Husband

Now that I am married, my life is a partnership, right? We collectively pool our strengths to cover our individual weaknesses, correct?

So ... if I still only check my rosemary plant weekly, but Matt joyfully spends his free time tending to the Little Garden That Could, does that mean I can once again give up on the whole "green thumb" idea?

This guy has taken to having a yard to care for like a duck to water. He can't get enough of it! And it makes him happy to see things grow. Do two of us really need to take responsibility for all the plants in our life?

And while I'm on the subject, let me brag on my husband a little bit more:

A few weeks ago, we decided to switch duties: I was to take over the household budget. I was intimidated. Matt hates it so; and I've never been able to accurately balance a checkbook. But with the spreadsheet he's worked up, it's been fun! I think it speaks to the organizer in me (some would say "control freak." But some can just shut up!). And yes, everything balances.

So while I was concentrating on the budget on Saturday, Matt was flitting about the house. He'd mentioned something about doing laundry, but I had a bit of a tangle in the ATM-fee category to deal with. By the time I looked up, a couple hours later, something was different ...

The house was clean. And swept. And vacuumed.

Even the front bathroom was spotless.

He'd done all the chores while I was doing the budget. I couldn't believe it. Without much to do, I sat back down to address some envelopes for Team in Training fundraising while he sped off to Home Depot (a just reward).

When he came back, I was once again deep in busywork. Once I was done, though, I looked out in the backyard to see him putting the finishing touches on ... a hammock! We've had one for years, and only recently had a backyard to put it in. I'd begun asking him about where it would go, but never really planned on having it up.

But there it was! On a perfect, sunny, 75-degree summer day, even! As soon as the last rope was secured, I scrambled to get two old throw pillows and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." I threw myself into the hammock and only got up to pour a bowl of cherries for a snack.

As I rocked, read, and spit cherry pits in the lawn I could hear Matt inside, finally resting and playing "MarioKart: Wii."

It was a good day. With my favorite husband.

Rosemary still kickin'!

I feel a little guilty about making zero progress on my gardening goal. But hey ... I've been busy. And avoiding it.

When my mother-in-law came to visit, she brought me a rosemary plant. Just put it in the backyard, she said. Water it occasionally. You can't kill it.

Yeah, right, I thought as I found a place for it in the sun. Watch me.

But so far, despite my best efforts, it hasn't died!

I set it down next to a lavender plant that receives midday sun next to the house. It gets a little water when Matt does the lawn twice a week.

About one a week, I remember that it's there, and guiltily head out to check on it. Every time, I expect to see it sad and brown, on its way to the organic waste trash can. Every time, it's still green and fragrant! I usually soak the poor thing in water at that point, knowing that it'll be about seven days before I find it again.

Yet, as of last Friday (see? One day to go!) it's still there! I used a handful of sprigs from it to make my rosemary butter for the roast chicken.

Obviously, I am not ready for a full-fledged garden yet. I doubt that plants grow on weekly tending, and the guilt would suffocate me. I am considering, however, picking up some tomato plants in a couple weeks. I won't go for the grown-up stuff, though. I'll hit Toys R Us and grab the planters aimed at teaching toddler's how to garden.

I'm pretty sure that's all I can handle.