1939 Marital Rating Scale

So, I found this HERE. I thought it was pretty funny.

Marital Rating Scale
Wife’s Chart
George W. Crane, Ph. D., M.D.
(Copyright 1939)
In computing the score, check the various items under DEMERITS which fit the wife, and add the total. Each item counts one point unless specifically weighted as in the parentheses. Then check the items under MERITS which apply; now subtract the DEMERIT score from the MERIT score. The result is the wife’s raw score. Interpret it according to this table:
Raw Scores Interpretation
0-24……………Very Poor
25-41…………..Poor
42-58…………..Average
59-75…………..Superior
76 and up……….Very Superior

DEMERITS
1. Slow in coming to bed — delays till husband is almost asleep.
2. Doesn’t like children. (5)
3. Fails to sew on buttons or darn socks regularly.
4. Wears soiled or ragged dresses and aprons around the house.
5. Wears red nail polish.
6. Often late for appointments. (5)
7. Seams in hose often crooked.
8. Goes to bed with curlers on her hair or much face cream.
9. Puts her cold feet on husband at night to warm them.
10. Is a backseat driver.
11. Flirts with other men at parties or restaurants. (5)
12. Is suspicious and jealous. (5)
13. Uses slang or profanity. (5)
14. Smokes, drinks, gambles, or uses dope. (5)
15. Talks about former boy friends or first husband.
16. Squeezes tooth paste at the top.
17. Reminds husband it is her money they are living on. (5)
18. Tells family affairs to casual acquaintances, too talkative.
19. A chronic borrower–doesn’t keep stocked up.
20. Slows up card game with chatter and gossip.
21. Opens husband’s personal mail.
22. Frequently exceeds her allowance or family budget. (5)
23. Eats onions, radishes, or garlic before a date or going to bed.
24. Tells risque or vulgar stories. (5)
25. Wears pajamas while cooking.
26. Talks during movie, play or concert.
27. Is more than 15 pounds overweight.
28. Often whining or complaining.
29. Discourteous to sales clerks and hired help.
30. Shoulder straps hang over arms or slip is uneven and shows.
31. Fails to wash top of milk bottle before opening it.
32. Corrects husband’s speech or actions before others. (5)
33. Saves punishment of children for father at night. (5)
34. Serves dinner but fails to sit down till meal is half over–then wants husband to wait for her.
35. Wears pajamas instead of nightgown.
36. Fails to bathe or brush teeth often enough. (5)
37. Puts stockings to soak in wash basin.
38. Serves too much from tin cans or the delicatessen store.
39. Visits mother too often–a spoiled child.
40. Is snobbish or too much concerned in “keeping up with the Jones.”
41. Dislikes husband’s hobbies as fishing, baseball, etc.
42. Tells lies–not dependable. (5)
43. Doesn’t want to get up to prepare breakfast.
44. Insists on driving the car when husband is along.
45. Smokes in bed or has cigarette stained fingers.
46. Cries, sulks or pouts too much.
47. Makes evening engagements without consulting her husband.
48. Talks too long on the phone.
49. Is a gossip.
50. Walks around house in stocking feet.

MERITS
1. A good hostess–even to unexpected guests.
2. Has meals on time.
3. Can carry on an interesting conversation.
4. Can play a musical instrument, as piano, violin, etc.
5. Dresses for breakfast.
6. Neat housekeeper–tidy and clean.
7. Personally puts children to bed.
8. Never goes to bed angry, always makes up first. (5)
9. Asks husband’s opinions regarding important decisions and purchases.
10. Good sense of humor–jolly and gay.
11. Religious–sends children to church or Sunday school and goes herself.
12. Lets husband sleep late on Sunday and holidays.
13. Encourages thrifty–economical. (5)
14. Laughs at husband’s jokes and his clowning.
15. Ambitious for her family–urges higher attainment.
16. Belongs to parent-teacher club, or child study group.
17. A good cook–serves balanced meals. (5)
18. Tries to become acquainted with husband’s business or trade.
19. Greets husband at night with a smile.
20. Has a pleasant disposition in the morning–not crabby.
21. Keeps snacks in refrigerator for late eating.
22. Likes educational and cultural things.
23. Reacts with pleasure and delight to marital congress. (10)
24. Faithful and true to husband. (10)
25. Has pleasant voice–not strident.
26. Has spunk–will defend her ideals and religion.
27. Praises husband in public.
28. Writes often and lovingly when away from husband.
29. Writes to husband’s parents regularly.
30. Willing to assist husband at office or shop.
31. Sympathetic–likes children and unfortunates. (5)
32. Keeps hair neatly combed or shampooed and waved.
33. Often comments on husband’s strength and masculinity.
34. Good seamstress–can make her own clothes or the children’s clothes.
35. Gives husband shampoo or manicure.
36. Keeps husband’s clothes clean and presses.
37. Bravely carries on during financial depression.
38. Healthy or courageous and uncomplaining.
39. Keeps self dainty, perfumed and feminine.
40. Is of same religion as her husband. (5)
41. Has minor children to care for. (5 points per child)
42. On friendly terms with neighbors.
43. Fair and just in settling the children’s quarrels with others.
44. Likes to vacation with husband.
45. An active member of some women’s organization.
46. Often tells husband she loves him. (5)
47. Polite and mannerly even when alone with husband.
48. Willing to get a job to help support the home.
49. Praises marriage before young women contemplating it.
50. Is unselfish and kind-hearted.

