Running the Household Fairly

Here is a good article about getting the Hubby to help out once in a while. (Personally, I especially liked the bottom of page 2.) Check it out!

Ivan and Marcia’s 3 Keys to a Great Marriage

Ivan and Marcia’s 3 Keys to a Great Marriage
While each marriage is unique and comes with its own trouble spots and highlights, the following are 3 simple principles we agreed to focus on to keep our marriage strong:

1. Communicate.
Become a really good listener carefully listening before you react.
Be sure to communicate as clearly as you can to your spouse about your feelings. Speak the truth lovingly.
Remember communication should be vertical as well as horizontal (something like and equilateral triangle!D); by this we mean that you should spend time in prayer together. You will be surprised at the connection you will make with your spouse’s heart.

2. Prioritize.
Prioritize how you spend your time and resources. Weigh the urgency and importance of everything on your to-do list (and make sure to leave room for things not on your to-do list).
Study your spouse: find out what aspects of life are most important to your spouse, and put those at the top of your list.

3. Date your spouse.
Show your spouse the respect and courtesy you would show to an acquaintance or stranger. Focus on what you like about them, what you have in common -- listening patiently, being slow to anger and quick to forgive & forget.
Be spontaneous. Lavish your love on your spouse.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24). Be the one to get the pendulum swinging.
Consciously decide to show selflessness, physical affection and verbal appreciation in at least one way each day. (The more ways the better.)


“Love must be sincere. Hate what it is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:9-10).

Artist

Check out "The Art of Asbestos." I like this artist a lot. While his/her stuff is very typical of modern art and graffiti art, I still had a lot of fun flipping through this site. Check out the Wheat-pasting, Graffiti, Ice sculptures and even some "Found-object-returned" art.

Thoughts on My Marriage: Part 3

At the risk of sounding pompous, I believe my relationship with Ivan is special.

There is something about the dynamic between us--our attitude towards our marriage--that I feel is lacking in most marriages today. It is something I cannot quite wrap my words around.
It transcends sex
and financial security
and family
and playing house
and being best friends
and love
and having babies
and societal obligations
and moral obligations
and all the good stuff
(and the messy stuff) we associate with marriage.
There is something about our covenant between Me and Ivan and God that transcends all that stuff and I don't quite know how to describe it. I know that some of you out there will know exactly what I mean. Can anyone help me out on this?

It is not to say that other people take marriage too lightly; most people don't. There is just something extra there that I am not quite convinced I have seen in a lot of the relationships around me. And it makes that relationship the most important thing I have on this earth.

Shoes

I really like these Andrew Gellar shoes from DSW for about $50. They are very comfortable and have just the right heel height. Go with anything!

A few weeks back Ivan took me to the scout store. I discovered that they have a lot of cool craft kits. I bought the moccasin kit. They are precut to fit your shoe size and come with everything you need! These were fun to make, but the instructions weren't very clear.