notesfromthetrenchesIII

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Wednesday, May 17, 2006

I'm Pacing Myself

One of the recurrent "discussions" that Rob and I have is my lack of attention to detail. Don't you love when someone points out your flaws under the pretense of helping you? I know I LOVE it. Especially when you don't consider said attribute to be a flaw at all.

One of the ways that this "discussion" takes shape is the way I serve dinner from the pots on the stove. I think why bother dirtying more dishes just to put the food out on the table. Why make more work for myself?

My husband says that if you tell yourself it is work, of course it will feel like work. Just tell yourself this is how it should be done. I will go on record here saying that I hate this sort of mind over matter crap advice. Let me just pull myself up by my bootstraps and turn my frown upside down. (Which reminds me I have been wanting to write a review of Kathryn Sansone's book, Woman First, family always)

However, it has been brought to my attention, repeatedly, that the stove top is not a serving station and that when he makes dinner he always sets the table properly. The atmosphere is part of the enjoyment of the meal. This all begs the question of exactly how often he makes dinner? or eats dinner with us? And does he really think the words atmosphere, enjoy, and seven children go together with meal? Me thinks he has been inhaling too many fumes from the polish he uses on his office furniture every day.

I think, let's not prolong this affair any longer than necessary and lets try not to make any additional work for me. If I could get the kids on board with eating directly out of the pots with their hands I'd totally consider it. Oh heck, I lie, I'd be all over it. I consider dinner a success when no one falls to floor writhing in mental anguish over the dinner I have just prepared.

But when he makes dinner he washes all the pots and cooking crap before anyone sits down to dinner. The table is set with napkins...NAPKINS folded into shapes, not torn paper towels, chargers and actual glasses, not water bottles. You think I'm kidding? No wonder I feel inferior.

I usually tell people that my husband would be a much better wife than I am. And I mean it. But the fact of the matter is that it is easy to be perfect when you are only doing it a few hours a week.

When I go out alone I come home to a list of "helpful" hints on how I could run the household more smoothly. I LOVE that. Most of the suggestions involve me cleaning way more, following the children around the house demanding they put their toys away whether or not they are still playing with them, following a detailed minute by minute schedule, and basically not sitting down or relaxing ever. It's just so not going to happen.

In return, I like to make nonsensical suggestions to him about how he should do his job. I give him my advice about dealing with the IRS and taxes and stuff, though my expertise begins and ends with filling in the bubbles on the 1040EZ form. But, like him, it doesn't stop me from freely handing out my advice outside my realm of expertise.

So I give advice like:

"Make sure you color in the entire bubble. Just to be sure."

"What? There are no bubbles to color in."

"Well, Rob, just keep it in mind for future reference. M'kay?"


Or like this:


"You should sharpen all your number 2 pencils in advance and put them into one of those cuppy things on your desk."

"What the hell are you talking about?" he'll ask.

"Just giving you my advice. You know those cuppy things I am talking about...what are they called..." I'll continue.

"A pencil holder?"

"YES! That's what you need. You should get a cute, yet manly one, for your desk. You know, to create the proper work atmosphere."


At this point he will usually laugh. He knows his "helpful" advice drives me crazy, yet he is unable to stop doing it. I guess much like I can not stop driving over the front lawn and hysterically laughing while I deny it and try blaming it on the oil man.

I have come to realize that if I only had to play housewife a few hours on a weekend day, I'd be able to do a kickass job also. Unfortunately, I don't have that luxury. I have to pace myself like a marathon runner.

And not one of those freakishly fast marathon runners, no more like one of those slightly overweight older housewives who probably have their own forty before forty list, and have trained for a year to do this once in a life time thing and feel like they are about to drop dead half way through but realize that there is no way to turn around so they have to keep plugging away... maybe even crying while they run?

Yeah, that's the kind of marathon runner I'm talking about.

I'd totally love to ponder this some more, but I have laundry to do, a diaper to change, breakfast to serve, and meals to plan. Somehow I haven't been able to convince myself that they aren't work. My suggestion of naked fasting week was not met with the sort of enthusiasm I had hoped.

76 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

My husband would make a much better wife than I would too. When I leave for an hour, I come back to a house cleaner than when I left it. I think he might be magic.

Fortunately, for me, he's fine with serving from the stovetop for most meals, because that's how it is done in our house 98% of the time.

10:00 AM  
Blogger Megamom said...

Oh i can sooo relate. dont you love how they love to make suggestions that have no basis in reality. MIne was a sahm dad when we had 2... yeah compare to now with 8 ... i dont take his suggestions very well!

