Category Archives: Marriage

The Jew and the Christmas Tree

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Susan H. Greenberg

As a Jew growing up in suburban Connecticut, I always wanted a Christmas tree. My  parents, raised blocks apart in the Bronx while the Holocaust raged overseas, refused to yield. We celebrated Hanukkah, proudly displaying our menorah in the living … Continue reading →

Posted in Family life, Holidays, Marriage | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

MWF, Looking for a Date

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Susan H. Greenberg

I’ve started applying eyeliner when I go out. And earrings. If I notice dirt on my jeans, I might even change them. Suddenly, I’m putting a lot more effort into making a good impression. Why? I’m on the market again. … Continue reading →

Posted in Family life, Friendship, Kids, Marriage | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Home is Where the Mess Is

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Susan H. Greenberg

The move to Vermont is behind us, if not the unpacking. It’s a slow process. Every day I tackle approximately one box, then collapse, exhausted, on a giant pile of mismatched socks. Among the things we haven’t yet been able … Continue reading →

Posted in Division of Labor, Family life, Kids, Marriage, Parenting | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

The Packing Wars

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Susan H. Greenberg

If you really want to test your marriage, just pack up your house. You don’t even have to move; simply spend time together determining who has more useless crap. In our case, I think even Mr. 70 Percent would agree … Continue reading →

Posted in Division of Labor, Family life, Marriage, Parenting | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

In Which Mr. 70 Percent Moves Me

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Susan H. Greenberg

I’ve had a lot to process. Mr. 70 Percent has gone all out and gotten himself a new job. In Vermont. And so our gradual withdrawal from civilization continues. We left the New York area in 2005, beaten down by … Continue reading →

Posted in Family life, Kids, Marriage, Neighbors, Parenting, Pets, Reality check, Teenagers | Tagged , , , , , , | 22 Comments

A Vacation from the Kids

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Susan H. Greenberg

I am now three days into the highlight of my summer, the holiday I’ve been eagerly anticipating for months. No, I am not wine-tasting in Napa, beach-combing in the Caribbean, or sight-seeing in Paris. In fact, I’ve never worked harder. … Continue reading →

Posted in Family life, Kids, Marriage, Parenting, Pets, Reality check | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

A Day Like Any Other

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Susan H. Greenberg

I didn’t have high expectations for Mother’s Day. That’s because on Friday, Mr. 70 Percent called and asked, “What do you want to do for Mother’s Day?” I was pleased that he had thought of it two full days ahead. … Continue reading →

Posted in Family life, Holidays, Kids, Marriage, Parenting, Reality check, Teenagers | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Love Me, Love My Foibles

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Susan H. Greenberg

My friend Linda has a theory that the qualities that first attract you to a mate are the same ones that will annoy the crap out of you later. So if, for instance, it’s his mild- mannered agreeableness you first … Continue reading →

Posted in Division of Labor, Family life, Marriage, Reality check | Tagged | 4 Comments

No Day Without Sunshine

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Susan H. Greenberg

When I got home, I noticed a long, rectangular box perched on our front steps. The return address read, “Cushman’s, for Harry & David.” Great! I thought; some loving friend or relative vacationing in Florida sent us some citrus to … Continue reading →

Posted in Family life, Marriage, Parenting, Reality check | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments