Couples Projects & Quality Time

759 Views 21 Replies 13 Participants Last post by SnakePlissken, 5 d ago

SnakePlissken

Discussion Starter · 15 d ago

Wifey and I rebuilt our entire garden over the past couple months. It was a ton of fun and a ton of work. Something about doing the project with her made it even more fun than it normally would be. I think it has something to do with being productive together and creating something brand new that will bring value (usually 300-400lbs of veggies each year) to our family. That just hits a sweet spot for me and fills my heart with love for my wife. I mean she hauled nearly 5 tons of dirt with me for this garden and we had a blast doing it.

The experience has me wondering, if anyone else has similar projects that they enjoy with their spouse. Always looking for new ideas for fun!

Reactions: 5

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Melinda82

· #2 · 14 d ago

I've always loved doing any kind of project with my husband--remodeling a room, building a deck, or working on a car. Anything where we're both using tools and exerting ourselves, working as partners to accomplish a goal, brings that feeling of connection you're talking about. I'd rather do something productive on our property than go out on a date!

Reactions: 5

Diceplayer

· #3 · 14 d ago

Last year the wife and I remodeled our basement. We did everything ourselves except hang and finish the sheetrock, including installing the ceiling and flooring. We even designed and built our own private speakeasy where we keep our bourbon collection. We had a blast. We always work on the yard together and afterwards cool off and relax by the pool. Of course, we have our separate duties as well. She likes to clean the house and I take great pride in keeping the vehicles detailed.

Reactions: 3

SunCMars

· #4 · 14 d ago

This desire is a difficult one.

The differences and preferences (wants and needs) of men and women prevent many enjoyable, joint endeavors.
The temperament of both partners is a real factor.
Compromise is a rare quality.

Sure, both partners may help each other on projects, hobbies, etc, but do so, more out of love, duty and respect.

Working as a team, and actually having those true mutual likes. and having that similar enjoyment in the process is not so common.

Division of labor in a household and in the world, is the norm.

That said, it does happen!
And when it does, it is a wonderful thing, this bond.

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BigDaddyNY

· #5 · 14 d ago

Well, the wife and I burned our house down then work together on the rebuild. That was one hell of a project, lol. I don't recommend the burning the house down part.

We do a lot of project together around the house. I generally take the lead on those projects, but she is always side by side with me in the planning, buying material and working on the project withing her capabilities.

It is a very small scale project, but we love cooking together too. The vast majority of our homemade dinners are made by both of us. I think it really promotes teamwork.

Reactions: 4

SnakePlissken

Discussion Starter · #6 · 14 d ago

BigDaddyNY said:
Well, the wife and I burned our house down then work together on the rebuild. That was one hell of a project, lol. I don't recommend the burning the house down part.

We do a lot of project together around the house. I generally take the lead on those projects, but she is always side by side with me in the planning, buying material and working on the project withing her capabilities.

It is a very small scale project, but we love cooking together too. The vast majority of our homemade dinners are made by both of us. I think it really promotes teamwork.

Sorry to hear about your house. That happened to us when I was kid. It's a real mess to sort through.

I agree on cooking she and I should do more of it together, that's another good one.

SnakePlissken

Discussion Starter · #7 · 14 d ago

Melinda82 said:
I've always loved doing any kind of project with my husband--remodeling a room, building a deck, or working on a car. Anything where we're both using tools and exerting ourselves, working as partners to accomplish a goal, brings that feeling of connection you're talking about. I'd rather do something productive on our property than go out on a date!

I agree. Much more fun to work together to create something as a date vs a fancy dinner out.

Reactions: 1

SnakePlissken

Discussion Starter · #8 · 14 d ago

Diceplayer said:
Last year the wife and I remodeled our basement. We did everything ourselves except hang and finish the sheetrock, including installing the ceiling and flooring. We even designed and built our own private speakeasy where we keep our bourbon collection. We had a blast. We always work on the yard together and afterwards cool off and relax by the pool. Of course, we have our separate duties as well. She likes to clean the house and I take great pride in keeping the vehicles detailed.

Basement remodel is also on our to do list. I bet that felt great to finish together.

Rooster Cogburn

· #9 · 14 d ago

I dont generally enjoy projects with the wife due to the fact she is a civil engineer... and even though she is smarter than I... it's all on paper per se.

She cant run a chop saw, hook up 3 point implements, or pull codes from an ecu to begin to fix the car problem.

So she likes to "think" her ways of fixing things are "better"... but its theory vs reality.

I typically just have her select materials/ colors/ design and I execute.

The further we stay away from each other during the manual labor portion... the better. Only bad thing is... she always finds another project mid-way through the immediate one and starts talking about that. Kinda pisses me off to be frank lol.

