When the husband’s away, the wife will spend his money

November 19, 2008 | Filed in: Contest, Huh?, Men?, Reader Appreciation, hole-y matrimony

I feel safe telling you now that he’s on his way home*, that Tate has been on vacation this past week. And when I say vacation, I’m referring to the type of vacation that took him away from home for 6 days, enjoying the bliss known as being “child-free.” It was a full-on MAN vacation filled with bows and arrows and farting, so although I could have come along, I decided to take my chances with the kids.

I really don’t want to be THAT wife, the one who’s jealous and not supportive, the MARTYR. Considering that I’m going on 6 solo days of parenting, in an increasingly crappy rental, fresh from a move that I wasn’t too jazzed about, I think I’m handling his vacation rather well. Oops, there I go, being the martyr.

Anyway, several times Tate has called while on his CHILD-FREE vacation, complaining about something. My poor eyes have nearly rolled out of my head with his moaning. Seriously, who calls the spouse who’s SINGLE PARENTING to complain about their vacation!? Oh right, Tate did that. Tate, the one who promised to “love and cherish” me, not “leave me alone while he’s goes on vacation, only to call and COMPLAIN.” Oops, and there I go again with that darned martyrdom.

He’s also called a few times with MY honey-do list, because apparently taking care of two toddlers alone for 6 days leaves me with ample time to do grunt work. Before arriving home, I’m supposed to have done something about calling somebody, but I can’t remember because, uh oh!, I wasn’t listening. I’m also supposed to find recipes for persimmons (what???), but gosh darn if the Internet wasn’t down (*eyes roll straight outta my head*).

And since I’m so good at not being THAT martyr wife, I did what any good wife would do. I went shopping. Certainly 6 single parenting days earned me a some new shirts a pair darling little flats, and some EXPENSIVE makeup from Sephora.

*Just in case you’re a creepy Internet stalker and thinking that you’ve got a small window of time to come over before Tate gets home, I think it’s only fair that I tell you about my Rottweiler named Jeffrey Dahmer.

*************************************

/snark

Today’s Reader Appreciation giveaway is from Good for the Kids!

Angie from Good for the Kids is offering….drumroll…..

A $50 gift certificate for today’s giveaway!! $50!!! $50!!!!!

To enter, check out Good for the Kids and tell me how you’d spend your winnings (and feel free to comment on the above post, too).

Comments on this post will close at 7 AM, EST, November 21, 2008.

Comments Closed! Thanks for playing!

Been there…done that!! Love ya

Jennifer, I think you let Tate off easy I cannot believe he called you to complain about his vacation, has the man taking leave of his senses? Sheesh.

Rachel´s lastest post..Happy Birthday Princess.

Oh, I hear you. Husbandrinka called once from a business trip to Paris (and not the one in Texas) to complain that the waiters were really slow in the million star restaurant. I’m pretty sure that I went shopping, too, but since I’d saved so much money on legal defense fees that are usually incurred in homicide defense cases, I didn’t think anything of it.

Marinka´s lastest post..Spoiler Saturday

Tell me about it. My husband is leaving Saturday for “hunting camp”. He will undoubtedly call and complain about the cold, the people, and who knows what else. All the while, I’ll be trying to juggle work & our toddler while trying to pack to head to my dad’s & a trip to Pigeon Forge (leaving Thanksgiving evening). And, let’s not forget that I’m sure I’ll get called and told what all needs done. Oh and my trip, you ask? My 2 day girls only trip/vacation/shopping til we want to kill people…yeah, he’s leaving our daughter with his mom & sister; you know, because it’s just too hard to keep her for less than 48 hours. It gets way too frustrating.
And on another note, the giveaway site is awesome! I love the stacking blocks, magnetic dress up and the great puzzles!

I would buy the play food.

Now onto husbands. Ugh! My husband refused to drop off a bottle of formula at daycare, which is on his way to the train, because we was running late. So I had to drive all the way home, get the bottle, go all the way back, drop it off, drive all the way home again. I lost about an hour of productive time. And yes, when I called him to ask if he could drop it off for me, he was AT HOME, almost ready to LEAVE to the train.

I was annoyed. Just a tad.

Then he had the nerve to call me when I was driving home for the second time to complain about the train.

I hung up on him.

I would put it towards a Melissa & Doug Easel for Boopie for Christmas.
iMommy´s lastest post..Holiday Shopping

I am sorry My husband dose that too. Any time to your self with out the kids should be wonderful.
I love good for the kids. My daughters wants a Zoobie Pets

I always tell my husband that if he leaves me for a few days it’s going to be an expensive trip….because I am going to do a lot of shopping….and going out to eat…..and doing more shopping.

