As most of us married people will attest, the joining of two disparate people into a functional unit can be a challenge. After 21 years of wedded bliss my lovely wife (Joan, also contributing writer to SDM) and I have worked out a pretty solid program. Joan is in charge of all decisions regarding fabrics, colors, furniture, and most cosmetic issues around the house, along with carrying her workload and providing needed guidance for our daughter as she heads toward adulthood. While Joan handles her end I take care of all business- and finance-related details, any and all mechanical issues around the house, automotive maintenance, computer network/software, and preparation for the forthcoming economic collapse and/or zombie apocalypse.
The bills come in, I pay them. Our daughter needs new clothes, Joan takes the lead. By sticking with this division of responsibilities and keeping “happy wife, happy life” in mind, things work pretty smoothly around the Bunker in Bucktown. What is particularly rewarding is when Joan checks the refrigerator for some item needed for the preparation of dinner, to find that I had anticipated her wants and already obtained the ingredient. Knowing what to do/get before it’s asked for is quite gratifying.