Thursday, October 8, 2009

Welcome Back To The Cocktail Party!

Welcome to Willoughby's Blog Style Cocktail Party. I hope you will find some new blogs to follow and expand your circle of blog friends. I know you're all anxious to mingle, so I'll get right to it.

I'd like to introduce Joanna from the blog The Fifty Factor. I know you'll enjoy her blog as much as I do.





Welcome. Did you bring chocolate?


By the beach,
West Coast,
United States







Frozen Peas, Mint Chocolate Ice Cream and a Side of Guilt



Last week, my husband had knee surgery; not a big deal in the universe, but a very big deal to him, and me. He's doing really well and following doctor's orders, I'm making sure of that.

I'm also making sure he keeps bags of frozen peas on his knee so it doesn't swell or gawd forbid, hurt. Hubby dear, is not so great with the pain part of surgery.

I've babied and pampered him like only a devoted, loving wife could. The other day, for example, I gently unwrapped the huge, bowling ball-sized bandage from his knee and cleaned the three surprisingly small incisions. Then I re-wrapped his knee in Saran Wrap so it would stay dry when he took his first shower in 72 hours. And it actually worked!

Afterwards, I helped him dry off and applied three Sponge Bob Band-Aids over the tiny holes. He felt so much better, although he was not crazy about my choice of bandages; but hey, you work with what you have. I parked him, again, in front of the big screen TV, elevated his foot above his knee, with his knee above his hip, just like the doctor said to. Last, but not least, I applied two bags of frozen peas for the five-hundredth time. He gave me a big kiss and thanked me for taking such good care of him.

That's where the guilt comes in.

My husband knows I would go to the ends of the earth to make him happy and comfortable, and I've proven it in more ways than just the 14 bags of peas in our freezer. But what he doesn't know is that his "nurse" is hiding a carton of Dibs Mint Chocolate Ice Cream amongst all those bags of frozen peas that I keep insisting are changed every hour on the hour.

It's like this.... The Dibs would cause quite a ruckus in our household because I banned all ice cream from our home last year-- as I started gaining weight-- when I turned fifty. Seriously, no ice cream, whatsoever, except Rum Raisin, and who the heck cares about Rum Raisin! I sure don't. Bless his heart, my husband went along with the ban to be supportive. It helps that he actually likes Rum Raisin and can eat it directly from the Haagen-Dazs carton since no one else will touch it; but he often comments that a little chocolate would be a nice change.

My guilt began with the knee injury. I stressed out about his surgery, and stress drives me to eat sweets; and when I spotted the Dibs in the frozen food aisle opposite the vegetables, I swear, I heard the angels singing-- cheering-- calling my name-- Nurse Joanna, we're here for you! And I bought a big tub of those calorie-laden mint ice cream delights all covered in chocolate, despite my constant bitching about my expanding waistline. It was just one of those moments and well, ice cream happens.

To make matters worse, I have not shared the Dibs with my poor, sore-kneed husband. In fact, he doesn't even know they are in the house-- Which technically they aren't. They're hidden in the extra fridge in the garage, behind all the frozen peas.

Oh the guilt. The shame. The increased stress. So, when I went to the grocery store to pick up new "generic" Band-Aids today, I bought another tub of Mint Chocolate Dibs because I'd eaten all of the first bucket without sharing a single nugget with my beloved, and well, I wanted more.

Here's the dilemma-- I did not buy plain Chocolate Dibs-- his favorite, I bought Mint Chocolate Dibs, which are my favorite. So not only am I hiding banned contraband, I'm also blowing the whole devoted wife award by not being all that thoughtful about my "patient". The Dibs were an impulse buy for me, not a "my husband would loves this buy" for him.

I know. I'm a bad wife....

So, should I tell him-- share some-- fess up and "own" my ice cream shame?

As I sit in the kitchen typing, the Dibs only a few yards away, I'm thinking long and hard about my decision-- Right up until my husband hollers "Honey, I need another bag of frozen peas please!". I gulp down a couple of Dibs, wipe the cat-who-ate-the-canary smile off my face, and take him his frozen peas-- Just, frozen peas.

On my next trip to the grocery store, I'll buy him his own carton of Chocolate Dibs.

What would you do?

Welcome to TheFityFactor - Joanna





Thank you Joanna for being a guest on my blog.

The cocktail party will continue on Saturday with a new guest blogger. It's not too late to RSVP if you haven't already. You can send your submission to me at thisstopwilloughby@yahoo.com. I would appreciate it if you could send me your post in html format. If you are submitting a new post, create it on Blogger as you would any post. Save, but don't publish it. From there you can click "edit html" and copy and paste your blog into the body of an email. If you are submitting a previously published post, go into "edit" and follow the same instructions. This makes it much easier for me to display your blog post the way you have written it and saves me a lot of editing. If you have any questions, feel free to email me.

Willoughby

28 comments:

Tracie said...

Another great guest Willoughby! Joanna: I have never tried Dibs before but if they are good enough to make you hide them from the family, I may have to!

Unknown said...

Great guest! Nice to meet you Joanna.

A word of advice: Never go to the grocery store when you are PMS'ing. I went yesterday afternoon and came home with a 5 lb tub of ice cream and a jug of chocolate syrup! 'tis true! I swear.

Deidra said...

Too funny! Your cocktail party is a great idea!

Purple Flowers said...

