In my haste to upload originally, I forgot to mention I own nothing of Doc Martin. I am borrowing the characters for some random speculation while we wait for the rest of the series to unfold.

The original concept of this came to me in a flash, and just as quickly, left. I was looking at it the other day and thinking it still had a few seeds worth exploring. So, here's the next chapter.

DIY: Louisa's Project

Chapter 4

Louisa decided to try an experiment. She decided that for one week's time, she would do everything exactly as Martin would want. She would consult him about anything she specifically didn't know, or where a difference in judgment could institute a row between them. She decided she could do anything for one week. Her objective was to determine whether Martin's way was really so bad and whether she could live with it.

In applying the Martin approach to things, she further decided to document all major and minor decisions each day, the course of action, and assign a value to the process and results. She even set up a spreadsheet on her computer to track everything. Let's face it, she thought. If Martin disagrees with her methodology or her results, at least she'll have the proof that she was trying and how she arrived at her understanding. She was not yet back to work full time, so she had enough time in her schedule to conduct this little test.

Monday

My personal exercise plan. Martin thinks I should focus more on conducting exercise in the home. I prefer to incorporate walks outside with some inside routine. This week, I'll do some videos so I'm here for the baby. Will have to rearrange furniture … on the plus side, I don't have to worry about how I look … except to Martin (if he's even noticing one single bit). Today: aerobics step workout, and watched an interesting yoga program on the telly. May have to try that. Must say, I feel better for having done both!

Concerns over my diet. This drives me crazy. Martin is focused on one thing: optimal nutritional value … and making sure I lose the baby weight and don't put on additional, non-optimal weight (lots of health concerns and let's face it, he doesn't really like fat people, not that I'm fat). Iron rich foods are ok, but I want to prepare delicious foods that both of us will want to eat, not just things that are good for my health. Decision: study some new recipes to find better, more interesting ways of preparing iron rich foods. Today: I tried using more fresh herbs in both the salad dressing and to season the fish and veg. Tasted pretty good. More work though, to prepare.

Orderliness/Neatness of our home. Martin loves neatness and everything put in its place at home. With a newborn, this is a challenge because of the amount of paraphernalia associated with such a small, helpless person. Too, there's the whole routine of doing laundry and keeping up with clothes that have been thrown up on, towels, diapers, baby clothes (several sets per day) … and we haven't even gotten to the point of major toys or other baby things. Decision: I'll ask Martin to shop for some good, see through containers (or ones that can be labeled) for storing all the baby stuff more neatly, than simply in piles around the house. It will be a start.

Baby's schedule. Martin insists that our precious Philip needs a reliable schedule for everything. I sort of agree with him, although I think some flexibility is in order. Since I'm the primary source of food, I'm the most inconvenienced by this. I can't stand expressing my milk, but it will allow me to get more uninterrupted sleep if Martin can take over some of the feedings. Besides, he needs to do more with Philip directly – it can't always be down to me. Of course, in allowing equal access to all things Philip, I think Martin should absorb more of the changing/cleaning duties. Maybe he'll decide to take off his suit more frequently.

Adult time together. For now, I recognize that we don't have much leisure time together, and Martin's not exactly demanding it. I wish he would. I will give this one more thought, because I think it's actually fairly high up on my personal list of important things that will make me happier. We should have more topics of conversation than the baby.

Wednesday

Exercise plan. Didn't get to it today, as Philip didn't sleep at all last night, and therefore, neither did either of us. Feeling really cranky and tired. Am going for a walk in the brisk air to improve my mood, despite what Martin says.

Diet. Due to that lack of sleep and my general attitude, I think I'm going to open a bottle of wine and have a glass. This may send Martin right over the roof, but I need something to reduce the stress of taking care of stuff.

Neatness. Martin kindly offered to do the laundry today, so I've been spared that duty. Actually, he does a nice job, and really doesn't seem to mind.

Philip's schedule. Well, today we've proved that no matter how hard we try, Philip has a mind (and body) of his own. All we can do is relax and react. Right?

Adult time. Martin surprised me by helping out with the laundry. He also didn't blow up when I poured a small glass of wine. Furthermore, he gave me an impromptu massage on my neck and shoulders and told me I really ought to relax more often. It was more than intimate, it was really comfortable. I wish he would do that more often.

Friday

Exercise. Got plenty of sleep last night. Exercised to the aerobics program today, and I tried the yoga, which although it made me feel clumsy, I can see the value of it. Being more limber and flexible should help prevent future injuries. Plus, I really think getting some cute yoga outfits could be kind of fun.

Diet. Today, incorporating more fresh fruit into the diet. I really like fruit, and don't object to eating more of it. The therapeutic one glass of wine seems to be a good thing. Also, between the exercise and the diet, I'm losing weight in the right places, and shaping up in the right places too … my clothes are already looking better on me.

Neatness. Martin got the assorted storage bins and enthusiastically labeled them and put everything in its place. I recognize the temporariness of this solution, but having the little storage places for everything does make life a bit simpler.

Philip's schedule. He slept most of the night through last night which made both of his parents really happier for also having slept most of the night through. This morning, I found Martin having a full blown conversation with Philip, who watched him intently and even seemed to smile at everything he said. I think Martin liked that (he didn't know I was watching). He's also getting to be a pro at all changing and bathing activities. Loving it.

Adult time. Tonight, I am planning to make a proper dinner for the two of us. Even though we'll be eating in, at least we can do it in a civilized fashion. Also I'm planning to make it a Martin-centric dinner. I think I'm going to tell him about my experiment-in-progress and results to date. He should find that useful.

Saturday

Martin loved the concept and the results. Upon reviewing them, category by category, we discovered that a blend of our ideas usually produces the best results. We also discovered that we like working more as a team, than as two hard-headed, independent minded individuals. We each have our strengths, as it turns out.

Upon reading the spreadsheet (ok, that was overkill, but it was an orderly way of monitoring myself and keeping a little discipline around the whole week), he couldn't help but offer multiple suggestions for improvement. I found, however, that I didn't mind this nearly as much as I thought I would. It's his nature. What I realize is, his heart is basically in the same place as mine: we're trying to do our best, but neither one of us really knows what to do.

I didn't get to finish yesterday's report on Adult time. As I just said, Martin was quite enthusiastic and appreciative of my efforts on improving myself, applying some critical thinking to our daily lives, and wanting to make our lives better, smoother somehow. He improvised some of his own techniques for rewarding my efforts and I must say, if this is his response, I will be doing more improvements in the future!