Fourth of July Weekend!

I absolutely LOVE holidays! I also love hosting get togethers! I feel like such a grownup...which I am being in my 20s and all lol I love decorating and having fun with friends. As a housewife I have plenty of time to get ready for holidays so I will share some of the things from our weekend and other things we did since I'm a spoiled wife ;P

Thursday

 Outside our house a few decorations

drinking that fruit punch (:

 some desserts...2 punches, red and blue of course

 and an all American dinner of burgers and hot dogs :)

dressed for the occasion

 played cards games with dessert

 to the beach at night for fireworks! Please ignore J's second choice of shirt for the day lol

only decent pic, my phone died =/

Friday 

We woke up late, had good breakfast and then we were lazy watching the Simpsons. I always tweet about how much I love them! (: It literally felt like a Sunday after J's early release on Wed and off day on Thursday. After a few hours we decided to go out since BIL and wife were visiting us. We headed to the hookah bar and had one drink...walked around and then got ready to club the night away! Oh the pleasures of being young, newlywed, and with no children yet =P

 gotta look good =P cheers!

Saturday

Another lazy day. Our guests left after lunch at a new restaurant which was NOT good value at all. Overpriced and the food choices weren't that great for "worldly cuisine". Not worth mentioning it lol

Sunday Funday

 Circus, buffet and shopping! What more can a girl ask for? I'm spoiled by my husband I know...

New addition to the house "LOVE"

I can't believe our four day weekend is over...wahhh!!!! On to cooking J's favorite meal "Jalapeno Popper Chicken". I hope everyone had a great weekend as well!

with love,

                           wife-nextdoor <3

If you've got it, flaunt it ;)

31 Days of Love Challenge
 

Once you get married you officially become your own family...that is another reason I loved yesterday's challenge. Cheering our loved ones on demonstrates how you are on their side supporting them and how you love them unconditionally. Today is Sunday funday so let's enjoy our day!

Day Seven

Praise him publicly. Like I have mentioned before, men live for praise! It boosts their esteem as partners, and their own perception of how good of a job they are doing in the relationship.

I specially love to gush about J to friends and family! When I say publicly, I mean in front of him...so he notices and feels proud...I swear he will LOVE it! Giving your man kudos for big things like getting a promotion, or even mundane things like walking your dogs will make him feel like a superstar and will also benefit in helping you realize the positives in your union that we may take for granted. I mean think about it...by him walking the dogs first thing in the morning, it gave you an extra 10min to lay in bed, or get ready, or make a delicious breakfast; your choice. Every little thing he does for you gives you something and even if it's just something "he should do", like taking the trash out, or picking up his dirty clothes from the bathroom floor, it really does make your life a little bit easier! Oh and another reference to last post...the more you compliment him, the more he will try to be the best partner he can be! Like one of you lovely followers said, "it really does start with us" ;)

I would really love to interact with more with my followers, so please don't be shy! Yall know where to reach me, comment below, email me at wife.nextdoor@yahoo.com or tweet me!

xoxo,

                           wife-nextdoor <3

Let's go team! I mean...

31 Days of Love Challenge
 

I am beyond happy after hearing some of you guys had a great date night! We can all benefit from some exclusive couple time from time. I love getting dressed up and having a nice relaxed dinner with J at home! On to today's challenge...

Day Six

Be his biggest cheerleader. Always show support to your man in his hobbies and specially in his job; this is another form of showing affection. From big projects at work, to small achievements like a new high score on a video game, always be on his side. Remember that you are now a team and he will truly appreciate your display of devotion. Don't forget to also cheer him on when he does a house chore the way you like it...if he gets positive reinforcement, he is more likely to do those small duties for you willingly =P

This challenge is one that can be practiced daily, and that's why I love these kind! I love doing something, no matter how small, to brighten my love's day! I have learned that being positive and demonstrating my love, even in trivial situations, makes my husband act more loving too...and honestly, what woman doesn't want that?! Remember change starts with you and we can make our relationships become admirable one step at a time! I hope you will all try to work on this not just today, but everyday! Yall know where to reach me, comment below, email me at wife.nextdoor@yahoo.com or tweet me!

xoxo,

                           wife-nextdoor <3

Let's make up

31 Days of Love Challenge

I hope my followers forgive me for not blogging yesterday...my reason was I was planning our 4th of July party and let me just tell you all that it was a success! (: 

Now to make it up, I am posting both day challenges today considering yesterday's was fairly easy! Hope everyone had an amazing Independence Day celebration as well!

