CHEERLESS MOMENTS.....

She was more than a friend, we grow up together sharing our childwood moments together went to school in primary level togather and today as we all have our own life as a mother and her a wife she gone.I dont find other word to describe her Winnie u will always be in our heart u gone too soon ooh Lord give us streghth to handle the pain we have right now.It's too hard to erase all memories of her in our minds.

Rest In eternal Peace darling friend.

Below are some photoz of Winnie enzi za uhai wake.

Tutakukumbuka daima Winnie umeondoka mapema sana hatuna jinsi zaidi tunamshukuru Mungu tu.Mungu ni mwema wanao watakua kwa msaada wake na atawapigania amin.

Bwana alitoa na Bwana ametwaa Jina la Bwana Libarikiwe.

SONG OF MY CHOICE....

My dearest friends of Majoy Blog ....as u can remember every Tuesday is special for every one to choose a song and dedicate it to his/her beloved ones.Today i choose a song TO LOVE SOMEBODY By Michael Bolton it's a special dedication to my lovely one n only him.

This song I dedicated to my fiance' Mr. Martin Nyirenda down there in Lusaka. He will always be THE ONE and ONLY for me. No matter what ... my love to him is stronger than others. I wish and pray for all who have love and respect in real love. I still believed in REAL LOVE forever.I also pray that God please grant us our wishes in the Mighty Name of Jesus.Amen

I wish u all my follower and also viewers a blessed Tuesday(Choose Day)....

You can send your dedication to majoy28@gmail.com

Nigeria's ex-Biafra leader Chukwuemeka Ojukwu dies

Col Ojukwu declared Biafra to be independent state in the 1960s

The former leader of the Nigerian breakaway state of Biafra, Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, has died in the UK after a long illness, aged 78.

Col Ojukwu's declaration of a secessionist state in 1967 sparked the Nigerian civil war, in which more than a million people died.

He remained a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, running twice as a presidential candidate in the 2000s.

A spokesman in Anambra state said he had been ill after suffering a stroke.

Col Ojukwu went into exile after the Biafrans surrendered in 1970, returning more than a decade later after he was officially pardoned.

In a statement, President Goodluck Jonathan praised Col Ojukwu for his "immense love for his people, justice, equity and fairness which forced him into the leading role he played in the Nigerian civil war."

May his Soul Rest In Eternal Peace. Amen

Holidays Hard On Love?

Did you realize that the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is the time spouses and family members are most ignored? Why? We get so busy doing things for our families that we don’t take the time to spend with them. So take a few moments and express your devotion to each other.

Are you mutually devoted? Then declare it! There is nothing quite as wonderful as being in a mutual admiration society with your spouse! Just knowing that you chose the other above all others will help you weather the holidays.

Think about how good it feels when your spouse lets you know he or she wants to be with you. Maybe through a twinkle in the eye, a gentle caress or a loving compliment, your mate let’s you know he or she is mutually devoted to you.

It feels so good to be affirmed, but don’t assume your mate knows you love him or her, declare it. Here are some ways to demonstrate your devotion to your partner:

• Present your mate with a long stem rose.
• Take a picture of the two of you. (You could frame it for a Christmas present to your spouse.)
• Write a love note on the steamed bathroom mirror. 
• Send your mate an email or text declaring your devotion. 
• Invite your mate out on a date that you totally plan. Keep the location a surprise.

Take our tips and don’t just assume your mate knows you admire him or her. Form your own mutual admiration society today! It’ll help you stay “mutually devoted” and will add to your holiday joy.

I wish u all my viewers a fabulous week end. Enjoy it with ur lovely one.

Much Love.

TURKEY...

The fourth Thursday in the month of November is marked for the yearly celebration of family reunions and feasting.

Turkeys were brought to Britain from America hundreds of years before Victorian times. However, when Queen Victoria first came to the throne, both chicken and turkey were too expensive for most people to enjoy. In northern England, roast beef was the traditional fare for Christmas dinner. Many poor people made do with rabbit. In 1840, beef and a royal roast swan or two were included on the Queen's Christmas Day menu. By the end of the century, most people feasted on turkey for their Christmas dinner. Turkey has slowly crept on to Jamaica's Christmas menu, and there are much more efforts to grow turkeys locally. 

