30 Days to being a better Wife- Day 2

Day 2: Love is kind- "Love makes you kind. And kindness makes you likeable.
Day 2 Dare: In addition to saying nothing negative to your spouse again today, do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness.

More to follow, but wanted to get this back out there. For some reason, my post did not save yesterday! So I'm re-writting yesterday and today. I can already feel my neck starting to get hot.

30 Days to Being a Better Wife... Day 1

So, I told you on date night we were going to watch a movie. And we did... "Fireproof" This was without a doubt one of the most wonderful, inspiring, funny, sweet, romantic movies I think I have seen in a really long time. If you and your sweetie have not seen it, please take the time to watch it together. It follows a plan called the Love Dare, which is based off of taking 40 days to become a better spouse. It was so fitting for me to watch this on the eve of me starting my own challenge. I will use some of the dares from the Love Dare, as I certainly feel like I need all the help I can get.
Day 1: Love is patient

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

—Ephesians 4:2 NIV

TODAY’S DARE

The first part of this dare is fairly simple. Although love is communicated in a number of ways, our words often reflect the condition of our heart. For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It’s better to hold your tongue than to say something you’ll regret.

I succeeded so far today. A friend of mine is having a party tonight. I know that dh does not want to go, however, I have really pushed the issue. Well, this morning over coffee, he finally just came out and said, he really did not want to attend. There had been a much younger crowd(early 20's) that had also been invited, it had grown to over 150 people, and he just really did not feel like it was something he would enjoy. I could feel the vein in my temple start to pulse and my blood pressure start to rise. I could also see DH shift his weight and knew he was waiting for me to blow. I sat for a few seconds and considered my options... I could blow up right now, pout, get angry, and ruin an otherwise lovely morning with DH going off to fish with his buddies and me cleaning house and bleaching anything that would stand still.... or I could just nicely say that was fine, I would go for a bit, then come home and we would have a nice dinner together if he would pick up something while he was out. Tic tock tick tock.... I chose the high road. I smiled sweetly, said my piece and DH agreed to pick up something yummy for dinner.

I must admit, I'm not happy with his decision, however, in thinking it over, I took what could have turned into a childish argument and difused it. I can't promise that I will act the same the next time something happens, but I will try. I will end this post by saying a small prayer quoted from the book "One Minute Prayers for Wives" by Hope Lyda"

"A man's wisdom gives him patience, it is his glory to overlook an offense"
Proverbs 19:11
Calm my heart and my mind when they are raging towards accusation and frustration. Allow me a bridge of compassion so that I can step above and over the hurdle before me. On the other side I will find the beauty of forgiveness and mercy. I will experience the freedom of overlooking flaws and the human ways of another.

Have a wonderful rest of the day! I'm off to go get dressed for the party.

30 Days to being a better Wife

Ladies... last night, I blew it and I don't just mean a little. Bad moods, created tension, led to an argument over watching a movie (Fireproof no less), lead to tears, and a turned back all night. I admit, DH was in not the greatest of moods when he came home from work, and I probably should have just let it go, but the rolling of the eyes when I pulled out the movie and the irritated "Is this a chic flick", really set me off. I lost it!

I finally just called and said I'm sorry with reminders of date night. It all got me thinking though... maybe I'm not being the best wife that I could be. A recent comment about my attire for sleeping recently, is what started the thoughts actually. I admit, after 10 years, my pj pants, a tshirt, (a sweatshirt) if I'm cold, sock, and a bra. Yes, a bra... tmi, I'm sure, but I had to let you know the full spectrum. I forgot to add, a messy bun. Gone are the days of cute pjs from Vic's Secret with taking the time to put on scented lotion, etc, before bed. Gone too are the days of taking a moment to freshen up my makeup and hair before he gets home. Heck by the end of the day, when DH gets home, I've changed outta my work clothes, taken off my jewelry (except my wedding rings)and my makeup. I've usually changed to shorts and a t'shirt. Not the sweetest sight to come home to.

So, I am committing myself, to trying to be better. Being a better wife, not only is nicer for DH, I think it will make me feel better about myself as well. If there is anyone who would like to join this challenge with me, I would be grateful and honored. Please leave your comments on how you are striving to be the best wife you can below.

For the love of Date Night

I admit, I'm a sucker for romance. Romance novels, romantic movies, romantic songs, heck, I even check out the romantic cards when I go to the Kroger! Now, DH, does pretty good most of the time when he plans, and last weekend he totally blew me away by taking me dancing. Sooooo, here I sit, on Tuesday afternoon, and by goodness, I'm fresh out of ideas.

