Work, Now?

Most of us think we work pretty hard. I have convinced myself that I have done more than my share. Unfortunately, I know people who have worked a lot harder and accomplished a lot more in a lot less time. These are the exception though, not the rule--unless you include women. Women tend to work to fill up their time and I consider this cheating. Anyone can get a lot done if they fill their lives up with hundreds of small tasks every day and every evening right up to bed time. So, women can't be included in any work comparison involving men. It's not a fair comparison anyway. Men lift heavy things and move them around. Women do everything else. Of course they're going to accomplish more, they have more to do and all the heavy lifting is done by that lump in front of the TV with the remote.

So, I am going off to grind floors next week and I am feeling sorry for myself. Kris gets to stay here and do everything else it takes to live. Floors, are very heavy, noisy, dusty, tedious work--suited perfectly to a man like me-- heavy, noisy, dusty, and tedious.

I don't think I would mind going to work so much, if Kris would stop getting more done when I'm not here helping. (She can be really irritating.) I'll come home dog tired and be drug around to an endless bunch of things that she accomplished while I was gone. Things I have been trying to accomplish, but could never quite get around to.

"Look, I did the laundry, the dishes, built the wood shed and put in the foundation for the new house. I would've got more done, but I took a nap, before I started supper. How did your day go? You look tired, sit right down, supper will be done in a minute."

See what I mean about irritating. She has pointed out many times that she could get more done if she didn't have to clean up after me and how nice it would be, if I just picked up after myself as I went along. Well, if I did that, she would get even more done in a day and I would get even less done. I don't think that's a very good solution.

There's nothing wrong with the system we have now. I get things out and start a project, send Kris up and downstairs looking for tools and gathering materials. After I make a few cuts, drive a few nails and screw a few screws, I leave everything out and just go on to the next project. It keeps Kris out of trouble and while she's cleaning up the messes, I can show visitors what I've accomplished. The only improvement I would make would be to not let myself get frustrated at Kris during these projects. I am working hard on this one.

Well, anyway, I am feeling sorry for myself for having to go grind a few floors. Kris seems to be putting on a brave face and is acting very cheerful for my benefit. She doesn't want me know how depressing my absences are for her.