RDJ

· #10 · 14 d ago

We are in the process of a together kitchen remodel. Wife does all the shopping and I do all the work.
Does that count? 😁

Reactions: 2

Ragnar Ragnasson

· #11 · 14 d ago

RDJ said:
We are in the process of a together kitchen remodel. Wife does all the shopping and I do all the work.
Does that count? 😁

No, but common, as you already know. Now's the time for equality.

You could drink beer and supervise her installations.

But stock up on MREs before. And you may have a dry spell.

but it would be funny to bring that up. Once anyway.

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RDJ

· #12 · 14 d ago

Ragnar Ragnasson said:
No, but common, as you already know. Now's the time for equality.

You could drink beer and supervise her installations.

But stock up on MREs before. And you may have a dry spell.

but it would be funny to bring that up. Once anyway.
View attachment 99454

Too fricking funny!
I spent days doing demo, framing, drywall and texture.
Wife tells her sister “We got the drywall done”
No problem though. She did the clean up and yard work while I was busy.

Reactions: 2

Diana7

· #13 · 14 d ago

We have done a lot of decorating together due to having moved several times, but nearly came to blows a few times😅. His way of doing it is completely different from mine and it drives me to distraction 😳
So now if we decorate we try and stay as far apart as possible, preferably each decorating different rooms. 😊😳🤭

Reactions: 3

Married but Happy

· #14 · 14 d ago

We did our own landscaping in back a couple of years ago. Making mounds, hauling in rocks and stone, researching, buying, and installing plants and irrigation. In the past year, we're written three books (well, she's the creative one, I do editing and production), of which one is published, one will be out next month, and another is nearing completion of the first complete version. There are at least 5 more planned.

Reactions: 3

SnakePlissken

Discussion Starter · #15 · 14 d ago

Ragnar Ragnasson said:
No, but common, as you already know. Now's the time for equality.

You could drink beer and supervise her installations.

But stock up on MREs before. And you may have a dry spell.

but it would be funny to bring that up. Once anyway.
View attachment 99454

Wifey and I did consider improving the fertility of the garden in a similar fashion to our ancestors. Unfortunately, we live about 30 feet from our neighbor, and that could lead to some awkward conversations!

SnakePlissken

Discussion Starter · #16 · 14 d ago

Married but Happy said:
We did our own landscaping in back a couple of years ago. Making mounds, hauling in rocks and stone, researching, buying, and installing plants and irrigation. In the past year, we're written three books (well, she's the creative one, I do editing and production), of which one is published, one will be out next month, and another is nearing completion of the first complete version. There are at least 5 more planned.

This is right up our alley as well. We live in a cold climate, where the sun also hibernates for the winter. So, as soon as it returns we are out in the garden and yard.

That's pretty cool that you two write books, what kind of books are they?

Married but Happy

· #17 · 14 d ago

SnakePlissken said:
This is right up our alley as well. We live in a cold climate, where the sun also hibernates for the winter. So, as soon as it returns we are out in the garden and yard.

That's pretty cool that you two write books, what kind of books are they?

Working on two series. One is women's contemporary, alternative romance (mild erotica), and the other is science fiction. We plan 4 books in each series.

Reactions: 1

DownByTheRiver

· #18 · 13 d ago

Diana7 said:
We have done a lot of decorating together due to having moved several times, but nearly came to blows a few times😅. His way of doing it is completely different from mine and it drives me to distraction 😳
So now if we decorate we try and stay as far apart as possible, preferably each decorating different rooms. 😊😳🤭

I think that's more common than not!
When I was young and well before all the DIY cable shows, I used to wish I would meet someone who wanted to renovate an old home. But the guys I knew once I moved to Dallas just were not at all handy. City boys I guess.

Bullfrog1987

· #19 · 12 d ago (Edited)

SnakePlissken said:
Wifey and I rebuilt our entire garden over the past couple months. It was a ton of fun and a ton of work. Something about doing the project with her made it even more fun than it normally would be. I think it has something to do with being productive together and creating something brand new that will bring value (usually 300-400lbs of veggies each year) to our family. That just hits a sweet spot for me and fills my heart with love for my wife. I mean she hauled nearly 5 tons of dirt with me for this garden and we had a blast doing it.

The experience has me wondering, if anyone else has similar projects that they enjoy with their spouse. Always looking for new ideas for fun!

Some of the best and rare moments of beautiful in my marriage were the physical projects we completed together. My husband could build anything, and I do mean anything. Now he wasn’t a finisher and he couldn’t make it pretty but that’s where I came in.

I miss those moments.

Reactions: 4

Mr.Married

· #20 · 10 d ago

My wife bought a boat last August and we have worked on our sunburns together every day we can ever since..😁

Next up….flower beds

After that …. Hot Tub

Reactions: 3

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