showing age

[Timmy]

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 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.

[Tony T]

I just hope you wrote this post tongue 'n cheek because you had nothing better to do.

 

If you were really serious, you're a rotten jerk of the worst kind. If I were this woman, I'd divorce your butt ASAP and get as much of your retirement pay as I possibly could.

 

Get off your lousy hunting and fishing butt and pinch in to help your wife. She's the breadwinner now and you have nothing better to do that relax. You can certainly do a few chores....oh, you've got to be joking here...you are putting me on you devil.

 

I don't even want to answer this post, it's so sick. You can't be for real. They don't manufacturer human beings who think and act as you do...nah, they can't. You're putting me on.

 

If this is really the way you treat your wife and you are the demanding turkey-faced butthole you describe yourself in this post, you aren't worth walking on this planet.

 

If what you wrote is really true, I hope your wife wises up real soon and kicks your butt into the next galaxy.

 

In the 2 1/2 years I've been posting in this forum, this is only the fourth post that has made me have to go to the bathroom and puke. Unfortunately, this time I may remain there for the night.

 

She may be showing her age...but not nearly as much as you are showing your ass.

[Angel]

you r kidin r'nt u?

[You'reFullOfIt]

What's that Lassie? You fell in the well and you want Timmy to jump in after you? Run Timmy, run.

[clia]

This is a joke...I think I've seen it before.