30 days of...Great Dates Week 2 - Use Forethought

Ideally, we should celebrate Valentine's Day everyday - but Valentine's Day. February 14th was named after the person, St. Valentine. It made me wonder, what was so romantic about St. Valentine? Did he plan the perfect dates for his love? Who was this person that causes the men in this country to wait in a 30 minute line for a box of chocolate, stuffed bear and a balloon?

One theory about the man St. Valentine is, he was a Roman who was matyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14th , 269 A.D. He left a note and signed it "from your Valentine." The 2nd theory states that St. Valentine served as a priest at a temple when Emperor Claudius jailed him. The following emperor freed him and set February 14th as the date to honour the wrongly accused saint. This was in 496.

To summarize, because of one Roman Christian Priest who lived 2000 years ago, and literally, just signed his name on a piece of paper, men and women are destined to give and receive mandatory "messages" of affection on this day. I think not.

Below are romantic date ideas that will go down in "your" history books.

Dates 8-15 all include forethought.

8. Music Arrangement - When you take your date out to a place with music ie: piano bar, club, restaurant, provide the musician with your favorite song and a dedication to your date. When the song gets played, grab their hand and start dancing - or don't. The thought alone is enough.

9. The old with the new - If you want to give a piece of jewelry, place it in their childhood jewelry box. Better yet, ask the parents if they have a special heirloom to pass down and place the gift inside.

10. Don't peak - Blindfold your date and take them somewhere special. Warn others with a friendly sign which reads, "SSHHH, this is a surprise." When you are at your destination, remove the blindfold to reveal surprised eyes and a big smile.

11. Use your words - Write a poem or find a meaningful poem and read it to your date.

12. Romancing the food - Remember 9 1/2 weeks? The food? The blindfold? Need I say more?

So romantic, sexy and fun.

13. Be a Game Player - Set up the game of Twister, along with a gift of lingerie for each other. Or be really creative and make your own board game. Use your personal facts about each other as the trivia questions.

14. Pampered Spouse - Set up a massage table, foot sauna, or spa for the other. Have the music and the candles set.

15. Engrave it - St. Valentine wrote a message to his love 2000 years ago. He did it on paper before he died. Engrave your feelings onto a watch. A watch is guaranteed to last longer than the piece of paper he must have used.

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Fear Factor Party

PARTY!

The show Fear Factor intrigues me.  The fact that mind over matter always prevails led me to throw a Fear Factor Party of my own.   The guest list consisted of 12 couples who were each given the same rules.  No other details of the event were shared to prevent any pre-practicing.  Once the guests arrived, they provided their team name, picked their color of bandana, and decorated each others faces with war paint. 

The entry fee was a pitcher of their favorite mixed drink in which they received 10 points, but lost 25 points if they came empty handed.  They also lost 1 point for every minute they were late. We created 4 main events: You're such a baby, It's Hammertime, Eat it!, and Rock On! 

To See Pictures of the Event - click here.

"You're such a baby" details - Get 12 baby bottles and fill with a drink.  We chose beer.  Make sure to get the nipples with heavy flow. All participants must wear a bib. Once the person is finished with the bottle, their partner must eat a whole jar of baby food.  If the couple finishes each task, they each get 12 pts.  Team who finishes first, receives a bonus of 10 pts.

"It's Hammertime" details - Set up two "sawhorse" stations so guests can hit nails into wood. We stacked bricks and laid one heavy piece of wood across.  First the woman hit the three nails in.  Her partner could not start until she finished.  The fastest time received 12 points, 2nd place received 11 points, and so on.

"Eat it" details - We set up 5 platters ranging from gross (10 pts) to really gross (50 pts).  The items were fish eggs, sardines, escargot, chicken eggs (which was really guava), and baby octopus.  To enhance the experience, we put a raw octopus on the table, a raw pigs foot, as well as real "life" images of the items displayed on the table.   No order necessary, but full completion and digestion was mandatory in order to get points for the item.

                                          

"Rock On: details - Couples performed a song with RockBand.  One person sang, the other played one instrument, the guitar or drums. Players got to choose their song from the list provided. (I recommend printing out a list of the songs beforehand so the guests have an idea of what to sing.)  At the end of the performance a score is given, such as 43,000.  Use a chart to determine relative points.  0-10,000 = 10 points, 10,001 - 20,000 = 20 points, and so on.