10:18 AM  
Blogger Kalisa said...

SERVING DISHES???? For dinners other than Thanksgiving? Craziness.

Remind him that The Waltons was FICTION.

And, ahem, when you eat out in a super-nice, 5-star restaurant? Do you see serving dishes? You do not. Know why? BECAUSE THEY SERVE THE PLATE DIRECTLY FROM THE STOVE.

10:23 AM  
Blogger Kate Giovinco Photography said...

Love the advice on how I (yeah me) should do things!

LOVE IT!

10:26 AM  
Blogger Kate Hagel said...

You know the other one I hate.

Housework=Spiritual Discipline

WTF?! I. hate. that.

10:26 AM  
Blogger owlhaven said...

Pacing-- yep, totally. This kind of pacing keeps you from the kind of pacing people do in a padded room after they've had a nervous breakdown.

Majoring in the majors saves your soul.

Mary, mom to many, who also serves the mac and cheese straight from the stovetop.

10:33 AM  
Blogger Heth said...

Sign me up for naked fasting week. Actually, that's pretty much what we do when daddy is out of town on business.

10:43 AM  
Blogger Liz Miller said...

I've only got the one child, but even so...unless we have company the food gets served directly from the pots on the stove. Heck, even when we have company!

If it's good enough for a five star restaurant, it's good enough for me.

10:49 AM  
Blogger Suzanne said...

I hear you loud and clear. Just the fact that dinner is so close to bedtime makes that time of day chaos. And I only have 1 right now! Who wants to wrangle thier toddler through dinner, bath, and then bed then come down to a sink full of dishes! Ugh!

10:57 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My husband makes those same ridiculous comments about mealtime. He's always telling me that "presentation is part of the taste" (snort!). As if when dinner looks "pretty" the kids won't all go into writhing fits of anguish, moaning "do I have to eat *that*???!!!" at every meal. And then he does make a better housewife than I do those few hours every month (6 months, a year, whatever) he decides to help out.

But then, his mom was the perfect June Cleaver so I'm fighting a losing battle. As you mentioned in one of your previous blogs, I'm setting the bar low for future daughter-in-laws. They'll thank me, even if my dear husband doesn't.

11:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Do you actually manage to serve meals that don't cause any of your children mental anguish? 'Cause if you do, I want your cookbook. No, I want you to cook for us. I hit about one meal every two weeks that makes everyone happy, and I only have three kids (and one husband who would TOTALLY be a better wife than me except for the CARING about the state of the floors would drive him INSANE).

11:01 AM  
Blogger Beth said...

My husband is the same way. Unfortunately, he too, is a much better housewife than me. Much more organized and motivated. But his "suggestions" (read: criticism) just don't work for me or my personality. He thinks I should be able to act the way he does, and it shouldn't be any problem. Grrr. Drives me crazy. You can only say "I'm glad that works for you" so many times. Anywho... I'm all for Naked Fasting Week too.

11:01 AM  
Blogger Lana said...

I would love to feel like my husband is a better wife, but this would mean he does something in the house besides "advise" me on the best way to do things.

Maybe they're all alike?

11:03 AM  
Blogger Lisa said...

My husband is an excellent housewife. Or would be, if he were female. He cleans WAY better than I do, and in way less time. I don't seem to notice the dirt he finds.

As far as dinner goes...I don't think I've ever served food in bowls on the table, except for a salad, unless we were having guests for dinner. Most of the time, the kids eat at 5-ish and my husband and I eat at about 8. He doesn't get home until after 7, so I can't make the kids wait that long. And I always serve it from the pot.

I hardly ever have any napkins in the house. Paper towels are good enough, aren't they?

11:03 AM  
Blogger irreverentmama said...

"Stovetops are not serving stations"? Says who?

My best friend in high school came from a family of (brace yourself) seventeen. Or thereabouts. There was always a foster child or two floating in and out.

Anyway, they set up there kitchen just like that: Mom stood at the stove, and the kids all lined up with their plates. Mom dished out meat, salad, rice, whatever, onto their plates, which they took to the dining room. Nobody touched a bite till Mom had joined the table, and they all ate together.

But never once, no matter how many times I ate there, did I ever, ever see a fancy-schmancy "serving bowl" on the table.

11:09 AM  
Blogger oshee said...

Hmmm..
My husband is not a better housewife than me. He would be horrible at it. He cares a lot less about the state of things than I do. He applauds my efforts.

