My husband called yesterday afternoon while on break at work. After a long work week with BJ playing with explosives, the feeling of "weekend anticipation" was setting in. Our conversation went something like this:

Ring-a-ling-a-ling goes the phone... I answer.

Jodie: "Hello?"

BJ: "Hey, sweetheart...whatcha' doin'?"

Jodie: "Oh, nothing much...just straightening the kitchen."

BJ: "Well, I was just taking a short break here at work and wanted to call to say 'hi'."

Jodie: "Are you having a good day?"

BJ: "Yeah, it's a good day...almost over! Hey, I was wondering if you would want to go to the drive-in tonight? Should be a nice night for it, and it won't be open much longer this season. Besides, Mamma Mia is playing and I thought you might like to see it again." (He knows I really enjoyed seeing it at the theater- more than once!)

Jodie: "Sure! Want me to go get some 'snacks'?"

BJ: "Well, you can if you want to...but half the fun of going to the drive-in is the concession stand! And we know they have the BEST hot dogs there."

...Jodie thinks, and realizes he's right. The drive-in has the most delicious hot dogs. And I really don't even LIKE hot dogs, but there's just something about those....

Jodie: "Okay- that's what we'll do, then!"

BJ: "See ya when I get home! Love you!"

Jodie: "Love you too, be careful!"


So, we were going to the drive-in. I went on about my day, getting things done so I wouldn't have to mess with piddly chores over the weekend. BJ walks through the door around 6:00. We visit for a few minutes, and he heads for the shower to get ready to go. I was reading a book, killing time, waiting to leave. Fifteen minutes later, in walks my husband in his "lounge/pajama" pants that have Kellogg's Pop-Tarts all over. (Say nothing! They were a Christmas present from the girls...) Obviously, our plans have changed.

It had been a long week, he was tired...ready to just stay home and relax. I understood. He does work hard, long hours. I really wasn't upset....honestly! But, here's where the situation starts the downward spiral:

BJ: "So, what's for supper?"

WHAT?!? There are no supper plans! We were going to the drive-in! I didn't plan to cook! You said you wanted HOT DOGS! All of this was going through my mind, as I calmly sat pretending to read my book, silently formulating my response to the supper question....then....

BJ: "Don't we still have some left-over meatloaf in the fridge?"

LEFTOVER MEATLOAF?! Yeah, we have probably one serving left-over....that's it. All of the sides that were served on "meatloaf" night are already gone....so he's wanting me to get in the kitchen now and whip up a meal? Again, I'm thinking all this while still looking at my book, pretending to read....

Jodie: "Yes, we have some left-over meatloaf, but probably just one serving...and all the sides are gone." (I say this thinking he's going to say something like, "Well hey! Let's just go out for supper!" Boy, was I wrong....)

BJ: "Oh, honey...that's okay....You know me, I'm easy to please! Meatloaf will be fine!"

The nerve! The gall! Okay, so I tell myself he's just not thinking straight.....he thinks he's being easy to get along with...trying not to make a lot of work for me. But I wonder what he thinks I'm going to have for supper? I bite my tongue, thinking to myself, "just go fix the man some supper, honey."

Jodie: "So what do you want with the meatloaf?"

BJ: (smiling at me sweetly- and meaning it- that's the bad part!) "It doesn't matter...anything you want to put on my plate is fine with me!"

--Jodie sighs--

I put my book down, headed to the kitchen thinking about the rudeness I'd just encountered and wondered, "How is it that men only think about themselves in situations like this?"

After locating a box of Betty Crocker julienne potatoes au gratin, a can of green beans and a can of carrots- I started cooking. After it was finished, I took his plate to the family room, where, by the way, he was watching "Across the Universe"....a musical (certainly not the musical I had in mind for the night!) with all Beatles music. I tried watching it once before but fell asleep...I didn't like it- not one bit- but he thinks it's the greatest thing since sliced cheese. Little did he realize this was "strike two". Since he had all the meatloaf, I wasn't interested in supper. So I sat down, plateless, with my book and started to read again.

BJ was in his own heaven....loving the food, loving the movie, loving his Pop-Tart pants that he wouldn't be caught dead in outside the house. A few minutes later, he wondered if there was any more supper. (!!!!!)

I ended up giving my hungry man ALL that was left of the green beans, All that was left of the carrots and ALL that was left of the potatoes. (Remember, he had the last of the meatloaf the first go-around.) And after finishing that, BJ was inquiring about dessert. There was reference made to an apple pie I had made a few days earlier, which was gone. Again, I looked up from my book and just stared at him.

What I saw was a grown man who looked like a little boy! He was so cute just sitting there with his "wonderful" movie paused, a twice-emptied supper plate, and a sheepish little grin on his face wondering about dessert. Even though I still should have been frustrated, I wasn't anymore. I melted. In my heart I know he deserves to be waited on from time to time...he works his tail off all week! I have an easy life! No, I wasn't mad. I decided to make an apple pie. At 9 o'clock at night.

By the time the pie was in the oven, I had moved to the living room- leaving BJ in the family room to watch his movie. I'm telling you- I really didn't like that movie at all, and just didn't even want to listen to it. My book was all the company I needed. Besides- I was closer to the kitchen where I could hear the timer go off when the pie finished baking.

Beep...Beep...Beep.

I stepped into the doorway of the family room to let my sweet-toothed man know that the pie was done, but he may want to wait a few minutes to let it cool down before having a piece. He came into the kitchen to look at the bubbling goodness a few minutes later, and noticed I was on the couch- still with my book. He smiled and indicated he was headed back to watch the rest of the movie. In hindsight, I guess BJ was patiently waiting for me to bring him some warm apple pie, a la mode. I guess I was waiting for him to come get it himself. I ended up falling asleep, reading.
My Beautiful Apple Pie

Shortly after 2 am, he comes into the room I'm in and exclaims (with shock!), "I didn't know you were in here sleeping!" Opening one eye, I replied, "Where'd you think I was? The bowling alley?" He reached for my hand to take me to bed. My little nap on the couch worked against me, and now I was fully awake. Laying in bed, my husband snoring blissfully and contentedly beside me, my stomach growled. I tried to ignore it, but my hunger was controlling my thoughts. It was after 3 o'clock. I was starving!

Making my way to the kitchen, I noticed the untouched apple pie. Hmmph! Let's see when I try to do something sweet again! I realized a piece of pie was the last thing I was hungry for...so I began searching the cupboards for a snack. While reading the last pages of my book and eating some Ramen Noodles, I found myself thinking nothing has ever tasted so delicious....except maybe one of those hot dogs at the drive in.....














Anyone need a good book to read?
I'm finished with it!