Microwave

Austin drags me into the kitchen.

Austin: I just want to know what you think. So, over the stove, we could put a shelf. I think there are a couple of studs right here.

He is pointing to an area where my cat hanger is anchored to the wall, along with some other of my decorations. Also, this will impact all the spices we have hanging on the wall next to the stove.

Austin: What do you think of us putting a shelf here, then putting the microwave above it?

Me, terrified actually: Well, I think that's going to create a lot of shadow here. 

[I indicate the stove and wall area where we keep the salt and pepper and some utensils on the back of the stove.]

Austin continues to explain to me calmly what a good idea this is, that putting the microwave above the stove, higher than my head so I can't reach it, is a good idea. That it frees up all this space. I didn't even mention the fact that we could clean off the kitchen table that's obscured under his camping gear. (It's been at least two years since he's gone camping.) And I'm trying really hard to remain calm while Austin suggests change. Then, to show me that there's not going to be significant shadow by a shelf, he picks up the box that our new 12-cup food processor came in. I put this box on the floor for the cats to play with. So he picks up this dusty, dirty box and holds it over the stove (that he just cleaned) to show me what the shadow is going to be like. I definitely don't like it. So then we dispute the amount of shadow that will be created.

Me: Well, we could replace the whole stove, get a new stove that has a hood and a light built in so we could put the microwave on top of that.

Austin: Yes, Austin, let's get a whole new stove in seven or eight years instead of changing something small like adding a shelf right now.

So my "ick, I don't want to change anything" face was obvious.

Later, Austin was talking about getting something done and that it wasn't going to be any time soon. Austin is slow. It's a fact. So I razz Austin about the six months it took for Austin to get his car repaired after he was broadsided. And the years that he hasn't gotten the porch painted.

Austin: I'm a creature of habit.

Me: You don't like change.

Austin: The only change I like is quarters.

Me, grabbing his arm: No! And you just gave me a hard time because I don't like change.

At least this is something we have in common.