A Saving Grace and Paying It Forward **Give-Away**

Posting my story about our marriage struggles makes me feel pretty vulnerable.  Putting it "out there" for all to see and all to judge....it's a risky move.  But I always said that this blog would be my place.  It would be my platform.  It is my blog.  And my marriage is part of me.  I feel like it may just help someone to know that they aren't alone in the struggle.  And it helps me to be able to look back and see what progress I may or may not be making.  But I don't regret posting our story.  I don't regret putting it out there.  And I am so very thankful for the messages and comments that were left to tell me that I'm not alone and that we aren't the only ones fighting the battle to survive marriage hardship.
But one person in particular sent me a message with such kind words and advice...and a book recommendation to help me get through this very hard time. 

She has become my angel in disguise! 

I've always had a love for reading (English concentration in college) and reading a good self-help book is candy for my soul.  And just the other day when I was out in the backyard tanning during K's nap, I wished that I had a good book to enjoy.

And now I do.

I ran out immediately and got the book that "my angel" suggested to me.  I sat in the Starbucks inside the bookstore and drank an iced caramel macchiato and dived in.  Oh my goodness....the author wrote this book for me.  She wrote it about me.  She wrote it for us.

Okay, so she didn't.  But it's so well written and so me that it seems like she did. 

It's going to be my saving grace....my marriage's saving grace.

It's giving me a new outlook.  A renewed spirit.  Another chance.  It's giving my family another chance.

And because it is such an amazing book, I went out and bought another copy.  And I want to share it with you.  Even if your marriage is perfect in good health, I think you'll benefit from what she has to say.  And if you're like us, having some rough times, I think you'll benefit from what she has to say.  If you are married, you will benefit from what she has to say.

From her website:

In her most provocative book yet, Dr. Laura urgently reminds women that to take proper care of their husbands is to ensure themselves the happiness and satisfaction they yearn for in marriage.
Women want to be in love, get married, and live happily ever after. Yet disrespect for men and disregard for the value, feelings, and needs of husbands has fast become the standard for male-female relations in America. Those two attitudes clash in unfortunate ways to create struggle and strife in what could be a beautiful relationship.
Countless women call Dr. Laura, unhappy in their marriages and seemingly at a loss to understand the incredible power they have over their men to create the kind of home life they yearn for. Now, in The Proper Care & Feeding of Husbands , Dr. Laura shows you—with real-life examples and real-life solutions - how to wield that power to attain all the sexual pleasure, intimacy, love, joy, and peace you want in your life.
Dr. Laura's simple principles have changed the lives of millions. Now they can change yours.

 If you would like the opportunity to read and learn from this book (as I am), here's your chance to do so (for free, anyway--feel free to buy your own copy from your local bookstore or amazon.com).  To win your copy of The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands by Laura Schlessinger, just do the following:

Leave one comment per entry:
1.  Tell me something that you love about your husband (or wife--if there are any guy readers out there!).
2.  "Like" LivingOnTrees on Facebook (links are to the right or straight on top)
3.  "Follow" LivingOnTrees on Twitter (links to the right and on top)
4.  "Tweet" about the giveaway on Twitter including a link to this posting.
5.  Post on Facebook about this giveaway including a link to this posting.
6.  Become a "fan" and follow this blog on blogger.  (link to the right)
7.  Blog about this give-away including a link to this posting.

That gives you up to seven entries!  Dang-o, dang-o!

The give-away will end on Friday, July 15th at 5:00 p.m. CST.  At that time, a winner will be chosen using random.org.  Make sure that your email is attached to your profile or listed on your entry to ensure that I can reach you if you are the lucky winner!
Open to U.S. residents only.