How to be a Good Housewife

My group is using this article as part of a class we are giving on how gender roles have changed over time (if they have really changed at all). I got such a laugh out of this.. as did my mother and father. My Mom NEVER did any of this, and my Dad knew that if he expected it, he'd be in for a serious ass whoopin'. The sad thing is.. I'd follow this thing pretty closely with a boy friend or husband... with the exceptions that I would expect him to take me out to dinner once in a while, and if we had kids and I wanted it quiet, I'd duct tape their mouths shut (ok.. I'm not that paternal).

Keep in mind, this was actually published in a Home Economics textbook from 1954!!

HOW TO BE A GOOD WIFE

Home Economics High School Text Book, 1954

Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal, on time. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed.

Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so that you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.

Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the home just before your husband arrives, gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift, too.

Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair, and if necessary change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.

Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer, dishwasher, or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile and be glad he is home.

Some don'ts: Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he is late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day. Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.

Listen to him. You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.

Make the evening his. Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax.

The Goal: Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.

I might just live....

For the past three days I have mega sick. A fever on and off, hot and cold flashes, dizziness, swollen tonsils and sore throat, and aching muscles. Needless to say... it hasn't been fun.

Today is the first day I've felt some improvement. The dizziness is still there, but thankfully the fever is gone. I went to the doc, and got a prescription for my throat. My doctor wants me to go to an ear, nose, and throat specialist to see about having my tonsils removed. Yea, I'm not looking forward to that. I have to keep school in mind too... I have class all summer, then a full schedule in the fall. I just can't miss classes, so if it's going to happen, it has to occur in the small window between sessions. ugh.

I really like this photo...

I had this picture taken at work today, and we all laughed our asses off over it... just wanted to share. :-)

Glow little glow worm...

There are so few things in this world as enjoyable as sitting on the back patio in my rocking chair, listening to good music and watching the last rays of sunlight give way to the blanket of night. As I sat there, I noticed something out the corner of my eye on the brick walkway near the fountain. I didn't have my glasses on, and from what I could make out, it looked life a leaf.. until it began to hop, and I knew it was a small toad... making it's way across the yard.

It was so nice and peaceful out there on the patio, with a warm summer breeze, the light of a distant street lamp, and the soft white glow of the solar lite in my small garden. As I rocked in my chair glancing around at the stillness of the new nightfall, I noticed the unmistakable glimmer of a firefly.... the first one I had seen this season. Instantly I was transported back in time to days of playing hide and seek while at the family reunion with my brother and cousins.... catching fireflies in transparent plastic cups in the lot across the street from Pat and Danny's house, the home my Grandma grew up in. Indeed life was simpler back then, but small moments like tonight reminded me of the awesomeness that can be had in there here and now. The beauty that is the world around us.

Here are the lyrics of the song I happened to be listening to... one of my favorite songs of all times!!

Dimming of the Day - Richard & Linda Thompson

This old house is falling down around my ears
I'm drowning in a river of my tears
When all my will is gone you hold me sway
I need you at the dimming of the day

You pull me like the moon pulls on the tide
You know just where I keep my better side

What days have come to keep us far apart
A broken promise or a broken heart
Now all the bonnie birds have wheeled away
I need you at the dimming of the day

Come the night you're only what I want
Come the night you could be my confident

I see you on the street in company
Why don't you come and ease your mind with me
I'm living for the night we steal away
I need you at the dimming of the day
I need you at the dimming of the day

Allen Town Art Fest.

Sunday, Bobby invited me to go with him to a cook out in Allen-Town, where the annual art festival is held. I had never gone to the art fest, and each year swore I would go, but because of work, never got the opportunity. So, I jumped at the chance to go with Bob.

It was a nice sunny day, but on the hot side. The cook out was a lot of fun, and I met up with some old acquaintances there from when I used to frequent Thursdays at the Square downtown... many moons ago now it seems. I also ran into some friends and former co-workers who were at the art fest. Over all, I wasn't that impressed at what the vendors had to offer, though in retrospect I only did sample a small part of what was there. It was still fun to walk around and people watch though. I did see a few things of interest, but didn't like the price tags. I kept staring at some water fountains made by a couple of lesbians, but if I brought ANOTHER fountain into this house.. I'd need build a boat.

All in all, it was a lot of fun... and I'm very proud of myself for not buying a damn thing. Let's hear it for will power!! Woot! Woot!

Bob and I then had dinner a La Nova's pizzeria on the West Side of Buffalo. That was one of the best subs I've had in a LONG time. Good food.. bad neighborhood. LOL

"Why you all up in my business?"

As my good friend Renita would say "Why you all up in my Kool-aide when you don't even know the flavor?"

I was talking with Jason today and it both hit us how much gay people talk about each other. The references we give when a name is mentioned is incredible.. because usually they aren't good ones. Oddly enough, they usually aren't even first hand information "Well I heard from so and so that he's got serious issues." Well that's nice.. don't we all. Seems we have no problem talking about people we either don't know, or don't know well. There in lies the ties that make up the gay "community".

Oh, I fully admit, I'm just as bad as the next homo when it comes to this... and I have yet to meet ANYONE who can do otherwise. Maybe we all do it, but perhaps it's the degree to which we do it that makes the difference, I just don't know.

I met a guy from online yesterday, and we had a good time together. Seems really nice, we have a lot in common, etc. Odd though how when I have mentioned his name to some people, I get an odd look, or the stories start of "What they've heard". Am I jaded? Yes. Bitter? Oh hell yea.. but when asked for references about my ex's (and oddly enough, I have been), I am learning to say "the best thing you can do is find out for yourself". After all, when I first started going with Jeff, I got an ear full on him... and when I confronted him about it he asked me to let HIM show me the type of man he is... which he did. LOL People behave differently around different people... something I just need to keep in mind.

I can only imagine what people say when my name is mentioned... Oh, to be a fly on the wall sometimes. Ha Ha Ha!

A Walmart Wedding

This evening I went to the wedding reception of my co-worker's daughter (who also works at our store). It was held at a local fire hall here in NT. It's wasn't anything fancy, but we all had a damn good time. There was a big long table filled with current and former walmart associates. We never stopped laughing!! I even got to goof around with some of the lady's husbands, as you can see in the one pic.

I can't remember the last time I had so much fun!!! I needed that!!
(click on the pictures to make the larger)