Observations on Being the Wife of a Dissertating Husband

• The laptop is always on and Jim's fingers are always tapping away.


• Sometimes (on days he doesn't teach classes) Jim doesn't takes a shower until 6 p.m. or later.


• Hence, his new attire consists of pajama bottoms and long-sleeve T-shirts.


• His work is never done.


• Jim's office is in the basement now that we have turning the guest/office room into a nursery. The funny part is that our basement is unfinished, meaning he has cornered off with sheets a roughed-in bathroom. His desk and bookshelf is down there along with a space heater. It is quite cozy, but it helps him to stay focused during the day away from Laura's lively activities upstairs.


• Our evenings now consist of me passed out on the couch watching reality T.V. and Jim tapping away at — you guessed it — the laptop.


• His bedtime reading has now changed to reading scholarly articles.


• Laura's comments are, "Daddy, are you going to your school day in the basement?"


• We are home together three days a week. I like to call us "one big happy family."

All joking aside, I never really understood the magnitude of completing a dissertation until recently. Jim, I am incredibly impressed at your diligence and work ethic. You make us proud.