-Annie Dillard 569 Two hours of peace and quiet: possibly the best gift you could ever give someone!

TIME FOR LOVE.

570 Don't go grocery shopping on Friday night! Don't do laundry on Saturday morning! Those are valuable times-times you could be spending together.

Practice "choreshifting."

Find ways to shift chores to more efficient times.

Do two chores at the same time.

Do chores together: Doubling the person-power more than doubles the efficiency!

571 Once a week: Bring home Chinese takeout, or have pizza delivered. Streamline your dinner hour-then use the time you saved romantically.

572 Learn to appreciate time; learn to redefine time; learn to put more love into the time you have. Read this book, it's fabulous: Time and the Art of Living, by Robert Grudin.

Review your calendars and commitments together. Plan "dates."

Plan surprises well in advance.

Always have your "Gift Closet" well stocked.

Domino's to the rescue!

Chapter Theme Song:.

"Time for Love," Air Supply 573 Make time in the morning to make love. Get up an hour early!

FOR SINGLES ONLY (I).

574 You've been dating a while, you're considering "getting serious," but you're not sure that he's really everything you're looking for. How do you evaluate the relationship? With this simple formula: 70% + spark = Go for it!

In other words, if this person has at least 70% of the qualities you want your ideal partner to have, plus you have "spark" (passion and romance; you're soul mates; you "click")-go for it! You know you're not going to get 100% (there ain't no Prince Charming!)-but you'd better not settle for less than 50%!

What's a "Ping"??

575 Listen for "Pings."

And what are Pings? They're any action or habit your partner has that you just know you couldn't live with for the rest of your life. For example: You're in the car, scanning radio stations for some classical music. You cringe when you hear "Stayin' Alive," but she squeals "Oh, I love the Bee Gees!" (Ping!) He told you to prepare for a "special night out" because he's got "box seat tickets." Expecting to attend the symphony and dine at the Posh Cafe, you spend hours getting ready, and dress in your classiest outfit. He shows up in jeans with two tickets to the Red Sox game. (Ping!!) Note: One person's Ping may be another person's cherished quirk. Pings are relative things!

FOR SINGLES ONLY (II).

576 Guys: When giving jewelry, never, never, never package it in a ring box, unless it's an engagement ring. You're probably totally unaware of it, but those little square boxes spell one thing to women: M-A-R-R-I-A-G-E. Ask the jeweler to give you a different kind of box, or present the piece in a creative way. Why ask for trouble?

577.

If you've talked about maybe moving in together, and you decide you want to go for it, place your apartment key in a gift box, wrap it up and give it to her.

Or-mail it to her with a note: "You already own the key to my heart...now I want you to have this key."

578 Advice for the guys: How to catch her: Learn to dance.

How to keep her: Learn to cook.

If you don't believe me, guys, go ask some women.

579 Mail her a copy of your business resume instead of a greeting card. Attach a note: "I'd like you to get to know me better." (Other fun stuff to send: A grammar school report card. A photo of yourself as a baby.)

FOR MARRIEDS ONLY (I).

580 On a Saturday afternoon, nonchalantly say to your partner, "If I had it to do all over again, I'd marry you again. As a matter of fact, let's do just that!" Then grab him or her and run down to your local church (where you've already planned things with the pastor), and hold a quick little rededication ceremony. Surprise! (You may want to use the song "Let's Get Married Again," by John Conlee.) 581 Guys: On your wedding anniversary, recreate her wedding bouquet. Since you probably don't know a chrysanthemum from poison ivy, show one of your wedding photos to your florist.

If this doesn't bring tears to her eyes, nothing will!

582 Dig out your wedding album. Have a new eight-by-ten-inch print made of the best photo of your bride. Wrap it up and give it to yourself for your birthday or for Christmas.

Chapter Theme Song:.

"Husbands and Wives," Neil Diamond 583.

Have your wedding invitation professionally framed. Keep it on your nightstand.

For your tenth, twentieth, and thirtieth wedding anniversaries, create a formal invitation to your spouse to join you for another ten years of marriage.

Read The Case for Marriage, by Maggie Gallagher and Linda Waite.

FOR MARRIEDS ONLY (II).

"All weddings are similar, but every marriage is different."

-John Berger 584.

In the middle of a party or other social event, turn to her and whisper, "You're the best."

While walking down the street together, turn to her and whisper, "I'm glad I married you."

While driving somewhere together, turn to her and say, "I can't imagine my life without you in it."

585 Make an artistic collage of photos and memorabilia from your wedding.

586 Carry a copy of your wedding license in your wallet, right next to your driver's license.

587 Songs that celebrate love and marriage. Make a tape for an anniversary, a birthday, or just to celebrate your love next Tuesday.

"Love & Marriage" Frank Sinatra "I Married an Angel," George Siravo "Marriage Made in Heaven," Bob Crewe "Be My Wife," David Bowie "Happily Married Man," Duane Allman "Husbands & Wives," Neil Diamond "Longer," Dan Fogelberg "Make My Life with You," Oak Ridge Boys "Marriage," Ted Nugent "Never My Love," The Association "You'll Accomp'ny Me," Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band Attend a Marriage Encounter weekend. Call 800-795-5683, or visit www.wwme.org.

Join the Association for Couples in Marriage Enrichment. Call 336-724-1526 or 800-634-8325.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

588.

A gift-a-day for the twelve Days of Christmas.

Or-go all out...

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me- A red rose in a bud vase.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me- Two bottles of champagne.

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me- Three French kisses.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me- Four nights of dancing.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me- Five golden rings!

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me- Six bubble baths.

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me- Seven movie passes.

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me- Eight Beanie Babies.

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me- Nine romance coupons for back rubs.

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me- Ten shares of Microsoft stock.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me- Eleven heart-shaped balloons.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me- Twelve CDs by The Beatles.

Some Christmas tree ornament ideas: Create a garland of one-dollar bills taped together.

Take the CD discs out of their cases and hang them on the tree as shiny ornaments.

More Christmas tree ornament ideas: Have a relevant, holiday-oriented comic strip laminated, and hang it on the tree.

Have a favorite poem or quote written in calligraphy, and turn it into an inspirational ornament.