"Bartendars Award" details - all the guests judged the mixed drinks and rated their top three, 1st, 2nd and 3rd.  The 1st place winner had 20 points added to their score as well as received a cash prize.  2nd and 3rd place finishers, had 10 and 5 points added to their scores respectively.

All in all the party was a success with a lot of surprises.  My best friend who did all the shopping and swore she wouldn't eat this stuff, threw back the jar of baby food, as well as swallowed every last bit of the fish eggs, sardines, snails and octopus.  Originally, her decorating skills impressed me but now I am completely impressed.  She is that amazing friend every person dreams of having.

Speaking of decorating, we have the good fortune of being friends with a Halloween lover.  She lent us her alien baby in a jar, giant spiders, bugs, fake fingers, and fake finger food.  Other items we decorated with were scary movie posters, skull heads, ARACHNIPHOBIA in the DVD player, and a skeleton with the head cavity opened and we filled it with dyed spaghetti strands to reflect a brain.

ALL in all, my friends did come very afraid of what to expect. (Don't they trust me?)  Some of them left proud at their bravery and skills, while others left grateful they wouldn't be getting salmonella. But as the hostess of the party whose greatest fear is to have a dud of a party, the fear factor party is my all-time favorite.

If you plan to host your own fear factor party, please share the details here.  

Party On!

  

 

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30 days of...Great Dates Week 1 - Keep it Simple

Don't wait for special occasions to make your spouse feel loved. Remember how you used to be before the marriage, during the dating period? Celebrating a "weekly" anniversary with thoughtful gifts, planned getaways, welcoming smiles and attuned ears. Get back to that in your marriage.

Every week in February, the 30 days of...blog will feature 30 great date ideas for you to personalize with your spouse. You romantics can enhance these dates with your creativity. For you un-romantics, you have no more excuses. Listed below are some dates to start planning. And remember, the dating period is when we are on "our best behavior". So drop the kids off, drop the past, and at the end of the date... (see the last sentence of blog)

1. Dinner and a movie is a traditional date however, mix it up a bit. Go to a drive-in or see a movie in the park. See an IMAX experience. See the movie during the day. And in every case, sit in the very back of the theatre and don't really watch the movie.

2. Go to the Snow. Remember nite skiing? Do it again. It is a great activity and will allow you to cuddle close while sitting on the chair lift. Budget tight? Still go. Sit in the lodge by the fireplace and have a hot cocoa together.

3. Happy Hour - every month meet at your favorite restaurant for happy hour. Don't forget to play footsies under the table.

4. Make a mixed Cd, then actually dance to it in the backyard. Fast or slow, it is fun!

5. Laugh - Go to your local improv or comedy show.

6. Set sail on a boat - In your local lake, ocean, or river. There is nothing more romantic than being near water and no one else is around. Even a paddle boat makes for fun times. If you want to really get romantic, rent a gondola for the two of you.

7. Bring a pizza home and cut it into the shape of a heart.

And at the end of the date...drop your clothes!

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Resolution New You #30 - Date your spouse!

The honeymoon doesn't have to be over.  We just have to TRY harder and get creative to bring the romance back to the surface.  So the last resolution in January 2009, is to plan a date with your spouse.  Pretend like they are your boyfriend or girlfriend again and not the person who is supposed to deal with you.  

For instance:  ladies, if you were dating, would you let your guy see you wearing sweats and t-shirts all day while sitting in front of the computer?  When he went to give you a kiss, did you turn your head so he can kiss your cheek, just so you didn't have to stop what you were doing on the computer.  Or men, do you seriously think she would have married you if you burped and farted as much as you do now.  Seriously, take it out of her area. 

I don't know why, but many of us take advantage that the other will always be there.  And we don't make them feel "special",  like we did when we dated.  

February's blogs focus is 30 days of...GREAT DATES.  I hope you stay tuned and actually arrange special dates for your spouse throughout the year.  Also for the wives and want-to-be wives, pick up the book, The proper care and feeding of husbands, by Dr. Laura.   I believe this book should be a requirement in schools and any woman who embraces the general concept of the book, will unleash the power and qualities we women possess.   