This test represents the composite opinions of 600 husbands who were asked to list chief merits and demerits of their wives. They talked frankly. I have summarized the most frequently voiced flaws and virtues and have weighted those items which, in my judgment as a psychologist and physician, are especially important in marriage. I commend this test to the attention of all intelligent women who aspire to make their marriages both permanent and happy. Young women contemplating matrimony might very profitably use this test as a practical guide.
Dr George W. Crane


So, wives, where do you stand? Please let me know what you think about the standards of housewifery (is that a word?) then and now. Do we have it easier, harder?

Meeting Santa

Saturday was my office's Kids Christmas Party. I am so lucky to work for a company who takes care of their employees the was that Founders Title does. Not only do we have the regular Christmas Party, but they make a special day with cookie decorating and treats and they have Santa and Mrs. Claus come and visit for the kids. How cool is that? Shawn decided to stay at home since we can't leave the puppy alone for too long, so my in laws met us at the office. Deb helped Kirra decorate a cookie for everyone and Steve kept Collin entertained.

10 am and Santa is here. Steve puts Kirra on his shoulders so she can see over everyone and it's Collin's turn on Santa's lap. I walk him up and hand him over and he just sits there staring at this strange man. Doesn't cry, doesn't fuss. Take the picture and he's looking happy as can be.

I take him back by the grandparents while we wait for Kirra's turn. Deb says that Kirra just sat there "Oh, look it's my Collin, look Grandma it's my Collin being so good!"

Now on to Kirra's turn, I carry her up 'cause there are so many people I don't want her to get lost, she sees Santa, she tenses up, she starts to tear up when she realizes that I am going to put her in this strange man's lap. I promise her that I am not going to just leave her there with him. I put her on his lap and have to keep my hands on her the whole time. She's trying really hard not to cry, but she wont look at him and when he asks what she wants for Christmas, she wont speak. Take the picture and she's all red faced looking ready to bolt.

Back to the Grandparents and she's back to her normal self. She said that his beard scared her. But the whole way home she chatted up what a great time she had and that Santa was really nice.

The pictures were taken with a Poloried Camera, so hopefully soon I will scan the pictures in of the kids meeting Santa.

The Christmas Spirit

Okay, so I was having an email conversation with a friend of mine who has older children that are starting to question the existence of Santa Claus. She was thinking that maybe she should start emphasizing the importance of the Christmas Spirit instead of Santa and the presents. So me and my smart mouth came up with this:

"Well, if we want to take Santa into account, he can be the perfect example of giving. Here is a man that has to take care of a wife, who knows how many elves and 9 reindeer. Yet he still finds time to make toys and deliver them to every child in the world. All for nothing and doesn't expect anything in return. So, while we might not want to focus on the toys, at least we can use him for an example of selfless giving."

I so just made it up, but it makes sense. We all want to teach our children that it is better to give than to receive, but how do you start the conversation, especially if you have small kids who still believe?

What are your thoughts?

Update

Okay, so I was going back thru all my old posts, tagging everything so it would be organized and I realized that I really suck at this posting thing. Thanks to all who have stuck by my side as I muddled my way thru the past two years.

So, best news first. Shawn has finished the semester and if all goes according to plan, he will graduate with a Bachelors in Criminal Justice next December! The end is in site!

Thanksgiving was spent a little differently. Due to scheduling difficulties on my part, we were not able to spend it together. The kids and I flew to my parents house while Shawn stayed home with his family. I forgot the camera, so as soon as I can get my parents and my sister to send me pictures I will post them. We got their a couple of days before everyone else, so the kids got some great time alone with their grandparents. Kirra has decided that she is going to marry Grandpa B because he's such a good husband to Grandma B "'cause he gives her lots of sparkles and I like sparkles."

