Wednesday, November 4, 2009

It's Wednesday, 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 Deidra from Jumping Tandem.  I know you'll enjoy her blog as much as I do.



Keeping It Real....



Deidra

I'm an East Coast girl living in the midwest because I love my husband (I call him "H" around here) and his work brought us here. We have been blessed with two amazing children (currently in college) and an empty nest that I absolutely love! Don't get me wrong, I love my kids but they're destined to change the world and they can't do that living under my roof (although they're welcome back anytime for love, prayers, support, encouragement, and of course homecooked meals and clean laundry). Did I mention that H is a pastor? So that makes me the pastor's wife - but don't let that blur your vision. H is my very favorite person. He has been married to me for twenty-three years, and I keep telling him he should add that to his resume as an acquired skill. If you stick around for awhile, you'll probably start to agree.


Left Holding The Bag


This is my purse. I admit it's no beauty but it serves its purpose.

Last weekend, H and I took a drive out of town. Along the way we stopped to get something to eat. I needed to make a visit to the, um, porcelain facilities and, for the very first time in the entire 27 years that I've known H, I turned to him and handed him my purse. The very same purse in the photo above.

Now, this man that I've married is a man among men. There's nothing I like more than a man who acts like a man. I don't want a wimpy man who turns tail and runs at the slightest hint of conflict, struggle, or spiders climbing on the ceiling. But he also needs to be strong enough to show some emotion, give up some love, and share in a little PDA from time to time. H is that man. Not once has he balked when the shopping list in his hand required him to purchase tampons. He didn't turn away when I found out I was terribly allergic to the wax they used that one time I got my lip waxed. And he'll sit and watch a movie on the Hallmark Channel, letting me wipe my snotty face on his sleeve at the end. He is invincible, this man!

Back to my story:
I turned to H and handed him my purse, and he took it. But what was that? Did I sense just the slightest bit of hesitation? A slight turn of the head? A furrow in the brow? Surely not. H took my purse and stood there as I walked away. I took my time in the Ladies' Room. They had wonderful soaps and lotions to try, and women at the sink that I had never met before. I exchanged pleasantries while washing my hands, checked my lipstick, and tried both types of lotions there on the vanity. Then I sighed and went out to join H who handed me my purse and said - without the slightest bit of hesitation - that he would never again hold my purse for me.

I'm not complaining. It took 27 years for me to find out the one thing that H absolutely will not do for me. Maybe he's not invincible, but he is incredible.

How about you? Would your guy hold your purse for you?






Thank you, Deidra, for being a guest on my blog.

The cocktail party will continue on Friday 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. (If you're not already a follower, you must become one to be a guest blogger at the cocktail party.) 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

21 comments:

Raoulysgirl said...

Oh, Raouly holds my purse. However, mine is more of a day planner! Love this! Heading over to check out her blog!!!

Thanks, Willoughby!

Unknown said...

I love Deidra's blog! I'm so glad she made it to the party!

This Wife Cooks said...

Cute post! Actually, my Mr. H will hold my purse. I'm the one who hesitates before asking but I really don't think he minds at all! He doesn't throw it over his shoulder like it's his or anything like that but rather he will stand there in a way that says he's definitely holding the purse for me. :)

Sherry said...

Deidra is one of those women you can't help but love...and I'm loving that purse even if H wouldn't hold it!! :) My husband has done it for me and I've even managed to get my 21 year old son to hold my purse when necessary -- might as well train 'em young!! lol!! :)

Deidra said...

Thanks so much for having me! I always love a party!

Purple Flowers said...

Hi Deidra - nice to see you here! My Hubby will hold my purse if I ask him to or not. I don't make a habit out of it, but if my purse is in the back of the car on his side, he'll grab it for me, and carry it to the door if necessary. And he's a man's man, yet gentle. I love him on so many levels. So glad to hear "H" is a wonderful man and Pastor.

Formerly known as Frau said...

Mine always says just take it with you!! I think he would be only once and never again.

Tracie said...

Great guest today!

There is very little that my husband WILL do for me.

Chicago Mom said...

Nice to meet you Deidra! Great post!

Purse holding is part of the deal! I hold the flashlight when he needs to tighten a pipe under the sink and he holds my purse when I have to try on those new mary-janes in Target. haha!

elvira pajarola said...

A Lovely Lady and after having visited her beautiful blog I must overbring my COMPLIMENTS to
Deidra & Willoghby !!
Fantastic!!
ciao elvira

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

what a great man you have there!

Tattoos and Teething Rings said...

Yeah, he'll hold my purse, but I never ask...hmm, maybe I will now...

Anonymous said...

"...and women at the sink that I had never met before." HAHAHAHA! This is me.

Yes, my husband will even hold a purse...and probably try to get several laughs out of it, too. Showing off that he's married. After 36 years of marriage, he still can't get over the fact someone married him.

Donna-FFW said...

Hi deidra.. so nice to meet you.. my hubby will hold my purse willingly. It annoys me though. Id rather he argue a bit more, :)

Life Laugh Latte said...

You're the best highlighting these amazing blogger friends of yours. On my way to check her out. Come on by today. It's one of those posts I'm super proud of. I want my friend to see it. Holly at lifelaughlatte.blogspot.com

Joanna Jenkins said...

Hey Willoughby, Another great blogger! Thank you. Deidra's story is terrific and got me thinking-- I've never asked my husband to hold my purse before... but I will now.

Thanks to both of you.
xo

Unknown said...

Oh yes, Boo will hold my purse without hesitation. He says that he bears no shame because he already knows that he is all man! Sometimes, though, I will tease and say, "You know, that purse matches your outfit so well!" He goes along with it and strikes a pose.Great topic, Deidra!

Michelle DeRusha said...

Love that purse -- I'll hold it for you anytime! I love the line about making friends with women at the sink - that sounds like you (well, I don't really know you...but I feel like I sort of do!)

Matty said...

I've held my wife's pocketbook in public. But I must admit it's an awkward feeling. My eyes casually looking around to see who's looking. And, you only hold it a certain way to ensure that everyone knows you're holding it....for her.

A sincere story with a hint of humor. Nice to meet you Deidra.

Thanks Willoughby.

Holly Lefevre said...

Sweet story! I never thought about this...not sure I have ever asked hubby to hold my purse...an experiment for our next outing.

Holly @ 504 Main

Unknown said...

I have a little something for you over on my blog!