Nutrition

 There is no question that turkey is nutritious. It is high in protein and low in fat, and provides ready and inexpensive sources of iron, zinc, potassium, phosphorous and B vitamins. A serving of turkey is a two- to three-ounce cooked portion. A serving portion of 31/2 ounces, about the size and thickness of a deck of cards (without the skin), can provide about 161 calories, 4 grams of total fat and 30 grams of protein (USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory).

 Cooking techniques

Turkey can be cooked in hundreds of ways and creative techniques are constantly being developed to cook the precious bird. Cooking methods should be safe and should produce a moist tender, golden brown bird that tantalises the taste buds. Why persons are turned off from eating turkey is that the meat is always 'dry'. But turkey can be successfully braised, roasted, grilled and cooked by a number of different methods.

Some methods of cooking include traditional roast turkey (unstuffed); traditional roast turkey (stuffed); oven cooking bag; aluminium-foil wrapped, braised in a covered roasting pan; the jerked method; and marinated turkey.

 Cooking safely

 To cook turkey safely, wash hands, utensils, sink and anything else that has come in contact with the raw turkey with hot, soapy water immediately following preparation.

 Roast turkey with fresh thyme rub and honey glaze

Ingredients

• 1 whole turkey (12lb), thawed
• 3tbs chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 1tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground allspice
• 1/2 tsp finely crushed Scotch bonnet pepper
• 2tbs vegetable oil
• 2tbs butter
• 2tbs logwood honey

Fresh thyme sprigs, pineapple slices and cherries for dressing the turkey

Method

• Heat oven to 325F. Fasten neck skin to back of turkey with skewer. Fold wings across back of turkey so tips touch.
•  In a small bowl, mix thyme, salt, allspice, pepper and oil. Rub thyme mixture over turkey. Fasten gs by tucking under band of skin at the tail, or tie together with heavy string. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer into turkey so tip is in thickest part of thigh and does not touch bone.
•  On a rack in shallow roasting pan, place turkey, breast side up.
•  Roast uncovered for 1 hour. When turkey begins to turn golden brown, cover with a tent of heavy-duty foil. Roast two hours and 30 minutes longer.
•  In a small saucepan, melt butter and stir in honey.
•  Loosen the legs and allow inside of thighs to cook through. Brush turkey with butter-honey mixture; roast uncovered 20 to 30 minutes longer, brushing with butter-honey mixture again after 10 minutes.
• Check if it's complete when legs move easily when twisted or when thermometer reads 180F. Place turkey on warm platter; cover with foil to keep warm. Let stand 15 minutes for easy carving.
• Garnish with thyme sprigs, pineapple slices and cherries.

Serves 12.....ENJOY YOUR DAY

Source: www.reddin.com (adapted)

SIMPLE BUT POWERFUL THERAPY

hello!!! just want to share this good information..........     Just cut 2-3 thin slices of lemon in a cup/containner and add drinking water will become "alkaline water", drink for the whole day, just by adding drinking water.  Take it as drinking water everyday is good for everybody. The surprising benefits of lemon! I remain perplexed! ================================ Institute of Health Sciences, 819 N. L.L.C. Charles Street Baltimore , MD 1201. This is the latest in medicine, effective for cancer! Read carefully & you be the judge Lemon (Citrus) is a miraculous product to kill cancer cells. It is 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy. Why do we not know about that? Because there are laboratories interested in making a synthetic version that will bring them huge profits. You can now help a friend in need by letting him/her know that le mon juice is beneficial in preventing the disease. Its taste is pleasant and it does not produce the horrific effects of chemotherapy. How many people will die while this closely guarded secret is kept, so as not to jeopardize the beneficial multimillionaires large corporations? As you know, the lemon tree is known for its varieties of lemons and limes. You can eat the fruit in different ways: you can eat the pulp, juice press, prepare drinks, sorbets, pastries, etc... It is credited with many virtues, but the most interesting is the effect it produces on cysts and tumors. This plant is a proven remedy against cancers of all types. Some say it is very useful in all variants of cancer . It is considered also as an anti microbial spectrum against bacterial infections and fungi, effective against internal parasites and worms, it regulates blood pressure which is too high and an antidepressant, combats s tress and nervous disorders. The source of this information is fascinating: it comes from one of the largest drug manufacturers in the world, says that after more than 20 laboratory tests since 1970, the extracts revealed that: It destroys the malignant cells in 12 cancers including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreas ... The compounds of this tree showed 10,000 times better than the product Adriamycin, a drug normally used chemotherapeutic in the world, slowing the growth of cancer cells. And what is even more astonishing: this type of therapy with lemon extract only destroys malignant cancer cells and it does no t affect healthy cells. Institute of Health Sciences, 819 N. L.L.C. Cause Street , Baltimore , MD1201

Accessories That Will Make People Look At You.....