The kids were able to meet their cousins for the first time since my older sister and her family drove up. Their oldest is Magnolia (7), Donovan (2), Juniper (9 mo.). Kirra and Magnolia hit it off right away and the only time we could get them to leave eachother alone was at bed time. Since Juniper and Collin are only two months apart, they played really well together until Juniper decided that she wanted Collin's Binky (which was usually in his mouth), then he would get mad and wander away. Poor Donovan went between the two groups. He would try to hang out with the older girls, but when they were sick of him, he would come and play with the babies.

At the first of November, our beloved dog Andrew passed away. This was really hard on us, since we had had him for so long. I bought him for Shawn for our First Anniversary, and he has been a wonderful addition to our family. He was a wonderful protector and cuddler.

Since Andy was the only dog that Kirra has had, she took his death really hard. It still makes her tear up when she talks about him dying, so now she has come up with a way to deal with his death. She has decided that he just faded away. She will tell people that her Andrew was old and he just faded away. Since we feel that it is necessary for all children to have a pet, we got another dog less than a week after his passing. THIS WAS NOT MY IDEA. I wanted to wait and greave, but Shawn and Kirra were lost without a dog.

So, meet Toby.




I found him on the KSL ads. He was with a family in American Fork, who due to health issues couldn't take care of him. He's 6 months old and 60 lbs. already. He is one of the most cuddly dogs I have ever met and he really doesn't act like a puppy (to much of the time!).

Okay, I think that's enough for this post.

Collin's Birthday

Monday was Collin's Birthday. I can't believe that it's been a year already. It always amazes me how much they change.

Here is Collin the day he was born.



All ready for his blessing.



His First Haircut.



Digging into his First Birthday Cake.



All nice and clean and ready for bed.



Happy Birthday Little Man! We love you and can't imagine our lives without you!

The past week

Last Thursday morning as we were getting the kids ready for school, Kirra started to complain that her legs were hurting. Since she's been eating like a horse, I just chalked it up to growing pains and gave her a dose of Tylenol. I guess it got progressively worse though out the day, since when I went to pick them up, Kirra wouldn't even come up the stairs and was sobbing. Teresa said that Kirra wouldn't play unless she could do it sitting or laying down and really hadn't moved all day. She cried as we carried her out to the car 'cause she couldn't even walk. By that night, she would cry in pain if a blanket touched her legs. On Friday, she was a little better if I kept up with the Tylenol/Motrin every 4 hours, but even then she could only hobble around and it got worse at night (as every illness does!).

On Saturday, I finally took her into Urgent Care to see what was wrong, and the doc said that it was an upper respiratory infection that was causing the leg pain. Gave her a shot of antibiotics to clear it up and she said that she felt better that afternoon, but she still wouldn't walk around. So, now it's Sunday and 24 hours after the antibiotics and she STILL isn't better, so I finally cave in and we take her down to Primary Children's Emergency Room. I have to carry her in 'cause she still wont walk, but she's being really good. It's only 20 minutes or so before they get us into a room and Kirra's sitting on the bed with me reading stories, while Shawn and his dad sit in the chairs.

About 20 minutes or so after we get into the room, Kirra starts crawling on the bed, then the nurse practitioner comes in and checks her out and does all sorts of contortionist moves with Kirra's legs and she just lays there. The legs aren't really hurting now mommy. After the NP leaves to go get the doctor, Kirra decides she wants to try standing, since she really hasn't done much of it the past few days. So I stand her up in between my legs for support and she decides to walk to Shawn and Grandpa. After she goes between us a couple of times, she discovers that her slippers slide on the tile floor. "Look mom, I can ice skate!!" Right as the doctor walks into the room. Can I tell you how hard it is to tell a doctor that your child has been crying in pain from her legs while said child is 'ice skating' across the floor?

Needless to say, she got all better in the Emergency Room. Why do they wait until you are in the Emergency Room to get all better?

Now Shawn has what ever virus Kirra had and has been sitting in pain in the bathtub and on the bed. He gets to go to the doctor tomorrow 'cause now the pain is in his arms, so we will see if this is even the same thing.

Shelf Reliance

Okay, I so want one. It would make me feel so accomplished on this path to food storage bliss. I know some of you out there have them and I secretly hate you for it! Shelf Reliance is doing a give away for their big Harvest 72". It would look so pretty in my basement! So if you want a chance for your own, head on over to here and take a gander, but you only have until June 26th!

Conversations with Kirra

Mom: It's time for bed, don't you have an off switch?
Kirra: No, (Sigh) Heavenly Father didn't give me one. I only have ON. He ran out, so I went to the switch store and tooked him more switches.

