Tuesday, July 3, 2018

IWSG: The Writing's on the Card

                                                           

It's time for another edition of the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Be sure to visit Alex J. Cavanaugh and the rest of the talented writers who are always willing to lend a helping hand.  

                                            The Writing's on the Card

While others were planning outings to 4th of July parades and fireworks, the Chicago meteorologists were forecasting rain. But I was not anticipating gloom and doom, as I was reflecting on our recent 31st wedding anniversary celebration which all began with a card.

When we first got married our anniversary meant a trip to the jewelry store - now it's a trip to Walgreens. 

My husband woke me that morning with a kiss and a plastic bag filled with two- for-one vitamins and a card. He grinned and handed me the card, as he anxiously awaited my response.

It was a plain brown and gold card that looked like it should have had Hillmark or some generic name other than Hallmark written on the back. 

But he especially liked the line, "You've seen me at my best, my worst & first thing in the morning." He gazed lovingly, as the blinding sunlight shone through our curtains framing my bedhead and raccoon eyes. 

When I asked him if he noticed anything unusual about the card, he gave it a once over and said no. 

That was strange, because in the left hand corner of the cover the card clearly stated: "FOR MY HUSBAND."

                                                   
If you can't tell who's who in this photo then I'm really in trouble.
                                             


Was my husband trying to tell me something?

Were there signs that I didn't recognize? For example, a few weeks ago we went shopping and my husband picked out a blue plaid shirt for me.

Me: Are you sure I don't look like a farmer?

Hubby: No, I like it!

After I calmly pointed out what the card said, he quickly crossed out HUSBAND and wrote WIFE next to it. He apologized and said he honestly didn't see it.

Truth be told, my husband doesn't have any vision in his left eye, but he's an avid reader and this was printed in large letters.

A few days later, our kids brought dinner over for a belated anniversary celebration. Without saying a word, I handed the card over to each son separately. I was shocked when neither one of them burst out laughing.

Apparently, both boys held the card with their hand covering the left-hand corner where "FOR MY HUSBAND" was printed vertically, so they also failed to see who the card was meant for.

This made my husband feel much better, though it only made me feel worse.

Of course some of us had a good laugh afterward.

The next day I came home to find that my husband cleaned out my clogged bathroom sink and vacuumed the rugs.

Now he can call me whatever he likes.
                                       

36 comments:

  1. There's a slight chance I could do the same thing. We just don't notice things sometimes.

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  2. That's sweet how you exchange cards and try to find ones that mean something. The important thing is that you are still together. Happy Anniversary!

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  3. I love this. A man who can fix a clog in the sink is far more valuable than a man who can pick out a card.

    One time my Retired Man and I found ourselves in the same store looking for anniversary cards for each other. I found a funny one and handed it to him. He laughed and picked out one for me. They were perfect. We put the cards back on the shelf and left the store laughing and it didn’t cost us a cent.

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  4. You will forever remember this anniversary. That's wonderful he is so helpful around the house. Happy IWSG day, Julie :)

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  5. Happy Anniversary! May you have many more wonderful anniversaries filled with gratitude.
    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

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  6. I'm sure the sentiment inside made up for the bit of confusion on the cover! At least you saw the humor in the card choice and you got your sink unplugged. Tell him he'd make a great wife!

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  7. Good thing that same-sex marriage is legal now! lol

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  8. This is so funny! As always I love your stories. I can imagine several of the men in my family making the same mistake.
    Happy Anniversary!

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  9. 31 years...Something is working! And there is some good stuff at Walgreens. :)

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  10. Ha! Funny stuffs, GEM JULIE!

    I'm not this way, but some men seem to be utterly unobservant and go through life oblivious to the smaller details.

    My Brother is one of those types of guyz. I remember one year, when he was probably 16 or 17, he bought our Ma a Mother's Day card that was clearly intended for Black people, featuring illustrations of a Black mom and Black child.

    One December day, decades later, when he and I were living in an apartment together, he said to me, "I see you hung some tinsel on the banister along the staircase."
    "Yeah," I said, "I did that TWO WEEKS AGO!"

    He had been going up and down that staircase for weeks without noticing it!

    Julie, from me to you: A Happy belated Anniversary wish, combined with a Happy 4th Of July greeting!!

    ~ D-FensDogG
    STMcC Presents 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS'

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  11. Thanks for sharing such a personal story. Congratulations on your anniversary. My wife and I recently celebrate 44 years. I found a good card but it wasn't as charming as the one your husband picked out.

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  12. Alex - Nah, you would have noticed. You are an all-seeing, all-knowing Ninja Captain! Thanks for hosting another great IWSG! Happy 4th!

    Natalie - I couldn't agree more! Hope you have a wonderful July 4th! Thanks Natalie!

    Arleen - Hope you went out for a special treat with all the money you saved! So true about the importance of being able to fix a clogged sink. You always have the best comments! Happy 4th of July! Thanks Arleen!