There are some accessories and other details that will make people look at you (in the good way).

For example:
• Cowboy hats - they are eye magnets!
• High boots combined with a midi skirt - classic and irresistable!
  
• Stay-ups - another classic.
• Tight jeans (you knew that already)
• PVC/vinyl clothes and shiny stuff (if you dare and if you feel comfortable with wearing those...)
• Hair accessories, like flowers
• Necklace with a pendant right above your cleavage.
• Confidence and attitude (totally free and very effective ;)

Mostly other women will look at your shoes and handbag. But if you're anything like me, you love these two accessories that can add a final touch to your look. If you're into handbags, make sure you check out this site about authentic designer handbags. It also brings up how to make a purse and how to spot a fake.


Go cowgirl! Yiihaaa! :)



Oh, and have you seen those thin gloves that has no fingers on them and cover part of your forearm? I find them pretty sexy anyway and they're not in the way. Since they don't have fingers you don't have to take them off to be able to eat or do other things that require precise movement. Another advantage is that you can still wear rings along with them. There are also these cute arm warmers. Both of these come in fishnet style as well.

A cap will give you a tomboyish look if that's what you're looking for. Britney Spears uses it from time to time to add more coolness and confidence to her look.

Knitted hats go in and out of style but are still cool if you want to get a 70's look.

I wish u all the best n thank u for reading this note.



SONG OF MY CHOICE....

Hello Majoy, mie ni mpenzi wa blog yako nipo Ughaibuni kwa sasa ila home ni Mwanza Tz naomba kumdedicate wimbo wa I'm Coming Home mama yangu pamoja na ndugu zangu wote waliopo Nyakato Mwanza bila kumsahau mpenzi wangu S....... akiwa Arusha Tanzania namwambia Am Coming Home for Xmas. Plz Majoy email yangu usiipublish.Gud job dada tunajifunza na kuburudika na Majoy Blog.

Mdau Ughaibuni.

Kutuma salaaam na kuchagua wimbo uupendao tuma kwa majoy28@gmail.com

All Families Have Conflict

 

Her two elementary age sons got into a fight after getting home from school. When she got upstairs, they were screaming at each other. She broke it up and sent them to their rooms. Her teenage daughter was pouting with her, because they had a disagreement about a boy she wanted to date. When her husband got home, he had a terrible day at work and was in a bad mood. He spoke sharply to her, and she finally "lost it." She began to cry. He apologized to her and held her in his arms. She said to him, "Why can't we just have a happy family?"

Points to Consider

All families have conflict. As a matter of fact, conflict is a normal part of life. Even "happy families" have conflict from time to time. The family is a place to learn how to do conflict management. Make every conflict a teachable moment.

Discuss disagreements openly and honestly. Only a dysfunctional family refuses to discuss problems and disagreements. Happy families are not based on pretending everything is okay when it's not.

Learn to process anger. Accept anger as a normal human emotion. Learn how to process anger with acceptable expression. For example, admit when you are angry. Discuss why you are angry. And don't sin by letting anger gain control over you.

Love is the key to a happy family. A husband's love for his wife, and parent's love for children sets the example. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged . . . Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Express love to each family member through words, hugs, and actions.

Raising Boys Into Men

I was reading William Bennett’s article, “Have We Forgotten How to Raise Boys Into Men?” and realized I talk about this on my program way too often, which is a sad state of affairs. Bennett comments:


Fashioning men has never been easy, but today it seems particularly tough. Boys need heroes to embody the everlasting qualities of manhood: honor, duty, valor, and integrity.

Mostly I hear from women who marry young guys who play video games.

Bennett goes on to state:

Without such role models, boys will naturally choose perpetual childhood over the rigors of becoming a man-as many women, teachers, coaches, employers, and adults in authority can quickly attest to today.

