The lovely and talented Orange visited yesterday, and shlepped my sorry, oversized bod to Target, where we indulged in $0.67 Mac & Cheese and some other assorted treats. The trip really wiped me out, but we had a really interesting conversation about marriage, monogamy, etc. Orange, who knows far more people than I, had fascinating stories about couples who eagerly share stories of their conquests and spicy extras.

Which brought me to a question. Does the license to "cheat" -- whether on a partner, a diet, etc. -- take away some of the urge?

I'm definitely the monogamous type, if only because I am too tired for sex anyway, and the possibility being rejected is awful to me. The concept of having to date again, ever in my life, is repellent. Of course, I wasn't a total nun before I met DH, so I at least sowed some fairly wild oats. But I love my husband, think he's even more attractive than the day we met, and really have no desire to go elsewhere. If I want more attention, I know how to get it -- he is a man, after all [wink wink nudge nudge].

Considering the crazy hours my husband keeps, he's on a pretty long leash. Many women would freak about their husbands regularly coming home after midnight, with little to no contact. But I know my guy, and he's a workaholic with an extraordinary conscience. I can log onto my computer and IM him at night if I miss him or I'm desperate for him to pinch-hit with the kids. I don't worry about him cheating on me because he's pretty serious about commitment; I would be more concerned about him falling in love with someone else than just going elsewhere for kicks.

So I can't really get my brain around open marriage. However, I can apply my theory to the concept of a diet. If my diet is completely restricted, and I'm being held prisoner without hope of chocolate, I'm going to obssess about it. It will keep me awake (okay, maybe I'm being a little dramatic, but you get the point). If there is ice cream in the freezer, I completely calm down. The irrational daydream of asking a neighbor to keep an ear out for a waking child while I run to the corner store dissipates.*

What do you think? Does the license ease the urge?

*Don't worry; I've never, ever left my kids alone.

["The Simpsons" -- Marge: "We're home!"   Lisa: "We got beets!!!"]