Retirement is Great

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 got laid off from my consulting job and took "early
retirement" in April, it became necessary for Nancy to get a
full-time job, both for extra income and for health benefits that we
need. It was shortly after she started working 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, instead I tell her to take her time
and just wake me when she finally does get supper on the table.
She used to do 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.


  Now that she is older she seems to get tired so much more quickly. Our
washer and dryer are in the basement. 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
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 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. 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.
 She had to take a break when she was only half finished mowing the yard.
I try not to 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 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. 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.

Signed, Bob

Author Unknown