Contract "Negotiations" at 10:49 PM

Why the quotes in the title? Well...

Last year, I mentioned as an aside that my wife had decided to write up a contract to identify my regular duties and how our relationship will work. It helped me to know my place and certainly set some good guidelines but it wasn't long before the contract fell to the side a bit and things progressed however they would.

With us approaching the first anniversary of our arrangement (and depending on your timezone, we are there already!) and my wife's recent decision to take firm hold of the wheel and guide this ship, today she decided to write up a new contract. She asked me a few things (what my work schedule would be, for example) but there wasn't much direct input from me on what she put in. The old arrangements were pretty much kept in but some new things were added, including punishments. In general the whole thing was much more specific.

As I was reading through it, she commented that I got the same look of fear that I had on Sunday night. There was a very definite focus on her in this contract, which I loved, but really struck me as unlike her. I guess the fear in my eyes was me considering if this is really what I wanted, but when she asked there was nothing in the contract I would want to disagree with!

So the last half of the day was spent under the new contract, which included me making sure the dishes were done before bed (to be done nightly, no dishes should be in the sink the next morning) and me doing her foot massage without her mentioning it (it is now my responsibility to remember). I was sure to wear my new nightly "uniform" -- once the kids are in bed, unless I'm going somewhere or there is someone over I am to be wearing boxers, T-shirt optional. Certainly not a strict uniform but it's what she insists on seeing me in.

She's also going to be enforcing my exercise program. I'm a touch on the overweight side (215lbs at 6 feet tall) and have been talking about working out to try and wear that down but I never seem to make the time. Now I am required to make time for it, or else -- after all, what use is a servant who can't keep himself healthy enough to serve for years to come?

As for punishments, a few that she mentioned specifically were loss of appliances (believe you me, I'm going to be checking every dish that comes out of the dishwasher to make sure it is clean because I do not want to lose the privilege of using it!), writing lines (for my forgetfulness, I have a feeling that one will be happening far more than I like for the next little whiles) and chair time or kneeling time.

Overall, the new contract is a big help. I'll be studying it very closely over the next little while to try and stave off the first lines I have to write as long as possible -- if I'm lucky, said punishment will never have to be used!