Month: May 2014

Things I Love

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

It’s been a pretty good week so far.  Lots of happenings.  Work has been crazy busy, but I do enjoy it so there are no complaints there.  J and I have a couple of exciting weeks ahead of us and I can’t wait to let you all in on them.

But that won’t be today.
Right now I’m loving…
dog falling asleep
walks with the pups, cooking dinner at home, preparing our lunches ahead of time,

total divas
Total Divas, the sun being up longer, warmer weather, chocolate caramel creamer (not the healthiest, but only in moderation), frozen yogurt cups, BBQs with friends, family game days, a big reveal coming in a few weeks, the thought of this time next month (goes with the big reveal), pretty flowers, daydreaming,
things i lovesleeping in on Saturdays,making breakfast on the weekends, and so much more.

Chh Chh Chh Changes!

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

I am changing a few things around the site over the next few weeks.  First up – emailing the most recent post.  If you subscribe to receive my updates (and you really, really should) then you probably noticed the email looked a little different.  Hopefully all the bugs were worked out before the message was sent, but if you notice any errors then please let me know.

I’ve switched everything over to Mail Chimp and am liking the ease of everything so far.

Also, if you read my posts directly on the site then you probably noticed the blue bar at the top of your screen.  I added a new way to gather information so others can receive a dose of love (or my new posts…).  As of now you will receive an email with each new post – just like before.  I will be working over the next few weeks to offer a thank you gift for signing up and when that happens I will switch the emails to be weekly instead of as a new post is created.  I do not like it when my inbox is overloaded and I really do not want to do that to you guys.

Thanks for the support and I am hoping the new system works flawlessly.

Weekend Recap

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

I love wine, pretty landscapes, good friends, and relaxing weekends. Yep.  That’s what I love.  Any of these mixed in to my days means it’s going to be good.  I traveled last weekend with the girls from college for a wine weekend.  So this weekend I wanted to take it easy.
weekend recap weekend recap weekend recap weekend recap

I wanted to sleep in on Saturday.  Wake-up naturally and without any hatred for my alarm.  Because I truly detest waking up by an alarm clock every morning.  BEEP!  BEEEEP! Is the worst, and no matter what I set the sound to on my iPhone they are always disruptive to my good dreams and warm bed.

I worked on planning out my life for the next few weeks.  It’s getting closer and closer to spilling the beans on our upcoming adventure.  I could do it now, but I think I’ll wait just a little longer… you know, for good measure.

Want to know one of my favorite things to do on the weekends (well besides sleeping in)?  It’s running errands – going to the grocery store, the bank, etc.  You name it and I love it.  Especially when the weather is as nice as we’ve been having lately.  Mid-70s for the weekend and all this week? I will take it!  Last week it dipped down to the low 50s for the last part and it was a bit chilly.  Still better than snow and ice, but not as great as the warm sun.
weekend recap
What did you do this weekend?  Have any fun, out of town plans or did you stay close to home?

10 Ways To Strengthen Your Marriage

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

There are ways to strengthen your marriage because it should come as no surprise that a marriage takes some work.

10 ways to strengthen your marriageIf it is a surprise then you must be living in a rom-com that has a happily ever after and the credits roll just as the have their grand finale kiss.  Marriage is hard.  It has its good days and its not-so-good days.  We struggle learning each other’s rhythm and thought process.  But in the end it is so worth it.  I have never worked at something like I have marriage and have it be the most rewarding gift I could ever imagine.

We’re not perfect, but to me that’s half the journey.  Lust is something that gives you a high, but love is what you work for, strive for and in the end – what you earn.

 There are proven ways to strengthen your marriage.
ways to strengthen your marriage
Here are my top 10 that we strive for every day.

1) Listen to One Another
2) Learn to Fight Fair
3) Don’t be afraid to pray together
4) Laugh
5) Date like you’re sixteen again
6) Like each other’s friends
7) Don’t pass judgment
8) Have your own life
9) Send sweet nothings
10) Be selfless

I love my husband with all my heart.  There are days that he gives a lot and days that I give a lot, but all that matters is that we give to one another selflessly and with our whole hearts.