I’m no expert at marriage and relationships, but I do know that they are a lot of work. I think even the most secure people and the “best” couples could use the advice of a professional third party every now and then. I’ve certainly sought out therapy in the past. So has Jason. And so have WE together. I think it is really healthy and smart to seek guidance from someone who isn’t related or attached to you in any way.

It is also really fun, I think, to go in as a couple and talk things out. You start to learn things you never knew about the person you love. Your marriage doesn’t need to be in shambles. It’s actually better to go to therapy when you’re not completely at each other’s throats. Like most things, it’s my belief that people should take preventative measures to keep your life in balance. It’s like taking time for date night. You should do it every now and then just to keep the flame lit. If you wait until you’re completely bored with the other person and have become resentful, then a romantic date isn’t going to help much. You just gotta keep things going naturally, instead of tearing them down and then trying to build things up again from scratch. It hardly ever works.

For those of you located in the Bay Area, there are tons of great marriage counselors and therapists around. If you’re looking for a therapist in San Ramon, Concord, Pleasant Hill or other East Bay cities, EastBayCouples.com is a fantastic resource to check out.

Okay, so I’m a child of the 80’s and yeah, I loved the Pointer Sisters. But that’s not what this post is about. It’s about the fact that I got the new Palm Centro! And…duhn, duhn, duhn, duhn…she’s pink!

Here she is! So, this is what happened. I called Jason around 2:00 today (I just happened to be driving downtown) to tell him that a certain song on the radio (”It’s A Shame About Ray”) reminded me of him (not the lyrics - since, to my knowledge it’s about a boy who discovers he’s gay - but because he put it on an early mix-CD he made for me when we were dating), and he told me he was thinking of me, too, and to stop by his work. I was there in about 5 minutes, and noticed he had a bag in his hands when he met me on the street.

Enter: my new Palm Centro!

It’s, er…she…is so cool. I’m so excited. Oh, I said that already. Well, it’s true!

Not me. I always work from home. No, today Jason is working from home. A blessing? Or a curse? Time shall tell… ;)

I’m surprising Jason with dinner at a nice restaurant tonight. Squid and I are gonna get dressed up and meet him downtown. I think we’ve both been a little stressed lately, what with thinking about buying a house and all that comes with that. Should be fun. Eating oysters and crab cakes and drinking red wine always helps to even things out, anyway. :)

So, our date weekend went really well. We saw I Am Legend, walked around downtown, ate candied apples, drank martinis, slept in…it was awesome. And Squid is really starting to warm up to being “sat.” I think he realizes now that it’s way more fun than hanging around with mom!

…until total freedom.

(Enter the high-pitched choir voices now)

A night away sans kids. Did I mention how excited I am?

This weekend Jason and I get to stay at a hotel while my mom watches the kids. Yes! I think I might be daring (and stupid) and try ice-skating. Or we might just go to dinner and see a movie. That’s probably the better (and safer) bet.

So, we’re on our way to go look at some houses today. You can all throw some virtual luck my way.

I’m beyond excited at the idea that this may finally be IT. It’s stressful, though, this American Dream.

Ironic.