Quote of the Day:

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” — Lao Tzu

The saga continues …



Lo and behold, last night
when I came back from a barbecue at a colleague’s house, Toshi had done
the dishes.  Yes, he really did them … well, except for a few
that I guess he just doesn’t like (the salad spinner and the
silverware).  Then this morning, without being asked he took out
the trash, and it wasn’t even overflowing yet!  Will wonders never cease!



Now I just have to break him
of the habit of announcing the completion of each chore.  I think
I am supposed to thank him effusively or congratulate him or
something.  I’m sorry, but taking out the trash does not qualify
one for the Nobel Peace Prize or anything. 

Perhaps the best
method to discourage this behavior would be for me to proudly share
every time I complete a chore.  Since I do at least ten times more
than he does, I’m sure it would get annoying pretty quickly and he
might take the hint.  “Toshi, I just sorted all the laundry … I
just put the laundry in the washer … I just moved the laundry to the
dryer … I just folded the laundry … I just put the laundry
away;  Toshi, I just clipped the coupons … I just sorted the
coupons … I just planned all our meals … I just did the grocery
shopping … I just carried all the bags from the car … I just put
all the groceries away.”  Then after each announcement I will wait
with the same look of expectation he has on his face when he declares a
chore complete.



Or, I can just be happy that
the trash has gone out and the dishes have been done and succumb to
giving a little pat on the head and a treat to reinforce such positive
behaviors.  See, I’m thinking like a therapist already!

This just reminded me of a cute Sandra Dee movie I saw years ago.  In the movie,If a Man Answers,
Sandra’s mother gives her advice on how to maintain a happy, harmonious
relationship.  The advice comes in the form of a book … “How to
Train Man’s Best Friend.”  Sandra grudgingly gives the
dog-training strategies a try, and of course, wacky hijinks and
pandemonium ensue.  Cute, cute, cute.