I made the comment to a friend the other day that, whilst I have always been an avid and voracious reader, that since having husband, children, dogs and a home to care for, as well as an addiction to the internet and Masterchef, that I have no time to read anymore.
By the time I do crawl into bed, I am just too bloody tired to read.
I look, longingly, at the toppling tower of books on my bedside table, and wish for days, alone, in bed, to just read.
When my husband does the dishes, he wants sex. When he leaves me alone with a book and breakfast in bed for the morning, he may just get some...
The books that I do manage to get around to reading are those written by people I "know" via blogging and Twitter. (All you "emerging writers" out there - I am a your publicists dream - if I like your blog and we chat on Twitter, you can guarantee that I will be the first to click on through to Booktopia and actually buy your book with my hard worked credit card.)
And so when I saw that Kerri Sackville had her book published, I was first in line. Kerri and I had exchanged Tweets as soon as I knew the title of the book, along the lines of "Cannot wait for to get my hands on your book - I am going to poke my lovely husband in the back with it..."
The book "When my husband does the dishes..." was published months ago, and I bought the book months ago, and it has taken me months to read it. But, I should tell you, it schmoozed to the top of the ever increasing pile pretty quickly.
It's theme is appealing - musings of motherhood. And funny ones at that.
The circumstances are obviously individual to Kerri herself, but the beauty of the book is that the observations ring true for every mother I know. And it has lists. I love lists. And these are cool and amusing lists.
I found myself nodding and giggling at every chapter. I made the bed shake with laughter on a number of occasions, to the point that my lovely husband was reading snippets over my shoulder.
Each chapter leads beautifully into the next and each segue and each fresh title brought a knowing smile to my face.
The humour and the pragmatism and the wit roll of each page in hilarious way, but more than that: I found the self depreciation, the sense of exhaustion and the exasperation that skips off each page hugely engaging and comforting.
Kerri, quite simply, has the ability to touch on all the funny similarities that all mothers have, and then to articulate these nuances in a spirited way that makes it a relief to relate to.
I swear, Kerri is has been a fly on the wall in our house as I try and get ready for a night out with my lovely husband. And she must have the secret cameras out when I am trying to find something to wear. She certainly knows the inside of my handbag. And she has the same fantasy daydreams. She echos my world perfectly.
When I asked Kerri if she'd like me to review her book, we also managed to score a couple of signed copies to give away to my readers...
To be in the running to score a signed copy of Kerri's book, all you need to do is:
- Make sure you are following my blog
- Leave me a comment, telling me what your husband needs to do to get you in the mood...
Open to anyone in the whole wide world.
I will draw a winner at random and announce it next Monday 18th July.
PS I was not compensated for this post in any way.
If my husband goes a whole night without playing World of Warcraft and buys me chocolate then I let him have his wicked way with me. He usually only brings me chocolate though... Hahahaha.
ReplyDeleteHelping out around the house and with the kids - definitely helps!
ReplyDeleteHearing the children when they wake during the night, and then getting up to them. Apparently by the time he registers that there is a child awake and upset, I'm already our of bed and halfway to their bedrooms.
ReplyDeleteHmm, if he follows instructions (for anything) without being told more than twice to get it done, that helps.
ReplyDeleteIf he understands that when I say I am in the middle of something important I am not just ignoring him, that helps.
If he can keep things running and everyone alive long enough for me to take a 10 minute shower he has a very good chance of getting lucky.
Our bed times are often different so he thinks that by just coming to bed at the same time it will do the trick. No.
ReplyDeleteWhat actually works is some extra attention and conversation earlier that day. Maybe taking the recycling out without prompting. Also a gin and tonic never hurts:)
Our bed times are often different so he thinks that by just coming to bed at the same time it will do the trick. No.
ReplyDeleteWhat actually works is some extra attention and conversation earlier that day. Maybe taking the recycling out without prompting. Also a gin and tonic never hurts:)
When he's in a good mood my other half is tops around the house. The dishwasher tends to be nice domain. We call him the dishwasher nazi - as he is very fussy about how it's stacked!! Bless him muchly. Would love to read this book :)
ReplyDeleteThe best way for me to get in the mood via my husband is a good laugh marathon and a blizzard from Dairy Queen-works like a charm!
ReplyDeleteHaving someone who can make you laugh is incredibly sexy and knowing that my husband goes out of his WAY to do it is also a turn on...plus the chocolate extreme blizzard helps ;]
Oh dammit!! I just finished reading it, too. I loved it! :)
ReplyDeleteClean the bathroom or kitchen & I'm there :)
ReplyDeleteHelp around the house works for me! And I mean inside the house that needs something cleaned every day, not like his lawns that he only has to mow every few weeks. And to not "expect" it just because he has done something domestic! Oh, and if he ever recognises that my role as a wife & mum is a job (all this on top as well as a part time night job packing shelves)then I will proposition him every night for a year. I promise!
