Wifey Wednesday

I tried to comment on my daughters blog at Theshadesofpink.blogspot.com but the comment section does not like me, so I will post my thoughts on today's subject.

I Believe a Woman should work beside her husband, not behind him or against him.
I practice that every day. I always have. I recall the smallest of incidents where I realized my husband was not good at yard work. He is now a perfectionist as far as the neatness goes.
It often went incomplete. Partly because we could not afford a lawn mower and had to borrow one, and partly because he had never had a place to take care of.
He was 25 when we married and had lived the single life for a while, traveling the world in the Navy, so yard work was not a priority. (I was his priority and still am)
Work in the yard, Yes he did when he could get the equipment.

Me on the other hand had helped in the yard since I was a baby. Literally a baby.
I had been placed in a cotton field when I was a few months old, and had my first sunburn. My Mom said, it looked so funny, when the burn healed I had lots of freckles. A baby less than a year old with freckles.
I can safely say, I spent every summer in the fields, whether just being a baby or picking a little cotton and I do recall hating the cotton picking time. The fields were always damp with dew and cold. We were right on the delta picking but the picnic we had those days were wonderful.
I would get just enough cotton to make my bag soft and lay down on the bag and sleep. My picking did not amount to much money. I think Mama and Daddy knew the kids were just there to be watched, We did get our little cotton sacks, But we did not use them to fill them up.
On one of these occasions I did visit the colored families living on the edge of the fields.
The lived in little shacks and one day I heard a baby crying, I wanted to see a colored baby. I had to see this baby.
I left my sack and went for a walk to the house.
As I approached I could see all eyes on me, I boldly waked up and asked if I could see the baby.
They, of course let me. Whew was my Mama Mad at me!!! She informed me I could get those people whipped because of me being a little blond white girl on their porch. ( I did not understand).
The baby was beautiful. I had hurt no one, but I did feel horrible for a while. My hiney hurt.

I do recall helping in the garden every year, as far back as I can remember. Pushing the seed into the new plowed rows, pulling vegetables when ready, and watching my daddy catch gophers with his steel trap.
So that is where I got my love for outdoor things.
However I never messed with autos or mowers or bikes, I never knew how to fix things like that.
The last few years have taught me this is a fun task too.
I change my own oil, (in my tractor), I put belts back on. I wash it, I keep everything clean on the tractor. After 5 years it still looks good. Every once in a while I run into something I can Not do, I have to call for help. Professional help.
David can not do this as he is not strong in his left hand and his poor knees hurt so bad when he kneels. I ache for his pain. I do all I can to alleviate this pain for him.
I often ask him to tighten the bolt a little more as I have given it all I have.
More often than not he says, "Honey I cant budge it, You have it as tight as it goes."
He is proud of me.
I fix the leaky kitchen faucet, I bought parts, and replaced the washers.
I fix the slow draining sinks, Again I lay on my back under the sink and take them apart and clean the Trap.
Again I love doing this work, It gives me such a sense of accomplishment.
Now I do leave the pool cleaning for David, He is more precise than I am, I leave the edging of the walks and fence line for him,
He also goes to work every day and earns money so I do owe him a lot of help.
I Love my role as Wife, Mom, Mechanic, Plumber, Maid, and anything else the daily life throws at me.
You have to love it or it can get you down, So much to do, so little time and money.
I love the Role as Help Mate.