My Husband Feels Like He's Cheating on His Pencil
Posted: Friday, March 25, 2011
by Teresa Ortiz
Freelance writer/Speaker
After his 31 -year love affair with his pencil, my husband decided it was time to give in and get his own computer. (He is sitting across from me while I am typing.) I am trying very hard to keep a straight face - pretending to be concentrating on an important task. Being that my Bibles are open on my desk, I will let him assume I am working on the next lesson. ( Is this a sin?)
I am constantly amazed at the gifts and talent my husband has as a builder. There hasn't been a project that he has not been able to visualize and accomplish with such ease and expertise. He is a perfectionist and loves that he can conform raw materials into anything he desires - without it beeping back at him.
"This is so stupid, how come it won't do what it's supposed to do!" "Where's the "C", stupid thing, it shorted me a "C"!
~~~~
I was so proud of him for setting it up without asking for any help. The color coding helped. Once set up and plugged in, he ran into his first problem. He pushed the button to turn on the computer. Nothing. He pushed it again, a bit harder this time. Nothing. "The dumb thing is broken, I hate computers!" He wanted the receipt and was ready to pack it up and go back to the drawing board. Yes, literally, the drawing board.
As he rested his hand atop the tower, he accidentally turned on the computer. I didn't have the heart to tell him the button he was pushing on so hard was the disc drive open/close button, which of course would not open because the computer was in off mode.
He sat tall and proud in his new chair in front of his new monitor....
What -da-ya mean I have to register it - this is ridiculous - where's my pencil, I could have the house built by now!"
And just like that, he purposefully hit the on/off switch, grabbed his clip board and pencil, and was off to the living room to get some real work done. This was last week.
~~~~
Ah! He successfully installed his new building and design program - I only had to get up three times to walk him through each step. I'm so proud of my construction worker husband.
"This is cool, I can move the toilet to the other side of the room in a few key strokes." What? a few minutes on the computer and he's got the lingo down? He always was a fast learner.
This is pretty pathetic. Here I am thinking, I'm gonna have fun with this. I can sit here and talk trash about my husband because for once, he is NOT in the know. I should have known better. I guess I better work on that bible study lesson - starting with - remove the plank from your own eye - Teresa!
Still, he does think he is cheating on his pencil. Something tells me he'll be over it soon. He has already learned how to use the program and has designed a half of a house in the length of time it has taken me to write this.
He gives me no joy!
"This is so stupid, how come it won't do what it's supposed to do!" "Where's the "C", stupid thing, it shorted me a "C"!
~~~~
I was so proud of him for setting it up without asking for any help. The color coding helped. Once set up and plugged in, he ran into his first problem. He pushed the button to turn on the computer. Nothing. He pushed it again, a bit harder this time. Nothing. "The dumb thing is broken, I hate computers!" He wanted the receipt and was ready to pack it up and go back to the drawing board. Yes, literally, the drawing board.
As he rested his hand atop the tower, he accidentally turned on the computer. I didn't have the heart to tell him the button he was pushing on so hard was the disc drive open/close button, which of course would not open because the computer was in off mode.
He sat tall and proud in his new chair in front of his new monitor....
What -da-ya mean I have to register it - this is ridiculous - where's my pencil, I could have the house built by now!"
And just like that, he purposefully hit the on/off switch, grabbed his clip board and pencil, and was off to the living room to get some real work done. This was last week.
~~~~
Ah! He successfully installed his new building and design program - I only had to get up three times to walk him through each step. I'm so proud of my construction worker husband.
"This is cool, I can move the toilet to the other side of the room in a few key strokes." What? a few minutes on the computer and he's got the lingo down? He always was a fast learner.
This is pretty pathetic. Here I am thinking, I'm gonna have fun with this. I can sit here and talk trash about my husband because for once, he is NOT in the know. I should have known better. I guess I better work on that bible study lesson - starting with - remove the plank from your own eye - Teresa!
Still, he does think he is cheating on his pencil. Something tells me he'll be over it soon. He has already learned how to use the program and has designed a half of a house in the length of time it has taken me to write this.
He gives me no joy!
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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)Teresa, this sums up my parents in a lot of ways. They never liked the computer. However my Dad is a teacher and he has come to love it. It is a lot easier to print out the test then to continue writing and photocopying !! Great article.Hi Charles. Thanks for reading and for sharing your dad's experience. I can't imagine a teacher not using a computer. Blessings to you! Teresa
Hey Teresa!Hows life?After a long time we are meeting on SW...This article is so much different than what you usually write...(Bible Studies).I enjoyed it though...Hi Chiradeep! Life has calmed down quite a bit in the last month. I feel like I can breathe after 2 years of chaos. God is good! When I didn't have much time, I stuck to what is closest to my heart in terms of writing. But now that I have more time, I would like to get back to incorporating all the other styles I used to write when I first joined SW. I enjoy humor and sharing the day in the life of type stuff. And I appreciate my fans who have stuck with me during this time even though they are not "into" bible study :-) Blessings to you dear friend. It's good to see you back! I have to read your latest as well.
It's so funny when it's happening to someone else isn't it? And no, I don't think your pretending to work while secretly laughing at his frustration is a sin. (Hope not because we've all been there!) This was very entertaining and gave me my smile for the morning. I"m glad he's got the hang of it now and am sure he'll be doing beautiful work. Have a great day!Hi Brianna! I know, but not so funny when it happens to me! LOL. No, I am sure its not a sin as long as we do not rub it in their face and get mean about it. I'm glad it gave you a smile. Enjoy the rest of your day as well!
Oh, do I hear this one - Mick actually learned computer when we took a course together at the local JC and then learned much more at his current job. With the bent fingers (from construction accidents etc) and BIG hands (he wears a 4E shoe so big bones run in his body!) he still has a go at it - pretty soon he was teaching me things! Just wait a few!Yes, his need to tackle and perfect will take over, and then it will just be another thing he can do better than me :-)
Great story, T! You had me chuckling. In 27 years you'd think you'd find something he can't do, right? I'm glad your man continues to amaze you! And, don't be surprised if he knew you weren't really prepping for a Bible study - somehow, they know. :-) Have a great day!Hi Lorrie! Glad you had a chuckle - you know this piece is really about me and not him, don't you? LOL Isn't there anything that I can have that he won't eventually do better than me? ha! So glad you have fun in San Fran. Wish it was closer to LA! Love ya!
Hi Teresa.I can sympathise with hubby better a chisel and mallet than a key pad lol.while its easy for people to take to technology with ease I'm afraid for us hands on men its mind boggling.put yourself in his shoes and build him a house.each to their own let him do what he dose best , build houses and you help with the technical stuff .my best to you both.PS you cant teach an old dog new tricks I know I am oneDaveHi Dave. Welcome to SearchWarp!. I know, that is why I was surprised that he wanted one. He used to use my computer on occasion, but that was only to get a facebook acct so he could play farmville. :-)
All the best to you as well! Thank you so much for the well wishes.
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