Proud of myself and nobody cares!

I came to a realization last night that I am the dominant partner in our business. I love Rob dearly, and I am glad he is around because I am not sure that I could have gotten started without his drive. Also - I hate paying bills so he is good for the money management part.

However, if I walked away from this marriage I would either take the bulk of the investment or he would be screwed. He doesn't know our tenants names or who belongs to what house. He doesn't know what they pay individually (he knows what the total rent is but what comes from where, he's not sure). He doesn't know who pays by email (or my email address to check on it), who pays by check, and who can only be trusted with cash or money order. He doesn't know how to update the website or list an ad, or show an apartment, or go to court for an eviction. He doesn't have our lawn guy's phone number or know his schedule. He doesn't know where the water shutoffs are, or the furnace kill switches. He would have a hard time finding my receipt book.

I do 90% of the maintenance. He doesn't know basic plumbing repairs, and is chicken about electrical. He is very good at construction and finish carpentry, which I am not. He doesn't paint. Obviously he is a smart cookie and could figure out all these things but it would go to hell in a handbasket for awhile. He'd have to start from scratch. I'm not sure he realizes this. I find it very empowering. Perhaps that is wrong to feel that way - but it's nice to know that it is *MY* hard work that makes us successful. My day job is alright but not exactly soul-satisfying. Somehow, the apartment management is much more so. Once in awhile, when we fight and he gets mean (it's a family trait) he says "You wouldn't be here without me!" I can say "Well you fucking wouldn't be here without me, either, buddy!" I'm not sure that would help the situation, but it makes me feel better.

I just feel strong and confident and totally capable. I realized all this last night, by the way, standing on a six-foot stepladder wiring and hanging a ceiling fan over my head with NO HELP AT ALL while Rob stayed home and watched The Cosby Show. An hour before that I had replaced the ballcock valve in the toilet in the upstairs unit. So I'm not sure I'm on the winning end of all this. ;)

Perhaps I am a bad wife. I think I am a damn good business partner!