He does have trouble helping. After reading all of your comments, I wonder if he holds back his..'suggestions' only because he knows I will stop what ever I am doing and hand it over to him. Then I will suggest I go back to work and he stay home with the five children.

I am lucky my mother-in-law is no June Cleaver. She is a kind, attentive mother who understands the housework is not first priority. The children are.

Truly I wouldn't be able to handle some of what has been described here. How do you all handle it?

11:22 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

OMG, I would so be on the verge of slapping my DH silly if he offered me the kind of advice that your hubby does. When I was pregnant DH used to tell me how to eat so that I would "feel better". As a hyperemisis sufferer, that was the last thing I wanted to hear. It's funny how those who don't have to deal with things on a regular basis love to offer suggestions on how you should. Grr. the goal is to make things quick and easy...that is the one and only goal.

11:32 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My DH lost his mind 3 years ago and decided to "simplify" his life. He is now my "parenting partner" or ex-DH. On the upside, I can do pretty much what I want without the "helpful" advice. On the downside, celibacy sucks! Ashley, Single Mom to 4.

12:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yeah, I so love it when the hubby jumps in with advice. He actually marked the laundry detergent cup with a sharpy so I would know exactly how much to put it. Ass. You know I read that book that you were talking about. I thought about being a super- mom like her for about a minute and then drank a lot of wine instead. I will never be that organized and I don't even think I want to.

12:16 PM  
Blogger Brooke said...

Would it make him feel better if you bought some really pretty pots? How about if you make the food, and he makes it presentable. Teamwork, people!

12:20 PM  
Blogger c said...

Laughed out loud at 'cute, yet manly' (pencil holder.) My husband pulled the 'you should clean as you cook' thing on me last night after I'd rushed around all day and made dinner. Unfortunately, in response, I was forced to use @#$! language that I can't repeat here.

12:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I clean as I cook, but not all of it gets done since I serve out of the pots, too. I just put pot holders all over the table and the pots magically transform into serving dishes!

When it comes to housework, you have to weigh your priorities and do what you can. I'm ashamed to admit it, but my family gets dressed every day from one of three laundry baskets that sit in the living room waiting for me to find time to fold everything. Their clothes may be wrinkled, but at least they're clean! I am totally your kind of marathon runner!

1:01 PM  
Blogger Jennifer said...

He sounds Italian. Send him over to my place for a day or two. I might have only one kid, but I'll call a few Italian gals over so he can see what it is REALLY like to have a maniac cleaner/cooker for a wife. The house might look nice, but she's down your throat if you run out the door without shining your shoes.

1:09 PM  
Blogger Jennifer said...

Another pot server here ;). My husband is nit-picky, but thankfully not about that. He's just grateful when I cook lately :D

1:13 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

he knows what a charger is and he uses them?! i forget i own them and don't even use them on holidays. oh my gosh.

i can't wait to give mike some little tips, too! ooooh, it'll be fuN!

1:20 PM  
Blogger Suburban Turmoil said...

Oooh, I'm getting more annoyed reading this post than I should right now because my husband tries so hard to be the mommy sometimes and just ends up fucking everything up- or complaining that he's doing everything, even though he did it without my wanting or needing him to do it! My husband would make a horrible housewife and he agrees with me- but it doesn't stop him from trying!

There. I feel better now. :)

1:38 PM  
Blogger Antique Mommy said...

Please PLEASE write a review of Kathryn Sansone's book!! I did one a while back but yours would be so much better and funny and snarky. Anytime I need to cough up a hairball, I pull out her book and read a few pages. It helps with the gag reflex.

1:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As always you are right on the money, serving dishes are for holidays or for folks who have outside help. Thanks for the smile!! :D

My husband was number 8 of 9 kids and my sister in law tells stories of friends comming over for lunch only to be horrified that the sandwiches were served either on a paper towel or horror of horrors on the table itself. My mother in law is my hero (and you are too!)

2:11 PM  
Blogger Donna said...

Well I'm certainly glad I'm not the only endures such things. My best defence is to just smile and nod, and say "I know baby, your right" While all the while, just saying to myself, "you wouldn't last a week doing what I do"

My goal in everything I do, making dinner, doing laundry, anything, is to make sure there is as little work as possible,I'd totally be for eating directly from the pots.

And not to get on a rant here, maybe its just my husband, it seems that even when he does pitch in and try to help, he just makes it more work for you in the end.

