I love Music Man. We’ve been together for 18 years. But I cannot work when he’s in the vicinity.

Like, right now, he’s sitting in the big, fluffy armchair in my office, just behind me. Even though he’s not talking to me (and little does he know what I’m blogging about today), he’s there. And it bugs me.

The problem for him is that if he’s even in the house, I can’t work. He might be two levels below, in the basement, but I can’t work. Knowing he’s there.

Breathing my air.

Music Man and I had a chance to watch Juno last weekend. I’d heard so much about it, and the buzz was good, but I wasn’t certain what to expect.

I put it on late-ish on last Saturday night (that was Extra Hour night), figuring if it didn’t hold my attention, I could go to sleep…and if it did, I’d have that extra hour to fall back on.

I watched the whole thing, and so did Music Man, and I really loved it.

I loved many things about the movie–I loved the witty, erudite dialogue. I found it almost Jane Austen-ish, but in the 21st century. The plot was not predictable–and believe me, I tried! Every time I sort of thought I knew where it was going, and what was going to happen, I was wrong.

That’s a good thing.

I enjoyed Juno’s relationship with her parents–it was realistic because it was neither perfect nor completely dysfunctional. And I loved the TicTacs in the mailbox. The romantic in me just loved it!

Juno reminded both me and Music Man of our friend Steph, who performs as Tonks & the Aurors–in looks and mannerism. Plus Juno plays the guitar too! (So all through the movie, I kept thinking of you, Steph!)

Anyway, I was easily able to remain awake for the whole thing, and I laughed and cried and really enjoyed it…and I appreciated how it ended. I’m thinking about letting my daughter watch it someday when she’s a tish older.

For me, making it through the movie without falling asleep (especially when curled up in bed, but the couch will do in a pinch) is a mark of success! Music Man is fond of rolling his eyes when I suggest putting a movie on after 10 pm, because he knows that 9 times out of 10, I’ll fall asleep during it.

And he’s right. I do. So when I make it through a movie, that’s like an automatic five-star review.

Now, Music Man? He’ll stay up and watch till the Bitter End…even if the movie sucks. He can’t turn it off. Poor guy.

Me? I’m ruthless like that with books and movies and TV. If it’s not holding my interest, I’m done.

What about you?

Though I’m still elated with the election news, today has dawned gray and dreary here in Michigan. The balmy 70s weather we’ve had all week has given way to rain and drizzle, and in some parts of the state, they’re suggesting snow might be involved.

And then there’s my husband. Whom I really do love dearly. But this morning he happened to do three of his regular things that annoy me, all within an hour.

I’m sure those of you who are married or who have a significant other or partner can relate. We love them, but there are those things…those little, tiny things…that they do all the time that make you sigh and lift your eyes to the heavens for patience. Call them Significant Other Pet Peeves (SOPPs).

As I said, this morning, Music Man happened to clock in with three SOPPs, which, considering it was within an hour, hit my patience threshold for a dreary Friday. I might have rolled my eyes, but I bit my tongue too. Good for me.

First, he loaded the dishwasher. Now, most of you might think that’s a good thing, and in theory it is. But for those of you who are the regular dishwasher loaders/unloaders in your house, you understand that there are certain ways things are done. The dishwasher has to be loaded a certain way. It may differ from household to household, but in each household, there’s The Way.

That Way is established by the person who does it most of the time (me). But despite the number of times that I’ve showed him (and it’s not just MM, to be fair–it’s the kids too) that the bowls stand up on their sides in the little bars, always facing the middle…and that the glasses go on the right side of the upper rack, not the left, and not straddling the little bars but between them…and that the long utensils go on the long utensil shelf…he (and they) persist in loading the dishwasher haphazardly.

Which pretty much means that I have to re-load it anytime I want to fit more than the dozen dishes they’ve managed to put in. I keep threatening to have remedial dishwasher loading classes, and force them to load and unload until they get it….but I’ve not yet done so.

The second thing he did was put something away up high. He’s 6′2″ and I’m 5′4″. For some reason, he persists in putting things away Up High. Where I not only don’t think to look, but can’t reach them. He puts everything up at his reach-level, as if there isn’t any other storage place.

So then, more often than not, he either catches me looking ridiculous as I sort of jump up and try to get the thing (and then of course he laughs), or I manage to barely reach the item and knock it over so it falls on my head. (I just did this recently with one of three cans of shaving cream he put…wait for it…Up High.) (Ouch.)

So I was looking for something that I use quite regularly and finally he said, “It’s on the top shelf in the pantry.” Which is easy for him to get to, but I need a stool. I have to keep reminding him that I’m half a foot shorter than he is, but it doesn’t matter.

And the third thing is…I came upstairs after ushering everyone out the door for school and work, and found the radio on in our bathroom blaring from after his shower. Not only does he have the inability to load the dishwasher properly, and the propensity for always putting things at his height, but he also cannot walk into the bathroom without turning on the radio in there. Even if he’s just passing by, or getting a drink of water. The radio goes on.

And he never turns it off.

Sigh.

So, much as I love Music Man, there are days when I roll my eyes so hard I strain an optical muscle. Today was one of them.

Any SOPPs you’d like to share on this Grumpy Friday?

The election’s over and we’ve made history.

Regardless of how you voted, I’d love to hear from you–how do you feel today?

I’m jubilant (and more than a little hung over).

I’m also taking suggestions for hang-over remedies.

Today’s the day! If you’re American, get out and exercise your right to vote!

Then come back and let us know what it was like–long lines? Lots of people? What was the mood? How long did you wait?

Come on…even you lurkers out there! Tell us how it felt today.

(If you’re not sure how to add a comment, just click on the link at the bottom of this post where it says “_ Others Joined Her in the Spotlight.”)

Music Man and I will be taking the children to breakfast and then to vote with us, after the early morning rush has died down. It’s a family tradition. Will report back after.