Even though the National Organization of (I Don’t Know What Kind) of Women continues to bleat and lie, women are better educated, more ambitious, and more successful than men today than ever before. But we see a real decline in manhood. Men earning college degrees have fallen from 60% in 1970 to 43% in 2006. In 1950, only five percent of men in the prime working age were unemployed. Today, it’s at 20%, the highest ever recorded.

But that’s not even the biggest problem. The biggest problem we have in our society today is men are more distant from their family and children than ever before. The out-of-wedlock birthrate is over 40%. Fathers are missing from their boys’ lives in devastating numbers.

And, except on 9/11 when we talked about how the firefighters were heroes because of their honor, duty, valor and integrity, we’re left with basically two images of manhood: machismo street hoods and males who refuse to grow up. Kay Hymowitz, who’s a great writer, talks about this in her article: “Where Have the Good Men Gone?”
Young men were tuning in to cable channels… whose shows reflected the adolescent male preferences of its targeted male audiences. They watched movies with overgrown boy actors… cheering their awesome car crashes, fart jokes, breast and crotch shots, beer pong competitions and other frat-boy pranks.

… It’s been an almost universal rule of civilization that girls became women simply by reaching physical maturity, but boys had to pass a test. They needed to demonstrate courage, physical prowess or mastery of the necessary skills. The goal was to prove their competence as protectors and providers. Today, however, with women moving ahead in our advanced economy, husbands and fathers are now optional, and the qualities of character men once needed to play their roles – fortitude, stoicism, courage, fidelity – are obsolete.
And then I came upon this blog by Thomas Matlock: “Raising Boys: A Dad’s Parenting Advice for Moms.” He brings up ten points about boys that moms forget or want to change. Just a few include: “Think caveman,” ” Yes, it really is all about poop,” ” Pointless physical activity is perfect,” and “Bedtime is sacred.”

In my opinion, the basic problem we have in marriages today is a feminine disdain for masculinity and a refusal of males to rise to the occasion and act like strong men, not “wussies” afraid of their women. We need them to embrace honor, duty, valor and integrity. Instead we have at least two generations of boys raised to be male-looking girls.

Qualities of a Good Friend

Friendships are precious. We forge countless friendships as we go on with our lives. We come to expect a lot out of them and of our friends. Good friends, however, are hard to come by. We are often disappointed at a friend having let us down. While it takes a lot to build up friendships, it takes a matter of seconds to destroy them. The disappointment is greater often times because we have not recognized a friend as being a good friend. There are friends and there are good friends. Good friends can be differentiated from the rest by certain characteristics, which may seem obvious, but are rarely reflected upon by most people. If you really want to know if a friend is a good friend, then evaluate them on the following parameters.

Who is a Good Friend - Qualities to Look For in a Good Friend

Trust: A good friend is someone you can trust totally with your deepest and darkest secrets, knowing full well that they would not share it with anyone else. A good friend will not break your trust and gossip behind your back.

Loyalty: A good friend is absolutely loyal to you through thick and thin. A good friend doesn't betray you when the going gets tough. A backstabbing friend is no friend.

Honesty: A good friend is someone who is not a "YES person." They will not be afraid to criticize you or point out your flaws. A good friend will not think about pleasing you at all times by saying YES, when in fact the situation warrants that they say things which may be unpleasant, but true.

Accepting: A good friend accepts you for what you are, no matter what the world thinks of you. A good friend does not try to change you, except for suggesting things you can improve upon and pointing out where you are going wrong, constructively.

Supportive: A good friend always supports you, especially when you need their support. A good friend enjoys your successes as if it were their own. A good friend isn't jealous or envious of your successes.

Helpful: A good friend is someone who takes the time to help you out with things you need helping out with, without looking at it as a chore or avoidable hassle.

Understanding: A good friend is one who understands you and knows when something is troubling you. When others can't see anything wrong with your body language, a good friend knows something is up, seeks to find out the source of the trouble and helps come up with solutions to the problems you are having.

Sacrifice: A good friend makes sacrifices for you and isn't selfish and self-centered. You matter equally to them - their world doesn't just revolve around themselves.

Money: A good friend doesn't let money get in the way of your friendship. They don't hang around with you for your money or the perks that come with it. A good friend stays with you and supports you irrespective of whether you are rich or poor.

Share Interests: A good friend may not always share all of your interests, but should at least share a few of them.

