Monday, June 6, 2011

Finding The Key To A Happy Marriage

                                                                                                 Julie Kemp Pick



A few years ago, my doctor suggested going to the ER after I complained about chest pains, so I drove myself over to the hospital, and checked myself in.  Although my test results were fine, and my pains subsided, they still wanted to keep me overnight for observation. By this time, my husband was on his way home from work, so I called to fill him in before I was assigned to a room.

After he didn't show up for quite a while, I tried reaching him again from my room on the high risk cardiac floor. He told me that he went to the hospital, but couldn't find me, so he left.

Last week we were on our way to the Botanic Garden when we realized we forgot to bring our parking pass. My husband made a U-turn on the expressway and headed home to get it. He pulled into our driveway, and quickly ran in to fetch the pass. I asked him to roll down  the window, so I could dangle my head out while panting in the heat. After 10 minutes passed and he still didn't come out, I decided to go in and investigate.

Consequently, my car door wouldn't open. I tried the automatic lock on the driver's side, and it still wouldn't work. I contemplated climbing out of the window, but didn't want to get stuck halfway, as either half would be subject to hideous gravitational pulls. Then I realized that I was locked in because his car has a keyless ignition, and the key fob was inside his pocket. Of course he wouldn't come outside to admit that he had trouble finding the pass, so I called him on his cell phone. He unlocked the car, and I retrieved the parking pass from the cabinet where I said it was. Then he muttered under his breath that it was all my fault.

Over the weekend, we went to one of our favorite cozy Greek restaurants for dinner. We had been walking around the city after we dropped our son off at a friend's house, and were quite starving. After we ordered, I went to freshen up in the  Ladies' Room. When I was ready to head back to the table,  I noticed the door was stuck.  I tried pulling with all of my might  and it wouldn't budge. Then I used some paper towels to get a better grip on the handle, but it didn't help. I had no choice, but to take a running leap into the door, and do the combination shoulder/kick dive. But I thought it would be easier to call my husband. He answered and let out a big sigh as he walked the three feet over to the restroom.

Later, I told our waitress what had happened, and she said that this usually occurs during the first signs of warm weather, and that the customers just pound on the door until someone lets them out. I said cozy not classy establishment.

Is there a lesson to be learned from being neglected, trapped and pretty much forgotten? The first thing I'm going to do is buy a very large tool belt equipped with a compartment  for a sledge hammer or an ax. Secondly, I will enroll in a course to become a certified locksmith, and it probably wouldn't hurt to invest in a dog whistle.

27 comments:

  1. Hi, Julie. This has got to be one of the funniest posts you've ever written. And ya know what? If you didn't have such a good sense of humor, any one of these incidents could've escalated into a "big deal" argument. Yup, a sense of humor is definitely the key to a happy marriage.

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  2. Ha de ha ha. You need to turn into a McGyver fair lady. I was cracking up reading this but I can imagine you were fuming when it was happening. I once got locked in a toilet and I used my McGyver skills to get out. Forget what I did now, ha ha.

    Hope I never end up in that cozy restaurant.

    Denise<3

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  3. At least you made it through all three episodes none the worse for wear! You've got a fine can-do attitude, thinking your way out of the predicaments!

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  4. We have to work out solutions for ourselves....been there, done that. Good thing you have a sense of humour about it (after the fact).

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  5. @Susan - Thanks for making my day Susan! I do try to see the humor in most situations, though I'm not as calm and collected as you may think!

    @Denise - I love the McGiver line, though I'd probably be more like McGruber from SNL! Let me know if you remember how you broke out of the toilet! Thanks Denise!

    @Joanne - Fortunately, I always have my cell phone with me! Thanks Joanne!

    @mybabyjohn - The nice thing about writing these stories down is that I could always pull them out when I need them. Although it's not a solution, I find it quite therapeutic!

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  6. Only you, oops, I mean a woman, would drive oneself to the hospital with chest pains, seriously?!?! I am going to starting calling you McTrapped!! Go back to the restaurant abd demand a sign be posted in the bathroom or you will sue or own that cozy little joint. As for your husband, too late to trade him in, he is keeper. The key to your happy marriage...you ar too damn exhaused from your mishaps to fight. Funny story. Lamp Chop

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  7. crud, typos...start calling you...and demand...you are too damn... Lamp Chop editor

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  8. @Lambchop - Good point, never drive with chest pains! Mine were minor, but it's safer not to take a chance! So true about being exhausted, but I am still able to fight in my sleep! No worries, the Typo Police is not reading this!

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  9. Love this so funny.

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  10. You have a lot more patience with this man than I would have. Did he at least send flowers after screwing up so royally at the hospital? Locking you in the car? Sighing over helping you? Good thing you have a sense of humor. He owes you one, and you can tell him I said so.

