I’ve chosen to put myself out there; the people in my life have not. Therefore, I’ve respected the privacy of the people in my life.  As I mentioned in my post The One, there is a lot more I could say here on MLI.  I’ve had a lot of experiences that would  make for great content — content that could entertain, inspire and inform.  But I elect not to out of respect for the people involved.

I was not always so considerate.  A few months ago, I wrote a post that offended someone important to me.  Fortunately for me, the approach by which the offended party chose to address the issue was so mature and open-minded that it actually strengthened our relationship.  I’ve been much more conscientious of what I post since that day.

But I’ve arrived here.  And I have to ask myself:  Where do I draw the line?  How do I balance chasing my dream, sharing my stories and making my contribution with protecting the readers impacted by my words?

Have you been faced with this dilemma?  What’s your philosophy?

The sun puts me in a good mood.  It gives me a reason to leave the house.  It makes my skin flawless.  A slight tan makes me look slimmer.  Good music sounds so much better when playing loud in the car with the windows down.

Braden and I have loads more fun going for walks, blowing bubbles, playing at the park and going swimming than we do inside.  And I’m not the build-a-snowman-go-sledding-make-hot-cocoa mom.  I’m the just-walked-from-the-driveway-to-the-house-make-hot-cocoa mom.

So while I’m visiting my parents here in Florida, I am soaking up the sun.  It’s not even all that warm here… for Florida.  But I’ll take 68 degrees over 8 degrees any day!  And I may just not make it back.

This Thursday, I am thankful for the sun.

On the Topic of Gender Stereotypes:

1.  Assuming no mapping technology (internet, GPS, etc.), what do you do when you get lost?

Call your boyfriend.

Stop and ask directions.

2.  How many times per year do you cry?

I don’t picture Lauren being a big crier. Maybe 10 times a year.

I’m not a big crier.  Maybe three to four times per year.

3.  What is your pet peeve about the opposite gender?

Men who stare at other women in public. (I don’t know. This one was hard. Men do a lot of dumb things.)

Toilet seat left up, facial hair remnants on the sink, lifting a cheek to fart…  I also don’t like men who assume I need their approval, but that’s not a generalization of all men.

True, Jamey.  Very true.

4.  TV on at bedtime or no?

Sure. Either way.

NO THANK YOU!

Well, actually, Jamey’s probably right.  I don’t watch TV in bed, but if my son wants it on, I’m okay with it.

5.  Would you rather receive a sentimental/thoughtful gift, an expensive gift, or a practical gift?

Sentimental/thoughtful.

Tough one.  It’s between sentimental/thoughtful, expensive and practical.

6.  Would you rather have fun or save money?

Have fun.

Have fun.

7.  How many minutes per day do you spend getting ready?

15 hours.

For the weekend day – 25 minutes.

For work – 40 minutes.

To go “out” – 75 minutes.

Wow, Jamey!  Should I be flattered or insulted?  I would hope to look a hell of a lot better if I spent 15 of my 17 waking hours getting ready!

8.  If you lived within 20 minutes of your parents, how often would you visit them?

Once every two weeks.

Once a week at least.  I would go over on Saturdays and stop by for dinner during the week.  I would love to have them near.

Now click over to Jamey’s blog and read what I thought he would answer versus his actual answers for the same questions!

What types of assumptions do you make about women or men? What types of assumptions do people make about you? What are your answers to these questions?

This is the sixth of a series of posts in which I provide my female perspective on selected topics, while fellow blogger, Jamey Stegmaier, provides his male perspective. We link and post before reading what each other wrote. Topics we discuss here are ones that may be better understood or further examined once considering the perspective of each gender. Note that Mars is a single guy, while Venus is in a long-term committed relationship – not that that would impact our opinions or anything…

Select the Mars vs. Venus category in the sidebar drop down to read the other posts in this series - they’re good!

Can you imagine!?  Us?  A couple?  I’m an open book - to the entire World Wide Web! He’s having a sharing moment if he tells you what he had for breakfast.

So while it may seem like I’m self involved and care more about my ex-husband than my boyfriend, nothing could be further from the truth.  The fact that I don’t write much about Doug or our relationship isn’t because our relationship isn’t worth writing about.  And it’s definitely not because there’s nothing to tell.  Our life as a couple is full.  Some days it’s all I can do not to write about what’s going on with us.  But it’s out of respect for the most wonderful man in the world that I keep us to myself.

Tonight, I guess I feel more like sharing him than respecting him (sorry, babe), so I hope you enjoy it, because it’s not likely to happen again soon.

Here it is:  He makes me laugh.  He goes to Dunkin’ Donuts to get me coffee on Saturday mornings.  He always reaches for my hand.  He thinks I’m funny (and for anyone who knows me – this is HUGE).  He’s Braden’s best friend.  He loves country music.  He thinks spending 10 days with our parents is vacation.  He loves when I sing in the car.  Really!  Ask him!  He’s my best friend.  We can sit outside and play songs for each other on our iPhones all day long.  He goes for walks with me.  He always asks me what I’m wearing when we’re not together.  He’s a great sport at the mall.  He has soft skin.  He loves his kids with all his heart.  He looks amazing in black.  He is good to his parents.  He’s always in charge.  He can talk to anyone.  He believes in me.  He’s got a great ass.  He loves sports — sports all day, every day and it doesn’t even bother me one bit.  He’s my biggest fan.  He’d rather spend quality time with me than go to a Cubs game.  Okay, that one was just to see if you were still paying attention.  We can talk for hours.  I miss him before I even get on the “on” ramp.

He is my favorite person. (Calm down, I’m talking about adults here.)

They say you’ll know when you’ve found “The One.”  I knew I hadn’t when I married my ex, but since I didn’t really know what to expect, I accepted what I had.  I thought that was just something “they” say.  I thought we all just figure our one is “The One” a la ”love the one you’re with…” But I know better now.  The connection that Doug and I have is like nothing I could have imagined before experiencing it.  File it under the category of “you don’t know what you don’t know.”

When I was married, I questioned my relationship and whether I belonged in it every time I stood in the greeting card aisle — desperately seeking one that said what I felt.  Problem was, there wasn’t a card that said, “I’m pretty disappointed in this whole marriage thing, but I hope you have a happy birthday anyway.”  Now, when I visit the greeting card aisle, I end up with ten cards in my hand and have to pick which one says it best. I can get the others another time…

Cliche but true: no one is perfect, but Doug is absolutely perfect for me.  I’m such a lucky girl!

This Thursday I am thankful for shelter, water, food, freedom from injury and disease and knowing that my loved ones are safe and sound. 

Short and sweet this week, but in the wake of Haiti, anything else would seem petty.