546.

A gift certificate to Tiffany's.

A one-hour shopping spree with no budget limit!

Dinner at every five-star restaurant in America.

547 Speaking of money...Did you know that you can write a check on anything? As long as you include all the important numbers on the item, it's legal, and the bank has to cash it!

One guy presented his wife with a check written on a mattress!

Another wrote a check on a pair of panties.

Chapter Theme Song:.

"Money Money Money," Abba 548 It was nearly midnight on a hot August night. They were watching TV together. Stu nudged his wife gently and whispered, "Let's make love outside on the back porch." "Not tonight! What if the kids hear us?" Peggy exclaimed. "C'mon, honey," he said, "Look, I'll give you a hundred dollars if you do!" he grinned wickedly. "Stop teasing!" she chided. He opened his wallet and waved a fistful of twenties at her. She hesitated. She smiled. She grabbed the money and headed for the porch.

LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO 'ROUND

549 The "Romance Credit Card" is a cool concept created by a couple in one of my Romance Classes. Here's how it works: You create your own "bank" which issues two types of credit: money and time. On a quarterly basis the bank's officers (the two of you) meet to establish your credit limits. When money is tight, issue more time. When time is tight, make more money available.

Design, laminate, and carry in your wallets the Romance Credit Card. It's a reminder that you have an obligation to spend time and money on your relationship on a regular basis. (Some couples keep their credit card balances on a chart on the refrigerator.) 550 Cynthia and Robert were sharing their answers for the "Memorize This List" chapter in this book. When Robert asked Cynthia what her favorite color was, she answered, "The rainbow." This might have stumped a lesser man, but being a creative romantic, here are some of the rainbow-related gifts Robert has given her: A crystal prism A poster showing a beautiful landscape with a rainbow overhead Many kaleidoscopes A box of Crayola Crayons (the big, 64-crayon box) A trip to Niagara Falls, where rainbows can be seen in the mist (Robert is currently looking for a used spectrometer from a school or laboratory for Cynthia's next birthday.) Love may make the world go 'round, but it's romantic love that makes the ride worthwhile.

DO IT OUTSIDE.

551 Watch a sunset together. It's a great way to change gears at the end of the day. It will slow you down and help you get reconnected with each other.

You may want to conduct some research to find the very best location from which to watch the sun set in your area. It might be an obvious hill, or it might be a subtle slope that you've never noticed before. Or it might be the roof of a building.

Chapter Theme Song:.

"Anytime, Anyplace," Janet Jackson "Love is like a mountain, hard to climb, but once you get to the top the view is beautiful."

-Daniel Monroe Tuttle 552 Go hiking. Go tobogganing! Go to a ballgame. Go to a state park. Go to an outdoor public garden. Go to an outdoor concert. Go on a picnic. Go for a ride in the country. Go for a walk. Go for it!

553 (Make love in your backyard at midnight.) 554 Go camping! Borrow friends' equipment for starters. If you enjoy it, buy your own stuff. (Make sure you include a double sleeping bag on your equipment list.) 555 When's the last time you played miniature golf? Go match your skill and have a good time.

DO IT IN PUBLIC.

556 Do you praise her in public? When's the last time you told someone else how lucky you feel to have this woman in your life? Complimenting her in front of someone else will make her feel extra special.

557 Whisper sweet nothings in her ear while out in public.

Whisper compliments; call her by her pet name.

Whisper shocking comments and outright lewd suggestions! (The more formal the gathering, the more outrageous or suggestive your whispered messages should be. The juxtaposition of a stuffy event with the whispered raw passion of your feelings for her should add a little spark to the entire evening!) 558 Do you remember what teenagers used to call "PDAs"-Public Displays of Affection? Are you out of the habit of showing affection for your partner in public? Hold hands. Rest your hand on his shoulder. Entwine your arm with hers.

Chapter Theme Song:.

"In Public," Kelis (Warning: Very naughty!)

JUST DO IT!.

559 Have you ever dreamed of taking off with your partner for a fun-filled four week vacation touring all of Europe-but you only get two weeks paid vacation? Bummer.

Here's what you do: Go anyway. Don't let yourself be constrained by your employer's tightwad two-week vacation policy! Simply take an additional two weeks off without pay. I know that this is a radical thing for most people to think about, much less do-but I urge you to consider it. Create a savings plan that will allow you to do this. It might take a year, it might take five. But it will be well worth it!

560 Sally used to complain that Jack never complimented her. After pondering this, Jack realized, "It's not that I don't love you, or that I don't have nice things to say. It's just that I never think to say them on my own." With that insight, he instituted "Dial-A-Compliment" just for her. Sally could call him any time of the day or night and receive a spontaneous and heartfelt compliment!

561 Romantics are always "dating."

"Dating" is a mind-set as much as it is an activity for singles. Married people who continue "dating" their spouses are among the happiest people in the world.

Don't just go out to o a movie on Saturday, like always. Call her from work on Wednesday and formally ask her out on a date.

Many people with A+ Relationships have told me that they hold "date nights" on a weekly basis.

Chapter Theme Song:.

"Do it," Nelly Furtado Which ten ideas in this book do you think your lover would love most? Don't simply jot them down somewhere-write them directly into your appointment calendar, and schedule time to perform the gestures or buy the gifts.

JUST A LITTLE BIT NAUGHTY.

562 Exhibitionism for the Shy. What an enticing book title! What a cool concept! This awesome book demonstrates how to turn sexual modesty to your erotic advantage! As author Carol Queen says, "To discover a new world of erotic experience, you don't have to shed your inhibitions-you just have to exploit them creatively." This book is a serious exploration and guide book. (No sleazy pictures. In fact, no pictures at all!) In bookstores or call 800-289-8423, or visit www.goodvibes.com.

563 For women only: When you're dressed up and out together, secretly hand him your panties under the table. Watch his expression.

564 If your lover's not shy, you might want to try nude sunbathing. Its many practitioners praise the sense of freedom, healthfulness, and back-to-nature benefits of baring it all in public.

Free Beaches, a guide to nude beaches located around the world is available from The Naturist Society. Call 800-886-7230, write P.O. Box 132, Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54903, or visit www.naturistsociety.com.

Call the American Association for Nude Recreation at 800-TRY-NUDE, 1703 North Main Street, Suite E, Kissimmee, Florida 34744, or visit www. aanr.com.

565 The Erotic Print Society sells classic and contemporary limited-edition prints, books, and gifts. At www.eroticprints.org. Or at EPS, 54 New Street, Worcester, WR1 2DL, United Kingdom. Or call (0) 800-026 2524.

I'll be shocked if he's not absolutely delighted!

Chapter Theme Song:.

"Naughty Girl," Beyonce

THE GIFT OF TIME.

566 Your partner wants more of you, not more "stuff"! Once every two months give her an entire day of your time. She gets total control over how to use that time. Now, ask her for the same, during the alternate months.

Just imagine the possibilities.

567.

You can save time by shopping via catalog.

You can reorganize time by "choreshifting."

You can create time by "doubling up" on activities.

You can use time better by buying a book on time-management.

You can release time by hiring a housecleaning service.

You can make time by adjusting your sleeping habits.

You can appreciate time by simplifying your life.

You can find time by planning better.

568 "Double-up" on activities. Combine various activities and you'll find more time to be together: Meet for lunch. (You have to eat anyway, right?!) Eat dinner and watch a romantic movie on video.

Do chores together: Go grocery shopping, take the car to the shop.

"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives."