A short list (and a classic photo) to break this blogger's silence

Things that face almost certain doom in my household:

1) Puzzles
2) Card games
3) Pairs of socks

The West Academy Club for the Mechanically Declined, ca 1985

My Dad and my next-door-neighbor dad used to joke about their mutual lack of handy-manliness. Both musicians (though of decidedly different ilks -- my dad: classical, next-door-neighbor dad: country), they semi-kiddingly formed a private club for the "Mechanically Declined." They took turns being president or vice president. If one or the other was caught successfully fixing something in his home or yard, the other was promoted to the presidency of the club. They went back and forth for years.

A more typical way of teasing our own weaknesses might be to say: "When they handed out {X, Y, or Z Quality}, I must've been out to lunch." Or, "I missed the line for {brains, beauty, spelling ability, or what-have-you}."

All that is to say, I think Tom and I BOTH missed the line, the boat, the doling-out of housekeeping prowess! Combine this lack of knack for neatness with four kids and you get a messy house that swallows up puzzles, cards or any games with small pieces, and socks...lots and lots of socks!