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Let's call this the relationship open thread, shall we?

I often quote Expecting Words blog's Laurie Puhn because she is a relationship expert. She has a couple of books under her belt and a Facebook page that has some moms talking. Most recently, Puhn published these two updates, which created a healthy response:

Couples often have phases in their relationships, good years, and then not-so perfect years and back to more good years.  If your relationship is going through a rough spell, don’t give up!  Has anyone experienced the phases and survived?

Game Show time! Name “Things that Make a Couple More Likely to Fight” 1) Broken air conditioning (I’m suffering from that right now!), 2) Lack of sleep, 3) A new baby, 4) ….. what’s your answer?

On the latter, money was a big issue that caused even temporary separations. But a couple moms did comment on kids -- including their husbands acting like children -- and sleep deprivation.

In the beginning of my and DH's relationship -- that would be 14 years ago! -- we did have spats over money, but not enough to break us up. One of us would fret about our debt load, then we'd fight over who was spending what, and we'd end up spending more money making up over takeout. (Ay!) In recent years, however, I would say that sleep deprivation and division of labor -- meaning childcare -- has caused the most tension in our relationship. But we have managed to plunge through, meaning, we have fought, but then made up and talked things over after we've had time to stew. What about you? What are some of the things you and your partner fight about? How do you "roll with the punches" so to speak?

In dysfunctional relationship news, Time magazine covered a study showing that people who have recently experienced a breakup exhibit the same symptoms of addiction as someone on cocaine. Read on:

It also helps explain why feelings of heartbreak are so hard to get over and even harder to control. The study notes, with classic academic rigor, that the spurned students had engaged in activities such as "inappropriate phoning, writing or e-mailing, pleading for reconciliation, sobbing for hours, drinking too much and/or making dramatic entrances and exits into the rejecter's home, place of work or social space to express anger, despair or passionate love." Sound familiar, anyone?

At least in one sense, this pain is a good thing, according to Brown. "In a way, nature gave us this response as a protection," she says. "It helps us keep relationships going under adverse circumstances, which is important for keeping our species going."

Such pain is also the first step in helping people get over their exes.

What else is in the news? What's up with you?

Not that we didn't see this coming, but People magazine is reporting that Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston split up a few weeks ago.

Bristol, the 18-year-old daughter of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, spoke with FOX News in February and told Greta Van Susteren that she and Levi – who are parents to 2-month-old son, Tripp – expected to get married after they completed high school.

"It kind of just happened," says the source, referring to the split. "I thought they would stick it out. But I think they can work together to raise Tripp."

"I'm not sure what caused [them to break up] – it's common knowledge," says another source who knows the family.

Despite the breakup, Levi still sees the couple's son. Levi's dad, Keith Johnston, told PEOPLE recently that his son is a devoted and "proud father."

Bristol, by the way, is attending Wasilla High and is considering going to college in the fall to study nursing, People said. Her mother, who had no comment, is in the state's capital for the legislative session with daughter Piper and son Trig.

In other "celebrity gossip," there is going to be a new twist to American Idol as drummed up by Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest, according to People. I can't wait!

Chat away!

As a follow-up to Gloria's post, DH and I have had my sister watch the kids one night a week so we can go on a date. Just this past Friday, we saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall, the latest hit by Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old Virgin).

Like 40-Year-Old Virgin, you can't go wrong with this hilarious film about a guy who is dumped by his actress girlfriend, Sarah Marshall, and then treks off to Hawaii to forget about her, only to find her there with her new boyfriend. Ouch.

The film resolves itself nicely at the end, but it isn't cheesy. Apatow does a good job giving his characters depth so neither Marshall or heartbroken Peter are solely blamed for the breakup. It is also realistic with Peter's stalking Marshall, the jealousy that reigns on both sides and the heartache as Peter obsessively has flashbacks on things he and Marshall did together.

If you do get out on a date night or girls night out, this movie is a gem.

How are you? What's on your minds today?