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Across the Fence:  The Good Wife's Guide from 1955  |
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Past Blessings
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Brenda
Orchard Prairie
WA
USA
1083 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 02 2008 : 2:36:26 PM
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This is such a funny article . . . my husband has shared this with friends and relatives for years! When we get into a playful argument, he likes to remind me, "Remember, my topics of conversation are more important than yours!" LOL!
Enjoy a good laugh!
Hugs & blessings,
Brenda
This was from Housekeeping Monthly, May, 1955:
The Good Wife's Guide
Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on time for his return. 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 prospect of a good meal (especially his favorite dish) is part of the warm welcome needed.
Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll 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 for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.
Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives.
Gather up school books, toys, paper, etc. and then run a dustcloth over the tables.
Over the cooler months of the year, you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, caring for his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.
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 parts. Minimise all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.
Be happy to see him.
Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.
Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.
Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very real need to be at home and relax.
Your goal: Try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquility where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.
Don't greet him with complaints and problems.
Dont complain if he's late home for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through that day.
Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or have him lie 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, soothing and pleasant voice.
Don't ask him questions about his actions or questions about his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.
A good wife always knows her place.
Past Blessings . . . Celebrating Life as it used to be . . . when people loved God, loved their families and loved their country. |
Edited by - Past Blessings on Apr 02 2008 2:41:29 PM |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
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Claudelle
Farmgirl in Training
32 Posts
Karla
Corbett
Oregon
USA
32 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2008 : 2:51:48 PM
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I read this article once...it was with a picture of the "typical" housewife; apron on and holding a pie. I agree that it's hilarious! =)
Karla
Free Tibet! |
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Past Blessings
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Brenda
Orchard Prairie
WA
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2008 : 2:53:20 PM
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Yes, the article I have shows the woman pulling a pie out of the oven as hubby walks in the door. The children are surrounding him, with their heads bowed like he is a king. Too funny!
Hugs & blessings,
Brenda
Past Blessings . . . Celebrating Life as it used to be . . . when people loved God, loved their families and loved their country. |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
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Past Blessings
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Brenda
Orchard Prairie
WA
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2008 : 3:07:37 PM
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The first time my husband read it to everyone was a Christmas. The "woman folk" all decided to put bows in our hair while we washed the dishes! LOL!
Hugs & blessings,
Brenda
Past Blessings . . . Celebrating Life as it used to be . . . when people loved God, loved their families and loved their country. |
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Farmtopia
True Blue Farmgirl
1465 Posts
Zan
New York
New York
USA
1465 Posts |
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Prairie Princess
True Blue Farmgirl
1075 Posts
Jodi
Washington
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2008 : 3:26:33 PM
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My coworker's husband emailed this to her a couple weeks ago. We passed it around here at work and got our chuckle for the day. All the guys couldn't understand what was so funny about it...  LOL
Anywho, my coworker sent a three-letter response to her husband...
"In your dreams!"
~Jodi
"Women are like teabags...you never know how strong they are until they get into hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt |
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Past Blessings
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Brenda
Orchard Prairie
WA
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2008 : 3:28:13 PM
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There are SOME things that are good . . . such as being happy to see him, keeping a neat house, etc. but it seems more like it was written to the made than the wife! LOL!
Hugs & blessings,
Brenda
Past Blessings . . . Celebrating Life as it used to be . . . when people loved God, loved their families and loved their country. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2008 : 3:40:36 PM
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I agree- it starts out not being so bad- in fact I found myself thing "that's a good suggestion" more than once- but towards the end- BOY O BOY! LOL
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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pinkroses
True Blue Farmgirl
2350 Posts
Sheila
Virginia
USA
2350 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2008 : 4:26:37 PM
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Thee Hee,
I have seen this on other forums
Can you imagine?
Back then they really had funny ideas
Thanks for the laugh pinkroses
www.ohkayteagirl2.blogspot.com |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
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CountryBorn
True Blue Farmgirl
1545 Posts
Mary Jane
New York
USA
1545 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2008 : 5:26:13 PM
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I think that article was secretly written by a man !!
MJ
There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. Freya Stark |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2008 : 9:10:26 PM
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Take off his shoes??????????????? I don't think so.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Past Blessings
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Brenda
Orchard Prairie
WA
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2008 : 06:55:15 AM
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Well, maybe if we wore gas masks, we could take off their shoes! LOL!
