Tuesday, November 09, 2010




He doesn’t need me anymore. Or so he says.

Well, I never thought I’d hear these words from my husband’s mouth, but he said them. I was working in my office, trying to make my deadline when he walked in. He stopped in front of my desk, looked me right in the eyes and said, “I don’t need you anymore.”

I stopped writing, stared up at him through my lashes. Now, I’ll admit my chest tightened just a little bit. “Really,” I asked. Then I saw the evidence on his cheek, and I knew exactly what led to this conversation. And it wasn’t lipstick from another woman, either.

“Hmm…” I said. “So your fried chicken turned out that good, huh?”

“Yup, it’s awesome.” He had a little flour smeared on his face, his smile was chockfull of male ego, a smile he reserves for special occasions when he thinks he’s accomplished something really extraordinary. (He can be good at extraordinary, too, but that’s a different blog.)

“I guess I don’t get any credit that I told you how to cook it, huh?” I asked.

“Nope, you should never share your recipes, because all that matters is that now I can cook it for myself. Which means you are no longer indispensible. ”

“You know. . . ” I grinned and offered him my sassy look. “I do more around here than just cook. You sure you don’t need me? And hey, how about we do some bartering.”

He hesitated, but, what can I say, he must have been really hungry, because he told me. “I don’t know. It’s finger-licking good. ”

Feeling slightly rejected, I wasn’t taking his word about his grand accomplishment. I popped up from my desk and went to sample this piece of fried meat that had led to my husband’s flour-smudged face and hurtful words.

Men, can you believe them? I mean, I tell this man how to do it. Explain the pitfalls—make sure the grease is hot enough, make sure the chicken is coated really well--and he manages to fry up a couple of breasts and he thinks he doesn’t need me anymore. And here’s the really terrible thing. His assessment of his accomplishment was dead-on. It was darn good fried chicken. And to be honest, he’d recently mastered rice, cream potatoes, and jiffy cake topped with homemade icing.

Yup, Mr. Craig has turned into Mr. Mom. Why, you may ask? Well, since I’m writing two series, pulling at least ten hours a day, at least six days a week, he’s stepped up to the plate. Or rather, he stepped up to prepare the stuff that fills the plates.

Now, while I’ll admit that he’s mastered some fine Southern cuisine, I’m still working on some of the other Mr. Mom job requirements. Funny thing is that later that day, his Mr. Mom status dropped a notch. I gave him the duty of washing the bed sheets. Now, he’s no stranger to working the washing machine, so I couldn’t see how he could fail. But that evening, when I crawled into bed and I reached for my pillow . . . well, I noticed that my pillow had arms.

Mr. Mom had accidentally put one of his white T-shirts on the pillow instead of a pillow case. “How could you not see it was a T-shirt?” I asked chuckling.

His answer was even funnier than the pillow. “I must have been too busy watching Oprah.“

We both lay in bed laughing and right then, I reminded him of something else he needed me for. And don’t go assuming anything here. I mean, he needed me and, I’ll even admit it, I need him, for the laughter. Oh, the other stuff is nice too, but there is nothing like having a good ol’ fashioned laugh-until-you-hurt session with someone you love. We’re coming up on our twenty-six year anniversary and let me tell you, we can still make each other laugh. And that’s even better than fried chicken.

So what’s going on in your world lately? What crazy thing has someone in your life done? Are you laughing enough? Are you enjoying the company of someone you love? I hope-- even if you’re like me and working too many hours--that you can say you love what you’re doing. I hope that you still find the time to count your blessings, to laugh, to occasionally indulge in good food, have a little wine, and even better, some great company.

24 comments:

Robin Kaye said...

My DH is at a conference at the Ritz in Palm Beach, FL--Poor guy. I'm home making the kids dinner, pulling splinters the size of small trees out of my youngest' foot and I'm sleep deprived because I don't sleep well for the firs three days DH is gone. Even after 21 years, I hate when he travels. When I travel--well, that's different.

Oh, and can you send me your fried chicken recipe? Along with the pitfalls and everything else you told your DH? Pretty please? I'd kill for good fried chicken.

Zita said...

I went clothes shopping with my sister the other day. IRetail therapy is so important!) She is going on a cruise next arch and we were catching the last of the summer clothes sales. Now, I know you've heard stories of people trying on dresses and they can't figure out how to get them on? Well, I always thought that was silly and must be an urban legend, but honest to pete it is not! My sister found just such a dress and she tried to get it on. The result was hilarious. We were laughing so hard the clerk had to come back to the fitting room to see what was going on. And once she saw, she had to laugh, too.

