yoteler
New member
Dear Friends
It is important for men to remember that as women grow older it
becomes harder
for them to maintain the same quality of housekeeping as they did when
they
were younger. When men notice this, they should try not to yell. Let
me relate
how I handle the situation.
When I got laid off from my consulting job and took "early retirement"
in
April, it became necessary for Nancy to get a full-time job, both for
extra
income and for health benefits that we need. It was shortly after she
started
working that I noticed that she was beginning to show her age.
I usually get home from fishing or hunting about the same time she
gets home
from work. Although she knows how hungry I am, she almost always says
that she
has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts supper. I try not
to
yell; instead I tell her to take her time and just wake me when she
finally
does get supper on the table.
She used to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating. It is now not
unusual
for them to sit on the table for several hours after supper. I do what
I can
by reminding her several times each evening that they aren't cleaning
themselves. I know she appreciates this, as it does seem to help her
get them
done before she goes to bed.
Now that she is older she seems to get tired so much more quickly. Our
washer
and dryer are in the basement. Sometimes she says she just can't make
another
trip down those steps. I don't make a big issue of this. As long as
she
finishes up the laundry the next evening, I am willing to overlook it.
Not
only that, but unless I need something ironed to wear to the Monday
lodge
meeting or to Wednesday's or Saturday's poker club or to Tuesday's or
Thursday's bowling or something like that, I will tell her to wait
until the
next evening to do the ironing. This gives her a little more time to
do some
of those odds and ends of thi! ngs like shampooing the dog, vacuuming
or
dusting. Also, if I have had a really good day fishing, this allows
her to gut
and scale the fish at a more leisurely pace.
Nancy is starting to complain a little occasionally. For example, she
will say
that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the monthly bills
during her
lunch hour. In spite of her complaining, I continue to try to offer
encouragement. I tell her to stretch it out over two or even three
days. That
way she won't have to rush so much. I also remind her that missing
lunch
completely now and then wouldn't hurt her any, if you know what I
mean.
When doing simple jobs, she seems to think she needs more rest
periods. She
had to take a break when she was only half finished mowing the yard. I
try not
to embarrass her when she needs these little extra rest breaks. I tell
her to
fix herself a nice, big, cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and
just sit
for a while. I tell her that as long as she is making one for herself,
she may
as well make one for me and take her break by the hammock so she can
talk with
me until I fall asleep.
I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support Nancy on
a daily
basis. I'm not saying that the ability to show this much consideration
is
easy.
Many men will find it difficult. Some will find it impossible. No one
knows
better than I do how frustrating women can become as they get older.
However,
guys, even if you just yell at your wife a little less often because
of this
article, I will consider that writing it was worthwhile.
Signed, Bob
Bob's funeral was on Saturday, January 25th; Nancy was acquitted
Monday,
January, 27th.
It is important for men to remember that as women grow older it
becomes harder
for them to maintain the same quality of housekeeping as they did when
they
were younger. When men notice this, they should try not to yell. Let
me relate
how I handle the situation.
When I got laid off from my consulting job and took "early retirement"
in
April, it became necessary for Nancy to get a full-time job, both for
extra
income and for health benefits that we need. It was shortly after she
started
working that I noticed that she was beginning to show her age.
I usually get home from fishing or hunting about the same time she
gets home
from work. Although she knows how hungry I am, she almost always says
that she
has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts supper. I try not
to
yell; instead I tell her to take her time and just wake me when she
finally
does get supper on the table.
She used to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating. It is now not
unusual
for them to sit on the table for several hours after supper. I do what
I can
by reminding her several times each evening that they aren't cleaning
themselves. I know she appreciates this, as it does seem to help her
get them
done before she goes to bed.
Now that she is older she seems to get tired so much more quickly. Our
washer
and dryer are in the basement. Sometimes she says she just can't make
another
trip down those steps. I don't make a big issue of this. As long as
she
finishes up the laundry the next evening, I am willing to overlook it.
Not
only that, but unless I need something ironed to wear to the Monday
lodge
meeting or to Wednesday's or Saturday's poker club or to Tuesday's or
Thursday's bowling or something like that, I will tell her to wait
until the
next evening to do the ironing. This gives her a little more time to
do some
of those odds and ends of thi! ngs like shampooing the dog, vacuuming
or
dusting. Also, if I have had a really good day fishing, this allows
her to gut
and scale the fish at a more leisurely pace.
Nancy is starting to complain a little occasionally. For example, she
will say
that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the monthly bills
during her
lunch hour. In spite of her complaining, I continue to try to offer
encouragement. I tell her to stretch it out over two or even three
days. That
way she won't have to rush so much. I also remind her that missing
lunch
completely now and then wouldn't hurt her any, if you know what I
mean.
When doing simple jobs, she seems to think she needs more rest
periods. She
had to take a break when she was only half finished mowing the yard. I
try not
to embarrass her when she needs these little extra rest breaks. I tell
her to
fix herself a nice, big, cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and
just sit
for a while. I tell her that as long as she is making one for herself,
she may
as well make one for me and take her break by the hammock so she can
talk with
me until I fall asleep.
I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support Nancy on
a daily
basis. I'm not saying that the ability to show this much consideration
is
easy.
Many men will find it difficult. Some will find it impossible. No one
knows
better than I do how frustrating women can become as they get older.
However,
guys, even if you just yell at your wife a little less often because
of this
article, I will consider that writing it was worthwhile.
Signed, Bob
Bob's funeral was on Saturday, January 25th; Nancy was acquitted
Monday,
January, 27th.