2:16 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i've learned in my short 1 year parenting career, that there are times when half-assed parenting is not just a choice, it's the ONLY choice... what is it with modern men and their pedantic cleaning/organising rituals? in any case, let the whole-assed parenting rituals be focussed on important things like making sure the kids don't kill each other while locked in the den watching American Idol, for example. i'm sure homer simpson had some kind of half-assed parenting words of wisdom on this...

2:43 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I totally agree....every once in a while I will serve out of dishes but mostly, I stand in front of stove, dish out the grub and set the plates on the island counter behind me and them summon everyone to pick up a plate and chow down at the table!

2:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So much for Chris not "dishing" on me while I am without a blog to retaliate (see mommybloggers)..

Before you all are fully convinced that I am out of my mind, please let me explain the "stovetop is not a serving station" quote. We happen to have a gas cook top; the type of cook top with a large opening around the flame that leads to the very bowels of the stove. Serving from this cook top would be one thing, however when things (sauces, macaroni and cheese, etc.) are spilled onto, as well as into, the cooktop it is a recipe (pardon the pun) for disaster. While I am on this point, a lot of restaurants serve their sides "family style" whereby they serve from large bowls placed on the dining table (see Ruth's Chris Restaurant). I like it, it is nice, and you don't have to keep getting up to refill the children's plates.

That being said, I would make a better "housewife" than Chris, but I would pale in comparison in being a better Mommy or Homemaker. You see, in my mission to have the house perfectly ordered, I fail to do all the things that Chris finds the time to do: Finger paint, make play dough, read aloud, play peek-a-boo with the babies, teach school, go to the library, write a blog, etc., the list goes on and on.

I suppose I love her just the way she is, and I will gladly continue to clean the cooktop and do the laundry to completion, and obsess about my timliness in getting the clothes out of the dryer so that they will be warm and as a result fold properly, if she continues doing what she does and promises to never change one thing about herself (except maybe reconsider the g-string outfit the next time she grouts a tile floor).

2:51 PM  
Blogger Karla said...

Doesn't he know that shiney pots have entertainment value? I often enjoy a peaceful meal while the kids stare at their distorted reflections instead of complaining about the food.

2:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My husband has, wait IS learning that giving me directions on something he knows nothing about can cause a physical reaction from me that involves growling, bodily shaking, teeth bared, tearing clothes off of body and finally turning green and gigantic! And chargers? Yeah, buddy I'll show you what a charger really is! Anybody else got any complaints about the food? Okay, *plop* eat it on the floor! Sometimes when he is seeing clearly, he will actually admit that doing the dishes or cooking is easier and faster for him because he ONLY has to do that and maybe once a week...maybe.
Paper plates all the way baby!

2:56 PM  
Blogger Carrien Blue said...

My husband probably doesn't know what a charger is, I certainly don't ever use them, or own them. He usually eats his salad straight out of the bowl on the table rather than dirty another plate. But he's a great cook, I tell him all the time that he needs to clean as he goes though because the kitchen after he makes dinner is a mess of epic, nightmarish, exhausting proportions. Of course when he cleans up anything, it's still messy, but he rarely gives me housekeeping advice and I have actually found it helpful. HE didn't think of it of course it's something his mother who is still raising the last of her eight thought of.

I suggest that you agree to use serving dishes if he agrees to clean up after dinner EVERY SINGLE NIGHT.

2:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just noticed the Rob comment on here and thought it was cute! You wanna see her in a g-string? Then maybe try cooking for her every night (while tending the kids) that way for a year and always telling her how perfect she is and that you are honored to create such a meal for her every night! Hee! Hee!

3:01 PM  
Blogger Judi said...

Maybe it's time for you to take a week long vacation.

3:05 PM  
Blogger She-Ra said...

I would love to see a review of the Sansone book.

7:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I loved "Rob's" comment! What a team.

7:13 PM  
Blogger Mrs. Darling said...

I wonder if your husband had cooked as many meals as you have if he'd still be so fastidious in serving? Hu?

7:48 PM  
Blogger Trivial Mom said...

Does anyone really read the comments when they are this far down on the list?
Anyways, the problem we have in our household is my husband and I are two completely different personalities. I can function in a disaster of a house (I think I was born to be a mom), even for a couple days at a time. My husband on the other hand comes home and if the house is a mess he can't function until it's clean. So he doesn't make "suggestions" but he is not in a good mood when the house is a mess.

As for serving from the stove, I see no point in dirting an extra dish. Just no point.

Okay, I have to stop putting off cleaning and get this place sort of put together.

8:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

No, nobody reads the comments this far down.

