Back to Basics: To Do Lists

We, at The (real) Stepford Wives Association, often look backward to help keep moving forward. In our Mothers and Grandmothers day, often certain tasks were performed on a given day of the week -- even cooking was often arranged this way. Growing up, each Wednesday was meatloaf night in our home. It was as predictable of the Sunday dinner of pot roast or roasted chicken, with a fruit pie served for dessert.

Monday's were traditionally laundry day, Tuesday's ironing and mending, etc through each week. Today we have a host of appliances that take the drudgery out of those tasks, and generally can be performed in concert with other tasks. For example, you can run the washer while you clean the bathrooms or run an errand and you aren't limited to when.

Still there are good habits we should form. One being to check your calendar on Sunday, for a quick glance, so you don't forget little Timmy has a dental appointment or Jane has tap class. Make it a habit to write down everything..

January is also the perfect time to check that you have plenty of stamps, and purchase all the birthday cards for the whole year. Yes, the whole year! Write down each birthday, anniversary on a peice of paper, and get thee to the card shop and buy them. Make note of ages or special occasions (such as your inlaws special anniversary). Also, pick up a few get well, sympathy or thinking of you note cards in a masculine style so if your husband mentions his secretary is ill, just had a baby, or has a birthday you can pull out a card. Keep in mind that all cards are really from your husband. Even the ones you send to your friends. His name always comes first. Pay attention the envelopes match the cards, and do make certain you have return address labels in his name.

When you get home arrange them by month and keep them so you can find them easily. I will usually preaddress them, or use sticky notes if I'm uncertain they might move. Now the only time a trip to the card shop is required is for those special occasions, Fathers Day and the like.

After checking the calendar, begin arranging your week accordingly and schedule everything, even cleaning or personal things like getting a manicure -- if your husband approves. Also, plan accordingly, for example you don't want to get a manicure and then scrub the shower. Each day should be filled with cooking, cleaning, shopping and whatever else is needed. Take into account other members schedules as well. Don't plan for a meal that requires hours in the kitchen on a day when you're hardly home. We further suggest you wake at least an hour before your husband rises, and use that time to ready the day for him.

We, at The (real) Stepford Wives Association believe strongly in making each day a treasure for our husbands.

 

Back to Basics: Ode to the Shopping List

We, we at The (real) Stepford Wives Association need to reclaim lost habits that our mothers and grandmothers took for granted. This means for many of us a return to the list. At some point society dropped out of the list making, in favor of tools, like the Palm Pilot, the problem being one has to refer to it. Today the answer seems to be the smart phone.

It doesn't matter if you use a smart phone, or put pen to paper the idea of well organized list is important enough to mention. No self respecting Stepford wife would go grocery shopping without a detailed list of what to buy. Yet the shopping list isn't the beginning, but rather it falls somewhere in the middle.

First you must decide what to cook, each meal should be planned out on a daily basis. What does your family eat? Start with breakfast. If coffee is the first thing your husband reaches for or looks to be handed to him then make sure the coffee supply is sufficient. Next might be bread, eggs, flour and so forth. If orange juice is served, know how many oranges are needed for a glass of juice and buy accordingly. Or, if out of season, buy a good quality juice.

For lunchtime: Luncheon meats, can be purchased, based by the slice or by the pound. Depending on the type you buy for your family will determine the quantity. Take into account expiration dates. The most expensive food in your home is the one thrown away because it expired before it was eaten. What does your husband like on his sandwich or along side it, means taking more into account? Double check that there are extra condiments in case you run out. This includes red onion, pickles or whatever else your husband prefers.

For your dinners, plan ahead by pouring over recipes and always have a back-up plan. If you plan on making lasagna, it's just as easy to make two and freeze one for another day. know which ingredients are needed for each dish and buy accordingly. Don't assume you have dried thyme, check it. Never assume. Also take care you have enough wine, liquor for cocktails or whatever your husband prefers to imbibe in.

Desserts and snacks: Same as everything else. In our home dessert is usually reserved for the weekends, but if your family likes it, plan for it. Whatever you choose to make, make it with love and from scratch or don't bother. Great snacks also include, popcorn (you can make it yourself on the stove), nuts, dried fruits, fresh fruit, cheese, and even good quality crackers.

Following this simple idea will add more time to your week and we, at The (real) Stepford Wives Association really enjoy that idea.

 

2015

It is a new year full of new beginnings for our membership. We renewed our focus in remaining submissive to our husbands. We, at The (real) Stepford Wives Association would like to thank them for continuing to guide us toward our lofty goal of female perfection.

Gentle reader, do not be put off or misled by the word perfect. Yes, it carries hefty weight, but it's never been about what we think to be perfection, but rather what our husbands view as perfection. The definition is as varied as they are. This year we resolve to be more introspect regarding our individual goals.

During the year, we will be discussing ways to make our homes more enjoyable for our husbands. We hope you'll join us in making 2015 the year for us al to become better wives and eschew what label society hangs on us and become our husband's version of perfection.

We, at The (real) Stepford Wives Association welcome all to 2015, and let's make it a Stepford year.