I think I would definitely get the Melissa & Doug Firefighter’s costume…my son loves playing dress up. And I love the magnetic puzzles, too!

Oh, I would buy my best friend’s little one some of the wooden toys - the pound a peg or the ABC block pull cart, probably.

NGS´s lastest post..45 x 365 #23

OK, you first. When do YOU get to go on a 6 day vacation without the kids? I’m talking vacation, like spa or beach, not necessarily something like BlogHer b/c really, that’s kinda work…as far as he needs to know.

Retail therapy does wonders for a marriage!

The contest? I like the Sportybaby Golf DVD. It would make an awesome Christmas gift for a close friend who is golf-obsessed.

Ashlie- Mommycosm´s lastest post..Using Google Alerts to monitor your blog’s buzz

Husband took a vacation without you??? That boy better come home with a box from Tiffany if he knows what is good for him!

I would get some of the floor puzzles for my nephew. He’s almost 3 and is puzzle obsessed!

No comment. I just want to let you know I fulfilled my daily obligation to stop by here to see how things are going. But I am not going to comment. first of all, i don’t have a husband to complain about - I AM one. One that gets complained about a LOT.

I feel so guilty.

lceel´s lastest post..An Irish Tale

My husband is not a hunter. He is a Bronco Fan and we moved 600 miles away from his season tickets. So…he travels 5 weekends a year during football season. Alone.

I shop my @ss off when he is gone. Glad I’m not the only one….

Connie @ Young and Relentless´s lastest post..A Conversation with Dave

My son is very into puzzles right now, so I’d spend the gift certificate on all kinds of new Melissa & Doug puzzles (like the On the Go Vehicles Jigsaw Puzzle). I hope it would buy me some quiet time while my husband is gone - even if his trip is only for a day! I don’t know how you did 6 days! I would go insane. Maybe that says something about me… oh well. I think you deserved a shopping spree!

cgogis at yahoo dot com

Oh, wow, I LOVE everything by Melissa and Doug (got some of their puzzles as a gift), so I’d buy a lot of their classic stuff, like blocks and the little wooden hammer set. Fun site!

That seriously blows about your husband. I hope this kids were good for you.

Jen L.´s lastest post..NOOOO! This is NOT happening now!

Just agreeing here…mine went to Montana for 10 days in Sept to hunt elk. Where have I been, you ask? Ha! Here fielding phone calls for his company and faxing stuff every ten minutes. Oh, and homeschooling 3 kids.

I need a vacation!

Husbands - can’t live with ‘em; can’t live without ‘em.

I love anything Melissa and Doug!

wright´s lastest post..Rut

yes…I can totally relate, mines in Atlanta right now at a “conference”.

Don’t tell me you went to Sephora with the kids…that would be like hell on earth for me.

2 little girls trying to touch and try everything, 1 very large girl wanting also to try and touch everything…nobody getting what they want.

DesignHER Momma´s lastest post..who needs a doll when you have a cat?

My husband was in Africa for two weeks not that long ago. I figured that was my free pass to go shopping. Why is that?

Oh, that little pull along alligator toy is adorable on the Good for the Kids website.

Mommy Daisy´s lastest post..Shaun the Sheep DVD Review & Giveaway

6 days?!? I don’t know how you can do it. I only have one child and I couldn’t do it alone for 6 days. I would go crazy!!

As far as the contest, I think I would get potty training stuff!

Oooooh - I would LOVE to get a cutting food set…

And I’ll just say that men are clueless - if I did that to the husband he’d be calling me a nag but if he does it to me… Ughhhhh.

Erin´s lastest post..Need I say more?

You always deserve expensive makeup from Sephora, no matter the occasion. Pat Jeffery for me, is he still foaming at the mouth?

Christy´s lastest post..Hannah Montana Naked

So what you’re saying is that Tate just gave you permission to go on a week-long vacation to anywhere you want. By yourself. That sounds about right, and totally fair.

Burgh Baby´s lastest post..Splish Jump Score

Yep, I’d be shopping right there along with you. A little materialism goes a LOOOOOONG way!!

Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt´s lastest post..Blocked

I can’t comment on your post as I’m laughing too hard!

As for the wonderful $50, I think I would spend part, if not ALL, of that on gifts for some of the little kiddies in my x-mas list!

Carrie´s lastest post..Wanna Free DVD?

Love the eye roll visual!!
Your dog scares me!