I will warn anyone who does this of my neighbor's experience. She had been a single mom and married a single dad, creating a family with three elementary-aged boys and a dad who had been on his own with boys for several years. She was disappointed in their meal styles, so to teach them a lesson, she served a meal of spaghetti on a big plastic sheet on the floor. No utensils, hands behind the back. Unfortunately for her, this went over GREAT with all the males, and amused the block, too.

- Evynna

9:00 PM  
Blogger Jennifer said...

Fortunately my husband could care less if I served him dinner out of the pot, a bag or even if it was on the floor! As long as he gets food he's happy. It's the other people in my family that seem to think that I don't anything.

Seven kids!!! heck it would be buffet style every night at my house!

Stacy from Stop.Go.Stacey sent me :)

9:23 PM  
Blogger Kathryn Thompson said...

I'm surprised you have time to blog at all. I can not BELIEVE you don't just throw the food on the floor and let them have at it, especially now that you have that attractive tile. That's the way we do it at our house. Ours requires a tarp, though.

10:14 PM  
Blogger Notes from the Trenches said...

I read every single comment and savor them all.
and trivial mom... that is my husband too. he can not function in any sort of clutter or mess. I, on the other hand, am very good at looking the other way ;-)

10:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It is me who often give "helpful" advice to my husband. I know he's annoyed by that, but I just can't stand not to :)).

Cinnamon Leaf
http://cinnamonleaf.lipblogs.com

10:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

...can hardly finish reading this with tears running down my face, but that's the reason I look to you every time I touch my computer! And I have to admit, I so look forward to my two twelve-hour days of secretarial work each week, because I know my husband will completely clear the kitchen counters, sort through several drawers and closets, vacuum thoroughly, mow the lawn, homework and bathe the children, and have everyone (including himself)in bed by the time I get home at 9:15. Please do not tell him that sometimes banana splits can be considered a balanced meal...

12:43 AM  
Blogger elzie said...

I serve from the yucky electric stove we have, I SO want gas! I fill each plate and have the kids get their plate or deliver them myself. It would mean TWO loads of dishes if I used serving platters/bowls - and dh LOVES to save money, so one load convinces him that serving from the stove is a good thing. ;-)

2:06 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My husband and I divide up tasks based on what we like and don't like to do. I cook (most of the time), he does the dishes, I do the ironing, he takes care of the garden. We both do the washing. It seems to work.

Occassionally I wonder whether I really need to get another dish out of the cupboard when I'm cooking up a mess but hey, I'm sure he doesn't hesitate to throw clothes in the wash that could easily go a few rounds more...It all seems to even out!

2:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What I didn't say yesterday and should have: All of you lovely women should be thankful that you have husbands to complain about. Be thankful for them.

7:55 AM  
Blogger Meg said...

Serving dishes? PFFT! Last night, I ate a lean pocket over the sink and drank a martini out of a coffee cup.

8:38 AM  
Blogger Junosmom said...

mmmm...I think I'd give him the job of serving the food, since he knows exactly how it is to be done. A "You're Hired" type of moment!

8:44 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My husband gets annoyed if I use serving dishes! As child #9 of 12, he grew up eating every meal at a "restaurant". His plate of food was always set in front of him, and he and his siblings ate in shifts. I think it's all about the MIL. We've also been known to set a 32 oz. yogurt container in front of a kid with a spoon.

9:35 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dude.. you nailed it:

"I have come to realize that if I only had to play housewife a few hours on a weekend day, I'd be able to do a kickass job also. Unfortunately, I don't have that luxury."

I make soup (from a can) all the time and then eat it right out of the pot. Unless I'm feeling really fancy and like I need a special treat, and then I"ll maybe put it into a bowl and use a real napkin instead of a paper towel.

But that doesn't happen often.

9:54 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

For Rob...

1. My husband would be applauding your words about the stove mess if he read your comment. I felt like he was writing it. There is a sympathetic soul out there; and,

2. Bravo for your lovely comments about Chris. Good job, sir!

10:27 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We just put the pot on the table and kill to birds with one stone!

10:28 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love reading your blog, and let me tell you I totally admire how you have the energy to do all the things you do...I barely manage to take care of one baby while trying to finish grad school. Any hints?
I keep a blog for my baby, that is as much as I do for fun (and read your blog, of course!).
My baby's blog is in Spanish, but just in case, this is the link:
http://helenitaroman.blogspot.com
I put a link to your blog.

10:30 AM  
Blogger Erin M said...

And i just LOVE when they say "Well them I'll stay home and YOU go to work" but then you can't leave the house until every kid is bathed & tucked in b/c they admittedly can't handle it. BAH!

