WE CHOSE TEXAS!!!

We've been trying to sort out this dispute we hear every year when it gets cold in Texas. Once we start to bemoan the freezing temperatures, we get a swift kidney punch from someone who has lived in a colder place. It is usually accompanied by a snide comment on how "no one here knows how to drive in the ice" or "I don't understand why your whole city shuts down over a few snowflakes." After thinking on this we figured out why are we belly aching over this so-called "Arctic Blast" (by the way, it's 19 degrees in Dallas and 8 degrees warmer in Anchorage as we write this).

Here's the reason we're complaining: because we CHOSE Texas! We don't know where you're from, born, raised or what brought you here, but we CHOSE Texas. We chose Texas because of the spirit of the people: giving, generous, fun, loyal and proud.

We chose Texas because it's an incredible place to raise our daughter-- she will not see a glass ceiling here. In Texas women are Governors, Senators, heads of companies and her mommy and daddy earn THE EXACT SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR DOING THE EXACT SAME JOB!

We chose Texas because people who live here are the type of people who get things done. This is not a place where people sit around and complain about how things should be done. People in Texas are doers... they dream BIG and they actually make their dreams come true in a larger-than-life fashion. Take a look at Jerry Jones and his incredible new Cowboys Stadium. How about the crew at the Kimbell Art Museum who brought Texas the only Michelangelo painting in the Western Hemisphere? What about people like Mark Cuban, Ross Perot, and the team of folks creating our amazing Dallas Arts District? These people don't sit around and complain about things... they're not "pundits." They're too busy getting stuff done and sharing their contributions with society. Heck we even drive on several freeways named after Presidents, not just because they were Presidents but because they are from here.

We chose Texas because our dollar stretches farther here. We can afford to own a house in Texas because the home values haven't been grossly overinflated like in some other regions of our fine country.

We chose Texas because the outstanding quality of schools in our very own neighborhoods. We have great educational options all the way from pre-school to college.

We chose Texas because there is no state income tax.

AND... we chose Texas for the glorious 300+ days of sunshine a year that raise our spirits and allow us to walk outside where we interact with our neighbors who are getting their mail, mowing their lawns, taking their kids to the park and walking their dogs. The neighbors who we know by first name... who's kids we watch in a pinch when their sitter is running late... who show up in a moment's notice when we can't seem to catch a bird that flew in our house.

We chose Texas because that nice hot weather warms our bones. We love stepping outside and feeling that nice warm air which is like a hug to your soul.

That is why people in Texas are complaining about this Arctic Blast (yes, put it in caps). Leave us alone with the condescending commentary on how this weather isn't REALLY cold if you've lived somewhere else. We aren't living somewhere else right now. We chose Texas, and dang it, it's cold!!!

Bumper Sticker

We couldn't resist snapping a photo of this car... we think the bumper sticker says it all. :)

Marriage is Like a Piece of China

How do you know when you're sick? According to Webster's, you're officially ill when your body reaches 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Well, if a healthy body temperature is 98.6 degrees, then less than a mere 2 degrees separates us between health and illness. We are very fragile beings!

But it is not just our body that is fragile, it is also our heart. Our feelings are hurt easily and our relationships are impacted as a result. As fragile, sensitive beings we have to treat our relationships gently.

While marriage is highly durable, it is also extremely fragile. In fact, we contend a relationship is like a beautiful piece of heirloom china. If properly handled, it will last for a lifetime; however, when it is mishandled it can be chipped or broken. While we can sometimes glue the pieces back together, the line of the crack will always be a reminder that the plate is forever different. Consider this: if we can use caution and respect when we use the good china, then we can do the same with our valued relationships. Use extra care when handling your relationships, and they, too, will last a lifetime.

Treat Your Spouse Like A VIP Client

Don't you love to be treated like a rock star? We read a great story in "The Nordstrom Way to Customer Service Excellence" by Robert Spector and Patrick D. McCarthy. To paraphrase, a woman made a last-minute Nordstrom shopping trip before heading to the airport. After she left, the salesperson realized the woman accidentally left her airline ticket at the store. What did the saleswoman do? She hailed a cab, drove to the airport and hand-delivered the ticket to her customer with a warm smile. Isn't that incredible? Nordstrom is famous for treating customers like a rockstar, and as a result we return again and again.

Now let's play a game. Let's use the same story about the woman who was shopping at Nordstrom; however, this time replace the woman in the story with your husband or wife. What would happen in your home if your spouse is the one who left an airline ticket on the kitchen counter? Would you graciously grab that ticket and race to the airport to deliver it with a smile? Or would you curse your loved one under your breath and bemoan how inconvenient this is for you-- you are busy and don't have time for this stupidity.

Frequently, we treat our most important clients with kindness, compassion and forgiveness. Unfortunately, that changes at home when we are overwhelmed with juggling carpool, soccer practice and dinner plans-- we forget to extend the same courtesy to our spouse. Today treat your spouse like you would treat your most important customer. Have a spirit of kindness and helpfulness... it will definitely Ignite Your Couple Power!

Teach Love

It must have been ten years ago when we were approached by a Native American healer in Taos, New Mexico and heard the words that stopped us in our tracks, "Your purpose in this life is to teach people love." We politely smiled at the man, but the comment struck us as odd at the time. It's not every day strangers stop to tell you about your purpose in life. Looking back on that moment, I don't think we had the emotional maturity to really let the message sink in. However, today his words sit with me.

This morning we were given the opportunity of a lifetime. Kym and Sandra Yancey invited us to be speakers at their exceptional annual eWomen Network Conference. They asked us to speak on the growing trend of couples working together, knowing that we have lived, loved and worked together since 1995. We spent countless hours working on our workshop and I have to admit it was an exhilarating rush when we came off the stage at the end of our session. It felt like we were doing exactly what we were meant to do on this earth.

We were all smiles when I was approached by a lovely woman with cascading red hair. She tightly embraced me, "Thank you," she said with tears streaming down her cheeks. "I think you just saved my marriage." Those words are with me right now, and now I can't stop thinking about that man in Taos. Maybe there's something to what he said...

--Julie

eWomen Network Conference

We are working on the finishing touches of our PowerPoint for the eWomen Network Conference!!! We are VERY excited to debut our workshop "Ignite Your Couple Power: How to Work, Love and Succeed Together in Business."

The number one question we're always asked is: How do you work with your spouse without killing each other? Now we'll finally have a chance to answer that question! :) We're delighted to have been invited to speak at this prestigious conference and look forward to working on our public speaking skills!

Welcome Home

I finally dried my eyes after watching the joyful reunion between American journalists Laura Ling, Euna Lee and their families. I'm swept up in emotion as I see the mother of a four-year-old kneel down to embrace her little one after being apart for 140 days. It was such a touching moment of humanity... catching a glimpse of the pure, cherished love between a mother and child. For me the moment transcended the "bigness" of the event... important journalists working for Al Gore's Current TV... captured and convicted in North Korea... President Bill Clinton mediating the release. For me, the moment wasn't about the event itself, but simply about the tender, heart-wretching hug a mother gave her precious child after wondering if she'd ever see her again. It reminds me that no matter how important we think our careers are, when it comes down to it... it's all about the love of family.

--Julie