Day Four/Five

Thank him for all he does. Did he do something nice for you lately? Thank him for it. Did he do something you told him to do? Thank him for it. Has he not done anything extraordinary lately? Just thank him for supporting you or being your partner. The more you show appreciation, even for little things, the more he will WANT to do for you lol. Men love praise!

Plan a stay at home date. What's better than a stay at home date on a Friday night? ...especially when it's raining! This is YOUR chance to bring romance in the house! Cook something nice, or you can even get takeout but make it romantic with a few candles and some flowers! They really do bring ambiance. Dress up in a pretty dress, heels and your pearls...he will be surprised in a good way, to say the least! Play romantic music...watch a movie later? It can just end with dinner if you have a busy husband but I swear it will be a nice bonding moment.

 Well I know we can do these two things today and maybe if you want you might want to make it a part of your life more often! I know I will try to do Day Four challenge everyday from now on. Make me proud ladies! 

Yall know where to reach me, comment below, email me at wife.nextdoor@yahoo.com or tweet me!

xoxo,

                        wife-nextdoor <3

"Our" Time

31 Days of Love Challenge

Yesterday's challenge is something I vow to work on everyday. I can't say that I will be on top of it every time J speaks but if I work on it, then I will naturally become a better listener...and not just to my husband, but to all my loved ones...and I can truly say that that's a virtue.

Day Three

 Schedule time alone...without petty technology. You can start out with as little as 30 min and at least once a month. 

I recommend doing something you both enjoy, board games, read a book together, play some sport, ask each other questions, walk your dogs and actually play with them, if you have kids play with your child(ren) as a family. I know I said time alone so you might be like "with our children too?!" lol and by alone I mean without technology. Yeah time as a couple is amazing too and that is coming up on another day of this challenge, so don't worry about that.

I chose this challenge because it's something we don't really think about when we hang out with our love. We just do our things but text throughout or we are both on the computer and we talk and spend time together...but it's not really all that nurturing to the relationship.

I discovered how beneficial and precious this was just a few weeks ago. J and I were home and I suggested board games, but he isn't big on them if there isn't a big group of people. Hmm...what to do I thought...I was done of always watching tv and being on computer together...it's soo overdone. So I went to our bookshelf and found this trivia book of questions and answers! I told J to let me ask him questions and he would answer them. This was great for us because HE just loves trivia and lives for games like "Trivial Pursuit". The fact that I was asking him questions and he was answering them just helped me to learn things I didn't know before...and that might help next time we play said board game lol. Anyway we spent at least 45min with that book and let me just tell you...the bonding that happened that day was at least 10 times greater than our typical night.

Another thing we did before like that was go kick a soccer ball. Another hobby of J's but it was fun being with him and seeing our competitive sides.

Well those are some examples of more valuable ways to spend time with your partner that will strengthen your relationship. I hope you all try it! Yall know where to reach me, comment below, email me at wife.nextdoor@yahoo.com or tweet me!

xoxo,

                        wife-nextdoor <3

Listen!!!!

31 Days of Love Challenge

Yesterday was pretty easy, so much that I recommend doing it daily! J came home and I was overjoyed to see him walk through the door! He really does love it when I smile, show delight in his arrival, and kiss him like I haven't seen him in days! On to today...

Day Two

Listen attentively when  he speaks. This is another day that may seem easier than it really is. 

For example, J goes on and tells me a story from his workday...I look at him to listen..."today when we were watching the presentation..." and then I am already tweeting...or singing the song lyrics in my head...I hear a word here and there. This isn't ALL the time, not don't go calling me a bad wife lol but we tend to think we are paying attention, listening, when in reality we are just hearing what people tell us, but NOT really listening. We realize this happens because later on he mentions something about that conversation and I'm like "what? oh yeah!" and vice versa; he dozes off once in a while too. 

I wonder if it's something from our generation, with so many distractions, or if it's always been like this? Anyhow, I definitely think listening will benefit the relationship. Wouldn't it feel good to get our partner's undivided attention and relevant feedback after we speak instead of "cool!" or "nice"? I know I would, and changes in relationships start with US, stetting the example, just like in everything else in life.

