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When it comes to things I'd really rather not do, my powers of avoidance are legendary. So legendary, in fact, that Hubby has not-so-secretly compiled a Wife-To-English Phrase Dictionary. To someone listening in, it may sound like I get a lot done during the week, but to those in the know? Well, not so much.

Hubby's Top 10 Favorites

• phrase: Today I'm going to get the laundry caught up.

translation: I'll fall asleep on the couch while watching stuff off Netflix and get nothing done.

• phrase: Tonight I'll prepare a home-cooked meal to show Hubby how much I appreciate him.

translation: I'll spend half the day playing on Facebook, forget to thaw anything out and reheat leftovers from last week.

• phrase: Today I'll clean the spiderwebs out of the corners and clear off my desk.

translation: I'll fall asleep on the couch while watching stuff off Netflix and get nothing done.

• phrase: We need to simplify and organize our lives.

translation: I'll pull everything out of its hidey-holes, sort it into "keep" and "donate" piles, sit down to rest and fall asleep watching stuff off Netflix. Then I'll freak over the mess I've created and shove everything back into the closet, cupboard or desk where it came from.

• phrase: I'm gonna get rid of the clothes that don't fit, so I don't have to dig to find something to wear.

translation: I'll pull everything out of the closet, get depressed over all the stuff my butt won't fit in, eat Pop-Tarts and chips while I distract myself by watching stuff off Netflix. At bedtime, I'll throw everything back into the top of the closet, so the next time I reach for yoga pants, it'll avalanche onto my head, causing another round of, "I'm gonna get rid of the clothes that don't fit…"

• phrase: Today I am gonna get so much writing done!

translation: I'll fall asleep on the couch while watching stuff off Netflix and get nothing done.

• phrase: Today I'll shower, do something with my hair besides a ponytail and put on real clothes.

translation: ...Just as soon as I finish the next chapter of my book.

• phrase: I'm starting a new diet today.

translation: I'll starve myself the first day, then when I fail to lose at least five pounds from all my self-denial, I'll binge eat goat cheese and Triscuits while blubbering through a movie off pay-per-view.

• phrase: I'm going to start exercising today.

translation: I'm gonna trip while walking across a flat surface and pull a muscle/break a toe. By the time I'm done healing, the urge to exercise will have safely passed.

• phrase: I need to start eating healthier.

translation: I'm going to force the entire family to eat tvp (texturized vegetable protein) meat substitutes, salads and steamed veggies for the next month while I secretly binge on Pop-Tarts and chips when no one's looking.

I'd be annoyed or maybe even a little hurt, if it wasn't for the fact that this dictionary proves he really DOES listen and knows me better than I admit to knowing myself.

I think tonight I'll prepare a home-cooked meal to show just how much I appreciate him! Right after I shower, do something with my hair besides a ponytail and put on real clothes.

- Chris Dean

Chris Dean writes at pixie.c.d. (formerly Life Your Way!) where she shares acts of stupidity, life with adult offspring and the occasional useful bit of info on life with chronic illness. She lives in Indiana with her amazingly tolerant Hubby (who swears he doesn't mind putting up with her), their four adult-kids and the petting zoo of cats, dogs, chickens, Muscovy ducks and geese she's systematically managed to turn their home and yard into. When not writing, you can find her avoiding laundry on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.