Can't You Smell That??

It seems to me that men are more "comfortable" with foul odors (or are just unaware of them) than women appear to be.  Aside from the obvious funk my boyfriend is able to produce on his own (well done, dear), he is seemingly oblivious to stinky trash, litter boxes, recently used toilets, etc., and makes no attempt to alleviate these odors.  And as I learn more and more each day that he ain't gonna change, I continuously remind him to take out the trash and scoop the cat litter myself.  Also, I am always trying to find new ways to combat common household odors and keep the house smelling fresh and clean.  Here are a few of my favorites...

Glade Sense & Spray- This little contraption is a great and safe way (no outlet necessary) to keep any room smelling sweet.  I keep one hanging near the front door so that I always walk in to a freshly scented home.  It's also perfect for the bathroom (no more unsightly cans of air freshener and no need to remind anyone to spray!!) 

Dryer Sheets- Dryer sheets are awesome!  They can be used for almost anything and come in a variety of great, clean scents.  I place dryer sheets all over the place- in drawers, under mattress pads, under couch cushions.  And they are perfect for brushing off lint and pet hair from fabric cushions, lamp shades and pillows while leaving behind an amazing scent.  Need a quick freshen up?  Wipe a dryer sheet over the couch cushions, bedspread and pet beds.  Works like a charm! 

Candles- Of course, lighting candles is a great way to make the house smell great and eliminate unwanted odors.  But they also help even when unlit!  Store scented votives and tea lights in a pretty basket- it's an easy way to keep candles accessible.  But best of all, it gives a great scent to wherever you choose to place the basket.

Happy smelling! =)

The %$&#!%@ Idiot Box

I admit- I do love to watch TV (aka the idiot box).  I have to see my SVU and the DVR is always recording episodes of Teen Mom and The Real Housewives.  But I cannot stand having the damn thing on at every waking moment!  Here's a little sample of my boyfriend's daily schedule.  Do you notice a trend?
4:30AM: get up and watch TV while waiting for me to wake up and make the coffee;
7:00AM: sit on the couch watching TV while eating breakfast;
7:30AM-3:00PM: attend work;
3:30PM: arrive home, remove pants and turn on the TV;
4:00PM: play computer games in the office and "listen" to the TV across the house;
6:00PM: watch TV while waiting for dinner;
6:45PM: begrudgingly sit at the dining room table to eat dinner while again "listening" to the TV in the other room;
7:30PM-11:00PM: fall asleep on the couch watching TV;
11:00PM: ahhhh, finally... the TV gets turned off...

The Y Chromosome

So I'm not really the social networking type (i.e., I hate Facebook and Twitter). But I have to admit that I love to read blogs. Of course it's (only slightly) more entertaining when I actually know the blogger, but I am easily drawn in by hilarious blogs about everyday life. And in an attempt to lower my blood pressure and release some stress, I have decided to start a blog about the trials and tribulations of living with a romantic partner. This mostly means venting about how hard I work to keep a clean, organized and comfortable home while my boyfriend sets out to prove he's the most disgusting, sloppy and lazy person I've ever met! How did I never realize these traits before? You know that lady in the Parade Magazine that comes in the Sunday paper? Her name is Marilyn vos Savant and she apparently has/had the highest known IQ. Each week she answers viewers' most puzzling questions. Well, this is mine: How does the Y chromosome provide the ability for one to have absolutely no awareness of dirt, mess and "common sensical" tasks that take less than 30 seconds to complete? This includes, but is not limited to: crumbs on the counter, dishes in the sink, an empty toilet paper holder, a pile of dirty clothes on the floor beside an empty hamper, a full trash can, skid marks in the toilet, pee on the toilet seat, body hair on the toilet seat, remote controls wedged between couch cushions, dirty socks under the bed, behind pillows & on the bathroom floor, cereal boxes with their tops left open put back in the cupboard to get stale, empty milk cartons put back in the fridge, tissues, receipts, gum wrappers & money left in pant pockets placed in the wash, shoes left under the coffee table, DVDs and video games thrown on top of their protective cases, the purpose of place mats or the nickels and dimes that find their way all over the house (just to name a few). What is it about the Y chromosome, Marilyn, that has given men this "gift" to live so carefree in their own filth? Please advise.