Well wishes for Mr. HP's proceedure on Monday. I had one of those cysts like the one that GGB referred to, on my face and had it removed several years ago. It was a simple out patient visit to a doctor my W recommended. The thing I remember most about it was trying to stay absolutely motionless he approached my face with the scalpel. Hoping and praying that I didn't have to sneeze or hiccup.
I wanted to comment on what you said here though.
Quote: ... but his job has gotten super crappy within the last 2 weeks and he's so *very* stressed he has a hard time unwinding at night.
I'll try not to speak for all men, but for myself in general. When work gets really stressful, and probably a little more so during the holiday season with the added burden on the household budget. There is a very important fact that I try to remind myself of regularly. Although my role as the provider (hunterer-gatherer) is really an essentail part of my wiring, especially with with a SAHM in the equation. During my drive home at the end of the day, I remind my self that my most important job, the one that really maters most, is the one that begins when I pull into the driveway in the evening. So I try to use my time behind the wheel as a transition, where I can purge out the frustrations and headaches of the day, and then be ready to take on the real work associated with my family waiting at home. I'll turn off raido with it's hopeless traffic reports and depressing evening news bites and put in a cd (no commercials) of some of my favorite music and try to let it all go away... (until tomorrow anyway).
Does it always work?...uhh... No. Sometimes it is too much and there are lingering effects when I get home. On those days, I am thankful that I have someone with whom I can share that with, because that helps too. But these times tend to come along in waves and maybe next week will be better.
What I'm trying to get at here, is for me, although sometimes work just really sucks... It's still just one of my jobs. My most important one awaits for me at home. I try to do what ever I can to not let too many issues/stresses of the one flood into the other. I'm not preaching here, just an observation. Sometimes it is hard and I wanted to share what works for me. Mine is Jimmy Buffett or Bob Marley. I pop in the CD and then I'm mentally in my hammock beneath a palm tree by the beach, if only for 30 minutes or so...
So a suggestion. Get him a CD of his favorite music for his ride home. Have Santa put it in his stocking next weekend. Maybe something like..."All Time Marine Favorite Marching Limerics" with the bonus tracks "The Ride Of The Valkyries" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic"
Just my 2 pennies...
"And wrinkles only go where the smiles have been." J. Buffett
