projects for your soul
The first year I wasn’t working full-time at Christmas, my husband and I tightened our belts in every way possible, including trimming our Christmas gift budget.
As I tried to figure out how to still spread holiday cheer, it dawned on me the most meaningful presents I’d received weren’t things that could be purchased at a mall: [Read more...]
We have been doing the dating challenge this month and when I asked you for your top reasons why you don’t date – time was at the top of the list.
The irony? Some of the first people who answered were my friends on Facebook – one of my biggest time suckers if I’m not careful. (Anyone else? Or am I alone in this?)
I know you are going to expect me to say things like “Give up 30 minutes of TV,” and for some of us, that may be required, but I also know that your 60 minutes of Glee may be the only real downtime that you have. (And by downtime, I mean watching Glee, folding laundry, paying bills on your laptop and packing kids school lunches in the next room…)
So here are a few things that have been working for me lately. (As technology changes, so does my list of how to save time.)
Q4U – What is the best time-saving tip you have been using lately? Please share your wisdom in the comments below. I would love to put together a resource of all the best ideas – won’t you contribute your brilliance?
Hi, ladies -
According to the feedback I’ve received on the project, many of you, if not the majority, love seeing what other women are doing to make it work for them.
I have the privilege of being in the email loop of three great and funny girls who are holding each other accountable. Here’s a rundown from S about what she had in store for her guy this week and some very cool changes she is experiencing:
“Last week I arranged for a babysitter and B and I went out on a real date!!! [Read more...]
By Paula Friedrichsen
Cut roses are kept in cold storage at floral shops to keep them from blooming. This way, once they are exposed to warmth and a little natural sunlight, they will open with glory. The lovely fragrance fills your home, and the spectacular color of the flowers impresses all who enter.
Acceptance, appreciation, and validation are the warmth that will cause your husband’s personality and true self to bloom. [Read more...]
Hi ladies -
We have a Winner!!! Our first prize-winner for the Husband Project Kick-Off has been notified – as soon as she gives me the OK to publish her name, I will tell the world. She has won “The Man You Always Wanted is the One You Already Have” by our own Paula Friedrichsen. (You can check out the book here at Amazon!)
So – gearing up for the 10th – it is time to get two other ladies on board to plan and scheme and bless the socks off your men. SO – go ask a couple of friends to do the Project with you. Have them sign-up for the daily e-mails (that way they can be eligible for the drawings over the next week!)
Here is a recent posting I did that has a great letter to ask your friends to do the project with you.
Secret Contest
Only for the wives who are signed up on the daily e-mails. I want this blog to be a fun exchange of idea between all of you. SO , in that spirit…
Everyone who comments on a blog each week will be entered into a drawing for a $10 Starbucks Card. (Have you gotten the idea that I am a Starbucks fan?!?) The more times you comment, the more times you are entered. Ask a questions, offer an idea – whatever. Our first drawing will be next Wednesday, so get those fingers typing!
Now for the post:
One of the tenants of The Husband Project is that every job is more fun when your friends are involved. One of our wives, Sugga-Lamb, (love the nickname, teehee) gave me a sample of the letter she sent to get her friends on board.
“Hello ladies, I’m participating in a secret experiment called the 21 Day Project. It is actually a ‘husband’ project and it is to be kept secret from our husbands. I’m going to give extra love and support to my husband for the next 21 days, unconditionally. Sounds easy enough, right? Well with the busyness of our everyday lives it will be easy to put the project to the side…something I don’t want to do. To keep me on track I’m required to have 2 accountability partners. I’ve emailed 4 people that I feel will be the best supporters of this project for me. That’s where you come in. Please check out the website at http://www.thehusbandproject.org & let me know if this is something you’d like to do with me. If you’d like to participate as well, great! The more the merrier! Thanks, ladies!”
Feel free to copy this letter and pass it along to the women you want to do The Project with. Have fun!
One of the tenants of The Husband Project is that every job is more fun when your friends are involved. One of our wives, Sugga-Lamb, (love the nickname, teehee) gave me a sample of the letter she sent to get her friends on board.
“Hello ladies,
Diane had a great question:
“I have a question already. Both my husband and I travel. He is in
Thanks for asking, Diane. Things can, and often do, come up within a three-week time frame. (I travel so much that if I had to wait to do the project until my husband and I were together for 21 Days, this book/blog would never have been written.) So, we must be a little flexible.
Go ahead and still do a “project” that doesn’t involve him physically being there.
Kathi – Your Project Coordinator
Grilled Chicken over Marinaded Salad
This is a beautiful picture taken at our very yummy dinner at Treebones this weekend. Here is our recreation”
* 1 tbsp. lemon juice
* 2 tsp olive oil
* Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
* 2-3 cups of cherry tomatoes, sliced
* 1 cup of chopped cucumber and peeled
* ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
* 2 tbsp of finely chopped green onions
* 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh oregano
* 1 bag mixed spring salad
* sliced olives (optional)
* sliced red onion (optional)
* boneless chicken breast with skin on
* 1/4 cup olive oil
* dried rosemary and salt to taste
Combine lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.
Toss dressing with tomatoes, cucumber, feta, onions, olives, oregano and spring salad
Meanwhile, grill chicken with olive oil, salt and rosemary
Dribble plates with balsamic vinegar. Put salad/veggie mixture on plates and top with chicken. Serve with warm rosemary bread.
Hi Project Managers – I know many of you will not see this post until tomorrow, as you’re in the kitchen basting and microwaving at this very moment. (MY husband is making his world famous salsa which requires a great deal of counter space, so I thought I would clear out for a moment.)
It doesn’t matter when you see the post, because this whole project is like one big Thanksgiving Day. We are learning to be grateful for the guy we already have, instead of looking over the fence at the guy who takes the garbage out without being reminded.
We of The Husband Project are actively seeking to change our marriages, not waiting around for the men in our life to change before we do. It is the extreme version of marital chicken – seeing who is going to blink first before we will be nice. Not for us – we are choosing to be nice, everyday.
One of my favorite quotes in the world is from George Bernard Shaw:
This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I can think of no higher service in life than to make the most important man in our life feel special.
I pray that you choose to have a blessed and peaceful Thanksgiving.
Kathi – Your Project Coordinator
Hello again, gals…
Here’s the final exchange between the three Project Managers; this from a wife who’s really given thought to her husband’s personal favorites:
“I totally agree with you M. My husband has not said anything. Sometimes I think I could drop a brick on his head and he wouldn’t notice! Maybe it is a guy thing! [Read more...]
For more information about
me, please visit my website at:
www.kathilipp.com
