Promise-ary Note: Homemade Erotica (Not Really)

A couple of weeks ago, I drew a promise that required that I develop further intimacy with my wife.  While this week's promise didn't exactly ask the same thing of me, I believe it was a pleasant side effect of the task.  My task was to...

The problem with my drawn task was that we had just cleaned the house a couple of days before, so it was relatively clean and neat.  So, what is a guy to do?  Well, if we extend the definition of "house" to include the property surrounding the house, then there are plenty of things I can do to help out and take some of the load off my wife.  

I had recently had a conversation with a friend, and they brought up a book they saw called, "Porn for Women."  The book was filled with pictures of men engaged in housekeeping chores.  I decided to take some liberties with the concept and have a photo shoot of my own.  Some of the photo credits belong to Shea, as she helped me snap a couple of photos.

Helping with the laundry.

Man wields toilet brush.

Bright and shiny!

Getting ready to mow!

Almost done!

Making time to help around the house does wonders for my relationship with my wife, but it also does wonders for me.  When I know things are done, crossed off the to-do list, then I am able to relax and enjoy myself around the house.  I don't have reoccurring nagging thoughts that seem to keep me up at night.   I don't have a sense of guilt and shame for not getting those things done.  

I'm a busy dude.  I don't say that as a means of excuse, but rather as a way of understanding the reason why I have such strong feelings about helping around the house.  I have a myriad of commitments that keep me away from the house, and so when I don't make time to help out around the house, then I tend to feel poorly about myself and my relationships.  I feel like my obligations are not met, so I have to make sure to dedicate time to engaging at home.  

While it may seem small and insignificant to some, it is a big deal for me because if I can't help around the house, then the workload falls squarely on my wife's shoulders.  In the midst of working the two jobs, writing, and other familial/social commitments, my responsibility lies firmly at home, and, like most things, I have to find a way to have a work/life balance.  

This week's task reminded me of my commitment to home and family, not just emotionally and spiritually, but physically, through my actions.  It is one more way I need to be present in my life.

Next week's task: