My mother always told me that the way to a man’s heart was a good meal and a clean house. That was SO yesterday. Today’s woman follows the path that leads directly to a man’s ego. She compliments him. The more sincere compliments she gives, the better he likes her.

When giving him a compliment, look into his eyes and smile when you say it. He’ll know you’re being honest about what you’re saying.

Which compliments mean the most? It’s different with most men but there are a few that seem to work with every man.

Compliment his looks, even if there are bits that aren’t quite perfect, find something that you really like about the way he looks.

“You have such great legs.”

“You look so hot in that shirt.”

When he does something for you, like carrying a computer or killing a bug, give him a compliment!

“Thanks, I could never have done that without you.”

“You’re my hero, I just hate bugs.”

If you need to make a decision about something, ask for his input. He’ll appreciate playing a part in the final choice.

“What do you think? I’d like your opinion.”

Finally, the best compliment you can give a man is this:

“I want you… right here… right now.”

Ok, so maybe only in an air band, but you can get yourself a great cover if you do The Band Meme suggested to me by Olga over at Olga, The Traveling Bra. It’s really easy and you are not going to believe my results. I swear I didn’t cheat one bit. I was so surprised that I did screen captures just so you’d know I wasn’t fibbing. You can’t make this stuff up!

Here’s MY COVER!

Here are The Band Meme rules:

The Band Meme
See how easy it is to have your own band and create its album cover!

Follow these directions to the letter. It’s fun and requires no thought at all.

Go to……

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first article title on the page is the name of your band.

2. http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four words of the very last quote is the title of your album.

3. http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/
The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4. Use your graphics program of choice to throw them together and make your band’s album cover.

If you do this meme, please leave me a comment because I’d love to see it and share it with my readers.

Feel free to pass this meme along to your friends. Maybe someone will run a cover contest!

Do you have little toothpaste and split splatters on your bathroom mirror every freakin morning? It’s like a teeny snow shower welcoming me nearly every morning.

In almost every respect, Mr. Flirty is perfect, but there’s this one niggly thing that drives me insane. Have I complained or nagged? No, I sit quietly and bitch to myself (and anyone else who will listen) about it. I figure this man has so few faults, how can I complain about something that only takes me a few moments to wipe off? I am convinced that I have heaps more bad habits than he does.

So how do you handle little issues like this in your relationship? Does the toilet seat position bother you? Does she never empty her ashtray often enough? Does he wait til the garbage is falling on the floor to take it out?

Now that I think about it a bit longer, there IS one more thing that bothers me. I know my man is not alone in this and I have no solution.

Why do so many men wait to be asked to do anything?

“Honey, all you had to do was ask and I’d have done that for you.”

When I hear that I want to smack him.

“Who asked ME to do it?” I snap back.

“Don’t get angry, I was just saying I would have done it if you’d asked.”

I know he would have done it if I’d have asked but why should I have to ask. If the garbage bin is full, you empty it. You don’t need to be asked. If you leave your clothes on the kitchen floor (maybe that’s too much information) then you should know that someone has to pick them up.

On this subject we have had many discussions. His final reply is always the same.

“I might not do things to suit you.”

Uh huh. Taking out the trash is not rocket science. Nor is making a bed or emptying the dishwasher. Buying linen is a different thing - I’ll do that.

Did I say he was perfect and I complain like this? See my dilemma? Here’s a man who works hard, is always respectful, treats me as a complete equal, never tells me what to do, will do anything and go anywhere I want, never says a word about what I spend, AND he’s the sexiest man on the planet — I have no right to complain but maybe he could be perfecter.

Are you realistic about what to expect your date’s body to look like? If you’re 20 years old, maybe you’ll find someone with a perfect body, but if you’re older, you need to be aware that life impacts almost everyone’s body.

Consider these facts:

The average American woman is 5’4” tall and weighs 140 pounds.

The average American model is 5’11” tall and weighs 117 pounds.

Most fashion models are thinner than 98% of American women.

If you’re considering dating a 36 year old woman who’s had 2 or 3 children, her body is not going to be perfect. She might have stretch marks on her abdomen or breasts, her tummy might not (probably won’t be) taut and by this year she’ll start having a few crow’s feet around her eyes. Does that diminish her attractiveness? Not one bit, I say. It means that she’s lived. She’s had experiences to talk about and rejoice about. Her life up to this point creates character in her body.

So if you’re seriously looking for someone kind, sexy and loving in your life, disregard perfection on the outside and look for it inside. It’s the inside person that’s going to make you happy in and out of the bedroom.

Have you met someone online or maybe in person and you really wanted to date them? Then when you finally went out on that first date you experienced a few red flag warnings? Don’t disregard them. Those warnings are serious and you should listen.

Does this person have a controlling, aggressive behavior towards you or someone who served you? Did he yell at the waiter? Did she rant at the checkout chick? This is a no-brainer for me but many people don’t listen to those warning signs until it’s too late and then it’s tough to get out. NOBODY has the right to tell you what to do - ever. Even if you decide to marry, that’s not a slave contract.

Does this person come with extra baggage that will be tough to handle? Has he or she recently separated or divorced? Got kids? Only child caring for elderly parents? It’s not a relationship stopper but you will have to show a good deal of patience to sort thought it.

Does this person match your level of education? Is he or she intelligent enough to keep you satisfied when you’re not in bed? While you can be happy with anyone if that’s what you choose to do, if there are niggling feelings that it’s not “enough”, then it probably isn’t.

Does this person make himself or herself available as often as you want to see him or her? If you get more excuses than dates, maybe someone new would be better.

Has this person ever ended a relationship because he or she cheated on their spouse? Maybe it’s with you, but what’s past is often prologue and you might be the victim this time.

Does this person argue about everything and continue until you wear out and say, “ok you win, you’re right?” You will always feel second rate in this situation.

Does this person have a lot less in money and material things than you do? One word - golddigger. Not always, but you must be prepared to keep what’s yours secure until you know for sure.

Do you know enough about this person to feel secure? Anyone who seems secretive and private about personal issues either has a problem or is already married to someone else. Check it out.

Do your sexual appetites and interests match? Being with someone who’s really into bondage or dominance and you aren’t, will cause huge frustration. Maybe not right away but long term you’ll want someone who better matches what trips your trigger

These are only a few red flags you should consider and on their own, I would say that the only one that would be a total deal breaker is the controlling bastard or bitch. The others require you to do a bit of investigation and soul searching to determine if this person is someone you want to spend a lot of time with long term.