Wednesday 8 April 2009

When two is a crowd

I have not posted for so long now that you are probably thinking that I have locked myself out of the cottage again and disappeared off the face of the earth. No. This posting hiccup is as a result of me working at maximum capacity and my husband being at home in between jobs, expecting to be waited on hand and foot. From my point of view such a combination is not conducive to managing to do anything more than essential tasks.

Last Monday I worked and my husband took himself off to Dolgellau, to research his family tree. The alternative was to stay at home and make cups of tea for the roofer who was working on our barge boards and gutters. We have a very Welsh surname. There are thousands of us in Wales. A few generations ago my husband's family did live in Wales, but have migrated away managing to get as far as Surrey. Maybe it is fate that has brought us to Chester where we now live about a mile from the Welsh border. He had a successful day.

On Monday evening, knowing that I was not working on Tuesday, my husband asked what we were doing the next day. 'Housework' I answered. It is something that he isn't keen on but it has to be done. He doesn't even know where I keep the dusters and the Dyson. To keep him out of the way I suggested that he put some of our pre-owned and no longer required items on eBay. He was happy doing that and it got him out of my way. And a week on he has managed to sell some of them!

On Wednesday he went to Manchester for an interview and I did the weekly supermarket shop. I had hoped that we could go shopping in his car, so that we could stock up on those bulky items that I struggle to fit into my small car. On Friday afternoon he heard that he had got the contract, that he had been interviewed for, so I'll forgive him.

Thursday morning it was back to work for me. So that he could play squash in the evening, my husband agreed to cook lunch. A simple affair, for which I had written the cooking instructions in words of one syllable. My lunch break is just long enough for me to get home, eat my lunch then go back to work. In the afternoon he took himself off to look at cars. His car does need replacing. Annoyingly he has just had to spend £300 on running repairs to it. He test drove the car that he had his eye on and would I think have bought it there and then, had it not been for the fact that he felt that he ought to get my approval, before committing himself. I suggested that he looked at some more cars before making a decision on which one to buy. That was to be Friday's job but he did not get beyond looking on the Internet. When I got home, on Friday evening, I was presented with the details of four cars in four different locations. I quickly cut it down to two. On Saturday we looked at the car that he had had the test drive in and decided to go for it. We may never know if we should have looked at the other car, but husband is happy!

Yesterday my husband started the new contract in Manchester. For nearly two years now he has been commuting weekly, to Leeds for work. Working in Manchester means a daily commute, which is good because we shall see more of one another, but it also means adapting to a different routine. I hope that you will bear with me as I get used to having my husband at home and also find time for my blog.

20 comments:

Tim Atkinson said...

Do you know (so I'm told) there's an ancient law allowing Welshmen caught inside the city walls of Chester after dark to be put to death? I used to live just yard from one of the gates locked nightly, and was told that by the 'watchman' (as he called himself). No idea if it's true, but it sounds as though you should be careful...

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Wow...what a time you've had!!!! Very, very busy...No complaints here...we love you...and totally understand! Hope things settled down for you soon. Cheers! JanineXO

Helen P said...

Lovely to have you back; it makes my seven day hiatus look much more acceptable! My husband went from a daily commute to Manchester to working from home a couple of days a week and it took some adjusting to (for me anyway.) He's back to the daily commute now just when I got used to having him around. Are we ever happy?

Scriptor Senex said...

I've done the Dollgellau bit - or similar. My father's mother's maiden name was Jones. Try finding a Jones in Blaenau Ffestiniog or Dolwyddelan in the 1870s? There's more than one or two of them I can sassure you.

Hope you enjoy the new routine.

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

You will enjoy having a bit more space and time then CW, after such a hectic week. I know the feeling. I always get more done when my husband is out or away and I'm not sure why! A x

Lindsay said...

Husband is retired and he is brilliant around the house. We share all housework and cooking - have I married a saint?

Gilly said...

Oh my gosh! I can qwuite see why you have blogged for a bit! I've missed you, though! Your husband sounds very much like mine, though he has learned to use a vacuum cleaner in his "den" - which I refuse to do anything with! And he can't gook, either. Can follow instructions on the back of oven meals, or microwaveable stuff and that is it! He is also retired, so here 24/7. I've got used to it, but it can be difficult.

Pleased about your husbands contract, hope the commute isn't too difficult in rush hours!

Llook forward to more news from my Welsh nearly-neighbour!

Anonymous said...

Good to have you back after such a busy time. I have tried to research my family and got as far as my paternal grandfather, but with a name like Smith the trail petered out.

Akelamalu said...

Having hubby home more take some getting used to. Mine retired almost five years ago and it's been great because he's been doing all the chores I used when I got home from work. I'm due to retire in December when I will be expected to share the chores - I may work until I'm 90! ;)

French Fancy... said...

I don't know if it is because Mr FF is 15 years younger than me or if he would be like that anyway, he does so much around the house it almost embarrasses me. (I did say almost, right?)

Glad your hubby got the contract and the new car - and good luck with establishing a new routine

Anonymous said...

Commuting to Leeds is a long way from Chester. Glad he's in Manchester now.

Cleaning: my husband wouldn't know what a duster is, let alone where to find one.

CJ xx

CG said...

Glad your husband has got the new contract; he'll be joining mine on the daily commute to Manchester. I really relish the times I'm alone in the house, musch as I love the rest of my family!

cheshire wife said...

The Dotterel - thank you for the warning.

Sniffles - thank you for your kind comment. Work stint now finshed, so hope to get some time to myself.

Helen - thank you for your kind comment. I am happy to have him home.

SS - the routine will be different.

SJA - the cottage stays tidier when husband is away.

Lindsay - I think that you have married a saint!

Gilly - we have had every possile permutation of working home/away/me working/me not working over the years. It is just a matter of adapting.

Moannie - my paternal grandfather researched our family tree and got stuck with an unregistered birth.

Akelamalu - husband say he is not going to retire so it is going to be up to me to do the chores.

FF - must send husband for lessons from Mr FF.

CJ - yes I am glad that he is working in Manchester.

CG - I don't mind being on my own. I always have plenty to do.

Working Mum said...

You have been busy, busy. Good news that your husband is working in Manchester now, I'm sure you'll get used to him being around and maybe even train him in the ways of housework?!

Have a lovely Easter,
WM x

Rob-bear said...

Sounds like an auspicious beginning. Hope the new job works well for him, and you.

Adjusting to new circumstances means changes in old patterns. I wonder what your new priorities are and will be?

Of course I'll "bear with you." That's what we Bears do best!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

I have been to many places in the motorhome but never Chester. Must go this year and do an article for the motormag. What in particular do we look for? Dont envy your husbands commuting. is it worth it, I wonder. Having said that humans are very resiliant.

Catharine Withenay said...

Delighted your husband has a job in Manchester, closer to home.

Conversely, my husband has just started work there, which means that after three months of him being at home writing his PhD he is now away all week! To some extent I enjoy the freedom: on the other, I miss his company.

Have a great Easter!

cheshire wife said...

WM - I think that it is husband that has been busy. I have been working.

Rob - I haven't worked out my priorities yet.

GOK - husband has to go where the work is. As for Chester, I would say that the things to see in Chester are the buildings around the Cross, the Rows, the walls, the cathedral and the river. Hope this helps.

CW - enjoy your freedom!

imbeingheldhostage said...

I understand! And just preparing tea for people working can be a full day job, can't it! (I just had one man working on plumbing/heating again as well as someone to clear rubbish from the garden-- I thought my kettle would break).
Congrats on the more time with the Hubby!

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