You are right, Christie. Someone to laugh with is vital :-)

Stacey Joy Netzel said...

Great story, Christie! :) Coming up on 18 years w/my hubby and I'm very happy to say we can still make each other laugh, too. Makes the not-so-fun days fade fast. :)

Christie Craig said...

Hi Robin,

I'm with you. I hate it when Hubby travels. I'll shoot you the recipe. Good luck getting through the next few days.

CC

Sandy said...

LOL I loved it, Christie.

Right now, I must admit hubby and I are arguing over health care insurance. It's just such a difficult decision to make at this time of year. We'll laugh when the decision is made.

Christie Craig said...

Zita,

There is nothing like laughing with your girl pals while shopping. I love those dressing room laughs, too. Sounds as if you two had a blast. Thanks for sharing. It brings several of my own dressing room experiences to my mind.

Here's to laughter! Thanks for stopping in.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Stacey,

Yup, those laughing moments really carry you through some of the not so funny moments. Ahh, but we all need to laugh more.

Thanks so much for stopping in.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Sandy,

Heathcare is a hard one, isn't it? Hang in there and try to find something to snicker about as you go.

Thanks so much for stopping in.

CC

Diane Kelly said...

My guy and I just celebrated our 19th anniversary and I agree - being able to laugh together is critical! Last weekend, I checked myself into a hotel to work (getting new floors in the house and the saw noise was making me crazy) and my hubby showed up with a pizza for dinner. When I answered the door to my room, he greeted me with a "chicka bow bow." His sense of humor was one of the things that attracted me to him way back when and that keeps me sticking around.

Francyne said...

I'm convinced laughter will hold a marriage together much longer than looks, body image, and "other parts." With laughter who cares when all those things begin to droop?

Anonymous said...

Wait. You made fried chicken and didn't invite me to dinner? So totally not fair!!

Tori Lennox said...

This one of the downsides of being single.

Unknown said...

So, this was a totally "awww" blog.

The laughing is vital. That gives me hot flashes more often than a nice set of shoulders. :)

Jana DeLeon said...

And now, I want fried chicken. Great story, Christie. Amazing what men can do when the plates are empty. :)

Donna Marie Rogers said...

Ah, Christie, thank you, and please thank your husband for such a great laugh. I almost choked on my Lean Cuisine chicken when I got to the pillow case with arms part...LOL

After nearly a quarter of a century together, Paul & I still have those 'laugh till it hurts' moments. And what makes them even better is when our kids come running into the room and just stand there and stare at us as if we're nuts.

Christie Craig said...

Diane,

I love it. And I agree that sense of humor is so important. In all the questions about what makes a romance work, or what a person is looking for in a relationship, the all important sense of humor comes out more than anything.

Give your hubby a hug.

Have a great day. And I hope you got tons done while at the hotel.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Francyne,

So true. Those body parts become droopy but a sense of humor can hang in there and still be perky. LOL.

Thanks for stopping in.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Ahh Faye,

I'll invite you next time he decides to cook it. But who knows he might decide to serve you up ketchuped chicken instead. Yum.

LOL.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Tori,

Ahh, but laughter can be just as wonderful with a good friend, a family member or someone you meet at the grocery store.

Good luck getting your quota of it.

Thanks for stopping in.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Saranna,

Anyone who reads my books knows that laughting is a big part of the sexual tension. Laughter is a big part of foreplay.

Thanks for stopping in girl.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Jana,

Great point. LOL. My mama always said the way to man's heart was through his stomach. Well, maybe a way to woman's heart is the same way.

Have a great day girl.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Donna,

Believe it or not, I'm sure he'll read your comment. He actually came into my study a bit ago and said..."What? You're giving away my Chicken Recipe?" He'd read my comment to Robin. I, of course, reminded him that it was MY recipe. LOL.

Thanks for stopping in and I'm glad you got a chuckle.

CC

Cassy Campbell said...

My husband keeps me constantly laughing, and amazingly, he finds me just as funny as I find him. I don't think there's anything better than to know that somebody knows exactly who you are and loves you anyway.
Laughter is supposed to keep you young and healthy, so we ought to live forever!

Christie Craig said...

Ccampbell,

Sounds like you two are perfect for each other. Congrats. Keep each other laughing.

CC