Marriage Toothpast Quote

So... I ran across this VERY interesting passage/quote today, and I thought I'd pass it along to all of you that are married or in a living-together relationship. Here it is!

Marriage is hard work, especially when it is new. Who would have ever thought that squeezing the toothpaste tube in the middle could cause such a stir? If you can get over the little problems in life, you will have the foundation of a strong marriage. 

Patience and perseverance are required.

Photo Source

RELATIONSHIP Section- Part 1, Dating Statistics

The FIRST part to our relationship section is on all statistics of dating. I love this section, because in my analytical mind, these stats really do boil "it" down!

The idea of dating, for some people, comprise the objective of knowing or searching for the right person, making new friends, and seeing if the feelings you may or may not get from the other person, permit you to progress to the next level. But, not all of the people that are out there dating have such great ideas in mind when they start the dating game! Yes, game. Dating has become a game. Although there are people out there who are, actually, in fact, legitimately looking for love… you must also be aware of the possibility of the other you may encounter.

• The majority of unmarried adults are, in fact, looking for a long-term, committed relationship. (Hmmm, so all those out there, that you find when dating... really are?! Maybe, just maybe! :))
• 76% of men prefer brunettes over blondes. (Yay brunettes!!!!)
• Intellect, a confidence, and the same hobbies in life are attributes that singles are looking for in a partner. So, to dumb it down- if you are good-looking but do not possess some of these traits, you probably won't be getting the date!
• When speaking specifically about dating statistics in America, there are 100 single women for every 86 men who are single.
• Money is the top reason for arguments and differences in a relationship. It is okay to have arguments... but, this one is the main reason you may encounter.
• A large majority of adults think that they could be happy without getting married.
• Most adults, in the United States, think that it is okay to live together and decided not to get married.
• Statistics show, that, if you are a women, you have only 15 minutes to impress the guy you are on a date with. Wow! Talk about short attention spans.
• It takes a woman an hour to determine if she wants to date the guy again... or not.
• Infidelity ranks the highest when it comes to the cause of a break up. The percentage is more than 50%.
• Most peoples' top reason for wanting marriage is to have a partnership with another person.  
• Online dating service members include 40 million American users! That accounts for 40% of the single adults in America!
• Out of the people involved in online dating, 48% of the break ups are done through e-mail. Wow! I think if I met someone online and started dating them, this would still be a no-no for me!
• 51% of singles think that flattery is the best way to attract the opposite sex.
• 2% of men and 9% of women found a dating partner in the bar. So, you may think that that's "your place" to go to find a guy/girl... but, nope!
• 46% of woman want Italian food for a 1st restaurant date.
• 67% of men and 86% of women said that they prefer to date somebody who has a bubbly personality, over someone just for their physical (body).

MSN Chemistry Source
EZine Article Source- Dating Relationship Stats,By Kelly Purden
Buzzle Source, By Shalu Bhatti Published: 9/28/2010
It's Just Lunch Source
Photo Source

The BEST Soft, Buttery Homemade Pretzels Recipe- Like @ THE MALL!

LOVE those pretzels you can get at the mall? You know the ones... they're hot, buttery, salty or cinnamon-sugary?? I absolutely adore those pretzels, but it's not always so convenient to go visit the mall every time the craving hits! So.... here is the best recipe I know that makes them SO similar to the taste of the mall. And, with minimal ingredients (but a little time), they are perfect! You HAVE to try them!

Soft, Buttery Homemade Pretzels

• 4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 1/4 cups warm water
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 4 cups hot water
• 1/4 cup kosher salt, for topping
• Cinnamon-sugar mixture, if wanted (guesstimate how much you'll need, depending on how many you want this way!)
• Melted butter- 1 stick (1/2) cup

Directions

1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center; add the oil and yeast mixture. Mix and form into a dough. If the mixture is dry, add one or two tablespoons of water. Knead the dough until smooth, about 7 to 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
3. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. In a large bowl, dissolve baking soda in hot water.
4. When risen, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and twist into a pretzel shape. Once all of the dough is all shaped, dip each pretzel into the baking soda solution and place on a greased baking sheet. (I then spray with a little "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray!) Sprinkle with kosher salt.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes, until browned. 
6. When they come out, dip in melted butter! 

ENJOY!

RELATIONSHIP Section!- Dating, Marriage, Statistics, Fun Facts

We are going to start a new section on RELATIONSHIPS! I am so excited to introduce this "section"/group of blog posts that we have, coming SOON! 

Almost all of us are or will be in some relationship now or at some point... whether we are single and dating around, in a serious dating relationship, in the first year of marriage, or have been married for many years (or something in between!).

You'll be able to read all about it HERE! What are the funniest things that've happened to you while in a relationship or on a date? What are ways make it through the difficult first year of marriage? What are the divorce statistics out there? SO much great information is out there... but it is such a strain to have to dig around in it all for the best relationship help out there that applies to and will help you! So, please bookmark the blog and get ready to read all about the in's and out's of "everything relationship"!

Work SOMEWHERE? Read this!

The BEST work quote... ever! It is my absolute favorite. If you work anywhere at all... you'll know this makes sense. :)

"Don't ever expect any individual to wholeheartedly support and 'own' any way of doing things that he or she has had no part in creating or developing. At best, you will only obtain 'buy in'."  Susan M. Heathfield

We're Old Soul Charming!

Want to see some of our Old Soul Charm business cards, promotional calendars, and more? Here's a little peak!
Want some of your own? Visit Vistaprint for tons of free options for business cards, websites, and other promotional ideas!

Home Decorating Inspiration Ideas- Curtains!

Need some home decorating inspirational ideas to get the juices flowing? I will be covering different ideas of this- called "Home Decorating Inspiration Ideas" throughout time in this blog! Today, we will give you a few ideas for curtains around your home! Now, I LOVE wooden blinds and shutters, but there is something about dressing up your windows with curtains (also) to really give it that at-home/ "home-y" feel. Open them wide during the day and let the light shine in and the breeze from the open window blow lightly across the rooms... ahh, bliss. Then, close them up at night and the mood changes... it becomes intimate, restful, relaxing. Perfect for an evening on the couch watching a movie! Here are a few ideas for kinds of curtains, how to hang (ie: how far above the window), colors, and just all around having fun with curtains! Enjoy the pictures and let me know of any other ideas you have for curtains- or pictures of them in your home! We'd LOVE to see and show them on our blog!

Master bedroom white, ceiling to floor silk curtains. Hang two panels in a room accent color from a pretty decorative rod as high as you can on the wall to the floor, laying in a soft puddle. Instant glam and lengthens the room!

Living Room dual panel brown curtains with gold and bronze-ish- brown accent center valance. Hang two panels in a room accent neutral color on a striking wooden or metal decorative rod directly above the window. In the center, like these, a matching accent valance adds the perfect added dimension to the windows- and room!

Bright gold, red, and amber striped pinch-pleated drapes are the perfect style for the dining room. Hung at least 12 inches from the top of the window from rings that match the decorative rod (at least 1/2inch-1inch larger circles to easily slide on the rod), these curtains keep the formal dining room looking, well, formal! Double thick decadent fabric enables the privacy for a dinner party at night!

 

 

 

 

Have a basement room that is now considered the "mancave"? If you're anything like me, and you do, you probably want to still make it look nice (meaning, you decorate it, maybe not your man ;)). These gold curtains flow from ceiling to floor in a nice, "hard" fabric- they hang straight and are easy to shut to block the sun during the big game! And, in the team colors (cough*Iowa Hawkeyes*cough), HE will love it!