You can win a FREE copy of this book.  Simply comment below, and post a special date you arranged for your significant other.  At the end of the month, readers will vote.  If your date gets the highest vote, you will win!

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Resolution New You #29 - Finish what you start! A FREE GIVEAWAY!

Sometimes I wish I had OCD. Or the word fear was taken out of the dictionary and out of our lives. If this happened,  I might not leave projects unfinished, and I would finish what I start.  Well 9 years ago, I started Beobi.  At first, it started out as a video for preschoolers, teaching them their ABC's and first words in an indirect way. Real children and babies playing with everyday colorful objects put to simple childlike music.  An animated story is featured at the end of the video to keep storytime in their lives.  I came across hurdle after hurdle during the process and gained appreciation for what really goes on behind the scenes on any production, with pre-production being the most important!  

I did finish the video which is what my goal was. Then the 7 year tornado occurred. 

People told me, get this on TV, sell this to stores.  Disney, PBS and Nickelodean need new characters that are cute and nice.  The positive feedback I received from parents who said their kids loved Beobi, the book and the video encouraged me to do more. A Tv show they wanted, a tv show it is.  I aim to please.  It took me 1 year to create the series Beobi and the Magic Coloring Book.  In every story, Beobi, Jazzica, Class and Bluezy meet a child in the library who is coloring in a magic coloring book. The monkeys and the child jump into the coloring book and go on new adventures. The illustrations appear as if they are in a coloring book.  

I pitched the series to a local PBS station. They had interest in making the pilot.  That is when the fear set in. (To me, fear is the worst word in the english language.)  Instead of raising the money to create the pilot I envisioned, I thought it would be easier to put the animation into my already existing products and unknowingly entered the world of manufacturing.  I worked with companies oversees, designed packaging and display cases for my products.  (Do you remember at the beginning of my story when I said, all I wanted to do was create a video?) My simple idea of making a video with a story to partner it and great music, turned into me trying to create a global product, by myself.   

After the "product" was ready to be sold to stores and I did everything everybody told me to do, I submitted it to the buyers.  They presented a new hurdle for me to jump.  Their response was, "Ms. Cohn, Beobi is a wonderful concept and you should be proud of your product line. However, in our stores we need products that sell themselves.  May we suggest starting a marketing campaign or getting a television show."  

I was right back where I was before I made my decision based on fear and chose the "easier" path. I have learned so many lessons from my experience with Beobi.  Mostly, stay true to who you are, what you believe in and have a passion for.  Do not do what others tell you to do unless they actually have experience doing it.  Also, share and connect with people and don't try and do everything on your own.  

I have a passion for engaging children with wholesome creative activities to help them learn.  So this year in 2009, I am going to focus on what I originally started and share Beobi with kids just for the sake of sharing Beobi with kids.  

Reply to this post with your words of encouragement, your experience with Beobi, or a personal fear you have had to overcome, and I will send you a Beobi Storytime Value Set, which includes a coloring book, DVD/CROM, 2 picture books, and a plush toy.  It really is a great gift for children 1-4 years old and it is FREE - from me.

In conclusion, I have to thank so many people for helping me in the beginning.  First and foremost, my two partners (Helene and Katy) who filmed the video with me and did every role in production from puppeteer to craft services.  To the parents who brought their kids over to film and dealt with my poor directing abilities.  Also, to the parents who arranged for me to come to their house and let me read the story to the neighborhood kids as well as told others about it.  Lastly to my husband. Thank you. I love you.  I know how hard this has been and you are always so supportive and encouraging.  I vow, I will finish what I started.  

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Resolution New You #28 - Throw a party

Live For Today...Plan For Tomorrow...Party Tonight! 

A party is a time to get together, relax and have fun while enjoying great food, drinks and music! More importantly it is about being with the people you love.  Actually throwing the party establishes great skills to be a better new you, for there is an art to party planning.  It requires creativity (picking a theme), leadership (gathering the guests), organization (arranging the details), and hospitality (you want them to stay, don't you?) 

