Barrybran IV - Three Years Forward, 30 Years Back

[Barrybran]

Thanks LFW.

Journaling:

So much for having plans today. I had a mental list of things I wanted to get done today including clearing the shed and finishing all the linen washing we had left to do. So far today I've also helped my wife take recycling to the tip; wait around for the handyman to look at my toilet, go to the hardware, come back and find out that he can't actually fix it; taken my wife to the bank, bought tickets to the local show on the weekend and gone into daycare to sort out my daughter's enrolment. On top of that, my daughters have got on my nerves with whinging and whining. My son will be home in half an hour so I think it's going to be quiet time and I'll crack into that washing as a low-key-but-prpductive activity.

With all the problems with the real estate my wife has become quite angry about it. She vented a couple of times today and I feel I validated well enough but I noticed I'm still too quick to talk and not so quick to listen. I caught myself reasonably quickly each time but I need to just shut up, let my wife say her piece and validate it. I've made sure to let my wife know about everything that involves her today by text message. It's probably been a bit of overkill but my memory is terrible and I'm trying to make sure she knows I'm taking care of the things she's asked about as well as anything else that may affect her. I think I'll have to start writing notes in my phone so I can save the info up and not bother her through the day with it but still have it at the ready when she's ready to hear it. See how we go.

Yesterday was a pleasant day. I came home after work and did some housework while my wife played video games. She made some small talk through the afternoon which grew as the day wore on and even suggested taking photos of me and the kids sometime. Before the kids got home she did mention making a cooking roster so I'll leave that in her hands. All in all, it was a pleasant afternoon.