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 when they were younger. When you notice this, try not to yell at them. Some are oversensitive, and there's nothing worse than an oversensitive 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
Julie to get a full-time job, both for extra income and for the health
insurance that we needed.
Shortly after she started working, I noticed she was beginning to show her
age. I usually get home from the golf course about the same time she gets home from work. Although she knows how hungry I am, she almost always says she has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts dinner. I don't yell at her. Instead, I tell her to take her time and just wake me when she gets dinner on the table. I generally have lunch in the Men's Grill at the BR club so eating out is not reasonable.
I'm ready for some home-cooked grub when I hit that door ... She used to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating. But now it's not unusual 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't clean 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 aging is complaining, I think. For example, she will say that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the monthly bills
during her lunch hour. But, boys, we take 'em for better or worse, so I
just smile and 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). 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 had to take a break when she was only half-finished mowing the
backyard. I try not to make a scene. I'm a fair man. I tell her to fix
herself a nice, big, cold glass of freshly-squeezed lemonade 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 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 it
difficult. Some will find it impossible! Nobody knows better than I do how
frustrating women get as they get older. However, fellas, even if you use
just a little more tact and a little less criticism of your aging 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 ....
Signed,
Ron
EDITOR'S NOTE: Ron died suddenly Thursday 2nd of December 2005.
He was found with a Calloway extra-long 50-inch Big Bertha Driver II (golf club) rammed up his ass, with only 2 inches of grip showing. His wife
Julie was arrested, but the all-woman jury accepted her defense that he
accidentally sat down on it very suddenly.
Two women in heaven, recent arrivals, were comparing stories
on how they had died.
First woman said, "I froze to death."
Second woman, "You froze to death - how horrible!"
First woman, "Well, it wasn't so bad. After I quit shaking from the cold, I
began to get warm and sleepy, and finally died a peaceful death. What
about you?"
Second woman, "I died of a massive heart attack. I suspected that my husband was cheating, so I came home early to catch him in the act. But instead, I found him all by himself in the den, watching TV."
First woman, "So what happened?"
Second woman, "I was so sure there was another woman there, somewhere, that I started running all over the house looking. I ran up into the attic and searched and went down to the basement. Then I went through every closet and checked under every bed. I kept this up until I had looked everywhere, and finally became so exhausted that I just keeled over with a heart attack and died."
First woman, "Too bad you didn't look in the freezer - we'd both still be
alive."



