“All men should freely use those seven words which have the power to make any marriage run smoothly: You know dear, you may be right” ~ Anonymous

Is it a Guy Thing? by Kayte Sommer

I usually dread the daunting task of buying appliances, whether it is kitchen or laundry. I think it is the expense of it all. Or maybe it is having to deal with "the other half" and his views on buying these types of things.

Now there are colors to choose from or fancy upgrades. But then to get a "cool" color you obviously have to pay more money. So I am usually back to square one because I want to pay less. Do I pay more to really get the whole sha-bang? Or just get the cheaper plain white but the upgraded model? Or plain ol' white and plain ol' basic model?

For starters, and to get the whole picture, when we married, "the other half" had an old refrigerator. It soon needed replaced and we found a deal on a used one from somewhere and someone. To say the least, we soon needed a new fridge. When looking for one, we came upon a new, white "scratch and dent" model at a good price. So remember that. A WHITE fridge.

Next came the stove. Again "the other half" had an older stove when we got together. It was in dire need of replacement. When a family member passed, we inherited their stove. Luckily it was white and matched the fridge. A few years went by and yep, it was soon time for a new stove. I mentioned to "the other half" that I would like to get stainless steel appliances. He suggested to replace the stove with a stainless steel one and we could get the fridge later. UMMMMM, a big NO! I am not going to have mismatched appliances in the kitchen. He didn't get it.

Next stop: microwave. Until a year ago we were using a 25 yr old microwave. It had one basic knob to cook everything and it was faux wood looking. UGH! And very heavy, I might add. Finally, I convinced "the other half" to splurge and buy a new microwave. Again he tried the "one-stainless-steel appliance thing" but I didn’t budge. If they all weren't stainless, then none of them would be. What didn't he understand? Do all guys think this way?

Which brings me to the laundry room. Our washer and dryer set is about 15 yrs old. Plain ol' white. Basic dryer and top load-w/agitator washer. Of course I now want the new fandangled front-loading washer and dryer, no agitator on new models, black in color, all digital and storage compartments on the bottom. I mentioned this, and also that the storage compartments were extra money and said I would be starting to save my money to buy a new set. "Couldn’t you just buy the storage things later" "the other half" innocently said. Men! Is it a guy thing or what?

Recently "the other half" said he thought the washer ran through the rinse cycle twice. And the agitator was not working right again-blah blah blah. Hhhhmmmm, that got me thinking. Time for a new washer and dryer?

The conversation went like this:

"The other half": I don’t know if the washer is working right. It didn't cycle correctly.

Me:: Really? do I get a new set already?

"The other half": What if I at least buy the washer for now. And later, after you save your money, we will buy the dryer?

Me: UMMM, NO? We can't just have one new appliance and not the set. Plus, it wouldn't match or look right.

And what if they quit selling the exact model we bought? Then we wouldn't even have a matched set!

"The other half": So you don’t want anything new, now?

Me: Right! I am not going to have a new washer and an old dryer sitting beside each other. Hello?

"The other half": Then you will have all old. Forget I mentioned it!.

Me: Fine! If I can't have everything new at the same time then I don't want anything at all.

If you have been reading my blurbs, then you know our kitchen is a work in progress. Soon, (hopefully soon) we will be looking to purchase a dishwasher when the new kitchen is finished. "The other half" has tried to suggest a stainless steel dishwasher, I guess thinking that would make me happy for now. Well, not unless he is buying me a whole set of matching stainless-steel appliances.

And the cycle begins again. When will he learn………

Must be a guy thing!

Ahhhh, Wedded Bliss………….Or So They Say