Monthly Archives: February 2010

NBC New Show – The Marriage Ref

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Posted by Dr. Patty Ann on February 26, 2010 – 5:48 am
Filed under The Marriage Ref

Did you hear about a new show called The Marriage Ref airing on NBC on Thursday nights? The sneak preview airs Sunday, February 28th 10:30/9:30c. The Marriage Ref is being produced by Jerry Seinfeld’s Columbus 81 Production Company.

It is a comic, reality series where 3 celebrities “experts” featuring Alec Baldwin, Kelly Ripa and Jerry Seinfeld, and a “relationship expert” played by Tom Papa (Seinfeld really should have picked me) hear, examine and then judge disputes between real-life couples in long-term relationships – and then decide who is right and who is wrong in the dispute. In addition, the audience will be able to hear and analyze these fights and decide who is right and who is wrong too.

Seinfeld said: “After 10 years of marriage, I realized the comedic potential of this topic is quite rich. This is the way marriage should be; everybody needs a ref”. And I couldn’t agree more.

So guess what? I will be blogging my own relationship expert responses to the celebrity responses every week following the show. Once my comments have been posted, I would love to hear your feedback on my reaction to the celebrity feedback. This should make for some enlightening and entertaining reading.

Follow my blog after The Marriage Ref airs every week and read my comments about what is right and wrong for these couples.

Stay tuned – you won’t want to miss these blogs!!

Rekindle Romance and Happiness in Your Relationship,

Dr. Patty Ann
www.drpattyann.com

3 Proven Tips for Healthy Conflict Resolution

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Posted by Dr. Patty Ann on February 25, 2010 – 7:36 am
Filed under Conflict Resolution

Fighting – or conflict if we want to get a little fancy with our words here – is a normal – even healthy part of any intimate relationship. You know this is true. Unless you are a “Stepford Wife” or “Stepford Girlfriend”; do you remember this movie? The one where the wives were killed and replaced with robots who were programmed to look and act like the perfect wife? Ugh, gross – I am cringing. Anyway, since you are not a Stepford Wife (thank goodness) – you and your partner are not going to feel and think the same way about every issue and/or situation that comes along. In other words, you and your partner – both having a mind of your own, are bound to disagree and hence, fight at times.

Therefore, the trick to maintaining love and intimacy in your relationship is NOT to avoid the fact that you and your partner may be angry with each other or feel differently about some issues; rather it is to bring these angry and/or differing feelings out into the open so you are both fully aware of them. And this is where tip #1 begins – communication.

1. Communicate your feelings about what is bugging or upsetting you.

I wish I had a nickel for every time someone told me: “I shouldn’t have to tell him/her that I am upset about blah, blah, blah (whatever it is the person is upset about) – he/she should know. HELLO?! Well maybe he/she should know- but so what? If they don’t know – tell them. Your relationship is not a game – with a winner or loser. You don’t want to go there. Your relationship is a partnership – so act like it is and communicate your feelings – There is too much at stake to be playing a guessing game.

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Ski Slopes to Swimsuits – A Gold Medal relationship

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Posted by Dr. Patty Ann on February 20, 2010 – 4:19 pm
Filed under Celebrity Relationships

Olympic Skier Lindsey Vonn and her husband Thomas Vonn:
Ski Slopes to Swimsuits – A Gold Medal relationship

Anyone watching the 2010 Winter Olympics www.thewinterolympics.com in Vancouver, Canada on the NBC network knows the name Lindsey Vonn. For those of you who aren’t sports fans, Lindsey Vonn is arguably the best female downhill skier in the World. In spite of the fact that she suffered a serious shin injury while training in Austria a few weeks ago, and it seemed doubtful as to whether or not she would be able to compete in the 2010 Winter Olympics; on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010 Lindsey Vonn not only competed but became the first American woman to win a gold medal in the Olympic downhill ski race in Vancouver, Canada.

