Whew! The Urban Panther sure has an amusing way of explaining how things work in our household! Too bad half of it is fiction!
First of all, a little background information about myself. Before the Panther moved in, I had been living alone in a 3000 sq ft home. It was always kept reasonably clean, although I do admit that I may have lacked some focus on the completion of certain home improvements. I work very hard. I would much rather have the pleasure and pride of building something myself than to pay someone else to do it. Heck! I even built my own kitchen sink! But when it's time to play, I also play very hard and that's what makes life with me so much fun.
Al at 7P posted on How to do tasks you hate doing. He said that you need to give yourself some rewards. You think I enjoy doing the dishes, making lunches and folding laundry? I'd rather pour salt in my eyes! That's why I intersperse my boring tasks with small gratifying ones like spray painting picture frames . Nothing beats instant gratification!
But in the end it's all good. It gives the Panther the impression that she is managing me, when all the while I'm actually paving the way to more fun times.
Urbane Lion,
I'm laughing as I read this because I know *exactly* what you're talking about! I'm not sure if my laughter is because it's hilarious or because it hits a little too close to home :) .
I read that you were actually given a Honey-Do list. OK, I got your back on this one. A line that I found that helps me is, "You can tell me what to do, but you can't tell me how to do it." Works like a charm.
Posted by: Al at 7P | July 24, 2008 at 08:32 PM
Al: Glad I have someone to share the pain with! Does your Honey-Do list have an end? You know, something you can look forward to? Seems mine was written on a full roll of toilet paper. But at least you have given me a very powerful tool; control over "how" I can do it! May take some tough negociating but well worth the effort. Oh yeah! I'll strip down to my boxers and do my Tom Jones imitation while racking the gravel.
Posted by: Urbane Lion | July 24, 2008 at 09:01 PM
Enjoying life is what's important, if there are things that you do to make the mundane things tolerable, then absolutely go for it. As long as the mundane things are getting done.
Of course, some things people think has to get done right away really don't.
It's all about balance.
...though... FrontPage? Really? *blagh*
;)
Posted by: hyrcan | July 25, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Oh, and that sink is killer! :D
Posted by: hyrcan | July 25, 2008 at 10:03 AM
I have read the Panther and now ventured to the other side. Love the banter, but must side with the Panther on this one. Keep up the dialogue - can't wait to read more.
However, I must say in my experience, lions wouldn't have to do a "honey-do list" if they listened to the requests the first time. If panthers make requests of the lions too often suddenly it becomes nagging!
Posted by: Theresa | July 25, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Hyrcan: Are you saying that some people have their priorities all screwed up? Really? The number of times I wished I was carrying a large wooden spoon in my back pocket just to give some people a big whack on the forehead to bring them back to their senses..... and not just the young crowd either!
Glad you like the sink. I am planning to make a really cool one for the upstairs bathroom. I'll have less restrictions so it should be even nicer.
Oh, don't worry... I'll give Dreamweaver a try. Better?
Theresa: So you're siding with the Panther on this one eh? How surprising! Just to stay on your good side though, I'll admit to accepting the Honey-do list for the moment because it is mostly filled with things that will help make the house more confortable for the Panther's official move. After that we'll just have to see.....
Posted by: Urbane Lion | July 25, 2008 at 04:28 PM
We all have our Must Do's and our May Do's. If the Must Do's have to get done first, then make sure the May Do list is longer.
Posted by: Writer Dad | July 25, 2008 at 04:57 PM
Urbane Lion,
You didn't really "yes, dear" her, did you? Not good!!!
Posted by: Barbara Swafford | July 26, 2008 at 01:51 AM
You better not give her any more Yes-Dear's or I'll have to go all protective-little-brother on you! {grin}
Posted by: Alex Fayle | July 29, 2008 at 12:43 AM
Writer Dad: I'd like to keep the Want To Do list even longer!
Barbara: Yes I did! What are you going to do about it?
Alex: If you only knew what I go through on a daily basis I think you would go protective-little-brother-in-law on the Panther instead!
Posted by: Urbane Lion | July 29, 2008 at 07:25 PM