Sorry,
I'm having really big problems with Blogger today. I have reposted this several times and not all the content is being published, so if you have trouble seeing the post or only part of it is there please let me know. -Thanks

Challenge Day 4:

1. Laugh. Tonight, plan on having a fun time together. Watch your favorite episodes of the Office, or read a funny book or magazine together. Laughing together is so important!

2. Clean your room! Make it an enjoyable place to hang out. Even if you don't have time to get the whole house done today, make your bedroom the priority instead of the place where you throw laundry. You can even put a mint on your pillow and pretend it's a hotel.

3. Play a game together. You like to play poker? Raise the stakes and bet your socks off ;) Does he like to play video games? Do you usually nag him when he does? How about you grab a remote and play too.

Here are some fun videos to watch and share:

Challenge Day 3 (Wednesday):

1. Paint your toenails. Pick a bright color like pink or red. Or if he's a really big SeaHawks green blue and silver would be cute. Just do a little something for a perk.

2. Make a pie. Whatever his favorite dessert is, surprise him with it after dinner. The fastest way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

3. Play a game. Do your best to convince him to play a game with you. Poker? Uno? (you can turn almost any game into "strip-_")

Tuesday's Challenge

1. Spend some quiet time reading the bible today. Most people have "a song", find a verse that you feel represents your marriage or your husband. Make sure you write it down somewhere you will see it everyday (ie the fridge, the laundry room...) It would also be really nice if you write it out and give it to him.

2. Watch your favorite romance movie, or if you're a reader, revisit your favorite love story. If you just love the part where Elisabeth Bennet accidentally encounters Mr Darcy at Pemberly... read it. Spend a little time getting in touch with your feminine sensibilities.

3. If you can, have a late dinner after the kids are in bed (not usually a healthy choice) and actually set the table and sit down together. It's never to early in the week for a "date-night" at home. This may mean putting the kids to bed a little early, don't feel bad. Make it happen.

Cheese Fondue courtesey of Nigella Lawson, http://www.foodnetwork.com/

Ingredients


1 pound 4 ounces (600 grams) chopped or grated cheese, use a mixture such as Gruyere, Emmental, Brie and Camembert

1 1/4 cups (300 ml) white wine

2 teaspoons cornstarch

3 tablespoons Kirsch
1 garlic clove, peeled
Good grinding pepper
Good grating nutmeg

To serve with:

Carrot batons
Trimmed radishes
Radicchio, cut into spears or skinny wedges
Chicory cut into spears or skinny wedges

Cubes toasted sourdough

anything else you wish to dip

Directions

Put the chopped or grated cheese into the fondue pot with the wine and heat until boiling on the stove, by which time the cheese should have melted.

Turn the pot down to a simmer. Whisk together the cornstarch with the Kirsch in a small bowl, and add to the fondue pot along with the garlic clove.

Season with the pepper and nutmeg and move the fondue pot onto a flame at the table. Serve with various vegetables to dip.

"Better Marriage in one week" CHALLANGE!

I love and appreciate my husband. We have a great relationship (although there were times early in our marriage that I wouldn't have said that), and part of how we got to where we are is continually trying to improve our relationship every day.

This week I am going to challenge myself in several different aspects each day. I am going to post my challenge plans here, and I hope you (if you are married) will be inspired to follow along or create a list of challenges on your own.

First, I want to warn you that lots of these topics are "personal", and I don't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. BUT these are issues that are really important, so I'm going to share the challenges but not personal or private things about my life (so please don't email me details about your hot date).

The main part of the challenge is going to be super tough for most of you...

you will have to, ya know... have "s-e-x", EVERY NIGHT.

ya, even on week nights.
 even if it means you have to initiate it.
even if you are tired.
 even if the kids drove you crazy.
even  if you aren't at your goal weight.
even if he wasn't helpful today.

Next there are going to be three challenges here each day that are to help you get amped up to meet that big challenge, and to discover more about your love life. If there is a challenge that is particularly hard for you, then you need to investigate why and what you can do to become stronger. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like some advice don't hesitate to email me at likemaryandmartha@yahoo.com

Monday:

 

Challenge 1:  Get dressed with hair and makeup BEFORE he gets home.

 
Challenge 2:  Write him a love note telling him "thank you" for things like being a good father and working hard everyday.
 
Challenge 3: Watch what he wants on tv (or let him read what he wants to read etc) with out complaining (this one is going to be super hard for me!!)

These things should be fairly easy for you to do, with out stepping too far outside your comfort zone. If they aren't... you might have a hard time making it to Friday!