For probably the last 2 hours I have racked my brain. Dinner and a movie, wine tasting at our favorite local vineyard, sushi, etc. etc..... I'm practically in tears now. Is it a sign that the romance may be gone, because I can't come up with an idea for date night? Am I bored, What the heck is going on??

I humbly will say, that after a while of thinking about it, stressing about it, and worried to death that he would be disappointed, I called him. Yes, I had to break the news that I could not come up with any new creative ideas for this Friday night. What he said, made me fall for my big brown eyed sweetie all over again. The sweet little words of "That's okay honey, we will figure something out.". He was just happy that I still after all this time, wanted to impress him, wanted to look nice for him, and just wanted to spend time with him. It was a little bit after we got off of the phone, that it hit me, to just sit out on the deck, order chinese, get a grocery store (YIKES) bottle of wine, and be together. In the words of Mastercard.... priceless.

Baby it's hot in here!

I'm about to confess.... yes, I have been so neglectful of my little blog for the last month or so. With my grandfather passing away in May, my daughter leaving for a whole month and a half to go to camp, and the garden... (the zucchini runneth over), I have been a little overwhelmed.

So, now that I've gotten my whining over why I haven't blogged for a month or so, I'm super excited to announce my very first giveaway! For anyone that lives in the south you know what the humidity is doing to your hair, make-up, clothes, house, flowers.. etc. etc. I'm putting together a whole little basket of stuff to keep you cool as a cucumber! There will be a pretty hair accessory to get the hair off your neck and outta your face, some great smelling lotion and body wash , a cooling eye mask that you freeze,of course a summer read for a day spent lounging on the beach,a clean linen candle guaranteed to give the house a clean cool smell, and some sweet little surprises! The winner will be announced on July 20 (my mommas birthday)at 9pm, est. The deadline for entering is July 13 at Midnight.

Miss. Jenifer, how do I enter, you ask? Well, very simple honey! Give me you best keeping cool ideas in the comments section, get 1 entry! Become a follower, get 2 entries, and let others know on your blog... you guessed it, 3 entries! Have fun, stay cool, and pray that my zuchini's don't overtake the house soon.

Fabulous Giveaway!

Miss Janice is having a lovely giveaway on her blog to celebrate her 100th post. Etiquette with Miss Janice....(click her to go there)

Now for any of ya'll reading this who aren't Southern, this may be just the thing for you, if you (like so many others) are fascinated with all things southern. She's the lady to see if you need to be in the know.

Congratulations Miss. Janice on your 100th post. Your blog was the first that I found and I've been hooked ever since.

The Smallest Blessings... family ambitions

So for the past few weeks, I have missed doing this... My reasons are simple, sweet and sad. You see my grandfather turned 98 years old in January. He has been married to my grandmother for close to 70 years. My grandfather has lived a very active life up until mid April. He has never once complained a single bit, however it became very obvious, that his body and mind were getting tired. From april 13 on he he has gone down hill just a little bit each day. My grandmother has tirelessly stayed by his side answering to his every whim and request. Even heating up apple juice and water, because... well, that's just how he liked it.

I have been going by there every Friday afternoon for lunch and to help out any way I can. I made him a homeade strawberry and plum pie, took him his favorite ribs from O'Charleys, whatever he liked. I will jokingly say that I believe he may have been just a little spoiled, but then again, we are talking about a man that had 3 children, 9 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren... I guess he's done his fair share of spoiling us as well.

On Friday May 15, I went over there, to find him unable to get out of bed by himself. This is the bed that he and my grandmother have shared all of their marriage. On Saturday, my aunt had a hospital bed brought in, and that's where he stayed. Monday evening, my grandmother called everyone around 7:30 to let them know that he just wasn't himself..... everyone came quickly! We all sat up all night long Monday night. On tuesday morning, the hospice nurse that has been helping out came by to help bath him and shave him. From the time he started shaving, my grandfather has shaved every single day!! She was certainly surprised to see a house full of exhausted, coffee jacked up people. She went on about her business and shaved him. When she moved out of the front of him, my cousin made a comment that he had not moved.... the nurse turned around and told us all what we already knew. He was gone. I felt like someone had ripped my heart out. He simply went to sleep Monday night and never woke back up. It is hard for me to accept, but I know that this was God's will. My grandfather was Roy M. Long... aged 98, passed away May 19, 2009, in his home, with his family around him.He gave his life to the Lord in 1955 and has remained active in his churchall of these years. He was loved and respected by many, as a man, a father, a grandfather, and as a soilder.

To his tribute, I reaffirmed my faith and life this past Sunday. I can hope that I am as good of a wife to my husband as he was a husband to my grandmother, and a mother as he was a father. Please say a prayer for my grandmother as she is feeling lost without the love of her life.