Briefcase travels constantly for business & often ties in a few extra days for fun. Like an extra week in Australia. Where I’ve wanted to go my entire life. ANYWAY - we have 3 kids. Sometimes he’ll call in the evening after too much partying. Want to kill his slurring voice too much? Naw …! Or when he says, “I just hate to be gone so long but if I’m going to be in Paris anyway I might as well spend a few days seeing the sights.”

Martyr? What’s that?

Good grief. I thought I had the only husband who asked the impossible. Mine thinks I can weed the front garden and mow the yard while taking care of a one year old. *rolls eyes* Like what I do in the house isn’t enough.

Love your blog! I just stumbled on it the other day and am enjoying it.

Men! I work from home twice a week and my husband says things like, “oh you can take care of that, you’re off tomorrow” when in fact, those days at home are more stressful than the ones I am in the office.

As for the giveaway, it’s hard to decide, but you can’t go wrong with Melissa and Doug - it would be something from that brand.

Gina´s lastest post..W

I would definitely get some of the Melissa and Doug wooden blocks. Can’t have enough blocks!

Shopping is the best revenge!

amy´s lastest post..Monkeys and Bears Need Cages

I would get some of the craft stuff or maybe the construction worker play cloths for my little builder.

My husband takes “boys weekends” at his buddy’s cabin. He doesn’t call and complain, but he TRIED to take them every second weekend last summer. Like that’s going to happen!

Persimmon pudding– sugary goodness!

I would buy the wooden toys to keep around the house for friends kids. And maybe some BPA free sippy cups. Or custumes? I don’t know… its all so cute….

Steph´s lastest post..This gravy-train has sailed!

I’ve been wanting to go on a motorcycle trip with the buddies for a while now. I always try to plan them when the wife is out of town for business trips. We’re currently working on having kids though so that’s going to put a damper on that whole gig.

I’m glad to see you’re being supportive about this whole thing.

Paunchiness´s lastest post..Orgasm on a Bike?

6 days with two toddlers alone - wheeee! You definitely deserved some prizes for yourself.

For the contest, I’d have to buy the darling Max and Ruby beanie babies and one of the dress-up costumes for my little guy.

avonlea´s lastest post..Updated - Or Would It Be My Mommy CV?

Ugh. Martrydom is hard to avoid especially when your husband is being so annoying!

I love all the fun toy ideas- like dress ups and wooden barns- good old fashioned fun!

Barb @ getupandplay´s lastest post..Proposition 8

I’m liking the Melissa and Doug magnetic set..really anything puzzle or pretend for my little guy. The prices are reasonable so I’ll be checking back.

Anytime I’m sans kids for 6 days, my parents are lucky to get two phone calls. The first saying we made it and the second saying we’re on our way home. The whole no news is good news concept.

Jean@workingmomma247´s lastest post..Memes, Why Does It Always Have To Be Memes?

When’s Jennifer’s 6 day shop til you drop vacation? I giggle that we both have the same giveaway today.

Anglophile Football Fanatic´s lastest post..GiVeAwAy WeEk DaY 2: Pamper the Ladies

Also, CommentLuv’s at it again.

Ugh - I’d stop answering his calls if he was just complaining!!
On another note, I’d get play food or puzzles or crafty stuff to do with my daughter.

Oooh… Sephora. The store where I would NEVER EVER tell my husband how much it cost.

I would go for the Nickelodeon TY plush! Specifically, the Wonderpets and Wow Wow Wubbzy!

Rachael´s lastest post..Wordless Wednesday: Hotel Bed Jumping!

Sounds to me like the shopping trip was totally justified!! Six days of single parenting! Oy! Hang in there!

What a great giveaway! I love the Melissa & Doug Pizza Party Play Food and the Food Groups Play Food! The Balancing Cactus Game also looks great though.

P.S. I have a great Frosted Persimmon Cookies recipe if you want it (email me)

PsychMamma´s lastest post..Mammograms

*I* am the one who goes away, but you better believe I try not to complain while he is single parenting.

Except for the time I called crying from SF during BlogHer because I missed my family…

I hope you enjoy your purchases, and if he gives you grief, sic the dog on him
Angella´s lastest post..I don’t mind you saying My name, but not after you stub your toe

Ooohhh I think I’d have to be all over that Bollaball Outdoor Golf Ladder thingummy. That is an awesome looking game!!

MadWomanMeg´s lastest post..Yup, naked under my clothes again.

I think I would have done WAY more shopping than you did- good restraint!

Oh, and I would the make-your-own monster puppet and some puzzles.

