6 degrees apart
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Ron & Julie
RON AND JULIE
It is important for men to remember that, as women grow older, it becomesharder for them to maintain the same quality of housekeeping as when theywere younger. When you notice this, try not to shout at them. Some areover-sensitive and there's nothing worse than an over-sensitive woman.
My name is Ron. Let me relate how I handled the situation with my wife,Julie. When I took early retirement last year, it became necessary for Julieto get a full-time job for the extra income that we need.Shortly after she started working, I noticed she was beginning to show her age.
I now usually get home from the pub about the same time she gets homefrom work. Although she knows how hungry I am, she nearly always says she hasto rest for half an hour or so before she starts dinner. I don't shout at her, instead I tell her to take her time and just wake me when she getsdinner on the table. I generally have lunch at the pub so eating out again is out of the question; I'm ready for some home cooked food when I get home.
She used to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating. But now it's usual for them to sit on the table for several hours after dinner. I do what I can by diplomatically reminding her several times each evening that they won'tclean themselves. I know she really appreciates this, as it does seem to motivate her to get them done before she goes to bed.
Another symptom of ageing is complaining. For example, she will say that itis difficult for her to do the shopping during her lunch hour. But we take them for better or worse, so I just smile and offer encouragement. I tell herto stretch it out over two or even three days. That way she won't have torush so much. I also remind her that missing lunch completely now and then won't hurt her.
I like to think tact is one of my strong points.When doing simple jobs, she seems to think she needs more rest periods. She has to take a rest when she has only half finished mowing the lawn and several extra breaks when she's vacuuming through the house. It does annoy me, vacuuming when I'm trying to watch 'Match of the Day', but I try not tomake a scene. I'm a fair man. I tell her to make herself a nice cup of tea and just sit for a while, and as long as she is making one for herself, she may as well make one for me too.
I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support Julie. I'm not saying that showing this much consideration is easy. Many men will find itdifficult. Some will find it impossible! Nobody knows better than I do how frustrating women get as they get older. However, even if you just use alittle more tact and less criticism of your ageing wife because of this article, I will consider that writing it was well worthwhile. After all, we are put on this earth to help each other, eh?
EDITOR'S NOTE: Ron died suddenly last week. He was found with a 24-inch screwdriver rammed up his arse withonly 2 inches showing.His wife Julie was arrested, but the all-woman jury accepted her defence thathe accidentally sat on it.
It is important for men to remember that, as women grow older, it becomesharder for them to maintain the same quality of housekeeping as when theywere younger. When you notice this, try not to shout at them. Some areover-sensitive and there's nothing worse than an over-sensitive woman.
My name is Ron. Let me relate how I handled the situation with my wife,Julie. When I took early retirement last year, it became necessary for Julieto get a full-time job for the extra income that we need.Shortly after she started working, I noticed she was beginning to show her age.
I now usually get home from the pub about the same time she gets homefrom work. Although she knows how hungry I am, she nearly always says she hasto rest for half an hour or so before she starts dinner. I don't shout at her, instead I tell her to take her time and just wake me when she getsdinner on the table. I generally have lunch at the pub so eating out again is out of the question; I'm ready for some home cooked food when I get home.
She used to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating. But now it's usual for them to sit on the table for several hours after dinner. I do what I can by diplomatically reminding her several times each evening that they won'tclean themselves. I know she really appreciates this, as it does seem to motivate her to get them done before she goes to bed.
Another symptom of ageing is complaining. For example, she will say that itis difficult for her to do the shopping during her lunch hour. But we take them for better or worse, so I just smile and offer encouragement. I tell herto stretch it out over two or even three days. That way she won't have torush so much. I also remind her that missing lunch completely now and then won't hurt her.
I like to think tact is one of my strong points.When doing simple jobs, she seems to think she needs more rest periods. She has to take a rest when she has only half finished mowing the lawn and several extra breaks when she's vacuuming through the house. It does annoy me, vacuuming when I'm trying to watch 'Match of the Day', but I try not tomake a scene. I'm a fair man. I tell her to make herself a nice cup of tea and just sit for a while, and as long as she is making one for herself, she may as well make one for me too.
I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support Julie. I'm not saying that showing this much consideration is easy. Many men will find itdifficult. Some will find it impossible! Nobody knows better than I do how frustrating women get as they get older. However, even if you just use alittle more tact and less criticism of your ageing wife because of this article, I will consider that writing it was well worthwhile. After all, we are put on this earth to help each other, eh?
EDITOR'S NOTE: Ron died suddenly last week. He was found with a 24-inch screwdriver rammed up his arse withonly 2 inches showing.His wife Julie was arrested, but the all-woman jury accepted her defence thathe accidentally sat on it.