Listener: A good friend is a good listener, who is there to listen to you whenever you need to share your thoughts.

Respectful: A good friend would not put you down in front of others. They would respect you and would treat you just the way you would treat them - with respect.

Friends are hard to find and good friends, harder still. If you have a truly good friend, you are one of the lucky few because good friends aren't that easy to find these days, so count your blessings and keep your good friend! They are truly invaluable and irreplaceable.

THE LOOK.............

I JUST LOVED THE SKIRT COLOUR....

PHOTO THANKS TO BN

UPUUZI WA MASOUD KIPANYA

UPUUZI WA MASOUD KIPANYA ni documentary ya dakika 47 ambayo nimeirekodi mwaka juzi katika mazingira ya kijiji kilichotumika kurekodia MAISHA PLUS.

Mfumo nilioutumia ni kuongelea mambo mengi mchanganyiko na ili kuondoa uchovu wa kunitazama nikiongea, nimechanganya footages za videos, illustrations na animation (katuni) kuchagiza yale ninayokuwa nayazungumzia.

Ujumbe wa dvd hii ni nadharia ya vipande 26 vya keki. nikatengeneza MFANO wa uwepo wa idadi hiyo ya vipande vya keki ambavyo mara baada ya kuwekwa mbele ya watu (watanzania), kundi hilo la watu likataka kutoana roho ili kila mmmoja apate kipande cha keki hiyo, bahati nzuri wakatokea werevu (viongozi) ambao waling'amua kuwa kumbe idadi ya vipande vya keki (26) ni sawa kabisa na idadi ya watu waliokuwepo ambao walikuwa wanakaribia kutoana roho.

Werevu hawa wakawaambia watu hawa kuwa hatuna haja ya kung'oana meno wakati idadi yetu ni sawa kabisa na vipande vilivyopo, ukatengenezwa uataratibu wa kupanga foleni ili kila mmoja apite mbele achukue KIPANDE chake. baada ya kukubaliana hilo, bado werevu wakaona ni vema foleni hii iangalie walio dhaifu ili wawe mbele wawahi kupata keki kuchelea kuanguka kwa njaa.

Wakati vipande hivi vya keki vilipoanza kugawiwa, hawa viongozi, (watatu) wakaamua nao kwa kuwa ni sehem ya watu 26 kuchukua VIPANDE VYAO MAPEMA, bahati mbaya baadhi yao kutokana na kuwa karibu na meza ya keki na kutokana na ULAFI, wakaamua kuchukua zaidi ya kipande kimoja cha keki hali iliyopelekea watu wa mwishoni katika foleni ile kukosa vipande vyao.

dvd hii pia imeingia ndani kwa mafumbo kiasi kuangalia sababu inayopelekea watu kutaka kujipendelea zaidi kiasi cha kupelekea kudhulumu wengine, ikajaribu pia kuangalia dawa inayoweza kutumiwa kuepuka hali hii ya uchu na tamaa inayosababishwa na hofu ya kujiuliza nitapata lini na woga wa kuhofia kupoteza kidogo alicho nacho mkononi.

Kwanini umeitwa upuuzi? kwa sababu ya tabia na hulka za binaadam kupenda kupuuza kila kitu, ni hili nalo limetengenezwa ili ulitazame kisha ulipuuze.

Concept:

Ni documentary yenye sauti na picha za video pamoja na katuni mnato na katuni mtembeo (still cartoons and animation)

Wahusika wakuu: Masoud Kipanya

Itaingia lini sokoni: imeingia sokoni jana jumanne tarehe 15-11-2011 na inasambazwa na UMOJA AUDIO VISUAL.

Bei: Shilingi 3,000 tu.

Running time: Dakika 47

Sponsors: Hakuna mdhamini.

Future plans: Ni matayarisho ya upuuzi mwingine "WENYE NGUVU NA WAPAGAZI"

Nashukuru kwa ushirikiano wenu na mungu awabariki sana

MASOUD KIPANYA.

Marriage is Companionship .....Did u ever know this???

They got along in their marriage. Never did they have conflict. From all appearances their marriage was normal. Nevertheless, they seldom did anything together. She had her job and he had his. She had her friends and he had his. She liked to shop and spend time with other ladies at luncheons and other social functions. He liked to spend his time off from work with other guys, attending ball games, hunting and fishing. About the only thing they did together was attend church on Sunday mornings. Companionship was not a word which described their marriage.

