http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/index/ en emily@shapingthepage.com Copyright 2011 2011-01-27T15:59:14+00:00 http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/snips_and_snails_and_puppy_dog_tails/ http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/snips_and_snails_and_puppy_dog_tails/#When:15:59:14Z Sitting atop my son's dresser is a yellow square plate. This plastic plate contains his treasures: a cicada exoskeleton; a tiny egg carton that once contained dinosaur egg gum; a flat brown seed liberated from a pod; the velvety blue-and-black remains of a butterfly; a pirate spy-glass; a wooden horse colored with markers; and a Lego piece that resembles a light saber. Children 2011-01-27T15:59:14+00:00 http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/sharing_a_bathroom/ http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/sharing_a_bathroom/#When:01:36:52Z For the first time in over 7 years of marriage my wife and I are sharing a bathroom. As we transitioned into this new arrangement I was quite excited about it. I pictured us brushing our teeth together and sharing humorous moments like the couples on sitcoms do. And I haven't been disappointed. So far it's been a lot of fun! Marriage 2010-01-04T01:36:52+00:00 http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/i_married_a_sports_fanatic/ http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/i_married_a_sports_fanatic/#When:14:37:14Z When I married my wonderful husband on March 18, 2000, I didn't realize it at the time, but I also married the Columbus Crew, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and Penguins, the US National soccer team, and the game of soccer itself. Of course I knew he loved these things, but I didn't understand the immensity of his passion. Marriage 2009-09-19T14:37:14+00:00 http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/easy_inexpensive_gift_ideas/ http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/easy_inexpensive_gift_ideas/#When:17:01:02Z When I left for college, I was high on life, confident in the future, and ready for new challenges. I never expected to feel so homesick. I was embarrassed to feel the way I did. Even the word “homesick” sounded lame and childish—it was a word used to describe six-year-olds at an overnight camp, not a self-respecting adult. Friends 2009-08-18T17:01:02+00:00 http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/awkward_girl_goes_to_a_concert/ http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/awkward_girl_goes_to_a_concert/#When:18:33:54Z I am not a music person, nor am I much of a dancer. And I was worried that I'd be expected to move in time, completely immersed. That's really not me. I said I felt like a dork standing there while a couple dozen folks looked at us and the empty stage. His brother said, “You really care what people think about you, don't you?” Busted. Marriage 2009-08-10T18:33:54+00:00 http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/i_love_dinner/ http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/i_love_dinner/#When:15:44:52Z I can’t wait to get married and have kids. Meal times will be so special and wonderful. I’ll cook a nice meal, and they’ll all appreciate that I made it all from scratch with great love and devotion. We’ll use nice manners and talk about our day and bond with each other. It’ll be so special and wonderful. Then I woke up. Children 2009-06-14T15:44:52+00:00 http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/the_dvd_player/ http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/the_dvd_player/#When:20:12:40Z As promised, I am writing to debrief you on the car trip to Maine—two day's drive up, two day's drive back. Let’s call it “To DVD or not to DVD!” We wrestled with the decision whether or not to lay down the dough for a portable DVD player. I grilled my friends with kids and even put the question out there on my Facebook status to see what folks thought. Children 2009-05-27T20:12:40+00:00 http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/maintaining_friendships/ http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/maintaining_friendships/#When:12:26:05Z Growing up as an Army brat, moving every couple of years, making and leaving friends was just part of the deal. Most of my fellow Army brat friends fell into one of two categories: either you were really extroverted and outgoing and able to make friends really quickly; or you were very introverted and didn’t bother trying too hard. Friends 2009-05-08T12:26:05+00:00 http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/the_person_i_thought_i_was_marrying/ http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/the_person_i_thought_i_was_marrying/#When:12:00:46Z One afternoon my husband and I were having lunch with an engaged couple. My husband asked the woman, “Do you think he’s the same person you’re going to be married to?” She lovingly gazed into her fiance’s eyes, and replied in her girly-girl voice, “Oh, yes!” Marriage 2009-05-08T12:00:46+00:00 