    Erika - Yes, I will always remember this anniversary and I'm very lucky that my husband is so handy! Have a happy July 4th! Thanks Erika!

    Julie

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  13. Pat - Though I tease him a lot, I really am grateful for all my husband does. Happy 4th! Thank you so much, Pat!

    Lee - Haha! He is a great wife! Hope you're holding up, Lee. I'm sure the holidays are especially difficult. Please take care of yourself. Thank you!

    Debra - You are funny! Don't give my hubby any ideas about renewing our vows! Happy 4th! Thanks Debra!

    Julie - Thanks for cheering me on! If they ever do make that mistake, I hope their wives have a great sense of humor! Happy 4th of July!

    Julie

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  14. D.R. - Yes, something is definitely working! I agree that there are many wonderful things at Walgreens including their delicious chocolates! I just think an anniversary gift should come in a box instead of a plastic bag. Happy 4th! Thanks DR!

    Stephen - I love the story about the Mother's Day card! I think it was actually pretty sweet. Thanks for the anniversary wishes. Hope you also have a fabulous 4th of July!

    E.A.- Happy 44th Anniversary! Hope you had a lovely celebration. I'm sure that your wife loved the card you gave her. Happy 4th! Thanks E.A.!


    Julie

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  15. A most heartwarming post and a lovely photo. Belated Aniversary greeting to you both.

    Yvonne.

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  16. Thirty-four years in, we mostly skip cards now...unless we can find funny ones. Un-clogged drains and clean rugs say it all anyway!

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  17. That's funny. It would be apt for me, because I've long been the "housewife" in my marriage anyway!

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  18. This is so funny. I loved reading your story!

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  19. You haven't lost your edge or your shine, Julie!
    Thanks for the anticipated laughs.
    Hope you're well!

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  20. Hi Julie - love the photo of you both ... and as my eyes work, and I'm female ... I believe I can tell who is who ... also there's no drain clog on the internet. What another wonderful tale you tell - 'excellent' all three men didn't pick up the husband bit ... sounds like it's been a happy time ... take care and happy 4th and here's to many more of those anniversary thingies! Cheers Hilary

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  21. Aww, sounds like you've got a great (if a little unobservant, heehee) guy there. Happy anniversary! And happy 4th!

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  22. Yvonne - Thank you so much! Hope you're doing well.

    Liza - I agree that funny cards are the best and congratulations on 34 years of marriage! Yep, there is a lot to be said about a partner who's so helpful around the house. Hope you had a great 4th! Thanks Liza!

    Nick - Your family is very lucky to have you! Thanks Nick!

    Rachna - Thank you for the lovely compliment!

    Julie

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  23. Michelle - That is quite a compliment coming from the queen of "edge & shine!" Thanks for making my day, Michelle!

    Hilary - I knew I couldn't pull one over on you! Thanks for always appreciating my silliness! There was a short sun shower, but the weather held out for the fireworks. So all is well!

    Nicki - Just a little unobservant?! Haha! Thanks Nicki!

    Julie

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  24. LOVE it! This is a great story, kiddo. A happy belated anniversary to you... or better yet, let me be the first to wish you a happy 32nd anniversary. :)

    I've got a massive box filled with all the cards my hubby has given me for the past 50+ years... that's a LOT of cards! I suggested that we do what Arleen said... just pick out cards, show them to each other at the store, and then put them back and go on our merry way. (sigh) He just laughed. Thought I was kidding. (I WASN'T!) But I must say, in all of those cards, he never gave me one for a "husband" yet. :) I, however, once gave my mother a card for a "niece." (But it was really pretty... had a puffy flowered piece of scented satin on the front... and it cost thirty-five cents!)

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  25. Hi Susan - That's a lot of cards! Smarticus adores you too much to give up your lovely card exchanging tradition! Funny how you sent your mom a card for a "niece," but it was pretty and it probably made her feel young. I miss the days of 35 cent cards! Thanks Susan!


    Julie

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  26. Haha! Ah well, it is the thought that counts, right? And anyone that can open a clogged drain gets a thumbs up from me. Hope you had a nice anniversary.

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    1. Hi Connie - Yes, it is the thought that counts! We did have wonderful anniversary and the celebration continued this weekend with dinner and a play! Thanks for the thumbs up!


      Julie

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  27. Perhaps, if being the husband means you don't have to do laundry either, it would be a good thing.

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  28. I can tell who's who in that photo so you're not in trouble.

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  29. Hi Julie, Its been a while since I visited your blog. I think I lost contact when I dropped the blog catcher I was using years ago. I am happy to see that you are still blogging. Since I would like to return with some regularity, and since I don't use a blog catcher anymore, is there a chance you could add a "subscribe by email" feature to your blog - that way I could subscribe, and your content would be dropped in my email box. Nice checking out your site again.

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  30. A man who cleans is worth keeping. :)

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