1. I can smoke my pipe in the house<BR>2. I can watch football w/o being b****ed at<BR>3. I can watch a movie w/the surround sound turned up to the level it was designed to be listened to.<BR>4. There's enough room for my 70# dog on the bed<BR>5. Grocery bills cut in half<BR>6. Water and electric bills cut down<BR>7. I can park in the good spot on the driveway<BR>8. I can fall asleep with the TV on<BR>9. I can eat Ravioli out of the can w/o being questioned<BR>10. I can have people over to the house w/o cleaning for hours prior<BR>11. I can leave my shoes wherever I want<BR>12. I can crank the stereo late at night<BR>13. I can clean when I want to <BR>14. I can burn the candles I like<BR>15. I can do ANYTHING inside the walls of my home w/o having to explain why.<P><BR>All of these things are great, but truth be told, I'd rather have my wife!

Oh goodie....<P>Sometimes the TV doesn't get turned on for days, and when it is on, I get to watch whatever I want.<P>PAPER PLATES!<P>Sleeping in the middle of the bed, or with my feet at the top of the bed if I want to.<P>Traveling ~ whenever & wherever I want to.<P>No more electronic leash! I have a cell phone (because I want one), but not a pager anymore. X had to know where I was at all times.... maybe so I didn't show up where I wasn't expected??<P>Six pairs of shoes in the living room.<P>Less laundry. <P>More closet & drawer space.<P>My batteries don't end up in the remote because it's and "emergency". <P>Ben & Jerry's.<P>I can walk around the house naked all the time if I want.<P>Any hair in the sink/shower is mine.<P>No waiting for the bathroom.<P>No dirty dishes under the bed or couch.... ewwwwwwww.<P>A bag of chips last more that 3 hours.<P>Ok, I'll stop now.... this list could go on and on and on..<P>Smooches, <BR>B

You guys are the greatest. Thanks for all your thoughts. <P>I agree with Java's thoughts about taking a long, hot bath without being disturbed. Ahhh. What a pleasure that would be. However, every time I jump in the tub, I hear, "MOM! Where's my ....?" Kids--gotta love 'em!<P>I loved mrrlk's ideas about turning up the music (rock n roll, baby!!) as loud as I want to enjoy it without one complaint and reading the whole paper myself at my own speed. Yahoo!<P>I also enjoyed Murphy's thoughts about leaving the crumbs on the counter. Can't tell you how many times I heard, "Can't you even clean up after yourself?" Well HA HA. Those crumbs are STAYING!!<P>I second Lori's feelings about not cringing when the kids or the dog do something wrong. I hate(d) that feeling that the dog expressed so well--slinking away with her head down and her tail between her legs. <P>Last but not least, Butterfly. Bags of potato chips last more than 3 hours? Wow! I didn't realize that was possible. I thought it was a law of nature or something that I got one handful and the bag disappeared! Cool! I'll have to try out your new theory.<P>Thank you every one. This makes me feel not quite so sad. <P>CJ<P><P>------------------<BR>Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

Hey CJ, <BR>I just thought of another one..<P>I can meet friends for drinks and not be accused of being the WS! <P>No more double standards either!<P>B<P>PS ~ I'll be in Abq this weekend for a wedding.... maybe we can do brunch on Sunday?