Love on the outside

When my husband and I were first married we agreed to a more traditional type of relationship. He would do the typical "man" things, such as washing the cars, mowing the lawn, and taking out the garbage. I agreed to perform the more "female" jobs like laundry, cooking, and staying as sexy as the day he first met me. Ah, youth.
As he and I approach our eighth wedding anniversary the luster has worn off of this dog and pony show. Love has ceased to be about the demonstrative actions we used to take. About two years ago he decided that he no longer had time for most of his duties. Now the car is washed by high school kids at the Super Elephant car wash, the lawn is mowed (very badly) by moi, and the garbage? All done by me. Only now, it also includes taking out the recycle. Oh joy.
I suppose I can't blame the poor guy, I haven't exactly held up to my end either. As my last post shared laundry isn't my forte, and my cooking turned out to be almost deadly (I swear I followed the recipe!), and as far as maintaing my sex appeal? Let's just say J.T. won't be singing about me bringing "sexy back".
Most of these realizations have taken place over a period of time. But I was slapped in the face with one of them. I truly thought I still had the sexy thing down. I go tanning (every six weeks so really, it sort of a moot point), I try to keep my make-up on until he gets home (does runny mascara count?), and I shave my legs...sort of.
This week has been particularly cold and I decided to wear knee high socks under my jeans to keep me warm. I couldn't figure out why my legs felt so irritated and scratchy while I wore them. The socks were cotton so it couldn't be a fabric issue; the jeans weren't tight so my legs weren't constrained. And then it dawned on me - it had been not one, not two, but THREE WEEKS since I'd last shaved my legs! The worst part? My husband didn't even notice! AAGGHH!! The thrill is gone people, the thrill is gone.
Maybe instead of getting each other bronze or pottery for our anniversary, I should look into a leg wax. Ah, l'amour.
TTFN from your favorite housewife!
P.S. - He isn't pasty, he's just requested to remain "mysterious". Yeah, no wonder I'm not shaving my legs more often. He's damn lucky he's cute!

A.D.H.D. and Laundry

Greetings All!
Today I'd like to share one of my techniques that helps me with my A.D.H.D. (Attention Deficit Housewife Disorder).
The fact that I start one housekeeping project in the middle of performing another has frequently come to bite me in the butt. Fortunately, when it comes to laundry, I've learned a way to master the situation!
My husband is a metro-sexual (VERY particular about fashion, hygiene, etc.). As such, it is always a fuss and a worry come laundry day that I may ruin something precious to him. (read: I have ruined something precious to him.) When it comes to washing his jeans the stress factor goes up a notch because they fit him just right. If the jeans spend too long in the dryer I'm done for. (Okay he's not an OGRE about it, but he does get a little testy.)
Unfortunately the buzzer on our dryer recently stopped working so I now have to listen for the tumbling to stop. The problem? I never really listen. Which means his jeans sit in there for hours. Getting wrinkle-y. And cold. And u.g.l.y.!
The solution? (I'm terribly proud of myself for this idea, by the way.) I remove all clothing besides his dainty denim treasures, I take a spray bottle that contains clean water and spray it inside the dryer all over the jeans. Then I run the dryer again on a quick "fluff". This seems to create enough steam (without too much heat) to create a fresh-out-of-the-dryer-the-first-time-it-stopped look.
And he's none the wiser - man, I love me!

Hugs from the ADD Housewife!!

Things I Learned This Week

The biggest benefit of going to school is that, everyday, one learns a multitude of interesting things. This week, my first week back, I've learned several...
In the writing world I am considered a "plunger", there's a difference between an adjectival prepositional phrase and an adverbial prepositional phrase. I've also learned that paying attention in the grammar classes I took back in elementary school would've been very beneficial to me now. sigh. And finally, I learned that public speaking will not actually kill me. (Although someone should tell my heart that every time I have to give a speech.)
Perhaps the most valuable lesson that I've come to realize is that school is a blessing and not a curse. I've spent many a day fuming because I chose college over motherhood. In moments of extreme pressure and stress that can accompany an academic life, I've often wondered why I chose books over bottles. But the further along this scholastic career goes, the more I've learned about myself and what I'm really about. I have come to discover where my true gifts are, what I can achieve when I actually do apply myself, and I've been fortunate to make some really amazing friends along the way. Years ago if someone would've told me I'd be able to speak French and have the honor of an actual francophone as a very dear friend I'd have thought they were crazy! But look at what this amazing gift has given me! I have the blessing of a reality beyond my imagination and a chance to never have to say..."what if?”
Of course motherhood is still in the distance. Only now I can come to the mat with a full sense of self, and a little “savoir-faire” too.

