Book Review: Married and Still Loving It

"A good marriage is a gift. It is grace: undeserved, unmerited favour. It should humble us every day." 

Married and Still Loving It by Gary Chapman and Harold Myra is a book written to encourage those in the second half of life, married for a good number of years, to navigate the challenges and celebrate the joys of being together for so many years. With the realities of aging: health limitations (for our parents, ourselves, and even possibly our children), money worries, the future for our children, and more--there will be challenges.  In a time where being married for a lifetime is becoming an oddity, it's great to read a book that is both honest and hopeful--yes, a lifelong happy marriage is attainable.

Actually, I think this book would be a great gift to those who have only been married a few years. Once the 'honeymoon' phase is over, can a couple stay happily married through the good, the bad, and the ugly? The real life examples in this book show couples at any stage of marriage how to accomplish this. 

If I was going to put the advice in a nutshell, it would be along the lines of being a servant to your spouse (not a doormat, but a servant). For details on what this looks like practically, read the book. This book is full of excellent examples of navigating very difficult circumstances. 

I heartily recommend this book, especially if both spouses read it discuss it, and work together to make the necessary changes. Otherwise, it might just become another good read. 

A good marriage is a gift, but it does take work to make it that way.

I received this book free from Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review. Thanks, Moody!

Happy Leap Day!

The sun is shining.
Got in a morning walk.
Enjoyed a cup of coffee and some quiet time.
And... a review book arrived in the mail!

That's a good way to begin today.
There are so many books on how to begin a marriage on the right foot. Practices to keep it going. Date night ideas. Keeping families strong.  Empty nesting. And I have several on my shelves (or have had and passed them on).

But I haven't found too many that are specifically focused on life together in the 'second half'. Not just theoretical how-to, but real life -- with the challenges and joys that come with aging.

That's why I am very  interested in reading this:

I hope that it's honest, practical, realistic, and super encouraging. I am planning to go the distance and some days..well..  I need all the help I can get!

embracing reality

So, I decided to embrace my true hair color.

I was having coffee with some new friends the other day, and one of them happened to be a professional colorist. We were all chatting about hair color, and I mentioned that I had an appointment for a color the following week and wondered what to do. "Embrace your natural hair color!" she suggested. She was quite adamant that it would look fantastic. What hue would that be, you ask? If you look at the crown of my head, it is quite obvious. I'm going... white!

I remember my beloved maternal grandfather (my Opa) had a beautiful head of white hair, and my mom has the same now, so I think I'm following in their footsteps.

Apparently, white/grey is quite popular these days, even with younger women. I don't think I'd go grey if I really wasn't, but I decided to be brave and get 'platinum blonde' (as in stripping all color from my hair)foils to match the color that is coming in, and add some color balance to my head of hair. I was a little nervous about it, but when all was said and done, I decided I really liked it!

If your husband doesn't notice this change, my hair stylist told me, suggest he see an eye doctor.

Well, he did notice (and likes it!) , but still he says It's not that drastic. Huh? I thought it was, but maybe it looks so natural...? I'll be making an appointment for him soon. ;)

I was actually hoping it wouldn't be too crazy different, because I'm not really into shocking people. But just to keep it fun, I did have a small strand of blue/teal put in, for a pop of color. I think that's my favorite part. ;)

I'm hoping that I will get my hair foiled/colored less often now, as I go through my color transition. As long as it looks stylish and doesn't make me feel old, I am game!

There is something freeing about embracing reality.

update: