My mother-in-law has had a storage unit for at least ten years that houses nothing but junk. We figured the other day that she has spent at least $8,000 but probably more, to store about $200 worth of junk. I have long since told her that she could store all her crud in the man-shed until she finds a place for it. Well, she is finally surrendering it on May 31, so we borrowed a friend’s truck today to get the big heavy stuff, the middle-sis-in-law helped and my prego wife was a good supervisor. The only things that are left belong to my youngest sis-in-law and the rest will all fit in a car.
A few of the items will be upcycled, like for instance we are making some old steamer trunks into travel bookshelves. Anyway, it was some good-husband-type activity. 4 weeks ago

My mom and aunt came in from outta town in my bro’s new truck to basically hang out with the wife and buy stuff for the baby. Oh we had breakfast and lunch and Wal-Mart and IKEA. Later, after mom left, we visited friends in S. Austin and went to Whole Foods after. I was on my super best behaviour because of the various venerable womenfolk. My wife turns to me on our way home and says in sweetly sincere way, “I just couldn’t love you anymore, I’m busting at the seams.” Score. 1 month ago

Had to get up super early this morn for final exam preps but luckily (and this is rare) the wife just stayed asleep in the bed. What’s even more rare is that the dogs didn’t open an eye because they were too afraid I might take em on a walk! Allowed me to ritualize my morning in peace anyway. The mrs. hates it when I leave without saying bye but I couldn’t bear to wake her after Auggy gave her such fits last night, so I just wrote her a note on the dry erase board. The cool thing was that she texted me later and let me know how the note made her feel less lonely when she woke up with me gone; this was a good text to get in the midst of the carnage and mayhem of finals. 1 month ago

Last night instead of journaling in 43T I hung out with the mrs. in the kitchen and did the dishes as she made us a delicious vegetarian meal. She said, “I could get used to this.” I usually do the dishes after she makes a meal, or the next day, but, as she pointed out, it is so much more comfortable to just do them immediately after she uses them. Anyway, it made her very happy. 1 month ago

I know that I am accomplishing this goal when my wife is laughing and happy most of the time and also when she is constantly trying to touch or be near me. If she is not pleased then she withholds laughter, smiling and affection. This weekend was the wedding of her best friend so I was on my best behavior at all times and she was so appreciative. Also, I have been doing this thing where I not only don’t get mad automatically as a reaction to her words but instead I try to ask her why she feels it necessary to be mad at me and speak so sternly to me during those times; it has worked wonders so far. I love it when she says, “I’m sorry, I thought you were gonna get mad at me just then, I will calm down and try to be nicer, okay.” Wow, who knew that most of her anger was just a reflection of the anger that she perceived in me?! If I remain calm, it is twice as likely that she will, and visa-versa; this becomes a cycle of serenity instead of the usual downward spiral of argument! Such a simple solution, and hard to achieve in the moment, but it works. 1 month ago

Getting the dishes done :) Gotta start somewhere. 12 months ago

Tomorrow we go to Obscurities :-) 12 months ago