It's that Whole Work-Life Balance Thang

The Man vacuums around me as I recline on the couch. He actively clatters dishes in the sink. He pretends to be searching under MY couch for something that does not exist.

I am immunized to this type of behavior.

I have always felt housework was a complete waste of time unless company is coming or the health department may have reason to investigate.

He glares from his stance far above my couch. I lie there with pen in hand and my little notebook of New Year’s Resolutions and I happily read while I write:
“More Work-Life Balance”

The Science of a Clean House

I often had “conversations” with my husband about why our house is not as neat as So-and-So’s house...SO after an extensive survey I have come up with a scientific calculation of the four levels of house cleanliness and why:

House Appearance = Mom Employment/Maid Employment
Neat, Warm and Welcoming House = Mom does NOT work outside the home/ they have a weekly maid.
Neat House = Mom works outside the home /they have a weekly maid.
Warm and Welcoming House = Mom does NOT work outside the home/they have NO maid.
Messy House = Mom works outside the home /they have NO maid.

I informed my husband of my study and suggested whenever he wants to alter the fact that we both work and we don’t have a maid I can almost guarantee that our house will go from Messy to at least Warm and Welcoming in appearance. It is simple science and nothing to do with my "creative lifestyle."

Oddly—the conversations have stopped.