In 2009, plan three parties for no reason other than to get together and celebrate!  If you are looking for a theme, simply go to evite.com, and look at the events you can plan.  Then, go to the best website/blog on this world wide web and check out tips from the Hostess with the Mostess, Jennifer Sbranti. Her ideas, style and creativity will inspire you to garnish and decorate whatever you can to suit your theme.  I used to fold my paper towels in half figuring it was just a napkin.  Why waste the time?  But a napkin wrapped with a necklace, as Jennifer shows us in her new Morrocon theme, will get people talking. And they will be talking about how great you did!  And hearing how great you are, will always make you be a better you.  

Start planning a party for THE better new you in 2009.  

One tip: Never be the first to arrive at a party or the last to go home and never, never be both. ~ David Brown 

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Resolution New You #27 - Play the same game as Buffet and Gates do

I have been in a bunko group for 10 years now.  The game itself is, boring, repetitive, and unstimulating - to me.  The reasons I stay? Easy.  My friends are fun, spontaneous, and energizing. However in the 10 years we have been together, I have encouraged them to switch to poker, and possibly bridge.  The bridge subculture is diverse and not comprised of the stereotypical little old ladies we imagine.  Bums, brainiacs, and billionaires (Bill Gates and Warren Buffet) fill up local bridge clubs, national tournaments, and online bridge parlors. Learning to play bridge or poker will allow you to match wits and witicisms with the people in your life.  Plus you might win some dinero.  

All the two games need are good judgement, the ability to focus, or simply the ability to carry a straight face and pretend like your the wisest person at the table.  In the end, the cards will determine your fate.

To learn the basics of poker, go to www.pokkercards.com.  Or simply watch some games being played on tv.  

To learn the basics of bridge, visit www.rpbridge.net/ .

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Resolution New You #26 - Wash away the process of aging

There are so many theories and opinions on whether or not makeup left on your skin overnight causes us to age.  Have you heard the one stating, for every night you go to bed with your makeup on, you are aging yourself one day?   So I did the calculation.  I figured if I didn't remove my makeup just once during the week, since the age of 16-years-old, I have already added 3 years to my looks.  (Aaagh - I am screaming because I know once a week is being very conservative.)

In doing research for this blog on what is best, I honestly couldn't find hard facts to prove it one way or the other.  In fact, many opinions stated that washing your face too much will remove the precious oils that we need in our skin.  

The scientific reasons we age are listed below:

Collagen production slowing (collagen contributes to skin's firmness)
Elastin production decreases (elastin contributes to skin's elasticity) 
Fat cells begin to disappear (which can lead to sagging skin)
Your skin losing its ability to retain moisture
Frown lines and "crow's feet" appearing due to small muscle contractions
Dead skin cells not being shed as quickly
Slightly less turnover of new skin cells

In other words - GENETICS is the main key to how we age.  But, even though I believe in the science of skin, my proof is how I feel in the morning when I wake up without makeup on my face. I feel better and more beautiful.  So that is resolution enough for me to wash my face every night.  

Now my problem is: what is the best cleanser?

  

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Resolution New You #25 - Do 40 push-ups a day

It's said the push-up is a great indicator of good health since it uses many major muscle groups. It's the do-anywhere exercise that requires nothing other than your own body weight.  Yet for many people, they're so darn hard to do. Me included.

According to a NYT article, the average 40-year-old woman should be able to perform 16 push-ups, and the average man of the same age should be able to do 27.  These statistics are according to using the proper form of a push-up and not the knee-down method.  

 

I just tried it and accomplished 10 - barely.  I have a lot of work to do.

So try it with me.  How many can you do today? 

My goal is 40 becuase that is how many Kelly Ripa said she does a day and her arms look great!

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Resolution New You #24 - Learn to speak a new language!

English is a funny language. How else can we explain why we park our car on the driveway and drive our car on the parkway?  Or, skating on thin ice can get you into hot water.  And how can a fat chance and a slim chance mean the same thing?  If that doesn't convince you to learn a new language to be a better new you, then take this quote by Martin H. Fischer, "Any man who does not make himself proficient in at least two languages other than his own is a fool. " So below is one phrase that should be universally understood.  It is written in a few of the most popular languages spoken throughout the world. Would you know what to do if someone said it to you?

Χρειάζομαι τα τρόφιμα

Ik heb voedsel nodig

Ich benötige Nahrung

Ho bisogno dell'alimento

Eu preciso o alimento

Мне нужна еда

J'ai besoin de nourriture

Necesito la comida

I need food.

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