A Strange Kind of Paranoia

Since we've been married, my hubby has worked in somewhat remote, secluded locations as a contractor for the federal government. He would drive to work and drive home, spending his entire day in compund-like surroundings with other engineer-types. Bo-ring. A couple of months ago, he started a new job and this time the client where he is placed, is located smack in the middle of downtown. Hubby was so excited to start his new gig because he would finally be surrounded by normal restaurants! and shops! and a plethora of cosmopolitan people! He would also be within walking distance to my office and so, in addition to our morning and evening commute, we had visions of going on lunch dates together.

What didn't occur to me was that Hubby would be "exposed" to all of DC's finest female eye candy. The professional women that go to work dressed to the nines and the not-so-professional women who hang out downtown scantily clad. I asked him about it this morning and he said that the eye candy now that he works in town is "definitely better!" And of course he laughed and so did I. But while it never even crossed my mind to worry about the possibility of his eyes wandering before, and he's never given me any reason to fret, it's a concern at the back of my mind now! I may need to step up my wardrobe game...and schedule some of those lunch dates, quick fast and in a hurry!

The Love Dare

Hubby and I are doing The Love Dare. I wonder if any of you have heard of it. It's a book with 40 consecutive days of dares that you have to do for your spouse. The purpose of the book and the dares is to challenge husbands and wives to practice unconditional love. So far, I'm loving it. We've been doing them for just about 1 week and already I look forward to reading and doing the next day's dare. There's a theme for each day, for example, Love Is Not Selfish or Love is Thoughtful or Love is Not Irritable (how about that one?), along with a short lesson. Anyway, I just thought I'd share since we're enjoying our journey through this book. If you've already taken The Love Dare or are in the process of doing so, let me know what you think.

I Never Thought I'd Say This

But how sweet is George Bush Sr.?? I caught the piece on the Today Show this morning of him at the press conference after Barbara Bush's heart surgery this week and watched it half-dressed for work with my hands on my cheeks, floored. While he started out the press conference in true husband fashion by ribbing her for having a pig's valve in her chest, he ended up breaking down and crying because he was overcome with emotion at how nervous he was that his beloved wife was undergoing major surgery. It was so touching. And to top it off, NBC put together a little montage of their love story: meeting over 60 years ago, getting secretly engaged, the wedding, his love letters to her - it was like a real-life fairytale. Hopefully what we saw was genuine and, if he really loves her like that behind closed doors, then - wow - Barb is a very lucky lady.

When I asked hubby what he thought, he said "Come on! He's the former head of the CIA! Do you really think he wrote those love letters?" How on earth, I wonder, did a hopeless romantic and a die-hard skeptic end up together?

Fight or Flight?

I'm curious - what's your fighting style? Not like fist-fighting but arguing-fighting, like with your mate. Everyone has their own style, whether they realize it or not. Maybe you are confrontational or The Instigator (shame on you). Or you could be passive agressive (plotting your silent revenge) or even a lip-biter who prefers to keep the peace. I've always been one to pick my battles - even more so now that I've been married for some years. So for the most part I don't stir the pot unless there's a good reason. But when I have strong feelings about something - I will let you know and I won't let it go. I've been wondering what the most effective arguing style is. I'm guessing the one that diffuses the situation the fastest and fosters communication. But then that's not really any fun now, is it?