My Relationship, Our Marriage: How I Knew He Was The One

     My life would no longer be my own.  No more freedom.  No more fun.    No more global vacations.  This was the end of my life as I knew it and no one was in line to help save me.  This was a journey from which there was no return.  I was getting married!

Goodbye Blackie Bantam

     Not long ago I shared that my in-laws are the greatest at giving the worst gifts imaginable.  Oversized sweaters, grill (the cheapest in quality they could find), jerseys with sexually explicit cartoons and live animals.  Yes, live animals.  If you’ve been following me, you know that before my husband and I were married they attempted to gift us a dog.  No worries – I stood my ground and thankfully so did my husband.  No pets until after we have a house and are married.  Most importantly, we would pick the pet ourselves.  Normal in-laws would have probably taken the hint, right? Lucky me, I got the ones that ride the short bus for in-laws.

Declutter Your Home Declutter Your Marriage

     Is clutter an issue in your home and marriage?  Does your husband refuse to pick up after himself? Are you the clutter-bug? Do you worry about comments from your in-laws regarding the lack of organization in your home? You’re not alone.

In-laws And Step-children: What Now?

     On the day I said “I do” I inherited not only a husband but in-laws and step-children. Step-children from more than one ex-wife. That’s right, I am wife number three. I told my husband once, “Strike three and you’re out! Of the marriage game, that is.” So this is the story of my one, my only great love and the baggage he brought with him.  This is the nightmare of having step-children and in-laws determined to end your story before it truly begins.

Hold The Mayo Please

   I recently read a post on Thoughts From Paris called Six Weeks Of No Shampoo written by D.J. Paris (Follow Him on Twitter). He chronicles his attempt to use natural methods of “shampooing” versus the use of a commercial product for six weeks. Reading it brought back memories of my childhood which I am sure other women have experienced in one way or another.  So in typical fashion I’ve decided to share.

The Many Seasons Of My Marriage

     I find myself ruled not by a calendar – at least not the Gregorian, Solar or Lunar.  Instead my life revolves around seasons: Big Game, Small Game, Dove, Woodcock, Snipe, Rail, September Goose & September Teal, Waterfowl, Furbearers.  Shotgun, .22 Rifle, Blackpowder, Muzzleloading. Fishing, Bowfish and Bowhunt.  

Let My Husband Go

He went to summer camp, you went home – you let him go.

He went on his first date, you stayed home – you let him go.

He drove for the first time, you watched from the driveway – you let him go.

He went to college, hours away – you let him go.

He got his first apartment, moved out – you let him go.

You helped him grow into a man.

He fell in-love and got married. 

Your son is now my husband - please, let him go.

Let him go so he can take care of his house.

Let him go so he can start a family of his own.

Let him go so he can come back and say “Thank you, for all you’ve done”.

Let him go so he can make his own forever-memories with his wife.

Let him go so he can grow into a husband and a father.

Please, let my husband go.

 

 

 

 

Lessons Learned - Growing With My In-laws

   Over the years I’ve learned a lot about what works and doesn’t work in my marriage.  In the military it’s referred to as Lessons Learned.  Oddly enough I’ve come to realize that these lessons are not much different from the lessons you learn as a child.   

My Life As The Other Woman a.k.a The Daughter-In-Law

In this electronic age the introduction to my husband’s parents happened was via e-mail.  He informed his parents that he invited me to share the Christmas holiday with them. He saw it as an opportunity for all of us to meet.  His parents swiftly responded with an e-mail advising him that while he was welcome to visit – I was not.  If he were going to insist on having me there they recommended he stay at his brother’s house during my visit and I could join him there. Rejection One.