I helped wire up my first barn yesterday.
Translation: I assisted Jake in running electricity and lights to a barn he just finished building.
See those light boxes? I helped install those.
I haven’t been to work with my husband for several months since the last time I attempted to help him on the job almost resulted in me not speaking to him for two days. The problem is that Jake becomes galled and annoyed and surprised that I can’t keep up with him on the job (side note: this is a man who expects employees to only pack food they can eat with one hand while swinging a hammer in the other — he’s pretty much a slave driver) and I become vexed and irritable that he expects me — a hapless writer person — to know how to operate pneumatic nail guns and Bobcat bulldozers and ration my usual snack quota for the day.
But I’m 7 months pregnant; me not being able to keep up with him is writ large.
Exhibit A: Diminished productivity. Where are my Funyuns?
There’s no feigning dismay over my ineptitude on construction sites. Accordingly, Jake was a picture of loving patience all day yesterday. And I was a helpful companion. He let me take a 30 minute break. And sit down when I needed to. And eat my lunch with both hands. And take as many bathroom breaks as I required. It was great. I felt like we were in Cabo.
We made a great team. We actually enjoyed ourselves. We laughed. We teased the dogs unmercifully. It made me think I might be able to work with him more if I was knocked up all the time.
Cowboy hard at work
Sunny petrified at the notion she might have to wield a hack saw. Sunny, I know how you feel.
All original content © 2012 by Jessie Knadler
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I know how you feel. My hubby is a farmer and he works all day (without eating) and loves it. I help him on occasion and we enjoy the time together, but not only is he a slave driver… he thinks I can read his mind. For example…. When we (I call it process) our calves, which involves weighing, removing unwanted parts, tagging the ear, de-worming, he expects me to know his next move and hand him the appropriate equipment. I am not always the mind reader he expects so he lets out a *sigh*, and proceeds to ask for what he needs. I have learned to move on as quickly as possible, instead of giving him the spill…. What? you think I can read your mind? Actually, I am getting a little better at anticipating his next move, so maybe I will become the mind reader he always wanted.
Lana: Your husband sounds a lot like Jake. They both think they married on-the-job mind readers.
My husband and I have decided that for some projects I need to be the support person instead of a full team member. It helps us avoid a lot of arguments and we’re both happy at the end of the day. And, honestly, I’m just as happy to run to the grocery store, make lunch, fetch a tool, make cooing noises over his progress.
Ok I bet your having a boy!
I know I owe you a big email and I will write this week but it has been a very strange month in a good way- just let me say we have landed a major sponsor for the school- something that MAura was always telling me I needed, anyway I’ll be in touch very soon- lighting looks great :0)
Hey Camilla: Jake and I were just talking about you last night, wondering how you’re doing. That’s great about the sponsor. Sounds intriguing. Looking forward to hearing all about your progress.