My DH reads the grocery ads - out loud

My husband sometimes tries to read the whole paper to me. And I read it first.

When DH is underfoot ALL day (he's retired)..... :evil:

And has to read the paper - every last word of it - at the kitchen table

I really am grateful he's still more or less alive and well - I know that there are a lot of widows on this board -

He used to be an over-the-road truckdriver and would be gone for a week or so at a time - I do my best cleaning in the middle of the night - he's downright cranky if i vacuum at three a.m.

I know we shouldn't complain because we still have them but............
..........I get to listen to the news ALL DAY LONG or the History Channel or anything that has to do with flying. My DH worked on the RR so I used to get some alone time fairly often, after the kids were grown. Now, he does have a hobby that takes him out of town but he's not well enough to leave very often. I asked if I could help him pack his things last week when he planned on going. It took him until 2:00 PM to get out of here. However, I don't like being alone at night. He leaves for 1 or 2 days then he gets homesick, for me, he says. Awwww.

My hubby is also retired RR -- he too watches news channels all day (and complains loudly about what our leaders are doing/not doing) or the History Channel which he swears is biased and not really how it happened at all. His hobby is being a ham operator -- which means he NEVER leaves :cry: :cry: Today is one of those days when I wished he would go back to WORK!! The day started off (I haven't had my coffee yet -- OK?)with him telling me that the dishes in the dishwasher were clean. OK thanks dear (and I'm thinking -- that is YOUR job -- do you thank me for washing your dirty underwear?) Then he was talking about a cake pan that didn't quite come clean and when he baked, he always greased the pan. (OK dear -- now -- try holding your breath until I make you another cake!!) And then if was off onto how stupid some politicians were and that's when I escaped with still my first cup of coffee in hand to my sewing/computer room:roll: :roll: :D You either gotta love 'em or divorce them!!

We do have to love them - I don't know what I would do without my DH. He complains that I watch the weather channel. Yes I do. So what. Several months ago I retired and now we race to the computer every morning. His office is in the house. Getting used to being together alot is hard!

I remember when my father retired, he would sit at the kitchen table and watch my mother cook, or what ever she was doing.

I have no clue what I'm going to do when hubby retires. I'm used to him being gone alot. Kinda like it that way at times....<shrug> But, it's what I'm used to. Been doing it for 22 years. WOW! Just realized that yesterday was our anniversary! Days fly when you are having fun, huh?

But, when mine is home, golf or history channel is on. Drives me crazy. When it gets too much for me, I just tell him that it's a really nice day and he needs to go whack his balls for a while and off he goes! :)

Pete retired after 30 years in the Army in January 2006. By November of that year he had himself a new job and was out the door every morning. It's a mixed blessing to me. I sure don't get much done when he is home, but I do enjoy having him around. He has a lot of hobbies and interests and I think when he finally retires for good we will have a great time together. But, then again, I may be living in a dream world!! :shock:

About a month ago, a very dear friend was here so my self and she got together with another widow friend, for a few toddys for our boddys.
We got to talking about how our t.v. channels have changes for all of us.
One of the ladies said that there is no more live poker playing on her t.v. and there is no more yelling at the players on how to play.
The other lady said that lo & behold, her t.v. no longer has ANY sports channels. And the volumn is a LOT quieter.
Now myself, I am sooooo glad that the outdoor channels have gone somewhere else. My t.v. now is very rarely turned on. Sure is quiet around here. And sometimes just a little lonely. sigh. But darn, I just can't find that channel!!!!!! & I am NOT looking for it either!!

I know what you mean!
Seems the news channels disappear from the lineup on the tv when hubby is gone. Then when he comes home, they magically appear again!

I've had my days to myself too long to be followed around or asked why, what, when, and how all day.
I told him one day he or I may be dependent on one another 24/7 but it's not that day yet and I don't need a companion to go grocery shopping. The last time he went with me to shop for paint and house stuff, we took separate cars. I can't deal with the I'm ready to go look. That gets me really angry. He should have stayed home.

I love to spend time with hubby but he doesn't understand "me" time or girlfriend time. He thinks I should want to spend all my time with him. He's lucky he's cute and can carry a conversation, just like my dog (j/k) or I would be running out the door.

He's not ready for retirement and I work LOTS of hours, he stops at my office every night on the way home from work to see me. I usually end up telling him to go home because he pesters me.

Overall, I can't wait for retirement. I have a "bucket list" a mile long so he better get rested up (he's 9 years older than me). I'm going to run him ragged. (He'll be the one posting I'm constantly bugging him)

I like Loretta's reply! I retired in June and soon found that my enthusiasm for activities and projects to be done on weekends and after my husband came home in the evening, was WAY higher than hubby's!! (He works full time as a haematology lab technologist and works his own business several hours a week collecting blood samples from seniors too ill to go to the lab.)