http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/new_neighbors/ http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/new_neighbors/#When:13:10:56Z Last weekend our new neighbors moved in. Anticipating their arrival, my husband had said to me, “We ought to do something nice for them—make them a meal or something.” Perfect! I had a new recipe for Triple Chocolate Scones that I was foaming at the mouth to make, just waiting for the right occasion. I also had everything on hand to make one of my favorite recipes: Spinach Enchilada Casserole. Friends 2009-05-07T13:10:56+00:00 http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/spouse_training_tips/ http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/spouse_training_tips/#When:18:01:55Z Maybe it is true. You can’t change someone. But you can sure as heck try! I’ve been trying for years, and he is coming along on some fronts. Here are some of my best tips. Filling the ice trays. Either I leave them all unfilled until he runs out entirely or I put them on the steps leading up to his office. When he asks why they’re on the steps, I say, “I wasn’t sure what you wanted me to do with them...” Marriage 2009-05-06T18:01:55+00:00 http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/this_is_ridiculous/ http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/this_is_ridiculous/#When:00:29:42Z As my three-year-old stomped on the floorboard of the plastic car attached to my shopping cart, he screamed, “This is ree-DIC-ulous!” It was over some candy or toy that I was saying NO to. Of course, you know what I was thinking…“this is ridiculous!” He also says things like, “I’ll be with you in just a minute, Mommy, I’m busy [watching cartoons] right now,” and “Can you just leave me alone for one minute?!” Children 2009-05-06T00:29:42+00:00 http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/road_trip_with_kids/ http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/road_trip_with_kids/#When:02:34:40Z Gone are the days of “let’s leave early, drive all day and night, and just stop to eat and pee!” With two little ones, we’re about to embark upon the adventure of a two-day drive from our home in Ohio to Portland, Maine. It’s about 15 hours of driving, and that doesn’t include potty breaks, run around at the rest stop breaks, food breaks, and I’m sure a few melt-down breaks. Children 2009-05-05T02:34:40+00:00 http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/cheapest_entertainment_ever/ http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/cheapest_entertainment_ever/#When:01:52:31Z Are you looking for something fun to do with your young son (or daughter), but a little short on cash? I discovered an activity that our son now begs for us to do again and again. It’s so simple, yet can provide potentially hours of entertainment. This will probably appeal to dads more than moms, but you never know. Children 2009-05-05T01:52:31+00:00 http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/your_own_custom_social_network/ http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/your_own_custom_social_network/#When:23:23:11Z A few months ago I had a little lunch reunion with a group of guys I hadn’t seen in over 15 years. We used to ride BMX bikes together and had developed some strong friendships via that sport. It was a blast to talk and laugh about the good old days. By the end of the afternoon we vowed to start a web site that would give us a forum to document some of the crazy stories from yesteryear, and allow us to meet up with other BMX riders from around the world. Friends 2009-05-01T23:23:11+00:00 http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/protect_your_family_photos/ http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/protect_your_family_photos/#When:18:17:44Z My wife and I have a 3 year old son and a 16 month old daughter. We take a lot of digital photos—A LOT of them. Every time we look at them together on our computer we’re reminded of how quickly time flies. Those photos are so precious to us. To lose them would be a tragedy. Family 2009-04-23T18:17:44+00:00 http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/mom_uniform/ http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/mom_uniform/#When:13:51:20Z The other day when I was talking to my sister, I told her that I was bummed about leaving my running shoes at my mother-in-law’s house and didn’t want to wait a week to get them back. She said, “Do you run every day?” I said, “No, they’re part of my Mom uniform.” I don’t think she got it, no kids yet, but I laughed at my little funny. Children 2009-03-26T13:51:20+00:00 http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/welcome_to_together_magazine/ http://togethermagazine.org/index.php/site/landing/welcome_to_together_magazine/#When:15:35:44Z As it states on the home page, Together Magazine is a group of real people writing articles about real relationships. We’re looking forward to that group growing into a wonderful community over time. Family 2009-03-14T15:35:44+00:00