So what does any of this have to do with relationships? Lindsey Vonn’s husband is credited with playing an extremely significant role in his wife’s success. Thomas Vonn, himself a former Olympic skier often serves as his wife’s coach, advisor, mentor, friend, psychologist and overall stress-reliever for Lindsey. The team effort put forth by Lindsey and Thomas Vonn personify the qualities of what makes a great marriage: support, encouragement, honest advice, cheerleading, a united front and a sense that they are in it together.

Lindsey Vonn has been known to call her husband up to the starting gate prior to a big race to calm her down. She calls and he comes. Lindsey Vonn knows her husband has her back; and whatever comes around the corner, they personify the fact that they are in it together.
Let’s rewind for a moment. Four years ago, in the 2006 Olympic games, Lindsey Vonn suffered a violent crash during a downhill training run, dashing her hopes of winning an Olympic Medal. In the four years following this crash, Vonn has won some of the most prestigious awards in her sport. After winning her second overall World cup title last year, Lindsey Vonn came to New York for an interview with Dick Ebersol, a major NBC sports executive which was held at Rockefeller Center.
Following the crash mentioned above, many have commented on how much more confidence Lindsey has when she skis. And Lindsey would agree with this assessment – while immediately credited her gain of confidence to her husband. And while Lindsey in gaining international fame for her feats upon the ski slope, she is also in a whirl of controversy over her most recent photo on the cover of The 2010 Sports Illustrated
Swimsuit Edition – lindseyvonn – sports – illus_n_450438.html
And once again, to no one’s surprise, her husband Thomas is by her side, supporting her unconditionally.
The point of this blog is to show how so much more can be accomplished when a couple works as a team. Whether we are regular folks trying to raise a family or Olympic skiers trying to win gold – you have a distinct and powerful advantage if you have a partner beside you who unconditionally supports, encourages, mentors and loves you.

Dr. Patty Ann
www.drpattyann.com
www.relationshiptoolbox.com
twitter@drpattyann.com

Romantic Valentine’s Day Plans

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Posted by Dr. Patty Ann on February 12, 2010 – 7:40 am
Filed under Valentine's day

Valentine’s Day is only 3 days away.  Are you ready? Or are scrambling to get just the right card or the perfect gift for your partner?

Share with us your plans for this most romantic day (and evening).  Do you plan on spending it at home or going out on the town to a fancy restaurant?

Rekindle Romance and Happiness in Your Relationship,

Dr. Patty Ann
www.drpattyann.com

Do you love Valentine’s Day?

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Posted by Dr. Patty Ann on February 9, 2010 – 8:01 am
Filed under Valentine's day

The week of Valentine’s Day has arrived! Are you getting excited? You know from reading my Valentine’s Day ezine series that I absolutely love Valentine’s Day.

Tell us how you feel about Valentine’s Day? Do you really love it like I do or do you just tolerate it? Share your reasons why you feel the way you do.

Rekindle Romance and Happiness in Your Relationship,

Dr. Patty Ann
www.drpattyann.com

Creating a Romantic Ambiance

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Posted by Dr. Patty Ann on February 5, 2010 – 9:00 am
Filed under Increase Romance, Special Activities

As part of my Valentine’s Day series, this week’s relationship advice ezine shared with you ways to create a romantic Valentine’s Day bedroom using you 5 senses.

Is your preference to focus on your sense of smell and use aromatic candles in your bedroom or do you prefer to focus on another one of our 5 senses to create a romantic ambiance in your bedroom?

Rekindle Romance and Happiness in Your Relationship,

Dr. Patty Ann
www.relationshiptoolbox.com

Time to be Sexy

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Posted by Dr. Patty Ann on February 2, 2010 – 11:43 am
Filed under Intimacy, Intimate Relationship, Special Activities

I have been curious about this for a while so I have finally decided to ask about it on the heels of the most romantic day on the calendar – Valentine’s Day.

Do you wear sexy lingerie all the time or only for special occasions, like Valentine’s Day or your anniversary, etc?

Rekindle Romance and Happiness in Your Relationship,

Dr. Patty Ann
www.relationshiptoolbox.com