Points to Consider

God has ordained marriage for companionship. "And the LORD God said, 'It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him" (Genesis 1:18). Married couples should enjoy the companionship of being together.

Certainly, husbands and wives need a social outlet with others. Many times, couples enjoy fellowship together. Men need to have activity with other men through sports and social gatherings. Wives likewise enjoy a social life with other women. Nevertheless, these activities should never take the place of the couple's companionship.

A healthy marriage finds a couple who enjoy being together. They do things together and go places together. When companionship is minimal, even without conflict in the marriage, something is wrong. Marriage is more than sharing a house together. It is companionship.

Companionship provides time for meaningful communication. Love includes spending quality time together. A husband wrote his wife a love letter, after being married more than twenty years. He included these words, "A lifetime is not enough to spend with you, because I love your companionship."

SONG OF MY CHOICE......

Hey wapendwa wa Majoy Blog nawatambulisha segment mpya itakayokupa nafasi wewe mpenzi na mfuatiliaji wa blog hii kupendekeza wimbo wowote uupendao na kuudedicate kwa uwapendao nami nitautafuta na kuuweka pamoja na salamu zako kila siku ya Jumanne.Karibuni sana wapendwa wangu nitafurahi sana kusikia kutoka kwenu.

KUCHAGUA WIMBO NA KUTUMA DEDICATION RUSHA HAPA majoy28@gmail.com

Leo mi naanza kwa wimbo wa MARTHA MWAIPAJA - KWA MSAADA WA MUNGU TUNASONGA MBELE.

Miaka Hamsini Ya Uhuru- Kaz ni Kwenu!

Heheheheheee kila mtu na wake Wajanja wa mtaa Mtajuaje kama ana redio???? Brazamen wa enzi hizooo…

__._,_.___ Haya kazi kwenu mi nimecheka mpaka kichwa kinauma. Kwa wenzetu mtiokuwepo enzi hizo hebu tumeni majina ya fasheni za nguo na viatu kama ilivyojulikana wakati huo. Kwa mtazamo wangu fasheni tunazojidai nazo sasa nyingi ni marudio kutoka huku je?  Ma-designer wetu wa leo wanabuni au Wanarudia za zamani na kuzipa jina jipya???? NIPE MAONI YAKO MDAU…..

Sex on the menu every day for a month

It sounds an impossible challenge: to make love every day for a month. But a series of studies have found that as well as bringing you closer together, it could help improve your well being.

Sarah Kavanagh, 31, a project co-ordinator, and her husband Colin, 40, a builder, from Cheshire, decided to try it. So how did they fare?

Sarah says:

On the eve of the 12th anniversary of our first date, I told my husband Colin that I'd got him a very special gift that would remind us both just how much we still mean to each other.

As he tried to guess what it might be I assured him that this was something far more meaningful than a weekend away or a blown-up photograph from our wedding album.

His gift was, in fact, to make love with me every day for the following month.

Colin's immediate reaction, just as I'd hoped, was to look like a man who'd been told he'd won the Lottery.

But almost immediately his face then fell.

"We used to have sex every day as a matter of course," he said grumpily. "Now you're offering it up as a gift and I'm supposed to be grateful?"

This really wasn't what I'd expected, having just offered love on request to the man I married seven years ago and who is always bending my ear that we don't do it enough. Somehow my well-meant offer had suddenly brought us to the brink of a row.

I'd come up with the idea because, in common with so many couples, in recent years lovemaking had been relegated in my agenda.

Unlike the heady days when Colin and I first met, now there is always something else that takes precedence - from work to domestic chores and even the simple pleasure of a full night's sleep.

When we met, I was 19 and Colin ten years older - the sexual attraction was mutual and instant. For the first few months, our passionate love life defined us, but as months turned to years and we got engaged and then married, things inevitably changed.

Over time, familiarity, the stresses of work and day-to-day life and the fact my sex drive just isn't what it used to be have combined to dampen the passion we once took for granted.

These days we make love about once a week. And, in common with many of my friend's husbands, Colin regularly complains that this just isn't enough.

Which is why I'd presumed that this gift would be welcomed rather than the cause of a row.

Later that evening, we talked it through.

