It's been almost a month...

and I'm still with AL. Surprising I guess, as it seems at times that we have more personality conflicts than not. We're both strong willed, but it seems that I tend to be better at compromising than she does. I like to think that this is because I'm just nice, and not a push over. But sometimes I'm not sure.

In every (healthy) relationship there has to be compromise. Who takes the trash out, who takes care of the dogs, who buys groceries, etc. One of our latest compromises (or not a compromise) occurred when we were beginning to celebrate the holidays.

As a tradition, my family always goes to the same u-cut tree farm to get a Christmas tree. In fact, this year was the 26th year that someone from our clan went there to get a tree. AL and I took her brother and soon to be sister-in-law with us this year. Since AL and I both have a home right now, I thought it would be good to get 2 trees for us. Come to find out that right off the bat we weren't together on our selection. She wanted a bushier type of Fir tree, and I wanted a Noble. Since we were getting two, I saw no reason as to why we shouldn't get one of both.. (compromise there)... Next were the decorations.

We went to Target to get some decorations for our trees.. come to find out, she doesn't like colored lights on her tree, only white ones. I like color, and have always gotten color, so that's what I wanted. Then ornaments... She likes the gaudier bigger ones.. I like more simple solid colors... Yay. Our trees are going to be representative of our views... pretty opposite.

But then again... how important is the tree decorating? Does it matter if I don't get colored lights? What about the uglier (in my opinion) larger ornaments? To me none of that is an absolute show stopper... In my overall longings, I just wanted a tree. So I got not only 1, but 2 of them now. :) But could it foreshadow other issues?

From the patterns I've observed, I tend to give in more on choices. She is demanding. Not a good combination unless she learns to go with my suggestions now and then, even when she doesn't like them. Time will tell on that one, especially when we start to settle on a house.

We have been doing a lot more home searching and our tastes are beginning to come out. We both want a yard, we both want hardwoods, we both want a newer house and we both like craftsman style homes. She wants a garage, I could care less. Seems like we're on the same page there, now just to find one that I can afford... That's the true crux.