Jennie´s lastest post..Flickr Mosaic (100th post!)

You SHOULD be a Martyr!! I remember feeling so wonderfully supportive when MY husband went for a week long fishing trip to CANADA, where there were no phones, when I was 8 freakin months pregnant.

I’m still awaiting my medal for that one…

tracey´s lastest post..2nd Grade Jokes, a Redux…

I’d buy the squeaker sneakers, and of course some Melissa & Doug toys!!

Thanks for the giveaway! And you TOTALLY deserve more than some new makeup and shoes . . . how about a 6-day child-free vaca for yourself?? sounds about fair.

Lori´s lastest post..My First Meme (and awards, too)!

I’d put it toward the Melissa and Doug Fold and Go Play Dollhouse.

T with Honey´s lastest post..Be my baby forever

he’s lucky that’s ALL you bought.

the wretch

the planet of janet´s lastest post..Can you hear me now?

Martyr? You sound like a friggin’ saint to me!

Oh yeah, but a lot of saints were martyrs, right?

Hmmm….

Lee the MWOB Queen´s lastest post..Oh, the Draaammmaaa!

I wanna see the shoes.
I say you should get a pair for every day he’s away.

Devan´s lastest post..Fashion/Hair/Paint

Ha Ha, you sound just like me when my hubby goes out of town..not that I’m a martyr or anything
Jen @ candles love soy´s lastest post..Sweet New *Sparkle Candles*

Why oh why must they be so freaking clueless, bless their clueless little hearts…..

I am so getting the Max and Ruby beanie babies for starters. Actually I think I have to get them now. My daughter is so in LOVE with that show….it allows me endless amounts of time on the internet, so I should reward her right?
abunslife´s lastest post..Here Piggy Piggy

Wow. You get many comments and close other articles early. I tried to chat on some, but found this one open.

I’m the Dad at home and an earner, so this particular blog is tough for me to emphathize with. But, hey, it sounds like you have fun.

Peace

SRS´s lastest post..Your Ultimatum

oh my.
don’t let my husband read this.
he is gone 4 days out of every week.
we will not tell him how much gets spent and where. right?
oh yeah. and definitely the melissa and doug sushi set. which i may just buy next time he goes out of town anyways!

jen´s lastest post..favoritism DOES exist. it’s the spin cycle!

when will I ever win??? Love this post by the way.. haha.

RACHEL´s lastest post..Life of the Party

Now, why would your husband call you to make sure you find recipes for persimmons? Is he a persimmon freak, or something?

Margaret (Nanny Goats)´s lastest post..You’re Twittering Me from WHERE?

Um, how about anything by Melissa and Doug? I like the sorting cube!

Krista´s lastest post..Yellowstone Part 5: A REALLY Long Day

I sincerely hope your rott’s name really is Jeffrey Dalhmer. That is the best shit I’ve ever read.

shonda´s lastest post..People’s Sexiest Man Alive Is…….

The Melissa & Doug fishbowl is especially cute. Great for all my friends with bambinos. My kid is 18 & probably wouldn’t appreciate it.
Funny, it is usually me that takes the vacations without my husband. My only calls are to say Hi and Goodbye.

What exactly is the deal with persimmons? I mean, they seem to be the new freaking cranberry/sun dried tomato. I’m sick of them and boycotting.

Mama DB´s lastest post..Safe and Well

Just voted for you over at Greeblemonkey.

And my husband has his guys trip coming up so I totally feel you on this one.

BethanyA´s lastest post..bloggers in the real world

[...] Shop in 30 Minutes - giving away a Role Play Dress Up outfit Playgroups are No Place for Children: When the husband’s away, the wife will spend his money - $50 Gift Certificate to [...]

Ew. Single parenting it really is no fun, and that is a long time to do it. You have definitely earned whatever your heart desires.

As for the giveaway, I would probably get some art supplies. Melissa and Doug are always high-quality and my daughter is totally into doing art these days.

Thanks!

LOVE LOVE LOVE Good for the Kids! Have done some Xmas shopping there already but it looks like there are lots of new items I simply *must* buy!

Love the M&D Sushi set - would definitely choose an item like that if I won!

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins´s lastest post..New definition of "suckitude"

I think you restrained yourself pretty well with your “shopping spree”.

Found your blog a few days ago, love it!

For the drawing - I have to say that there is a lot of stuff I found my kids would just love!

Kelly´s lastest post..I loathe minimum days

oh, this website got me in trouble already. i’d probably get my boys one of the dress-up items … or my son the responsibility chore chart thingie… there are a MILLION ways that i could spend this $50 happily!