Remember what a compliment it is that your partner wants to share those stories with you. I know we may take if for granted, but it really is a good sign! He is sharing those parts of his life which clearly means he wants you to be a part of it, even if  you really aren't, cause you aren't there to witness it. Really listening, tells your loved one you appreciate them and actually care about their words. Let go of other things on your mind so you can be present at the moment, with him! My goal is to listen to him more and to consider his words before I speak. Sometimes all they need is someone to hear what they have to say to feel validated, and as their companion, that' the least we can do!

 

Well good luck to you all! I hope you catch yourself if you find that you are dozing off into the insignificant distractions of life when "hearing" your loved ones so you can actually listen to them! Time for housewife duties! Yall know where to reach me, comment below, email me at wife.nextdoor@yahoo.com or tweet me!

xoxo,

                        wife-nextdoor <3

First things first...

31 Days of Love Challenge

This next month, I was going to modernize a challenge I found a few months ago but instead decided to do my own since the other one was too religiously based. I just want us to work on little things and do small acts of love for our partners. I want us to walk out of this challenge in August with a better relationship. I hope we all learn something from the challenge, I cannot wait until we all do it together!

Day One

 Welcome him home with a kiss like you haven't seen him in weeks and a smile.  Put away his stuff/take off his shoes/offer his favorite drink, just something to make his arrival a pleasant one.

I know it may seem like a small thing but you might be surprised at how much we may overlook this simple act of love! You want your partner to be happy to come back home...done with work and from that stress! I swear there is nothing more he wants to see than his smiling lover. Did he forget to do something today? Just let it go. For today. Or at least until after dinner ahaha. His first moments with you after work should be joyous ones, please don't forget that.

This is today's challenge, but if you do it every single day he works, I can guarantee that it will make his day just that much better and in relationships, that's what we aim for, to make our partner happy. Time to get ready to welcome my man from work (: yall know where to reach me, comment below, email me at wife.nextdoor@yahoo.com or tweet me!

xoxo,

                        wife-nextdoor <3

Dear Ex,

My life feels fulfilling. Everything is fine.

You aren't missed. I am happy.

I look at everyone. I look at me.

I see nothing. I see something.

No longer need to hear your voice, to hear a hi, 

to get a call from you to make me immensely happy.

Hearing false promises of a future together,

was better to me than the silence.

I used to rather live with the lies, in that fantasy,

than come back to reality.

Was it just a fantasy?

If it was I begged you to come take me back, take me back.

Reality caught me by surprise.

You hurt me. You're not hurting me anymore.

Would I take you back? In a blink of an eye no more.

Why? Because the heartache you gave me was 

infinitely greater than the happiness I felt with you.

One day with you. One hour with you.

It all brings the pain again.

The pain of those weeks without you.

Don't ever come back. You.

If you do. I've moved on.

I have. Nothing's forever.

You know what?

I didn't sit here waiting for you.

If I had, I might've waited forever.

I just lived life. Day by Day. One by One.

Cause you wanted it to end you kept it up.

Ignored me. Pretended I didn't exist.

Forgot the memories. Erased me.

One day it hit me. That you're gone.

No more smile.

No more cussing.

No more goofy laugh.

No more jealousy.

No more love.

No more inside jokes.

No more "goodnight and all that good stuff"

No more worrying.

No more calls.

No more kisses.

No more hazel eyes looking at me.

No more walks while holding hands.

No more watching you skate.

No more "punk".

No more hugs.

When there was no more sitting on your skateboard.

No more I love  you.

No more anything. More nothing.

I felt it. I can't anymore.

It feels indifferent. I feel incredible.

It's not with me. It left me.

I smile and it's not an act.

I wanted it to be over. I had no reason.

Everything has a reason. Future?

It excites me. I have set goals.

All amazing. All without you.

I was going to try to get something from deep within my soul but the truth is ... all I feel now is indifference. So I went back to my journals to try to recover some of that pain I felt back then and I was going to write something along the lines of "thanks to you I am who I am" and "now I found the one who really deserves me" and "although I don't wish you happiness I also don't wish you pain". See just right there...the indifference is obvious. Anyway. I found two heartfelt poems I wrote in the midst of breakup depression. One of them spoke to me more because I realized if I tweaked it, I could make it more of a NOW thing...so I changed the sorrow to what pertains to my feelings now and that's how we got that poem up there...written by yours truly. I'll post the original depressing one some other time when I go in depth about exes...maybe lol.

Well that's all, thanks for your time! If yall have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to comment below, email me at wife.nextdoor@yahoo.com or tweet me!

xoxo,

                        wife-nextdoor <3