Here’s a little tip from me to you.  Sometimes men are in need of extra special attention and loving care.  Sometimes they need it more than our kids and our girlfriends and the homeless guy on the street and our jobs and our mothers and everyone else clamoring for our love. The trouble is, they can’t ask for it. 

Unlike us, they don’t have a hatful of pals sitting around saying things to them like "You tell her SHE should cook dinner and watch the kids once in awhile and see how SHE likes it!" with a chorus of "Yeahs" backing them up.  At best, they get to watch sports and talk about cars and at times like these, even the newest Porsche magazine picture isn’t bringing the joy it should.

Here are some helpful little hints that may indicate that the man in your life is in need of a LOVE TUNE UP:
 
1. Evidence Type: Conversational

You:  "I’m thinking we should have spaghetti for dinner.  What do you think?"
Him: "Speaking of sex, how about it?"
—–
You: "Are you mad at me about something?"
Him: *silence*
You: "Is something going on at work?"
Him: *sulk*
You: "C’mon, honey, you can talk to me."
Him: "It wouldn’t hurt you to pay some attention to me once in awhile."
You: *guilty silence*

2. Evidence Type: Behavioral

Signs that the man in your life may need some extra attention include the following:

• poor wardrobe choices
• uneven sideburns
• wild nose hair, and/or
• extremely long morning showers coupled with uneven personal hygiene

Ratio of naps to awake time 2/1

Extended instant messaging conversations with people at work

3. Evidence Type: Fun.  Is He Having Any?

Actually, no evidence needed for this one.  We all know what he’s like when he’s not having any… fun.  He’s cranky, doctrinaire, rigid about which knives go in which drawer, and a little more strict with the kids.

Here’s where the man basket comes in.  You know ALL about the woman basket (the spa stuff, the scented soaps, the pretty expensive hair goo), but did you know that you can easily assemble a loving man basket that he’ll truly adore?

Here are some suggested items:

• Ticket to any man movie of his choosing (no matter how gorey, violent, or odd)
• An esoteric expensive tool or high tech item for his IPod
• A certificate for an overnight at a hotel with any other little promises you’d like to include
• A few Sundays to himself to do anything he wants
• Did I mention free time?

Operation Man Basket is starting in earnest at the CrankMama homestead so I’ll keep you posted…