Message-ID: <11750683.1075853685328.JavaMail.evans@thyme> Date: Mon, 17 Jul 2000 07:30:00 -0700 (PDT) From: chris.germany@enron.com To: ingrid.immer@williams.com Subject: Words of wisdom Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-From: Chris Germany X-To: ingrid.immer@williams.com X-cc: X-bcc: X-Folder: \Chris_Germany_Dec2000\Notes Folders\All documents X-Origin: Germany-C X-FileName: cgerman.nsf Whatever happened to the good ol' days! > > > The following is from an actual 1950's Home Economics textbook Intended > for High School girls, teaching them how to prepare for married life. > > > 1. HAVE DINNER READY: Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a > delicious meal - on time. This is a way of letting him know that you > have > been thinking about him, and are concerned about his needs. Most > men are hungry when they come home and the prospects of a good meal are > part of the warm welcome needed. > > > > 2. PREPARE YOURSELF: Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed > when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be > fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a > little gay and a little more interesting. His boring > day may need a lift. > > > > 3. CLEAR AWAY CLUTTER. Make one last trip through the main part of > the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up schoolbooks, > toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will > feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a > lift too. > > > > 4. PREPARE THE CHILDREN. Take a few minutes to wash the children's > hands and faces if they are small, comb their hair, and if necessary, > change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see > them playing the part. > > > > 5. MINIMIZE THE NOISE: At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise > of washer, dryer, or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. > Greet him with a warm smile and kiss, letting him know you're glad to see > him. > > > > 6. Some DON'TS: Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't > complain if he's late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what > he might have gone through that day. > > > > 7. MAKE HIM COMFORTABLE. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or > suggest he lay down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for > him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, > soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind. > > > > 8. LISTEN TO HIM: You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the > moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first. > > > > 9. MAKE THE EVENING HIS: Never complain if he does not take you out to > dinner or to other places of entertainment; instead try to understand his > world of strain and pressure and his need to be home and relax. > > > > 10. THE GOAL: try to make your home a place of peace and order where > your husband can relax. > > > >