Hugs & blessings,
Brenda
Past Blessings . . . Celebrating Life as it used to be . . . when people loved God, loved their families and loved their country. |
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chicken necker
True Blue Farmgirl
509 Posts
Sherry
Eastern Shore
Maryland
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2008 : 08:07:15 AM
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 If I did that one day, my husband would run out of the house backwards, crossing himself, straight to a priest to have me exorcized! ROFLOL!
FarmGirl Sister #123
Crafty Bay FarmGirls Chapter
Don't argue with an idiot; people watching may not be able to tell the difference. |
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Lainey
True Blue Farmgirl
2401 Posts
Elaine
Waco
Kentucky
USA
2401 Posts |
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Past Blessings
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Brenda
Orchard Prairie
WA
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2008 : 9:51:47 PM
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Most men just love this article! LOL! Especially the part about staying out all night and the fact that his topics of conversation are more important than mine! LOL!
Hugs & blessings,
Brenda
Past Blessings . . . Celebrating Life as it used to be . . . when people loved God, loved their families and loved their country. |
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queenofdreamsz4u
True Blue Farmgirl
3845 Posts
Stephanie Suzanne
Smoky Mountains Tennessee
USA
3845 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2008 : 11:00:38 PM
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Well I certainly pamper my Thomas..love every second of it and he pampers me...My, My we women have come along way from being observed as "servants".
Steph |
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EllynAnne
True Blue Farmgirl
108 Posts
EllynAnne
Pueblo
CO
108 Posts |
Posted - Apr 04 2008 : 4:23:15 PM
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Hey! I think I've received this article as many or more times than that internet poem about grandmother's apron! In fact, because so many people sent it to me, I wondered about the author, and with a bit of google, discovered the article was written in the last decade, not decades ago. A witty soul, that writer - who many believe to be in advertising.
ea
Tie One On...an apron, of course!
www.apronmemories.com
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Past Blessings
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Brenda
Orchard Prairie
WA
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2008 : 8:50:05 PM
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Not sure where you received this info. from EllynAnne, but I actually have the photocopy from the magazine, which was Housekeeping Monthly. It was from the May, 1955 issue. This was a real magazine and really was published. Not sure why someone would claim to have written it in the last 10 years.
Brenda
Past Blessings . . . Celebrating Life as it used to be . . . when people loved God, loved their families and loved their country. |
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kydeere40744
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
Jessica
Kentucky
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2008 : 8:53:34 PM
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I have gotten the biggest laugh over this. Wooowee....what a hoot! At least we can say our fellers should be happy that they get a good home cooked meal, clean undies, and a kiss goodnight after all we have to put up with whether or not you have kids.
~Jessica in Kentucky & Farmgirl Sisterhood #137~
Be sure to visit my blog & Crafty Clipart for some of my photographs:
http://bluegrassprincess.blogspot.com/
http://www.craftyclipart.com |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2008 : 03:25:53 AM
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His legs 'aint broke! Neither are his arms for that matter.......unless the issue gets pressed further
I know a nice elderly mad who is now living w/ his daughter. This guy's wife passed away a few years ago rendering this poor man helpless-literally. The daughter still carrys on the lifestyle and makes most of her father's meals.
All I can say is MY dad makes a mean pizza, can cook and not just grill --and that's where I learned how to also make a killer chili.
It's a funny joke and I'm glad to be living in this century! 'Course, I'd have been one of those rebel gals who would wear pants and be thought of as unconventional.
Always have been a free spirit and non-conformist |
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Past Blessings
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Brenda
Orchard Prairie
WA
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2008 : 06:06:06 AM
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My mom, who grew up during this era, has always been a "pants" girl and probably broke just about all those rules! LOL! But my daddy loves her dearly and they both treat each other like royalty. Notice we aren't seeing any good husband guides?! Did they not have any responsibility toward how they treated her? Apparently not. I am just thankful we have come a long way since then.
Hugs & blessings,
Brenda
Past Blessings . . . Celebrating Life as it used to be . . . when people loved God, loved their families and loved their country. |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2008 : 09:26:54 AM
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This is so funny, right? I just printed it out for our law clerk who is getting married in 4 weeks--she's going to be an attorney and he's doing his residency at a local hospital...I'm thinking she's not going to have much time to practice servitude :)
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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Across the Fence: The Good Wife's Guide from 1955 |
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The Good Wife's Guide from 1955
