Every now and then I hear a gal talk about someone (other than her husband) with a wistful tone. There is something about that someone that they hold dear and the undertone is that their husband doesn't measure up.

Well, of course, he doesn't measure up! He is a totally different person and she's holding him up to the wrong standard!

She's comparing apples to oranges. We need to appreciate people for who they are.

Yes, it's great that your first boyfriend always brought you flowers. Appreciate that someone valued you and brought you a gift you enjoyed.

Now drop it. It's not a standard that you can use with other people (and certainly not your husband).

Your husband is a remarkable person. He sings silly songs, has mad techie skills and knows when you need a hug. Enjoy him for the unique person that he is.

Don't ask him to be an apple. He's an orange.

Comparison is the death of joy.  Mark Twain

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Calm Healthy Sexy: Slow Things Down and Shake Things Up This Summer Preach it, girl!

The Romantic Vineyard: Flashlight Tag Date Could be fun!

The Forgiven Wife: Intimate Moments Finding real intimacy.

Stuff I've Recommended This Week

Over time it is easy to slip into a rut about how and when you have sex. You go through the same motions at the same time of day in the same place in the house.

Now, honestly, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Doing what you enjoy and what works for you is a good thing, but the down side is that seasons change and some of what you normally do may not work as well (I'm thinking pregnancy or growing older). Or you just might want to try something a little different. 

You don't have to make huge changes. Just little ones will do. Have sex earlier in the day (not late at night when you are both tired). Have sex in another room or in a different part of your bedroom (a love seat in your room can be fun). Touch your husband differently in little ways. Take it a little slower or a little faster. Now and then change the position.

Do something a little different.

Change always comes bearing gifts.  Price Pritchett

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Hot, Holy and Humorous: Should You Go Along with His Sexual Fantasy? "J" offers some nice guidelines to help you think it through.

Marriage4Good: Little Things Add Up Thoughtfulness makes a difference.

The Confident Mom: Summer Survival Calendar Fun Summer activities for kids and busy moms.

I realized the other day that I was avoiding something.

I didn't want to deal with the conflict. It just felt easier to ignore the whole thing than to face the issue and work through it.

Then I stopped and thought about it. I would hate it if my husband was dealing with something and didn't bother to tell me.

I needed to speak up, to be more transparent. I needed to let my husband know what was going on. I needed to approach the subject at a good time in a thoughtful way.

Do you have something you are avoiding? Think it through and share it with your sweetie.

The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.  Robert Schuller

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1-Minute Bible Love Notes: 9 Ways to Learn Gratitude "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:18  NIV

To Love, Honor and Vacuum: Trigger Points for Conflict in Marriage Figuring out the real reasons we fight.

The Forgiven Wife: No Guaranteed Formula Three steps for the journey to sexual health.

I joined a chat last night and watched the promo video for Dave Ramsey's newest brain child ~ The Legacy Journey. It's a follow up course to Financial Peace University (where you learn to get control of your finances). The Legacy Journey helps you turn your solid financially planning into blessings all around. They have built a team of teachers that share truckloads of information and encouragement.

Y'all, I can't stress this enough. Finances are one of the main stressors in marriage. Don't ignore your finances. Make a plan and work your finances so that money becomes an amazing tool rather than something you fight about.

Paul and I have been using the principles we learned in the class and, even with major changes in our income, we are sane and making ends meet. We've cleared some debt and we continue to make plans as a team for where our money goes. We're far better stewards of all our resources than we've ever been.

The Legacy Journey is the class that will teach individuals and families how to live and leave a legacy—one that will bless their families, community and the world for generations to come.  Dave Ramsey

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Becoming Minimalist: Leaving the World a Little Better Love it, love it, love it!

Marriage4Good: Adventure and Flexibility Are you in the middle of an adventure with unexpected storms?

The Forgiven Wife: Ripe for Temptation "Had my husband continued down that path, that sin would've been completely on him. But his vulnerability? That one’s on me. It was a closer call than I’d realized."

There is nothing wrong with talking to your husband about problems or sharing the struggles you face, but a constant stream of negative talk will have a negative effect on your relationship.

Be sure to spend more time talking about positive and uplifting subject matter.

Tell him about the funny thing your kid did or share what you are learning from a book. Ask him about the best part of his day or talk about your weekend plans. 

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.  Winston Churchill

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Holley Gerth: Your Worth is Beyond What You Know "Believe it! Believe it!"

Becoming His Eve: Do You Act in Your Husband’s Best Interest? Your husband doesn’t control your reactions. He simply triggers these reactions, exposing your own sin.

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Your husband does some kind of work (whether he brings home all the bacon or is a stay-at-home dad).

It's challenging to get out of bed each day and face his work responsibilities.

Let him know how much you appreciate his effort.

Never pass up an opportunity to speak a kind word of appreciation. There are six billion people on the planet, and 5.9 billion of them go to bed every night starving for one honest word of appreciation.  Matthew Kelly

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Happy Wives Club: We Said 'I Do' … Again Happy 10th anniversary, Fawn & Keith!

This week's ebook bundle is about beauty & fashion:

Embracing Beauty by Trina Holden
The No Brainer Wardrobe by Hayley Morgan
Energy Explosion by Arabah Joy
Frumps to Pumps by Sarah Mae
100 Pound Loser by Jessica Heights