Traditional Roles?

Yesterday as I walked around the foodstore, alone.  Thoughts tumbled along.  For a long time, it has been almost taboo to state that as a woman, taking care of the family makes her happy.

I am in a new relationship.  One that I waffle about constantly if I have jumped in too soon, if I look like a "ho" or if it was just something that crept up and was to be grabbed in fear that this may be the last opportunity at it.  Some days are better than others, I lie.  MOST days are better than others. :)

Solace is found in my kitchen.  I have gotten selfish and refuse to share that space, unless pressed for time, or in an open mood.  There's a soothing air that settles around me as I fumble around like I know what I am doing.  There's a sense of pride as the eager cries "You finish yet?" come to agitate me as well as get rewarded with annoyed sighs.

I ironed yesterday, something that hasn't been done by HIM, since he's been there.  And from the start, there seemed to be an unspoken expectation.  In a time before, young liberated burn-my-bra equality for all Markera would've sat and seen how long it would be before the clothes grew mushrooms and then ask if he had no idea how the washing machine worked.  Instead, every week, clothes are washed, hung out, picked in, ironed and put away.  And there's a ball of satisfaction in my gut that pushes me on.

There's a full realization, that yes, these things can be done, but in consideration of house renovations, garbage removal, heavy lifting, occasional baby-sitting, bathroom cleaning, bed spreading and other things, why can't I just let a routine form?  We all have to do things we don't like and of course somewhere in there, there will be something I hate to do that I have to do. *shrug* 'Tis life.

After the grocery store run, I stood part of my dinner in one hand, some of the grocery in the other.  He helped take the grocery out of the car, and proceeded to help put it up.  Right down to emptying oats, and rice into the reusable containers to go by the stove.  I finished up and just stood there thinking.  That was so not necessary but it felt so good.