Cooling Housing Market (finally!)

Surprising reports came out yesterday saying housing sales were up in May. This seemed to be defying the odds even in this seemingly bulletproof market. So where's the correction? The prices that the homes sold for are finally turning downward. A young married couple who's been pushed out of the market in the past few years may finally have a chance to get in. Of course, the interest rates are going up, but with housing prices falling, the value could be about the same. One reason for the falling prices according to the Real Estate Journal is that the boomer market has begun to turn away from their larger homes as their children have all moved out. In addition, fuel prices have made living more expensive. And finally, many are downsizing to use their large home equity for retirement security.

Train Your Spouse Like a Dolphin

Marital differences are like bad golf shots (presuming you play golf), everyone has them. And like a bad golf shot, it's not the shot that effects your game, it's how you respond. Amy Sutherland tells a great story of how treating her husband as if she were a trainer and her husband an exotic animal improved their relationship.

Amy was writing a book on exotic animal trainers and how they were able to get these animals to do amazing things, then it hit her, why not try these techniques on her husband. While admitting she was tempted to throw him a mackerel after her techniques had worked, she quickly found that her husband had picked up on her techniques and was using them on her as well. This is a very fun article and recommended reading.

Kissing Teachers

The Camarillo Acorn, a local California newspaper profiled Gregg and Violet Adams. The Adams' are kindergarten teachers who teach in tandem. While Violet is scheduled to teach the morning class, Gregg is right their to supplement. In the afternoon, Violet does the same for Gregg. The two wind up spending just about every waking moment together and that's the way they like it.

Do you or have you worked with your spouse? If so, please tell us your story and we may print it. Contact feedback@hitchedmag.com.

Juno Roman Goddess of Marriage

So this post is a day late, but it's a good little nugget of information, regardless. Yesterday was summer soltice, which marks the longest day of summer. According to this site "the midsummer celebration marks the center of the year, a complete six months away from winter solstice, it is viewed as an aspect of yin-yang, male-female. The two points of the year, together, are considered the marriage of heaven on earth." For many, this is the month you got married. If that's the case, happy anniversary!

Get A Bun in the Oven With Less Stress

If you and your spouse are trying to have a kid, but are having trouble conceiving new research suggests that women who lower their stress levels can increase their chances. I guess that means the more you worry about it, the harder you're making it on yourself. The study was conducted by researchers at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Results showed that lowering stress restored fertility in 80 percent of the cases. For the grand prize of this case study, two women became pregnant within two weeks of their stress-relieving therapy.

Fastest Growing Cities

The top 12 fastest growing cities in the U.S. are in four states: California, Nevada, Arizona and across the country in Florida, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Elk Grove in California, right next to where the Governator sleeps topped the list, growing 12 percent in the past year. If you and your spouse are looking for a change, growing cities usually mean growing economies, expanding business opporunities and fresh starts. Click the above link to see the full list.

Why James Bond Should Be Dead

Because he's not married. Well, an article from Parade starts off saying James Bond is beating the odds because statistical data has shown health benefits for those in happy marriages. The article addresses the importance of touch, companionship and even sex. Mentioned from a study at Queen's University in Belfast, says "that men who had sex three or more times a week had a 50% reduced risk of heart attack or stroke--those who reported the most frequent orgasms had a death rate one-half that of the less sexually active men." Good times.

For the record, James Bond was briefly married in 1969's "On Her Majesty's Secret Service." Unfortunately, his new wife didn't make it the whole movie. Sounds like a great excuse to rent a new 007 movie for date night.

Men Need Chores Or Die

Some doctors from Down Under have presented the findings on a study that indicates that the more free time a man has, the increased likelihood of poor health and even early mortality. To combat it, they recommend that men spend their time doing something meaningful. Dr. Leonie Bloomfield who presented the information had this to say:

It was not clear why or how such boredom was health risk, but it was possible boredom led to anxious and depressive states, which then hindered the functioning of the immune system.

This article recommends that men fill their meaningful time by doing some household chores. I'm sure wives are in full support, especially if it chisels their husband's body like the guy shown in the article.

I'll Have a Latte, Hold the Lard

Since we wrote that beer is good for you yesterday, we thought we'd keep in the drink vein today and point to an article from WebMD that highlights how those delicious lattes we gulp down are loaded in calories. The article explains that the drinks can range anywhere from 250 to nearly 600 calories per drink. Sounds like body builders need to start hanging around Starbucks with those kind of calories. Just thought this was an interesting tidbit that rarely gets mentioned. As a service publication with readers strapping on their swimsuit, we thought you should know.

Drink Beer, Fight Cancer...Sort Of

Today's beer commercials have expressed the importance of the hops in their beer for flavor and putting hair on your chest--well, flavor anyway. But now, new research says that the compound xanthohumol, which is found in hops has a protein that helps fight prostate cancer. The Homer Simpson's of the world can give big "whoo hoo." Before you do, however, know that to see any benefit from xanthohumol a person would have to drink more than 17 beers to get the benefits because each beer contains such a small amount "Doh." Regardless, when I listen closely I can still hear some men out there saying "whoo hoo" because they now have an argument for drinking more beer--it's an argument wine drinkers have been using for years.

