I'm not talking about HD going off and 'doing' HIS thing... though I cannot see where that wouldn't hurt.
So maybe the sail boat is a bit out of league for him... but I see busting routine as a major 'take charge' avenue HD can pursue. There is nothing more sexy than a man with a purpose... with a passion in his life. He'll go do it whether Mrs. HD goes with him or not... but the passion that fills his life will overflow to her. Right now, Mrs. HD IS his passion, and she feels the burden of that. Her schedule is already 'full.' We all know that Mrs. HD needs to drop something out of her life to make room for other things, but she is the type of woman, who, if you take her head on, will dig in her heels.
The trick with Mrs. HD is if it appears to be all her idea. If HD lets Mrs. HD control his passions, whether that is somehow tied to money or chores or whatever, she will feel NO PASSION for him.
HD can find a passion, and through calm consistancy, stick to it, no matter what she does/says, etc., and ask her to go do it with him. Respect will build from there. Maybe buying the sail boat isn't it... but 'passion' breaks routine and monotony. IMHO. There is nothing worse for an R than boredom.
Like BF... he does extreme sports. It is his passion. Women find that very attractive. When he 'gives up' his passion for the woman, they begin to lose respect for him, for in so doing, he is placing them in a position of 'controlling' him, his purpose, his passion.
This example may be a bit 'extreme,' for I don't see HD going out and riding motorcyles or skydiving, or whatever...