"At least when we do it, it's spontaneous," Colin told me. "You putting it into your diary isn't exactly a turn on."

But despite his reservations, we decided to give it a go.

Somehow I felt certain that in the years ahead he would look back on this as the most intimate gift of our marriage.

DAY ONE

There's no time like the present, so, for the first time in at least five years we make love on a work day before I've even put the kettle on.

So much for Colin worrying about this taking the spontaneity out of sex: this feels impulsive and slightly wicked.

I arrive at work with a smug smile on my face (though guiltily note that this also means I'm off the hook at bedtime, having done the day's deed already).

DAY TWO

Home from work later than usual, I walk in to find the table beautifully set with candles and flowers and dinner in the oven.

The last time Colin did this was our wedding anniversary, but this is just an ordinary evening. It's amazing what the promise of frequent sex brings out in a man.

DAY THREE

Home to find the table set and Colin's cooking again - I could get used to this. I feel spoilt, especially when he refuses to let me wash up and sends me upstairs for a soak in the bath. This is beginning to feel as much a gift for me as for Colin.

DAY FOUR

I've stayed late at work and missed the last bus home, so I've had to fork out for a taxi when I'm dangerously close to payday. I'm in a foul mood when I walk into the house and am greeted by the same scene as the last two days.

"God, this is starting to feel like Groundhog Day," I snap unkindly. We eat in silence, and I start to feel guilty when I think how much effort Colin is making. "Leave the dishes," I tell him. "It's time for your present."

DAY FIVE

Last night could so easily have ended with us going to sleep not speaking after I arrived home so tired and grumpy.

Instead we slept wrapped up in each other's arms, just like the old days. It's Saturday, so we're less restricted on when we can make love. We decide to get our chores done: the house needs cleaning and Colin needs to tackle the garden.

We're shattered and fall asleep on the sofa. Colin's snoring wakes me up just before midnight. "Quick," I tell him, as I shake him awake and push the cats out of the room. "Otherwise it won't count."

DAY SIX

Sundays in our house are normally lazy affairs, but today we've got a christening to go to and we're running late.

We vow to make love as soon as we get home, but while Colin doesn't drink, I'm partial to champagne, and it's been flowing all afternoon.

Back home, all I want to do is go to bed and sleep, but, of course, I can't.

DAY SEVEN

I'm beginning to wonder if this was such a good idea.

Last night, love-making felt like a chore for the first time, and because neither of us was particularly in the mood we just went through the motions.

I'm not looking forward to bedtime and Colin admits he's not interested either. Sure enough, we fall asleep without any marital relations taking place. Looks like this could be over before it got started.

DAY EIGHT

I wake up cross with both of us that we've given up so easily, and tell Colin we've got to make up for last night by making love twice today.

We tackle the project with renewed vigour before work and then again straight after dinner.

"At least now we can go to bed and go straight to sleep," says Colin. I feign indignation, but he's only said exactly what I was thinking.

DAY NINE

Colin wakes up hoping for a repeat performance of yesterday, but I'm not playing. I have to be in work early. "Tonight, I promise," I say as we kiss goodbye.

What's normally a brief kiss turns into a passionate one - not bad considering we've been together more than a decade. I think about Colin regularly through the day.

DAY TEN

My sister calls to remind me that I've promised to baby-sit my 11 and 14-year-old nieces this weekend. I tell her that I'm worried this might impact on our lovemaking.

"Welcome to my world," she scoffs, before telling me I can't back out on my sisterly duties. I tell Colin that we have to practise being very quiet.

DAY 11

The girls arrive armed with DVDs and bags of sweets, and announce they want to stay up really late, just like they did last time they stayed over. By 11pm, I'm pleading with them to go to sleep.

"Forget it," I snap at Colin when I finally get under the duvet. There's no way I can do that with the girls awake on the other side of the wall.

DAY 12

Little wonder couples with children complain they don't have enough sex: finding an opportunity with these two in the house is all but impossible.

In the end, I send them out with a long shopping list, set the timer on my phone to go off in ten minutes and drag Colin upstairs. "Look on it as a challenge," I tell him.

DAY 13

The girls go home and we've got the house to ourselves. Midmorning I say breezily: "I'll just vacuum and then we can go to bed."

Bad move. I accidentally suck up one of the girl's hair bobbles and it gets stuck in the machine.