This USA Today article breaks down the science behind all this and the prospects of future "health" beers, which would include more xanthohumol than what's currently found in beer. Whoo Hoo!

40 Years Ago Interracial Marriages Were Illegal

With all the bad news in the newspaper, we sometimes forget how great the times are that we live in. It's amazing to think that just 40 years ago, you could get jail time if you married someone outside of your race. The Washington Post (registration required) retells the love story between Richard Loving and Mildred Jeter that changed it all when the Loving v. Virgina case was won 39 years ago.

The Loving case started in rural Caroline County, Va., about 100 miles south of the District. Richard Loving and Mildred Jeter were young people in love. She was just 18. She was black and he was white. They traveled in 1958 to the District, where interracial marriages were legal, took their vows, came home and, at 2 a.m., were arrested in bed by deputies. They were prosecuted and sentenced to a year in jail. Caroline County Circuit Court Judge Leon Bazile suspended the sentence -- so long as the couple left the state and did not return together for a quarter-century....The Lovings moved in exile to the District. And then they sued.

To celebrate and remember this civil victory, Ken Tanabe (of mixed heritage) has created a networking and resource website for couples of mixed races at www.lovingday.org.

Thoughts On College Tuition Debt

Congratulations, you've graduated college, now pay up. College tuition continues to rise, even for those whose post college careers don't warrant a quick and easy payoff. USA Today ran an article discussing this topic. More entertaining, I think anyway, is the comments from readers found here. Many married couples meet in college so maybe the price tag is worth it. How much would you pay if you knew you were going to meet your spouse?

Are You Ready for Some Futbol

It's not pigskin football, it's The World Cup and it starts today in Germany. While futbol (aka soccer) is not as popular in the U.S., the rest of the world is about to call in sick because of soccer fever. Wired offers various ways sports fans can view and/or listen to the games from downloading them on your computer to watching them on your PSP (Playstation Portable). If your spouse begins staying up all night with the TV flickering, you know why.

Oh, we should also mention that it lasts a month, so please be patient. Maybe consider cutting them a little slack, considering the World Cup only takes place every four years. Could you imagine the social frenzy if the Super Bowl only took place every four? That's a scary thought, however I would like to hear the commentators say, "touchdooooooooooooooooown!"

More Men Ready for "I Do"

A new survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked more than 12,000 men and women a series of questions relating to marriage, kids, sex and divorce. The surprising find? More men agreed to the statement "It is better to get married than go through life single." Sixty-six percent of men agreed, while 51 percent of women accepted the statement. Also in the study, more men (55 percent) intend to have a child, compared to 46 percent of women. I think we know who has to go through labor, huh.

Don't Get Angry, But You May Have IED

What's IED you ask? Well Reuters Health enlightens us that it's an acronym for intermittent explosive disorder. Hopefully this doesn't pertain to your marriage, but a new report was as published in the Archives of General Psychiatry and says as many as 16 million American adults may have IED. People with this disorder "erupt in reactions that are grossly out of proportion to a perceived provocation -- attacking another person, threatening others with violence or destroying property." The article also says that IED is commonly preceded by mental health problems including depression, anxiety and substance abuse.

This might explain my landlords' reaction when I told him I wanted my leaky, soggy, dining room wall fixed. More information on this mental disorder is available at the National Institute of Mental Health's website.

Vatican Maintains Old School Beliefs

The Pontifical Council released a 57-page document yesterday expressing their concern that traditional family has never been so threatened. Subjects of attack in the document were contraception, abortion, in vitro fertilization and same-sex marriage. The Washington Post points out that the current debate within the Vatican on whether the church should allow condoms in marriages where one partner has AIDS was not addressed. Instead, the document reaffirmed the Vatican's stance of opposition toward contraception.

Do you think traditional family is under attack? Who knew 6/6/06, "the mark of the beast" is a trojan?

Gifts For Those Joining the Club

While your wedding has come and gone, 'tis the season for others getting hitched. If you are late to their gift registry and everything is gone, the Washington Post has put together a quick wedding gift guide. Included in their suggestions is a wine-of-the-month subscription, a hammock, a two-person tent (for those outdoorsy types) and admission membership for an art museum.

I Want My BTUs

It's grillin' season. According to the Health, Patio & Barbecue Association, more than 14 million BBQs were sold last year. This year, even more grills are expected to be sold, says The Arizona Republic. But people aren't just buying those wimpy half saucers with a grill rack, oh no. People are building grill alters (aka outdoor kitchens) and spending in excess of $5,000.

The Arizona Republic offers six things to consider if you're in the market for a new barbecue oasis, including other appliances, tables & chairs, lighting and gadgets. BBQs and gadgets, pinch me.

What's Your Money Attitude?

When couples argue, money is often the main character. Author Diane McCurdy says a lot of married couples can save themselves the raised blood pressure if they understand their spouse's basic attitude towards money. McCurdy says their are four basic attitudes toward handling money: savers, spenders, builders and givers.

McCurdy expands on how savers are often attracted to spenders and also how builders and givers should be considerate in their habits. The story offers ideas and the effects these attitudes have on couples.