The Real Housewife of Indianapolis

Hello! I hope everyone had a restful weekend!!

It's funny how much your priorities change in a year, isn't it? It's odd how one little thing totally changes your path and puts you in the least likeliest place you'd think you'd be.

I think I'm there.

Let me explain. In high school, I wanted to be a photojournalist. I wanted to work for Rolling Stone, and take awesome pictures, and meet my idols. Music always has been a huge part of my life, and I love to write. It just seemed to be my destiny.

All of that changed when I began working as a night shift tech in an all male group home. I changed my major and never really looked back. I can be pretty indecisive, but once I know I want it good luck convincing me otherwise.

Back when I wanted to be a pseudo hippie and write for RS, I never wanted a family. I wanted to travel the world and do my own thing. Looking back now, I was a budding feminist (or maybe just a teenager) and thought I didn't need anyone else.

That changed when I met Richard, obviously.

I find myself loving the domestic life. I look up recipes, I clean, I cook, I make meal plans, and I really enjoy every minute of it. If anyone told the 18 year old me what I'd turn into by 27, she would have said "Laaaaame" while reading a biography of The Doors in a tie dye shirt sitting on blow up furniture.

I know a lot of it is maturity and growth. But a lot of it is being in a true partnership that you don't mind doing those things. In previous relationships, they did their part, I did mine, and we kept everything separate. Richard and I just do it, and we don't keep a tally; it's not necessary. I never thought I would get excited over cleaning supplies and picking out appliances, but I do. I found my senior book, and it has a section in the back of what you think you will be doing by the next reunion. I wrote I was going to be a photojournalist, living in an awesome apartment by myself in some big city. By the reunion I will be a few months away from getting married, living in a home, and still working as a therapist, and I'm not sure Indy compares to the "big city" of Chicago, New York, or London that I was referring to, but, hey, one out of three isn't bad (haha).

I used to see housewife as this horrible word. Now, I don't. I see it as being part of a family. Yes, I'm learning the ropes still, and it's been difficult trying to work, commute, keep up the housework, and everything else that comes with being an adult and partner. But I have a great partner in crime to help me. I'm looking forward to what is ahead, because I have someone great going through it with me. Now, I feel, my true destiny, professionally and personally, can begin.

Stay At Home Dads?

Short post today! I have a link below to an article I read on msnbc.com about the reversal of roles due to the economy, and how that can help or hinder a marriage. It does a great job of discussing both sides of the issue, and brings up a good discussion...is it something that you would be ok doing? Would you prefer to be or have your significant other be a househusband, or not? Why? Read the article and let me know!

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38628278/ns/today-parenting/

Quirks

I'm tired today, and that makes me somewhat cranky. Instead of it being a full-blown crankiness, I call it a funny cranky. I'm irritated and grumpy, but I can still see the humor in things.

One thing that I notice more when I am in this mood is other people's quirks, and am REALLY aware of mine. I have a pet peeve that all of my labels have to face forward. One of my friends likes to go through my kitchen and bathroom and mess all of my labels up before she leaves. I know it's her way of picking on me out of love, and now it's a competition to see how long it takes me to notice what is messed up (have I mentioned I'm competitive and a perfectionist?)

The reason I mention this is because my fiance has a lot of quirks....LOTS. We have recently moved in together after being in a long distance relationship for a year and a half. We went from spending maybe 10 hours a week together, to seeing each other every day. I was worried that we might get on each others' nerves in the early stages of cohabitation. Honestly, I was really worried his little tics might make me put a pillow over his face while he slept (just kidding..somewhat). He drinks his milk out of a vase (in his defense it does look like a large glass; but once I pointed out to him that Better Homes and Gardens does not make glassware, he continued to drink out of it), he has an inability to stand still, and he will continue to do something when he knows it annoys you (like wax poetic about the awesomeness of Taylor Swift's music..ugh).

If it were anyone else, I would have wanted to change these little idiosyncracies, or restrict his behavior. Instead, I love him more because of his quirks. We are far removed from the "aww, he has such a cute snore when he sleeps" stage in our relationship, and I think he knows deep down these little habits make him more endearing to me. It makes me laugh in spite of myself when I see him come out of the kitchen with his equally numbered Oreos and obnoxiously large red vase/glass, or when he says the most random things with sincerity and honesty ("Let's honeymoon in Hollywood!" "We should have a saloon themed wedding with a Skittles color scheme!"), that make me realize that he is it for me.

I think that's what is missing from relationships: accepting them out of love, not out of convenience. I see Richard for who he is, and love those characteristics about him, and he sees a neurotic, anxious perfectionist, and is okay with it. It's how I know it's the real thing, and for the first time, it makes me feel safe and complete :) Mushy but true.

What about you? Do you or your significant other have any quirks? Is it endearing or obnoxious? Let me know!