Wash Up

I might say I did not want to shock you, but I really did ! Congratulations you are at least actually listening this time!
Your wife is unlikely to be some strange dragon that appeared once the ring was on - she's probably normal and a fine example of one who likes to get to the bottom of things ; doesn't put up with crap (adults have the right to use that word occassionally, in my opinion).You smoothie U.
Taken  me a long while to recognize that there is one answer to that brilliant conversational question ( not "do you come ere often?") that must be tried by MEN more OFTEN .
"How can  I help?
There are many dumb questions a person can ask;
 the above is Not one of them . like saying "Thanks", its a mystery why a hugely valuable piece of powerful and precious language disappears so easily from the memory bank, only to be retrieved under great pressure and threats from the dragons (GG).

Believe me, men ( esp those of you who have never looked after the household for a week), there is nothing like the relief of finding the bench clean and the sink empty .

Even if you have to stash a few pots and pans in the oven, try it. Don't expect your 25 minutes worth to turn into 5 because she doesn't ( with her 25 hour days)
The move is worth a try though  ( copyright EA2012April 9 ) Even dragons can be very very very gracious as well as exciting to "fight" with . Have you seen this film its really worthwatching!

Show her a copy of this

http://seeds.churchonthemove.com/video/video-mommy-rhapsody

What can I do to help ?

Mum's are always busy .Want more of their time?  Give them some of yours. She has chores-- so should you More here

Listen - its easier that way/

Nothing more is needed to say.....   Three men were hiking through a forest...  When they came upon a large raging, violent river.    Needing to get to the other side, the first man prayed:  ' God, please give me the strength to cross the river.  Poof!!!  God gave him big arms and strong legs...  And he was able to swim across in about 2 hours, Having almost drowned twice. After witnessing that, the second man prayed:   'God, please give me strength and the tools to cross the river' Poof!!! God gave him a rowboat and strong arms and strong legs...    And he was able to row across In about an hour After almost capsizing once Seeing what happened to the first two men, The third man prayed:   'God, please give me the strength, the tools And the intelligence to cross the river'  Poof!!!  HE WAS TURNED INTO A WOMAN!!!  She checked the map, hiked one hundred yards upstream...    And walked across the bridge  Guys, if at first you don't succeed, Do it the way your wife told you!   GO AHEAD, SEND THIS TO A WOMAN WHO NEEDS A GOOD LAUGH AND TO ANY MAN WHO CAN HANDLE IT!

Recognise all that she does in a mere day (contrast here with your good self)

I Thought this quote I got from Janine might help you understand what I mean- it is amazing how long a mothers day can be and just how important their roles really are .
Spend some time with the kids DAD and if you have no energy for visitors,  have the Cosbys over for 30minutes - they are wonderful

JUST  A  MUM eh ?
A  woman, renewing her  driver's licence  ,
was asked by the woman at  Registry to  state her  occupation.
She hesitated,  uncertain how to  classify  herself.  
'What  I mean is, '  explained the woman at Registry,   
'do you have a job  or are you  just a ...?'

'Of course I have a  job,'  snapped the  woman.

'I'm  a Mum.' 

'We don't list 'Mum' as an  occupation,     'housewife'  covers  it,' 
Said   the recorder emphatically. 
I  forgot all about her  story until one day I found  myself     in  the
same  situation.  
The  Clerk was obviously a career  woman,  poised,
efficient, and possessed of a  high sounding  title like,
'Official  Interrogator' or 'City   Registrar.'
'What  is your  occupation?' she  probed.

What made me say  it?  I  do not know.   
The  words simply popped out.   
'I'm a  Research Associate in the field  of 
Child Development and Human  Relations.' 

The  clerk paused,  ball-point pen frozen  in midair and
looked up as though   she had not heard  right.  

I  repeated the title  slowly emphasizing the most  significant words.
Then I stared  with  wonder as my pronouncement was  written,
in bold,  black ink on the  official questionnaire.

'Might  I ask,' said  the clerk with new  interest,
'just what you do in your   field?' 

Coolly,  without any  trace of fluster in my  voice,
I heard myself  reply,
'I  have a continuing program of  research,
(what mother doesn't) 
In  the laboratory and in the  field,
(normally I would  have said  indoors and out).  
I'm working  for my  Masters, (first the Lord and then the  whole family)
and already  have four  credits (all daughters). 
Of course,  the  job is one of the most demanding in the  humanities,
(any mother  care to  disagree?)
and I often work 14 hours a  day, (24 is  more like it).  
But  the job is more challenging than  most  run-of-the-mill careers and
the
rewards  are  more   of a satisfaction rather than just  money.'

There was  an increasing  note of respect in the clerk's voice as  she 
completed the form, stood up and  personally ushered me to the   door

As I drove into our driveway,  buoyed up by my  glamorous new career,
I  was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages  13, 7,  and 3. 
Upstairs I could hear our  new  experimental model,
(a 6 month old  baby) in the child  development  program,
testing out a new vocal  pattern.    
I   felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!  
And I had  gone on the official records  as someone more distinguished  and

indispensable to mankind than 'just another  Mum.'       Motherhood!   

What  a glorious  career!   
Especially  when there's a title on the   door.

Does  this make  grandmothers 
'Senior  Research  associates in the field of Child  Development and Human

Relations'
And great   grandmothers
'Executive  Senior  Research Associates? 
I  think so!   
I  also  think it makes Aunts. Associate  Research  Assistants.'

Get her a new clothesline

But ONLY if you make sure its better than the existing . Any change has to be efficient , high drying big capacity and whatever else SHE desires in the structure. Improving on the existing one will be the biggest challenge you have ever undertaken - forget all those brilliant the plans you led at work . If you get this right , nothing else will matter .
Remember its YOUR JOB to work out EXACTLY what she needs - use her own logic if you need to " its not what you WANTchildren ( that includes you if you haven't worked that out yet ) that matters.... its what you N...... " .
Warning: getting this right may take some time. Take her on a train trip, if you have to, so she can study and select ; peeking into backyards and say "that one" . You might create a bit of a scene on the train - just tell em " you've been blogging" and that's what blogging does to you- they will understand, and if they don't they are a bit backward , and probably won't say a single thing more - thinking "he is clever ....he used a word I didn't understand".
In Australia , The hills hoist was the main feature of every home beautiful before Backyard blitz came along and wrecked things . Hills being an innovative aussie of great note.

The point is,  if you achieve this almost impossible feat ,you will have improved her day out fighting the ravages of nature by a few minutes and that would be heaven . If you not sure your final choice makes sense, try hanging out the washing for a day or two .
BUT make sure she's away till you put it out and bring it back in - there could be nothing worse that actually getting THAT job - even if you are the house husband !