Since having my son nearly two years ago, my dates have dwindled. My husband is good about trying to establish dates, but it gets hard with busy schedules — and it’s so expensive now that we have to add a babysitter to the evening’s tab. I think we’re pretty good about getting out, but it gets hard. I know some parents who rarely, if ever, get out for a night alone. This can’t be good for a marriage, but it’s certainly understandable.

The other day, while watching “The View,” Co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck mentioned that she and her husband have “You Tube Dates.” The other Co-hosts had to ask what she meant; I immediately thought, what a great idea. They schedule an hour to grab some snacks and sit in front of the computer watching the latest videos from You Tube users. I wouldn’t say it’s my idea of the perfect date, but it’s time they are spending together and it’s something different. We might have to try it.

I’m a regular reader of “The Orlando Sentinel’s” Help Yourself blog, written by a friend of mine, Kris Hey. She offers simple tips and inspirations. Yesterday I read a post she wrote about how long it takes to break a habit; it reminded me of a story I heard about a Pastor of a church who started a movement to get people to stop complaining. He was featured on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” earlier this year where he explained how it works.

He says that it takes 21 days to stop a habit and suggests that you wear a bracelet on your wrist as reminder to not complain. Once you complain, you have to move the bracelet to the other wrist and start over. The goal is to keep the bracelet on the same wrist for 21 days. His Web site explains it here.

The church mails the bracelets out free as a service. Request a bracelet here.

Read more about the segment on Oprah’s Web site.

Mattel announced yet another toy recall. This one includes:

• GeoTrax™ Engine (2 products)
• Barbie® Accessory Sets (7 products)
• It’s a Big Big World™ (1 product)

Read the Associated Press story here.

Visit Mattel’s Voluntary Safety Recall Web site.

I collect inspirational quotes that I hear on TV. It may sound like a strange place to find inspiration, but I find that it’s something to which everyone can relate. You’ll be surprised some of the shows that I pull something out from. I’ll start today with a quote I heard yesterday on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” when Oprah was asking Bill Clinton what we should call him now that he’s no longer in office:

“I’m not so worried about what I’m called. It’s what I’m called upon to do.”

– Former President Bill Clinton

The Oprah Winfrey Show
September 4, 2007

In the coming weeks I’ll post a quote here and there, maybe one every week, and then I’ll post then as I hear them on TV. Send me any you hear.

Earlier today I wrote a post about my son having a hard time readjusting to our routine after a trip — especially at bedtime. Tonight was more of the same, crying in the crib and not falling asleep. After awhile we took him out to help him calm down. We watched TV again tonight, and again I didn’t like doing that, but didn’t know what else to do.

In the end, he calmed down to the point where I was able to put him back to bed without tears, or even whimpering. He laid down like he normally does and fell asleep like the child I knew before our trip. I think this should get easier each night until he is back on schedule. At least that is what I’m hoping for.