A couple of weeks ago:

Kirra: Mom, Jesus made the sun.
Mom: Yes he did. Do you know why?
Kirra: He looked out his front door and it was dark so he made the sun so he could see, huh mom.

Over Due

Okay, I know that this post is long over due, we have been really sick at our house and I just haven't felt up to posting or doing much of anything.

So, I have started using coupons for grocery's. In light of everything that is happening with the economy and what not, I feel that it is time for me to step up and get my food storage in order. Now that I have put my mind to it, I am amazed at how fast it's coming along. I have to get more shelving units to put everything in! So I discovered this site The Obsessive Shopper, that is teaching me how to do this. I have also been using the Everyday Food Storage to teach me how to use food storage, especially wheat.

On to my Grocery Shopping. I went to Albertson's, on my lunch break and was in and done in less than an hour. Granted, everything does go faster when you don't have kiddies with you.

Shawn didn't want me to take a picture (he hates stuff on the counter, even for a few minutes), but here's the list:

2 Cans Tomato Soup
5 Boxes Popcorn
3 Boxes Crackers
3 Boxes Golden Grahams
3 Boxes Trix
3 Boxes Kix
6 Tubs Frosting
4 Cookie Mixes
6 Boxes Muffin Mix
4 Bottles Ketchup
6 Cans Rotel
6 Cans Pork n' Beans
2 Bottles BBQ Sauce
5 Bottles Kraft Dressing
5 Boxes of Pudding
2 Egg Beaters
10 Heathy Choice Dinners

Paid $76.04
Savings $132.82
Saved 64%

Shawn was really sceptical of me getting all the coupons and accused me of just hoarding them all, but when I came home with all of this, he was okay with it all. I just saved enough to pay for my newspapers for the rest of the year and then some!

I am getting better at this and I will try and keep you guys posted on everything!

Brian

My brother-in-law Brian is one of the funniest people I know. I have spent hours laughing as he taped a message for the answering machine, or laughing as he did one of his funny jigs, which many didn't see due to their "poor situational awareness". Another thing that Brian did was to send out a daily email to his friends called 'daily remarks'. What he didn't know was that I saved all of them to keep for a rainy day when I needed a laugh. Here is a taste from November 7, 2006:

-I hope everyone will vote today. If it were my sole choice of who to be in the Congress I would definitely pick either Snoop Dog or that one guy from the movies, ya know for some flava.. and bling. For Senate probably my dog; Loyal, Caring, Courageous, Patient Listener and of course Furry all over.

-I mix Rice Crispy and Luck Charms, I like the rhythm.

- I think if the Drive Thru went the other way the world would be a better place.

-My nasal's were all clogged last night.

-He lives long that lives well; and time misspent is not lived but lost.
Thomas Fuller

-I like my daily remark.


He also has a blog. To visit, go here.

Big Girls

As Kirra was doing her usual dragging of her feet to get into bed, I tell her that she needs to sleep so she can grow up to be a big girl. This comment has her dissolving into tears and when I finally get her calm enough to talk she tells me "I don't want to grow up" and when I ask her why, she says "'cause then I wont be your little girl anymore".

How do you tell a 3 year old that no matter how big they are, they will always be your little girl?

Collin's Blessing

We had Collin's Blessing this past Sunday. Here are some pictures that we took.

Collin Update

Here is Collin with his Grandpa Steve, who watches the kids for us 3 days a week. At Collin's 2 month appointment he was 13 pounds 7 ounces and 23.5 inches long. He can sit for a minute if his legs are supported and he loves to hold your fingers and stand. He hates to lay down, he has to see all that is going on. He loves to laugh at his sister, who obliges him with silly sounds and dances.

Kirra's Birthday

So, Kirra's Birthday was on Saturday the 21st. She is now 3 years old!! I can't believe that 3 years have passed. We couldn't imagine our lives without our funny girl. Here are some pictures of the weekend. We had to do it that way since family couldn't make it on Saturday, so Kirra got to have a birthday weekend.


So proud of being 3!


Getting to blow out the candles.


Good Party!

Andrew

Here is a picture of Andrew. Doesn't he look like such a nice dog?



Until he smells steak.



Then you can't get him away from your plate.

Cinnamon Rolls

The above picture is my first attempt at homemade cinnamon rolls. I got the recipe here.

They were really good.

Kirra

So, I have been going through old pictures, trying to get everthing as organized as I can. I found this picture of me..



Then we have this picture of Kirra. Do you think she's mine?

Collin Update

I have been really bad, I know. So here are pictures. Collin is now one month old and is 22.5 inches and just over 11 pounds. He smiled for the first time on the 6th. Of course it's to his big sister.