What a hilarious story! At this point I would buy him a container of chocolate dibs, and not only will you earn wife of the year award for taking such good care of him, you'll have even bought him ice cream! Aww, how sweet of you.
Eat up the mint ones quickly!!

BALLET NEWS said...

never tried Dibs, not even sure if they are available over the pond, but loved you post !

ChristineM said...

Joanna! Wonderful post! I think I would have been guilted into buying my hubby his own Dibs...eventually. :)

Thanks for hosting a great party, Willoughby!

elvira pajarola said...

Absolutely fantastic; beautiful and interesting..........I am not a great cook; even if I have to do it, then my two boys and my Dearest love to eat;........I know, following your hints and tips I could become a great cook!
Have a great day and see some TUSCAN SUN!!!!!
dropping in from SITS and I am glad I did!!!!!! ciao elvira

Joanna Jenkins said...

Thanks a million Willoughby. It's a real treat to be your guest blogger today. I'm loving this party!
Cheers,
xo

L.B. said...

I love Joanna's writing style. I haven't been reading her blog until recently but what I've read, I've enjoyed. I'm one of her 250-plus followers!

This was a great post, by the way. Dibs... yeah, I remember once I downed a whole thing of them in one sitting. Oh my! I think that burned me out on them, but by wife would probably... if not kill, then certainly maim somebody for some Mint Chocolate Dibs.

Lissaloo said...

Nice to meet you Joanna :) I enjoyed the post it gave me a nice chuckle, I think a good nurse definitely deserves her own hidden stash of chocolate/ice cream :)

Tattoos and Teething Rings said...

Hi Joanna, love the post. I myself love Dibs, too, but we can't keep 'em in the house or I'll scarf them down. And you're not a bad wife, we all buy treats that we know no one else will want, don't we? ;)

Bill Lisleman said...

I would eat the rum raisin which I like much more than dibs. You probably even get a some nutrients with the raisins.

He's very lucky to have you caring for him.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

I'd own up and he would laugh as that is just what he expects out of me. Luckily, he's not as driven by food as I am. He's a master at sharing. Ah ha

Life Laugh Latte said...

I think you rock "guest poster!" Eat the Dibs. Go to the store next time and buy his favorite Dibs and then enjoy eating those knowing that he has no idea.LOL Thanks for introducing us to another great blogster Willoughby. Holly at lifelaughlatte.blogspot.com

Raoulysgirl said...

Great guest post!!! I would absolutely purchase a container of Dibs just for my hubby. Here's the thing, though. I would say, "Here honey, I thought these might make you feel better." Then, I would let him fawn all over me (like my hubby has been known to do). A few months from now, I would say, "Hey...remember when you were laid up from your knee surgery..."

But that's just me!

Nice to meet you, Joanna!!!

SPEAKING FROM THE CRIB said...

awesome guest blogger! keep them coming! can't wait to see my name in lights :) i'm giving you a shout out tomorrow on my blog, so come check it out!

Chicago Mom said...

Loved the post! I will definitely be checking out your blog soon. I think you should have a secret stash for being such a great nurse. :)

Jeanie said...

I'm not sure what you should do about your Dibs induced guilt...maybe get him some chocolate and keep your own stash. I do know that now I'll have to rushing out to get some.

Holly Lefevre said...

Great to meet another blogger. I love Dibs...and there is nothing wrong with having your own stash. Buy him some next time...he never needs to know.
Holly @ 504 Main

Rowe said...

Nurses work hard - no need to feel guilty, Joanna. You are keeping hubby happy. When he is better I'm sure you can confess your 'sin' to him and bring a smile to his face as he imagines you out in the garage eating your secret stash.

elvira pajarola said...

I just loved your visit on my TUSCANY; thank you so much!!!!
I am looking forward to read and knowing and learning more on your enchanting blog; all my compliments and great to be here!!
send you a special sun ray from this MORNING SUN!!!!
have a great day!
ciao elvira

Matty said...

I've been following Joanna since I started blogging. She's got talent.

Your post hits home for a number of reasons. First, I had knee surgery earlier this year and I'm still rehabbing it. My wife was a gem nursing me along. Second, I love ice cream....it's my weakness. Thirdly, we all have little innocent secrets we keep from each other. When it comes to sweet treats, there's nothing wrong with your own little stash.

Great post Joanna.

Rachel said...

That post is hysterical and completely like something I would have done!!! I've tried to ban junk food in general (b/c my husband and son have no self-control whatsoever), but do periodically buy myself a treat or two that I keep hidden in the back of the cabinet/freezer! Just keep in mind...you're doing it for their well-being, right?!? :)

Unknown said...

Joanna, you are too funny and so sweet. I say eat the Dibs, enjoy them and smile. You've been a great wife and a good caretaker. You are stressed and everyone deserves a stress release. Next time you go to the store buy hubby his favorite treat. Just don't feel guilty. You deserve some Dibs.

Great post!

Lovin' your cocktil party Willoughby!

Anonymous said...

Great choice - and who doesn't love tales of guilt and ice cream.

I say: buy him his own tub and then you can eat your favourites without feeling guilty!

Unknown said...

This party is a great idea.
Congratulations Joanna! I am happy to see that your creativity, sense of humor, talent and good writing are appreciated by so many people. You fully deserve it.

Anonymous said...

Well, since you asked...I would totally hide the Dibs, too! BUT...I might also probably buy him his own tub of Dibs...without ever confessing my own Dib-discretion, of course!!

Sassy Pants Freckle Face said...

<3 LOVE THIS <3

FANTASTIC!!!