Checks and Balances

This morning I woke up at 5:20 am.

I'm an incurable morning person.

...But I can cure myself until my alarm at 6:15.  So I rolled over and dozed for an hour.

I got up early this morning and was immediately wide awake.  I love that feeling.  That aware, alertness, daring the world to bring it on.

I leaned over, kissed B. and got up to wash my face and throw on some clothes.  Almost immediately B. snatched my free pillow and snuggled up to it.  She says it smells like me, I think she just wants some free cushion.

I love our little morning routines.

I went out to the living room, found my shoes under scattered laundry and got ready to go.

Then, as I packed my leftovers for lunch I spotted it.

Exhibit A.

Evidence of our tenuous treaty as an imperfect couple.

My wife is lactose intolerant.  But she loooooves cereal.  Crispix especially.  And let's face it, if you have cereal, you MUST have milk with it.  So my wife bathes her cereal in milk and then scoops out the swimmers, leaving the liquid white pool behind in the bowl.  She then proceeds to leave the milk bowl out on the counter.  When we're both home, I have no problem finishing her milk for her.  We have no cat, so it's left to me to empty the saucer.  (what IS a saucer?  I just know cats drink milk from it)

But this bowl had been poured late last night, after I had brushed my teeth and was getting into bed.  But sweet B. didn't pour the milk out into the sink.  She left it out on the counter.  Again.  She always does this; if I'm not there to empty the bowl, it sits unemptied.

This used to bother me.  It used to reeeeally annoy me that (A) so much milk has gone to waste and (B) it is left to me to either pour it down the sink or, if there are enough of the little bottom-of-the-box cereal particulates floating around (she calls them "scooby snacks") that, to prevent drain cloggage (no disposal), I have to flush the milky mixture down the toilet.

It used to bother me.

Why, you ask, am I so benevolent and forgiving?


Because every relationship has checks and balances.


I have a little forgetful tendency that sends shivers down B.'s spine.

Actually, it usually gives her goosebumps too.

When we shower (hehe) she usually hops out first to get started on drying/straightening/curling her hair and I buckle down and focus on any missed patches while shaving.  After I've thoroughly inspected my freshly scraped face, I turn off the water, grab a towel, and make a Home Alone face in the mirror as I apply aftershave.

What I DON'T do is push down the shower valve.  This means that the next time someone (i.e., B.) turns on the water, rather than pouring from the bath faucet to test the temperature comfortably on her hand, the water left to cool overnight in the pipes sprays out of the shower head down her unsuspecting back.

Oops.

Exhibit B.

I swear, I don't do this on purpose.  I try to remember.  I try to be nice.  She tries to pour out her milk.

But sometimes we forget.

I love that we can check each other with our forgetfulness.  It's a good reminder that neither of us is perfect.  Besides, the day I don't come home to a bowl of milk left out will be a sad day indeed.


I'll probably have to just shower at the gym.


What's your check?  What do you tolerate in others?  What do they tolerate in you?


S