(A) How to Make Sure He Doesn’t Come Home Yet:

1. Start mopping the kitchen

2. Begin folding laundry

3. Start cleaning out the garage

4. Start baking a cake or a pie

5. Begin any unpleasant task that’s been waiting on the “list”

As soon as I have the kids settled quietly and am looking at maybe 5 minutes for ME, I know he will be home.

(B) How to Get Him Home Immediately:

1. Curl up with a book by the fire

2. Curl up with a magazine on the bed

3. Make a cup of hot tea

4. Head for a bubble bath

5. Begin any pleasant task that’s been waiting on the other “list”

I like when my husband is home. I just think it’s uncanny. If I need him home really badly, I can just do something on the B list. If I stop working, he’ll come home. If I have a project, I can rest assured that he had to work an extra 45 minutes that night, anyway. It just works perfectly. 

I have found one activity which is perfectly neutral in either direction:

Blogging!