Change in Priorities

I noticed something strange today. My husband and I had a rare day off to prepare for tomorrows festivities. Luckily we were able to get most things under control fairly early in the day so we've had most of the afternoon to enjoy time together. So what, you ask, did we do to reconnect? Perhaps watch a romantic movie snuggled in close or go for a leisurely stroll through the neighborhood hand in hand? No. Instead we allowed technology to take over. My recent birthday present of an iPod Nano occupied my ears and a new voice command video game occupied his. We were sitting RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER and didn't even know the other existed. I flipped through the latest delicious edition of Vogue and he saved the world.
I think it's time to rethink technology and the amount of control it has in our lives. If we aren't on a computer we're on a TV or an MP3 player or even a cell phone. What a waste of a day that we could've been using to really cherish each other. Sigh. But I see hope in the future. We agreed to play a game of dominoes tonight and hopefully a little more over the holiday weekend.
I think tomorrow I'll be thankful for recognizing that, while these little gadgets are handy and fun, they certainly don't beat a cozy day at home with my first and foremost family: my honey.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!

Congratulations Allison!

Just have a quick second to share with you all the good news about one of my latest fave authors, Allison Winn Scotch. Her second novel, "Time of my Life" just hit the New York Times Best Seller list! Let's all show her continued support by purchasing her book here.
I'm working my way through it and from what I've been able to get to so far (one last midterm this week - woohoo!!) this book ROCKS!
While we've all seen or read something about the age old "What if?" question, Allison takes it to another level! For a lot of women we've grown up dreaming of that ideal life: a loving husband, financial stability, and beautiful babies. Or do we? It's a great read to get the imagination flowing and lose yourself in a fascinating world!
Enjoy!

Damn You FaceBook!!

I remember being in a sociology class and the instructor asking how much time people spent on their FaceBook pages. "Ha!" I snorted. "What kind of idiots wastes precious time on a web based party scene?" I felt I was a real intellectual, I wasn't sucked into that ridiculous kid stuff.
Well, here we are two years later and I can't even begin to calculate how much time I've spent on FaceBook. Once I discovered that I could claim one of my fave authors as a pal, AND members of my distant family I was hooked! We can communicate without spending money on long distance or taking time away from our families (okay time other than what we normally spend on the computer). It seems that FaceBook has allowed us to share birthday parties, family vacations, and (yes, I'll admit it) even eye injuries. It. Is. Awesome!!
I've even been able to claim one of my best professors as a FaceBook Friend - how cool is that? Uh..wait..is being friends with a professor a cool kid thing or a nerdy thing? Sigh. Maybe one of these days I'll outgrow my geek-dom. Or maybe not.
Chow for now! And FaceBookers ROCK ON!

WARNING - SIDE EFFECTS MAY OCCUR!!

People, I have learned the hard way why one should NOT wear make-up to bed. I decided to be lazy because I wasn't feeling well and crawled into bed wearing my full "face". When I woke up the next morning my day old mascara had caked my eyes together so I rubbed them. My left eye got more treatment than the right and hence, the injury. Some eyelash/mascara/gook in my eye combo created the perfect storm for a broken blood vessel. Ain't it pretty?
Luckily a cold compress and eye drops are supposed to help. In the meantime it's terribly difficult to read, making studying for mid-terms extra fun! I don't even know how long it will take to go away. My husband had one years ago and said it took a couple of weeks - yikes! The wedding is in a couple of weeks and I cannot be a matron of honor with a jacked up eye!!
Anyway, I hope you all can learn from my lesson. There's a reason our mothers told us to wash our faces before bed, and this photo is living proof.
Take care all!