A Healthier Us...

For someone who doesn't believe in New Year's Resolutions, this year is going to be a doozy. After some serious, honest, heartfelt conversation (and yes, there may have been some crying), Mike and I have decided to make some changes in our lives. While getting pregnant continues to be a goal for us, we have realized that we would like to bring a child into a far healthier home and lifestyle than the one we currently have.

Better eating, more exercise, quitting smoking (for Mike, anyway)...

As for better eating, my big focus is going to be on buying far less processed foods. I am guilty of running a "boxed foods" kitchen ever since I've lived alone. Hamburger helper, canned soup, and macaroni and cheese have been staples. I send Mike to work with frozen meals for lunch. While this may have saved a small amount of time and $$$, I think we've been suffering in other ways, namely sodium intake and over-eating. I plan to attack this goal through regular meal planning, sticking to the shopping lists, and "Shopping the Sides". I refuse to be totally unrealistic, though. I will continue to have a small amount of snacks in the house, because total denial leads to binging hardcore.

We haven't talked much about the exercise aspect of our little plan yet. I attend a twice-weekly water aerobics class and am committing myself to working harder during each class. We have talked about going to a gym together...making that our evening routine rather than the current one of sitting in front of the TV for hours when nothing is on...but we have yet to explore how to make that fit into our budget and also have it be convenient enough that we'll stick to it.

Now, Mike quitting smoking...I'm a little nervous. He's going to the doctor today and wants to ask him about Chantix and other stop-smoking methods. I'm all for finding ways to support stopping, but I've heard some bad things about the drugs they use. Depression, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts...this is bad news. I would love for him to quit smoking, be healthier, and smell better, but I don't want to lose the man that I love so much. I'm very fearful of what his quitting will do to his personality and our relationship. I've always been one to say that it has to be his decision and that I will support him no matter what, so we'll see how it works out. I'm secretly hoping that the doctor advises him against drugs and to try good ole' fashion will power.

Anyway...wish us luck!!!

Men...Well, My Man

So last night I lovingly (or maybe naggingly, I don't know) reminded my husband that he had an audit at work today, maybe he should take a shower and shave before going to bed, and I got the wrath...well, a snarky, biting comment that is Mike's equivalent of wrath. "Yes dear, anything else?" Ooo...pissed! Big time!

Let's go back and recap the rest of the evening...I offered to go to the store in the freezing weather, I helped him take out the mass of trash that had accumulated in our kitchen, I cleaned up our dinner dishes from the night before, I made him a nice dinner (omelets and biscuits), we watched TV together, and I initiated sex. Where in the course of this evening did I do anything that was deserving of that behavior? Maybe it was carried over frustration from yesterday morning when I woke him up on time and dug his clean pants (that I cleaned and folded, by the way) out of the yet-to-be-put-away laundry. Hmmm...I still don't see it.

So here it is. What I have gathered from his attitude is this...he, apparently, would be far better off without my help or input on his daily routine. HA!

This morning, I vowed not to help him in any way. I got up, took the dog out (Tuesday is my day), got ready, and leisurely made myself some Chai. Finally, when one of his alarms went off at 7.20 (he has a 45 minute drive to be to work by 8), I said..."Were you planning on going to work today?" Innocent. Loving. Sadly, it felt kind of good watching him bustle and rush around knowing full well that he still had to get all the snow off his car and drive at snail speed (our town doesn't exactly clear the roads).

I wish that I could be a total bitch and cut him off from my help. I could not get his items when I go to the store, only wash two loads of laundry rather than four, and enjoy my mornings without having to drag him out of bed. What do you think he would do that first day that he realizes that he's out of clean underwear? when he sees me making a yummy dinner that is just enough for me? I'm not thinking it would be a pretty picture.

Luckily for him, I'm loving and forgiving. Tonight I will go to the store and get his lunches and soda along with the things that I want. This weekend, I will wash the laundry while he sleeps in. I will be the wonderful wife that he is used to.

I do think, however, that I will continue my freeze outs in the mornings. He had better figure out how to get his own ass up on time. Love only goes so far.