That'd be justifiable homicide in my book! Kat On Fri, 12 Jul 2002 09:30:07 EDT "BG Greer, PhD" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: This was sent to me by my dear wife! LOL Bobby In a message dated 7/11/02 7:54:34 AM, gaga1196 writes: >< AS WOMEN AGE > > ><< >It is important for men to remember that as women grow older it becomes >harder for them to maintain the same quality of housekeeping 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 prayer meeting 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. > >(This was written by the deceased husband of a friend of mine! He mysteriously >passed on shortly after writing this. > > >The cause of death is still under investigation). > >