by kathilipp | Feb 16, 2008 | The Husband Project, Uncategorized |
My husband loves to go out to dinner. He promises me it has nothing to do with my cooking; he just likes the whole experience of dining on the town. Recently, I went to his favorite Mexican restaurant and got a gift card with just enough on it to cover dinner for two. When he drove into the garage that evening, I ambushed him and let him know that dinner was on me tonight.
With the car still running I jumped in and we headed to our slightly impromptu date night. That has probably been the most successful project for me so far – he still talks about how great it was to come home and see that it was all planned out.
Prayer for Today
Dear God, it’s my deepest desire that my husband knows he is loved and cherished. Let my words, planning and actions reflect that everyday.
Getting Creative
- If you don’t know whether your husband will be in the kind of mood that an ambush dinner requires, present him with the gift card to be used tonight, or another night of his choice.
- Steaks on the BBQ when he gets home may be just the thing your man would love.
- The aroma of cooking can be as much a part of this project as the food itself. Having lasagna baking in the oven with garlic bread ready to go would be most husbands’ dreams come true.
Your Project:
Make it his favorite meal – whether it’s eating out or eating in.
To read what other project managers have cooked up, or to leave a comment click here.
by kathilipp | Feb 15, 2008 | The Husband Project, Uncategorized |
I keep a pretty frenetic pace in life. That along with the fact that we have four kids, has meant, sadly, sleeping in for my husband has become nothing but a distant memory.
Make an opportunity today to let your husband have the morning he would like. If he wants to sleep in, do what’s needed to make that happen. If his idea of a great morning is getting up and going for a run, or going to look at classic cars, make that happen – whether you go together or he wants to go by himself to linger, no worries. Any answer here is valid – just as long as it’s something that blesses him.
Obviously this is best done on his day off, so swap days accordingly.
Prayer for Today
Dear God, I pray that my husband finds places of rest in his day. Let me contribute to that today.
Getting Creative
- Let him in on your plans for his day off. You can ask him earlier in the week what he would like to do on his day off. Find out if you really need a babysitter, or would he like to hike with you and the kids in a nearby park?
- Start planning early in the week. The sooner you start planning, the less stress there will be to arrange for any last minute details. Remember, the point is not to stress you out; it’s to bless your guy.
Your Project:
Whatever it takes to let him have some time off, make it happen. That simple.
To read about others’ days off, or to leave a comment click here.
by kathilipp | Feb 14, 2008 | The Husband Project |
by Nancy Anderson
This is the last in a four-part discussion outlining communication techniques that have helped my husband and I understand each 0ther. After 30 years of marriage, we’ve been able to demystifying some of our differences. This four-part series was adapted from the book Avoiding the Greener Grass Syndrome.
Hint and Miss
Another way I drove Ron crazy was to hint at something and then throw a fit because he didn’t get the hint. For example, one warm, sunny day as we drove by a Baskin Robbins Ice Cream store (more…)
by kathilipp | Feb 14, 2008 | The Husband Project, Uncategorized |
One of the things our men are looking for is affirmation. If he knows that we find him desirable and attractive, it goes a long way in giving him confidence in other areas of his life.
What drew you to him in the first place? I know he had a great sense of humor, and was kind, but let’s go shallower than that. What physical attribute did you first notice about him? Was it his piercing green eyes, his crooked little smile, his cute butt? Remind him that he still “does it” for you.
Prayer for Today Dear God, may my husband know that I am attracted to him and choose him above all other guys.
Getting Creative Looking for inspiration? Check out the Song of Solomon in the Old Testament. Talk about knowing how to show your adoration – woo hoo.
- A little out of practice when it comes to flirting? Imagine what you would love to hear from your husband and turn it around on him.
- Walk in on him when he is on the shower, just stand there and when he asks what are you looking at, just sigh and say, “Just enjoying the show.”
- No fair using your womanly wiles on him when he is performing a household task. The words “Wow, you look so hot when you are scrubbing the toilet,” are not allowed.
Your Project: In some small way today, let your husband know you’re still attracted to him physically.
To see how others are “complimenting’ their guys, or to leave a comment click here.
by kathilipp | Feb 14, 2008 | The Husband Project, Uncategorized |
One time this week: Time to clear out the house. If you have kids, send them to grandma’s for the night. If you have a regular bunco game, skip it. Cancel appointments with your friends and make one with your husband. Let him know early in the day what you would like to do tonight. This could be one of his better workdays in a long time.
