Behind Our Smiles

Do you like to be asked to let it go? Kinda in the same category as “calm down”, right? How do you preserve peace and connection when one of you wants to let it go and the other doesn’t? Joe and I have unsuccessfully answered that question too many times. Joe’s tired, feeling powerless, and I just ... VIEW POST

Part of what makes the Christmas season so meaningful is the music.  Now, neither Joe and I start listening to Christmas music in October, but we both appreciate the rich history behind so much of the music of this season.   One of our favorite songs is, O Come, O Come, ... VIEW POST

So many times during the holiday season, we find ourselves asking or being asked, what do you want for Christmas?   But the bigger question we need to be asking ourselves is, what is it that we really desire, out of life, out of our relationships? Which of those desires -even the healthy ones- ... VIEW POST

If you’re not 15 minutes early, you’re late.  That’s what they say, and I agree with them!  I really don’t like being late.  I’m sure some of that is a combination of some “fomo” plus I do like to respect people’s plans by being there at start time.   I can relax and feel less stressed when I’m ... VIEW POST

I remember early in our marriage when I would see a flaw or annoyance in Joe, my first thought was, How do I get him to…. and fill in the blank with whatever the latest issue was.  It’s clear as day to me,  the ways he needed to change, to make me happier, to fulfill my definition of ... VIEW POST

I often have decisions that I delay making because I’m waiting to check with my husband.  Many daily decisions I make on my own, of course, but there are certain decisions where I need Joe’s perspective first.   Joe and I have often learned this the hard way:  committing to plans before checking, ... VIEW POST