    Joyce
    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com

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  11. I can't imagine these things were all that funny at the time, but they make for a funny story after the fact. Let's face it, we men are sometimes in our own strange world and lose track of time as we shut out the world around us.


    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  12. Thank God for cell phones, huh?

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  13. @Joyce - Thanks for sticking up for me, but now it's time for me to come to his defense. None of these acts were mean-spirited. The hospital thing was ridiculous, but he did come back with something better than flowers - my dinner (I was starving)!

    I could write about the time my husband was a huge help to me when my mom lived with us for over 9 months while she was recovering from back surgery. Instead, I like to try to find the occasional funny story that I hope people can relate to. I consider myself lucky that he doesn't blog about all the silly things I do! Maybe if he remembered he would!

    @Lee - Thanks for a great save! You described exactly how my husband's mind works without ever having met him! Are you sure you weren't a mind reader in your Vaudeville days? My husband thanks you too!

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  14. @Tonja - You are absolutely right! My trusty cell phone was at my side through thick and thin! Maybe we could turn this into a cell phone commercial! Thanks Tonja!

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  15. Comment on husbands: yes, I can totally relate - it sounds like you were spending time with my husband :-)

    I have been married to my husband for 42 years. He tends to think in a capsule as well. For example when crossing the street - if it is busy, he doesn't put out a guiding hand to me so we both get across safely. No, he races across and turns to watch and see how I am doing. LOL That is just one example. There are millions.

    But in the last 2 years he has show his worth in many ways. For the last 5 years I am a caregiver for my elderly mother who lives with us. The last 2 years have been the hardest. And he has had his life changed in so many ways because of this. Although he doesn't do well at caregiving, he supports me personally, stands by me when I need to make difficult decisions regarding her care, never has a critical word for me, does his best to help out without complaint for stuff that I can't managed - unlike another close family member who should be the support for me but isn't.

    I have come to discover that when things are really tough, he steps up to the bat and is my support. It took me almost 40 years to discover that when life TRUELY tests me - he is there - maybe not the way I would have anticipated, but in his own way.

    Of course I tend to be a pretty self-reliant person - sure of myself in all situations and persistently stubborn, so maybe after 42 years he has figured me out and just steps in when I reach some sort of imaginary line that only he can see. LOL

    Anyway, enjoyed your post. It struck a chord as you can tell.

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  16. Oh my goodness, you have had some rotten luck! Hope it gets better and yes, if I were you, I'd definitely invest in a tool belt.

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  17. @Elaine - You said more in one comment than many writers are able to convey in entire stories! You have the ability to make me laugh and cry at the same time! Five years is a very long time to have your entire life turned upside down. I've said this before, you are a wonderful daughter, and your mother is extremely lucky to have you.

    Thank goodness that your husband has come through for you. Many men would have a difficult time opening their home to their mother-in-law for one night let alone 5 years! Needless to say, taking a back seat so you could run from hospital, to nursing home and back again. It puts a huge strain on you and your marriage.

    I'm glad your mom seems to be doing better, and is able to navigate the stairs, but I know that your stress is ongoing.

    I love your example of crossing the street. Some men just have their head in the clouds, and we just have to appreciate them for who they are. Too bad we don't live closer, as it would be fun to double date! Thanks so much for sharing this.

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  18. @Angela - There isn't a huge selection of designer tool belts, so I'll probably have to go with basic black. Maybe it's better this way, so that I'll be able to blend in.

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  19. I'm still stunned he just left the hospital when he couldn't find you!

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  20. Yikes! And oh, I'm with Alex. I can't believe that!

    I'd say a whip would be in order.

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  21. Julie~I am glad you can find humor in this~ :) i guess thats what makes life doable~ You are amazing~I love your writing~You make me a stronger person~ xo

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  22. @Alex - He did come back a few minutes later with dinner for me. Alex you could probably appreciate this as a Chance the gardener (Peter Sellers) Being There moment! Julie

    @Talli - Someone "willed me" a whip in college when I was a punk rocker and loved the song "Whip It!" You're right that could come in handy! Julie

    @Laura - I write about all these silly things, but my husband has really done so much for me and my family. These are all examples of why smart men do stupid things. I think my brother mentioned that title when I first started blogging. Thanks so much Laura!

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  23. Your husband reminds me so much of my own! It's good to know that he came back to the hospital though! What a great read!

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  24. Thanks Brianna! I always like to lay on the guilt right before a special occasion. Our anniversary is later this month, and something tells me, we won't be celebrating at a restaurant that has a restroom with a sticky door! Julie

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  25. We should all have your sense of humor!

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  26. Hi Julie .. crumbs I thought he'd had a heart attack in the house .. and I'd definitely get out of the car at the same time in future ... now the loo - ? I'd have gone potty!!??

    I'd 'forgotten' your ER experience .. got muddled with trying to sort blogger out ..

    Love Greek food though!! Hope the dinner was worth it .. cheers Hilary

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