My husband is pretty much known for coming home and complaining *how tired* he is after a weekend away watching football with his friends.

Drives me freaking insane.

Slacker Mama´s lastest post..parenthood is like golf, with (slightly) less cussing

I love Sephora. Its my guilty pleasure.

Also, I love all the wooden toys on that site. Too cute!

Steph´s lastest post..This gravy-train has sailed!

Wow- awesome job on the solo parenting! I have not been alone with the children like that before- my husband doesn’t travel for business (WHEW!)

I have no idea how I would spend that gift certificate! TOO MANY CHOICES! Probably with some of their wooden toys- we have the wooden pizza and the wooden bday cake and BOTH get played with all the time. So perhaps some more wooden food????

Marie Green´s lastest post..What To Do About The Food

My hubby has gotten multiple guys weekend and for some reason my daughter always seems to get sick, so I am not only talking care of a toddler by myself for days I end up taking care of a sick toddler for days!

If I were to be the lucky winner I would stock up on The Safe Sippy cups…one in each color to be exact!

Thanks for the chance!

Catherine´s lastest post..A Toddlers Independent Streak - A Thousand Words Thursday

K, first off, I can’t believe Tate was calling from HIS vacay to bug you. I’d think he’d be wise enough to know that after dealing with the kids for 6 days alone, some bowing down and not bugging Mommy would be a good idea…silly men.

Glad he’s home now-and he better be helping out like crazy

I’m totally digging the Pink Floppy Elephant. And the Melissa and Doug Rainbow Stacker. Too cute! And these little teething buddies? ADORABLE! http://www.goodforthekids.com/item.php?item_id=259&category_id=47

Last time my husband left me to go on vacation I cried every day. It’s really hard single parenting! But, then I went away for a week (with only 1 kid). He promised me he wont go away again without finding me a babysitter.

I would go way over the $50 but I really like the dushie bacladi baby blanket pacifier attachers I’ve never seen them before, and a zoobie pet and the plan toys balancing cactus game for my 5 year old, and the sophie the giraffe teether for the babies and the Melissa and Doug do your own jewelry box and…

I think I’d get the Melissa and Doug Role Play Chef Dress-Up Costume. Thanks for the chance!

RSS feed for comments on this post.

Comments protected by Lucia's Linky Love.

Nice to Meet You

I'm Jennifer, Mom to Carson, 3, and Ella, 2. Wife and Bossaholic to Tate. My claim to fame is that I'm the #1 search result on Google for "kids pooping in pools!!." You can follow me on Twitter, see my stumbles at StumbleUpon, view my photos on Flickr, and contact me by email.

Go shopping!

Photo calendars

No one is comfortable at the thought of his or her own death, but it's something that you have to plan for if you have loved ones who depend on you. Get help with these life insurance quotes.

Find an affordable selection of adorable baby bedding at Smarter.com.

Back in the Day

Comment policy

Flaming
An online argument that becomes nasty or derisive, where insulting a party to the discussion takes precedence over the objective merits of one side or another (Urban Dictionary).
(Do it and I'll delete it)

Ajax CommentLuv Enabled d24c3fd0704707450ed668bb38aac8d2

NetworkedBlogs

Blog:

Playgroups are No Place For Children

Topics:

parenting, motherhood, kids

Join my network

Free Subscriptions!

I take pictures

www.flickr.com

This is a Flickr badge showing public photos and videos from Jennifer Playgroupie. Make your own badge here.

Party all the ti-ime

2009 Booklist

The Given Day
Love in the Time of Cholera
Esther; It's Tough Being a Woman
~~Why is My Mother Getting a Tattoo?~~ I
~~Whitethorn Woods~~ B
~~The Five People You Meet in Heaven~~ A
~~Paula Spencer~~ B-
~~Digging to America~~ A
~~Rebecca~~ A-
~~The Friday Night Knitting Club~~ B
~~The Reader~~ B+
~~The Shack~~ B+
~~The Kite Runner~~ A
~~Three Junes~~ C-
~~Kitchen Confidential~~ A
~~A Cook's Tour~~ A
~~The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas~~ A
~~My Friend Leonard~~ A
~~Daisy Chain~~ F
~~The Gravedigger's Daughter~~ B-
~~A Girl Named Zippy~~ A-
~~Eat, Pray, Love~~ A
~~Water for Elephants~~ B+
~~The Book Thief~~ A++
~~The Poisonwood Bible~~ A+
~~The Hunger Games~~ A

playgroupsarenoplaceforchildren