Thursday 10 December 2009

Competition ( or why I'm going to have to take the long term view when he retires...)


The Lucky B*****d – or at least that’s the phrase I’ve  heard most over the last six months - because my husband has had a year that many only ever dream of – and no it has very little to do with the abundant and obvious charms of his wife.
He has for this one glorious summer, been paid to do nothing. He strolled into work in May and told them he had a new job. They thought about it and said: “How’s about staying here?” He thought about it and said he had really enjoyed working for them but the time was ripe to move on. They said: “OK.” He then said that he’d like to start at the new job ASAP. To with they replied: “Shucks, sorry, but you can clear your desk and have a great summer!”
I thought that was really cool until it dawned on me he wouldn’t be going away, he would be with me – all summer long. Do you know how long the summer lasts? However, ever resourceful I set about drawing up a list of things that needed to be done. Half an hour and five reams of paper later I had Charlie’s summer sorted.
It has been interesting having Charlie at home and one which The Boy and Bog Boy have taken to with whole hearted abandon. I mean cooked breakfasts each and every day, builders, paint, puppies, diggers, dumpers...Well,  a boys paradise really!

I just seemed to do a lot of clearing up.
And making coffee.
In fact when I think about it this has been the summer of men and as the sole girl I really feel that perhaps I should have been feted somewhat more than I was – maybe I would have been once, but now I had competition. From my husband.
Not in that way. But in the: “Who’s the Top Dog?” sort of way. Where once I would have stopped to chat and crack jokes with the boys on the building site that was once my garden, he was in that position. Where once I would have been the first port of call for the boys after school, he was the one doing the pick up. Where once those that dropped by would have been lumped with me now there was a choice, one that had no other deadlines than his own. Charlie took to being a man of means with little responsibility like a duck to water and I hope enjoyed every bit of it.

I on the other hand, don’t take kindly to being relegated to the side lines but when faced with the inevitable, it is wise to take a long term view of things. Now some six months later with all back to normal, I am the proud possessor of a stunning new driveway, an immaculate set of painted barns, a landscaped vegetable plot and a husband with an extremely pert behind – I mean who could ask for more?







11 comments:

Trish said...

Who wouldn't be happy to be side-lined for a few months in return for a husband with a peachy bum!?

Potty Mummy said...

Who indeed? (Congratulations - it sounds like the pain was worth it!)

Michelloui said...

You think the driveway, barns etc are great? Just wait until retirement! ;)

Glad it all turned out well over the summer. Funny post, I can relate on several levels.

Expat mum said...

Oooh no. The Ball & Chain is making noises about taking early retirement. I've just got the last one off to full time school. There's no way he's going to be under my feet any time soon - I don't care what his bum looks like!

blackbird said...

When you look back from a little distance, you will see that summer as a kind of paradise. But, in the meantime, you have all sorts of projects finished (no small task) and a husband with a clearer idea of all that you do. Now, he's fit and happy and ready to go back to work- for years to come, I hope.

Liz (LivingwithKids) said...

Sounds absolutely brilliant!

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

Sounds like you have had a reasonable deal out of his summer off - all those projects! and all those muscles! and then you get the place back to yourself.

Rob-bear said...

Oh poor, dear Tattie! So sorry you had (beloved?) husband under foot for the whole summer. Sounds positively dreadful! Terrifyingly frightful! Horrifically disastrous! And all those jobs done? The place will never be the same.

My deepest condolences on this cruel misadventure.

I am, however, excited to know that you actually survived. Bravo!

Pondside said...

That's just a taste of the pleasures (?!) of having a retired husband around full time. Of course, I'm at work all day - but he's here completing projects, taking care of the animals,etc etc. If I could only get him to prepare supper!

Dorset Dispatches said...

I think you coped with it very well. I shall be sending my mother over to you for tips for when Dad (finally) retires, a situation they are both dreading!

Tattieweasle said...

Oh good grief I am so rude I haven't replied to everyone's wonderful comments. Here goes...
Trish@Mum's gone to - problem is it has gone to his head and I think he's getting more than his due attention at work...
Potty - it is truly a wonderful consolation prize.
Michelloui - oooh now3 I really can start planning. I always wanted a folly...
Expat Mum - I was lucky I did know he was going to go back to work. I'd just start spending so he has to stay working to clear teh debts..it's seems to be working for us!
Blackbird - it was a good summer when all is said and done and I do miss teh bustle and of course having him there but just don't tell OK? :)
LIz (Livingwiothkids) - it was and is best of both worlds this year!
elizabethm - it's good to get a handle on this place and he is a very happy lad at the mo. Smiles all round this Christmas!
Rob Bear - "I will survive" was my theme tune this summer but I hate to admit it I feel more like Sandy from Grease now that he's gone...
Pondside - how clever, I can go to work. Brilliant plan! And so simple too!
Brit in Bosnia - with pleasure. I'll send over the list of does and don'ts just as soon as I stop writing it!

Go on you know you want to...

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