It takes Colin an hour to get it going again, by which time love is the last thing on either of our minds. But we do it anyway and then go out for lunch, something we realise we just don't do often enough.

DAY 14

I go out for a drink after work with a girlfriend and tell her about our project. "You must be mad," she says, before warning me that our friendship will be ruined if Colin or I tell her husband what we're up to. "Don't you dare go giving him any daft ideas."

DAY 15

I'm going to be working late tonight, so I set the alarm for 6am so we can get our duties out of the way before the day gets started. Colin grunts when I try to nudge him awake. "I need my sleep," he groans.

Maybe he'll be a bit more understanding when he's in the mood for love and I say that I'm too tired.

DAY 16

Friends come round for a midweek dinner and comment on how attentive we seem to each other. I keep quiet about why, having taken note of my friend's reaction earlier in the week, but throw Colin a wink.

We're definitely a lot more tactile with each other, and have started flirting again.

DAY 17

I spoke too soon - we've had a huge row over the fact that Colin forgot to put out the bin last night and now we're up to our eyes in rubbish.

He can't see why I'm making such a fuss, which only makes me madder. The last thing I want to do is to make love with Colin. Normally something like this would be the perfect excuse to withhold sex, but that's not an option.

It's difficult to stay cross with someone you've made love to - Colin promises to make a trip to the tip and all is forgiven.

DAY 18

I've got a streaming cold and a headache. Colin is keeping his distance. "What about a cuddle?" I ask as I splutter into a tissue. "No thanks," says Colin. "I'm sleeping in the spare room."

DAY 19

Still poorly, so I stay in bed. Colin spends the day bringing me hot drinks and homemade soup, and does all the housework so I can rest.

He's never been this attentive when I've had a cold before - all this lovemaking has made him a changed man.

DAY 20

The weekend has been a write-off on the sex front, yet Colin and I feel closer and more relaxed than we have in a long time.

It brings it home to me how important regular sex in a marriage is to nurture the bond you share.

DAY 21

Back to work, and I'm almost restored to full health. I send Colin a flirty text hinting at the fun we'll be able to enjoy when we see each other later. I can't believe I'm chatting up my own husband.

DAY 22

I notice that my trousers are a little looser, so I step on the scales and discover I've lost 2lb. All this extra exercise is doing me good.

DAY 23

A friend is in town and stays the night. I'd emailed her at the start of the month and told her what we were doing, which she brings up over dinner, joking that we'd better not keep her awake tonight.

This puts Colin in a bad mood because I've let slip what we're up to, and when she goes to bed he has a go at me for being indiscreet. I try to laugh it off, but he's really cross about it. He refuses to make love. I lie awake fuming - isn't it supposed to be the woman who withholds favours?

DAY 24

Colin wakes feeling guilty and suggests we make up for missing out yesterday. I realise that the argument will only escalate if I refuse. Instead, we make love and the grumpiness vanishes. We make love again that evening, our row long forgotten.

DAY 25

I meet my mum for lunch and she comments on how fresh-faced I appear. "Have you discovered a new foundation?" she asks.

I must say I feel more attractive and better about myself than I have in years. Feeling desired does wonders for a woman's self-esteem.

DAY 26

I'm having to factor in an extra ten minutes into my daily grooming regime so I can shave my legs, and I'm wearing more make-up than usual.

I'm going to continue with this after the month is up - it's nice to feel groomed, whether it's with sex in mind or not.

DAY 27

We're near the end of Colin's gift, so we decide to spend the entire day in bed, just as we did on Sundays when we first became a couple. It's not just about sex - it's about relishing shutting out the rest of the world. We'd like a family, so we need to make the most of days like this.

DAY 28

We've made love 25 times in 28 days, and there's no question that we've grown closer as a result.

I thought I might be relieved to get to the last day, but I'm just determined to make sex far more of a priority than it used to be.

My friend has lent me a DVD I've wanted to watch for ages, so I put it on after dinner. Colin and I cuddle up on the sofa together to watch it - normally he spreads out on one chair while I take over another.

"When did we stop doing this?" I ask him. We go to bed tired and we've got work in the morning.

"Let's just cuddle," says Colin, and as we drift off to sleep it feels like the perfect end to the present that ended up being a gift not just for Colin, but for our marriage, too.

Thanks to OneLove on behalf of Rachel Halliwell