“DIY” projects Spouses should NOT do together
To get happy employees and better production, many big corporations bring in companies that specialize in “Team building” , and other “Happy workplace” seminars. Today Jerry & I found the ultimate “team building” exercise that many troubled HR departments should seriously consider...Erect a wooden clothesline....... let me explain.... I built the entire wood clothesline yesterday. All I needed was assistance in auguring the holes, leveling them, mixing and pouring the cement. I planned on hiring someone, but Jerry insisted we do it together. we have been down this “we can do it ourselves” road before, and after about 15 minutes, things always took a dark turn…..
Keep in mind both “participants “are teachers.... ( Definition of teacher) : People who are used to being the boss, having everyone’s attention and usually have the final say on just about everything…..AND get into “teacher” mode when talking to a spouse that you are assuming lacks critical thinking…..so, needless to say, things got ugly fast.
Our history of working on projects together does not reflect on the love we truly share for each other. That being said, One day Jerry was “helping” me hang pictures in my new office at school. MY personal method for hanging pictures is to pound 100+ nails on a wall in a row until I find a stud. The final result (sans pictures) usually looks like someone with bad aim was using the wall for machine gun practice. Jerry’s method consists of rulers, laser beams, a lot of Math and calculations that (I swear) included the Date, temperature of ocean, a constellation figure and (for some reason) the color red. I said he was being too intricate and started giving him directions. Through the wall, my co-worker could hear all the “discussion”. She started laughing and said.,. “ wow, I would love to watch you two build a campfire!”
Another tale was our first Christmas together, attempting to hang Christmas lights on the eaves of our back deck. Things got ugly fast then also. lets just say I ended up angrily storming back into the house, but the next day the lights were 1 millionth of an inch shining in perfection. There are many more stories, but I feel you get the point.
So, back to the clothesline…..After all the micro-managing, and passive-aggressive comments, It’s a miracle we are even talking to each other this evening. This picture is deceiving.. Late this evening, Jerry was sitting on the steps, having a cigar and reflecting on our “accomplishment”. I had to ask him to smile for this picture.
I pray The words I used “ for clarification, “shall never resurface in any future court appearance. it may not reflect well on me..... to conclude...if this was a corporate -sponsored event, jerry would win two very well-deserved awards:
#1 The Al Gore Save the Earth Golden-clothespin award.,, And…
#2 “ I love her , but her menopause -moments are killing me” Award.
Sometimes I need to remind myself that his random bites from my bagels & corn are well- earned! Jerry Blitz... i do realize i am a hurricane and you are the eye.. :-)