So I made a cute little magnet backed pad to hang on the fridge: "PAUL's Honey-Do List"

Now he can look at what needs to be done, what he has energy for and go through the list at his own pace!
He retires from the hospital in 3 years and I plan to have a very long list for him. I am also going to have my own satellite receiver for the TV in the sewing room because there's no way that I am listening to elevator music for the rest of my days!

OK Terri I am injured and can't be laughing like this unprepared!!

I laughed at the "go whack his balls ...." I don't think mine would be willing to do that
:roll:

Oh, my! How sad! I don't understand men who retire and can find nothing to do to continue to be productive people. Do they really mean to "sit and rot?" I hope not!

My husband is 78. At age 70 he fell off scaffolding and broke a lot of bones, including 3 places in his pelvis. This man made a remarkable recovery (the Dr asked what he did) because he has kept active. He has worked with Habitat for Humanity for 20 years where he led crews and taught people about house construction. He attend several of the Jimmy Carter Work camps, having breakfast with Jimmy on one occasion. He was also adopted into an Indian tribe in S.D. He is never home. He works/volunteers at a Senior Center, driving people to appointments. He has served Meals on Wheels. He has something planned for every day.

Saturday he left for N.C. (9 hour drive) to help his 83 yr old brother celebrate his Birthday. He goes and goes like the Energizer Bunny.

If I need something done, it gets done pronto (most often) and for 22 months he spent finishing our basement so I could have a sewing room.

Men don't need to ROT! If they choose to rot, they need to have a good swift kick in the pants. WHY would any healthy person want to sit around the house all day and do nothing? That is not healthy! That seems to indicate they are depressed because they think their productive years have ended. That is not so. And, take a look at Jimmy Carter and Roselyn. They both get out and do the physical labor. They are in their 80's.

I know you won't like this, but I say "Shame on any man who has nothing better to do than sit and read the paper to his wife or watch her cook."

Take him to the Doctor and find out why he has lost his Zest for Life. There must be something wrong.

Married life was not meant to be a DRAG on the tail end....and it does seem like the "tail" is dragging. You have my Sympathy! My husband said this past year was the BEST of his life. He was Busy and Happy!
Can't ask for more than that!

THE END.

June, I want one of those like you got!
My dad never was a self starter. I figure he has been depressed all his life, but he can do what is right when it benefits him.
Don't have a husband or kids, so I do what I can to keep my life meaningful!

I'm with you, Shemjo. What interesting posts these have been!

Been there and doing that, LOL! Married 54+ years and both retired so I know where you gals are coming from. Glad they are still here with us but could do will a little less sports, history and animal channels and not the same remarks about TV shows, commericals, politicans. etc., etc., over and over again. May in Jersey

I don't know how he does this -

He can wake up and sputter about what's on TV (frequently something I WAS listening to/watching) - grab the remote, change the channel - and he's SNORING before his head hits the pillow again.

If it's something I REALLY want to watch, I grab the remote. :?

Mine does that too and THAT really irritates the s**t out of me!!!

DH has his favorite chair and tv in our bedroom. He can watch sports all day and not bother me in there. I have my tv in my sewing room and I watch movies while I sew. The tv in the living room is rarely turned on unless the kids are here. We plan a trip every six weeks for a weekend away, just the two of us. That has worked out great. When we bought our house I would not settle for anything other than his and her bath and his and her walk in closets in the master bedroom. :D My friend's husband has to go with her everywhere, grocery shopping, clothes shopping, library, garage sales, every meeting he can join with her. It gets tiresome to be around them.

I have my own bathroom and closet, too. Fortunately, the Big Guy likes to bow hunt, skeet shoot, etc. Since his heart stints, that still goes on, but yard work, "Oh, I'm tired......"

Just now, my DH is going outside to barbeque chicken. So he says, "WHERE ARE MY SANDALS? WHERE DID YOU PUT MY SANDALS?" I said, "In the closet, on the floor." He said, "Oh." They only see the closet floor when I put them there. Jeeeeeez. But if that's the worst, I will pick up his sandals forever. He's worth it.

my DH and I have been together almost 24/7 since we were married, running a business together. I can't imagine not having him around. Now with that said, I get the most done when he is over on the farm or out arrowhead hunting. LOL Accept for sewing the tops together, I do all my hand quilting in the den where he is.
And I love all of our children, but love having an empty nest. Does that make me a bad person? Don't know.

Nono Ninnie you are not a bad person. Just a well adjusted lady to her empty nest.

I think you are extremely normal.

And what could possibly be "bad" about enjoying your own company?