My husband doesn't believe in.

My husband doesn't believe in units that wind-up hoses for you, he insists that we are capable of doing this ourselves. For years I've enviously looked at those rolling hose thing-a-ma-jiggers that our neighbors all have.

My husband doesn't believe in training wheels or ski harnesses for the children. He calls these gadgets "crutches".

Come to think of it, he didn't believe in using pacifiers for the children when they were babes.

My husband doesn't believe in pre-boarding for families, and often leaves the airport gate to fetch a cup of coffee or go pee while the plane fills up.

My husband doesn't believe in calling professionals to fix things - unless it has to do with electricity. Shockingly, he takes a back seat for all things electrical.

My husband doesn't believe in parking cars in direct sunlight if there is shade available nearby. Yes, this means grass is preferable to driveway if it means parking in the shade.

My husband doesn't believe in wasting product - as an example, when the toothpaste's end is near, he cuts the long strip off the end and swipes his toothbrush into the tube to eek out every last drop.

My husband doesn't believe in leaving an extra big tip for the waiter who was really nice/cute.

My husband doesn't believe in eating the ends of the bread. Even when I turn the end side in and smear peanut butter on it to disguise it - he catches on and turns up his nose.

My husband doesn't believe in dessert - or cheering for the Yankees or Giants - and those are quirky things about him that really perplex me. He also doesn't believe in cleaning up after his breakfast or shutting his closet door. But I think those are observations for a different post.

To summarize: my husband doesn't believe in some things that I believe in.

And this makes me believe in him even more.

*balanced rocks - the hub's creation on the shores of the Irish sea -

Stuck Heads & A Moment of Genius

For some reason, we have lots of clothes that are 3/4 zip down the front. Pullover. Generous zipper. And for most kids, it shouldn't be a problem to get the clothing off and on. But for my children.... oh boy. The minute an item comes remotely close to their chin, they start wiggling, head bobbing, and thrashing about to make the actual "painless" motion of lifting the clothing over their head - really hard and really painful.

Dec cringes at certain pieces of clothing and even refused to wear them for a few weeks. It got to the point where prying them over his enormous noggin' just wasn't worth the pain and tears so I agreed. We moved those items to the top shelf. To collect dust.

But then, a moment of pure genius struck me. Why not face the zipper toward the back during the getting dressed/undressed process. This way, it won't even be near the chin, face or other sensitive areas. Then, when it is safely on, spin the clothing around and proceed from there.

After a ton of pleading, I tried my new strategy on Dec.

It worked.

No tears, no scratched chin, face, forehead. Smoothe as butter.

And I only write about this because:

On Friday when I picked Dec up from school, his teacher pulled me aside and said that she raised 3 children and has been dealing with the stuck head situation for many years as a teacher and never once thought to spin the clothing around. (Apparently Dec coached her on the technique that day....). Then, get this. She said I was a *genius*.

And I believe her.