How to Plan an Overnight Getaway With Your Spouse

What with the job, the kids, the TV and the dog, romance gets lost in
life's daily details. A getaway can work wonders for a lethargic love
life or a stressed-out spouse. The secret? Plan ahead for spontaneity.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Select a date and hire a sitter. Provide your cell phone number, but with the admonition to call only in case of a dire emergency.

2. Reserve a room at a nearby resort, inn or hotel. After all, the two of you don't want to waste your getaway time in the car. Select a small inn with peaceful surroundings where the service is more personal (that alone could set the mood) and distractions are limited.

3. Ask for a quiet room away from the elevator and busy street.

4. Book dinner reservations at a romantic restaurant. If the hotel's restaurant is good, eat there so you'll just have to stroll back to your room afterward.

5. Make absolutely no plans for the next day. Tell the front desk you'll be checking out late. Then let yourselves sleep in and enjoy breakfast in bed.

6. Set the date for your next escape before you return to reality.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not under any circumstances call the kids. Assume they are alive unless told otherwise. In fact, try not to even talk about them.
• Leave relationship hot buttons for another time. To survive life's bumps, you need to pave your marital road with pleasant memories.
• You thought you'd just see how the game's going for a minute? Check what's on the news? No, no, no, no.