Prayer for Today Dear God, sometimes I see sex as a burden instead of the gift it is for our marriage. Please help me feel confident in the area of our sex life.
To leave a comment click here.
by kathilipp | Feb 13, 2008 | Uncategorized |
Congratulations to Sue Dawley, our project manager who won this week’s prize, Queen of the Castle, by submitting the following comment regarding Project 11: Stress-be-Gone: Eliminate Something that Makes Him Crazy.
Sue Dawley says:
Our kitchen and family room is one big room with a counter in the middle. As counters have a tendency to do, it gets filled with papers, my son’s figurines, glasses, art projects, etc. It drives my husband crazy. I know he likes walking in from work to a clear counter so I try each afternoon before he arrives home to straighten up so when he walks in he feels a sense of peace.
To all Project Managers: Remember to submit your comments. Other project managers enjoy reading comments to get ideas and see how other hubbies are responding. Your comment can be short and sweet, or you can provide as many details as you like. With each entry your name is entered into our weekly drawing: this week you have a chance to win the dvd Under the Tuscan Sun, a girly romantic movie (not to be watched with a man).
Click here to leave a comment and get entered to win today.
by kathilipp | Feb 13, 2008 | The Husband Project, Uncategorized |
We start off the week by getting rid of one piece of “comfortable” clothing. You know the one – it could be the pair of sweats, some comfy slippers, or a college sweatshirt. Your husband may not even notice that you have done away with it. The point is you are taking another step towards thinking about him when getting dressed, instead of going to those sad, sad, jammie bottoms once again.
Prayer for Today Dear God, make me focus on actions that change my attitude, instead of trying to change my husband.
Getting Creative Just get rid of it. That’s all. You know what “it” is. For me, it was my pair of brown, cropped sweatpants that I thought were perfectly acceptable…but my husband would ask, “Do you want time to change before we leave?” even if we were just going to pick up a carton of milk. I got the hint.
- What do your slippers look like? If they’re the pair you had in college, time to walk them out the door.
- For one of my friends, it was a hair scrunchie that was seeing a little too much time outside of the house. (There was a bonus here because a number of her friends were about to have a scrunchie intervention. This project kept her out of a scrunchie 12-Step Program.)
Your Project: Get rid of one item of clothing you know your husband is not in love with. If it’s a favorite that you’ll have a hard time parting with, go ahead and purchase a replacement you know your guy will like.
To read what others have given up, or to leave a comment click here.
by kathilipp | Feb 12, 2008 | The Husband Project, Uncategorized |
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, a recipe sure to please. Delicious, yummy chocolate over sweet succulent fruit. A sure fire way to get you licking your fingertips…and who knows what else?
CHOCOLATE – DIPPED FRUIT
1 (11 1/2 oz.) pkg. (2 c.) Nestle milk chocolate morsels
1/4 c. vegetable shortening
Strawberries, grapes, bananas, apples, kiwi, or pineapple
Melt over hot (not boiling) water Nestle milk chocolate morsels and shortening; stir until smooth. Remove from heat, but keep over hot water. (If chocolate thickens, return to heat; stir until smooth.) Dip pieces of fruit into chocolate; shake off excess. Place on foil-lined cookie sheets. Chill 10-15 minutes until chocolate is set. Peel off foil. Fruit may be kept at room temperature up to 1 hour. If chocolate becomes sticky, return to refrigerator. Makes 1 cup melted chocolate.
In microwave, melt on high 1 minute; stir. Repeat.
by kathilipp | Feb 12, 2008 | The Husband Project, Uncategorized |
It’s an unfair fact of life – men love a woman who can cook. This is the project where you get to put your culinary talent to use. Cook something he loves.
If you’re not a cook, look for something easy. (We’ll be sending out recipes once a week that any non-cook can master.) Click here for this week’s recipe: Chocolate Dipped Fruit.
Prayer for Today
Dear God, I pray that my husband knows my love for him by my efforts, not just the results.
Your Project:
Make your husband something special in the kitchen (reservations don’t count).
To read ideas from other project managers or leave a comment, click here.
by kathilipp | Feb 12, 2008 | The Husband Project |
by Nancy Anderson
This is the third of a four-part discussion outlining communication techniques that have helped my husband and I understand each other. After 30 years of marriage, we’ve been able to demystifying some of our differences. Look for the final installment in Friday’s blog.
Be Specific; Be Heard
A few years ago, I hit on a principle that’s saved us from hundreds of misunderstandings and arguments.
(more…)