ReplyDeleteNot talking about car racing or sport for a WHOLE day! That's a good start.
ReplyDeleteWell if I waited til he did housework, I'd never be in the mood, so I'll say buy me flowers, which at least happens annually. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI am very lucky to have a partner who is super domesticated. If he offers to do the bath and bed routine I am far more likely to be in the mood.
ReplyDeleteBeing listened to, empathised with and supported with a hug on a tough day or in a tough moment does more for my libido than dishes. Though it certainly helps!
I live mostly alone now that my last child has mostly left home which means I now get to do all the housework, cooking, rubbish taking out etc myself. There are days when anyone who dropped by and brought the wood in or did a few dishes might just get lucky!
ReplyDeleteright now hubby works away 6 weeks at at time so right now pretty much all he has to do is come home!
ReplyDeleteMy man is pretty domesticated he helps out with the housework and cooking. But its when he offers to rub my shoulders whilst I'm watching one of my tv shows that I'm all his!
ReplyDeleteSometimes my partner takes the kids to the park to kick the footy and run off some energy, this does wonders for my enthusiasm in the bedroom later that night.
ReplyDeleteI loved the book! So witty and totally able to relate to all of it.
ReplyDeleteKerri is a scream x
Hi Lucy. When my husband actually looks at me and says I look great. Rather than swinging by with an air kiss on his way somewhere - or talking over the top of the kids. I try for date night every Thursday. Not so spontaneous - but hey if it ain't broke...ps. I love to read so if I have a book in my hands he knows not to even try x
ReplyDeleteI can't put what get's me in the mood it's too x-rated for this blog....lol
ReplyDeleteI have a giveaway too this week, stop over and check it out!!!
If he does more than just one load of dishes then I'll contemplate it! He does one lot of dishes, usually lunch because it makes the fewest, then looks at me with raised eyebrows... As if one load of dishes would do the trick! And my goodness, if he allowed me to read for a bit...who knows what might happen!?
ReplyDeleteI am not a Princess but....a trip to Bali to that seven-star place Woogsworld goes to. I don't want much, really.
ReplyDeleteMy hubby would need to ensure our daughter is in bed... and we're good to go. Pretty simple. One long lingering look does it for us these days!
ReplyDeleteIf he cooks dinner whilst I suffer through a phone call from the mother from hell and then 'debriefs' with me afterward - he's in.
ReplyDeleteLoved your post on this especially about not having enough time to read. Work, baby, house, life is certainly making that indulgence hard. I have a stack of books like yourself on my bedside table.
ReplyDeleteMy husband could enthusiastically (I want a big grin and 'of course you should/my pleasure') encourage me to have a sleep in, bring me the sunday paper and clean the toilet and shower. Not too much to ask is it?? After all that sunday night would be great fun!! a school night and all!!
Cleaning helps, looking after the kids helps... organising a baby sitter for all 4 of them and taking me out to a dinner and movie is almost a sure thing lol
ReplyDeleteA loooong massage. Although, usually I fall asleep first!
ReplyDeleteI'm so thrilled you enjoyed my book! Now excuse me.... my husband is giving me that certain 'look' and I need to make myself scarce... xxxxxx
ReplyDeleteOh gosh hmmmmmmm...... a kiss, a proper kiss not a peck on the cheek!
ReplyDeleteI am a follower :)
Tell me I'm beautiful when I need to wash my hair and I'm wearing trackies; say "you deserve a shopping spree! I'll look after the baby while you're out; say I cleaned the bathroom honey"
ReplyDeleteIf my husband can do the 'icky' jobs he normally leaves for me - but the clincher is if can do it without complaining!
ReplyDeleteI'm easy, all he needs to do is step away from his computer and leave the house with me. It can be a date, lunch or even a trip to bunnings. Just taking the time to do things with me :)
ReplyDeleteWhen he tell's me he adore's & loves me & that i'm fun to be with :-)
ReplyDeleteGiving me his undivided attention when we're talking. I need to feel he's listening to me and not just nodding and grunting in the right places ;)
ReplyDeleteWould it be wrong to admit that as i am in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy right now and feeling so good after a totally crappy 1st trimester (during which Darling husband looked after me and the kids superbly) that all he has to do right now, to be honest, be present!?! Usually it's be well and truly present in heart, soul and ears...now it's literally just be there!
ReplyDelete