Coldfingers
06-20-2002, 06:56 PM
I recieved this via email today. I think I knew this guy once upon a time.
Scotty
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 chucked my job and took
early retirement a year ago, it became necessary for Nancy to get a
full-time job both for extra income and for health insurance benefits that
we need. She was a trained lab tech when we met thirty some years ago and
was fortunate to land a job at the local medical center as a phlebotomist.
It was shortly after she started working at this job 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 at her when this happens.
Instead, I tell her to take her time. I understand that she is not as young
as she used to be. I just tell her to wake me when she finally does get
supper on the table. She used to wash and dry 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.
Our washer and dryer are in the basement. When she was younger, Nancy used
to be able to go up and down the stairs all day and not get tired. Now that
she is older she seems to get tired so much more quickly. 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's 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 things 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. Not often, mind you,
but just enough for me to notice. 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 than
she used to have to take. A couple of weeks ago she said she had to take a
break when she was only half finished mowing the yard. I overlook comments
like these because I realize it's just age talking. In fact, I try to not
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 could go on and on, but I think you know where I'm coming from. 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.
My purpose in writing this is simply to suggest that you make the effort. I
realize that achieving the exemplary level of showing consideration I have
attained is out of reach for the average man. 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.
Author Unknown
(I reprinted this as "Author Unknown", I suspect it is more likely "Author
Missing and presumed dead"...)
Scotty
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 chucked my job and took
early retirement a year ago, it became necessary for Nancy to get a
full-time job both for extra income and for health insurance benefits that
we need. She was a trained lab tech when we met thirty some years ago and
was fortunate to land a job at the local medical center as a phlebotomist.
It was shortly after she started working at this job 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 at her when this happens.
Instead, I tell her to take her time. I understand that she is not as young
as she used to be. I just tell her to wake me when she finally does get
supper on the table. She used to wash and dry 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.
Our washer and dryer are in the basement. When she was younger, Nancy used
to be able to go up and down the stairs all day and not get tired. Now that
she is older she seems to get tired so much more quickly. 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's 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 things 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. Not often, mind you,
but just enough for me to notice. 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 than
she used to have to take. A couple of weeks ago she said she had to take a
break when she was only half finished mowing the yard. I overlook comments
like these because I realize it's just age talking. In fact, I try to not
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 could go on and on, but I think you know where I'm coming from. 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.
My purpose in writing this is simply to suggest that you make the effort. I
realize that achieving the exemplary level of showing consideration I have
attained is out of reach for the average man. 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.
Author Unknown
(I reprinted this as "Author Unknown", I suspect it is more likely "Author
Missing and presumed dead"...)