on Sunday night….and by Monday, he was surprisingly sweet and helpful (guess I have been too) and we’ve had smooth sailing since. So…..I guess we are just releasing some tension. I read this week that some couples fight as a substitute for sex….triggers the same type of hormone….and, gee, that could be the case! We actually “got to it” by Monday night and it was good, as it usually is once we get over all the usual hurdles…kids, nightly chores, etc….and so….not calling this goal dead yet….just waiting until I can spring this surprise on him.

I know that some people go away for their tenth….I think we need to.

is to get a little bistro set for the newly-finished walkout patio off the bedroom. We have often fantasized about taking our coffee outside in the morning sun. Think I’m going to set it up with a french press and some flowers that am….then, voila, pull the shades up and surprise him. I think he’ll like this very much! (And not so horribly expensive, say, as a spontaneous trip to Hawaii! He probably wouldn’t be too thrilled if I did that.)