10:33 AM  
Blogger Jody said...

Rob, I am completely convinced that you and Bill were seperated at birth. EVERYTHING in your comment echoes my husband, all the way down to folding the clothes while they are warm.

I mean, Good God, there are 2 of you.....this is a major good thing, mind you, as I adore my husband. But I swore the broke the mold with him....do you like to vacuum?

10:52 AM  
Blogger Gem'smom said...

Oh, my husband fancies himself a much better housewife too. I could so relate to this post. Perhaps if he'd like to dine in his tie and jacket, you could break out the fine china? That would be enough for my husband to reach for the paper plates. You are such a riot!

10:54 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Rob is so sweet!He needs his own blog!!

2:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is HILARIOUS.
You ROCK.
Your husband is FULL OF IT.
The end.

2:58 PM  
Blogger julie said...

it's always easy to do things when you only have to do them for an hour, a day or even a weekend. try taking a vacation by yourself for a week and see if there are serving dishes on the table when you get home....(hee hee)

i'm very blessed my hubbie is so laid back. he does things differently but unless he wants to do them he knows better than to complain!

serving dishes? i don't even think i have enough to match for a thanksgiving dinner. YIKES

7:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mealtime at our house is a comedy of disorganization, everyperson for themselves type chaotic nuthouse and my husband is usually reading the news on his laptop. I know he secretly wishes we'd have an intricately set table but that's what holidays are for. ;)

10:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh, the driving over the lawn is CLASSIC!

11:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Being a mom and running a household is hard work. and don't let any "weekend helper" tell you any different.

And some of it just isn't fun.

10:46 AM  
Blogger c said...

Hi... For Rob. Your comment is wonderful and very funny. Your love, regardless of whether serving dishes or g-strings are present, shines through. That's pretty special.

4:19 PM  
Blogger Diane said...

Being a foster Mom, I usually don't know how good the table manners (if any) my children have. Serving bowls tend to be something one-of-them always decides should be thier own dish and spoon and hands go right into it. The stove works better for me. Not only that, I can keep my food warm while dishing the little ones' so it can cool. Another thing I do - I fold the older kids clothes on the kitchen table so they have to put them away before they can get thier dish off of the stove to eat. Works for me.

My dear husband is content to do nothing until I start something - he then jumps up to "help" and jusggest improvements on how I am doing whatever it is that I'm doing. Since he is retired, I have him all the time - not just after work and on weekends~~

11:11 AM  
Blogger Kit said...

I agree with you - the best meals are the ones that you can cook in one huge pot,then put it straight on the table, there's enough to wash up already. I hate recipes that require three different pans of stuff to produce one dish, especially the baby food ones, though I gave those up completely after one child. Tidying? once a week if that, when the floor has disappeared completely otherwise just take a broom and clear a path through the toys to your destination.

3:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I would bet if you spent less time blogging, you would have more time with your family! Serving from the pans is no big deal, but is it somthing your husband looks forword to? I bet you would have an issue if your husband decided to start doing half as at work, and not bringing home the same money you have become acustom to? Maybe I just do not get the blogging thing, but it appears to be another form of chat, that people have justified as not being chat, so its ok.

10:06 PM  
Blogger Laura K. said...

Who the heck serves from dishes? I must live under a rock but the only time I've seen that happen is at like Christmas, thanksgiving, etc. No one has ever made a comment on serving from pots before!!! Why waste time over it? I'd rather enjoy life!

5:38 AM  
Blogger Laura K. said...

I should have added that we put the pots on the TABLE if that makes us sound more civilised!

To the anonymous just before me.. that was really rude of you to say! Blogging is a release for most of us so we don't go killing our families, ok? And don't take me seriously either.

5:53 AM  
Blogger Notes from the Trenches said...

Oh what a nice brave anonymous comment! I LOVE those!!!

Also, I LOVE people with no sense of humor!

9:37 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As always, I adore your blog.

My husband couldn't care less how food is served, but my extremely high-maintenance, already-metrosexual ten-year-old son thinks we need to serve all meals "family style" (in serving dishes) at the diningroom table. He often questions why we do not.

Truly, I pity his future wife.

~Susan

12:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous Poster (above):

...And if YOU spent some time reading the dictionary rather than criticizing a perfectly amazing mother, you might realize the word "ACUSTOM" doesn't even exist.

~Susan

12:28 PM  
Blogger Kristi said...

Brilliantly hilarious!

1:11 PM  

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