My husband and I are enjoying a lazy Saturday in the hot tub. House is quiet, life is good. The sun is setting gently. Then he brings up “the topic.” He knows how I feel about this topic. He knows that I don’t like discussing this topic, especially if longer than 60 seconds. Generally, we don’t really fight. We are peaceful people who talk things out rationally with respect for the other’s views and feelings. But we do have a hot topic. Oh, the devilish “Yard Projects Topic.” He starts in with the “What do you think?” opener.

I hold back what I am really thinking because

1. I can just smile and nod and say that it all sounds swell because these projects don’t feel like they will really ever come to fruition, and

2. It makes me want to puke to discuss projects that we are never going to start (and 5 years from now is “never” in my mind).

I can keep this up and soon he will let me continue reading the newspaper. No such luck. I continue to bite my tongue, and he continues to have ideas and ask my opinion. He is not easily put off with my “it all sounds great, honey” attitude, and my heart starts pumping with more ferocity with his every attempt to get my feedback.

We clearly have different personalities.

“Let’s make it simple. You are only aloud to bring up one project idea at a time. You are only aloud to bring up this one idea while making measurable progress on a previously okayed project. If you are currently doing a “build your own shed” project and want to do a “build a rainwater storage tank project,” do not, I repeat do NOT, bring up a “fence project.” Or a “greenhouse project,” “let’s-get-goats project,” a “woodchips project,” a “let’s-plant-in-the-alley project,” a “tree planting project,” a “garden moving project” or a “can-I-turn-the-old-shower-doors-into-a-vine-trellis project.” Under no circumstance. Even if I’m in a really good mood. Assuredly, you will unleash my inner Scorpio, and none of us want to see that.

You see, he is kind. I can get wound up. “Sounds great, honey,” he says.

He’s the dreamer, and I’m all about action. We love each other, value each other’s strengths, snuggle in bed together and envision being the cute little old couple sipping lemonade in rocking chairs in our senior years. We plan to live long happy lives. As long as I am aloud to make a few rules. 🙂

Do you have any hot topics with your loved ones, and do you have rules?

Best – Julie