"just clean"

Take note all you single people out there!  Here is the key to a happy marriage (well, at least if your are Nic and Kier, who live in Iowa...)

She cooks.
He cleans.

No matter how many times we fight about Nic not helping me prepare meals, and
No matter how many times I feel like I do everything for him except bring the fork to his mouth, and
No matter how many times I beg him to do the cooking at least two times per week, and
No matter how many times he actually tries to do the cooking at least two times per week...
What works for us is me cooking, and Nic cleaning up right along side me.

A typical conversation in our house goes a little like this:
Kier (cooking and getting frustrated because Nic is not): Nic, will you pleeaase help me? I am not your mother.
Nic (probably doing something productive, but I can't see..so it doesn't count): Sure. What do you want me to help with.
Kier: Ummmerhmmmm, just clean.

OR

Kier: Nic, don't you think it would be fun to cook dinner together? Like actually try, and I will try to actually let you do something without me watching every move you make?
Nic: Sure!
Kier (after starting to prepare said meal and watching every move he makes): Nic, you are not stirring right. Don't you know how to stir things?
Nic: I am stirring, how many ways are there to stir things?
Kier: Give it to me. Just do the dishes.

(the above conversation can also be applied when I ask Nic to sweep - I literally have to leave the room because I can't stand to watch is poor sweeping technique! :) But this post is about cooking, so forget I even said anything!)