Make Lemonade

When life gets tough or throws you some curve balls or gives you lemons, make lemonade! Don't get bummed out to the point where you push your partner away. Let them be there for you by looking at the bright side or silver lining of any bad situation.

Keep it simple! Here are some suggestions for things you can do for your partner or that you can do for each other:

• Draw a nice bath. If you've got it, toss in some bubble bath and bath salts. Light a few candles and just relax for a while.
  (Just as a note, candles don't have to be pricey -- you can get a pack of 100 tea light candles from Target or Ikea for less than $5.)
  
• Give a massage. Physical contact can do wonders for stress.
  
• Buy or make a comfort food. It could be his/her favorite dessert, like homemade chocolate chip cookies.
• Write or say 10 Things You Love about the other person. Alternate sharing and soon you'll find your spirits lifted!
• Go for a walk together. This is especially relaxing in the evenings if you have a park or beach around.
  

What do you do to de-stress?

Very Definitely Not Dinner & A Movie

Some highlights from an article over at iCiNG by Gala, called "Very Definitely Not Dinner & A Movie," featuring 50 offbeat date ideas. These are my favorites off the list:

The Case Of The Mystery Band
Grab a copy of your local newspaper or magazine, close your eyes, run your finger over the “live music” section & choose a band neither of you have ever heard of to go & see. It could be amazing; it could be completely hellish — you won’t know until you go! But even if it’s shocking, it’s definitely a bonding experience, & maybe even something to tell the children, eh?

Ye olde photobooth hunt
Trawl your city for old-school photobooths & take as many strips as you can. Take props, maybe a silly wig or two, & see how bizarre you can make them. P.S. Photobooth.net is your go-to source for major photobooth info!

A drive-in movie
I admit, this one seems ultra-cool to me just because I’ve never done it & I am in love with Danny Zucco from here until eternity. Just don’t try to take your ring off by wiping it through your greasy hair & hit your girlfriend in the boob. “Oh Sandy baby, some day, when hiiiiiiiigh school is done!”

“My old neighbourhood” date
Walk around the area you used to live, & tell your date about where you used to ride your bike, what happened on that one lawn, which house was best to hit up on hallowe’en & who the really creepy neighbours were.

The really long one-way walk
No rules except that you just have to walk for a really long time in one direction & not turn around. When you’re really exhausted or hit the ocean, it’s time to go back. Catch a taxi or a bus or something to ease the pain.

“First date” night
This one works best if it’s not your actual first date. Like, for example, you’ve been together for 3 years & live in the same house. Get dressed separately, meet somewhere strange & a bit awkward, & pretend you don’t know one another. Start from scratch. Ask all those banal questions you’re supposed to ask (“So, what do you do?”). Then at the end of the night, rejoice that you’re in a relationship & not dating any more!

The silent date
In a loud, noisy, overstimulating world, it can be nice to unplug & escape. But it can be nice to do that with your new favourite person, too. Hold hands & read books on a wharf & occasionally look adoringly at one another. Cool.

Check out the rest of the list:
http://galadarling.com/article/very-definitely-not-dinner-a-movie