Unveiling the truth

[Rehotshots@xxxxxxx]

You know, sometimes communicating takes peeling back one layer after another 
to get to the meaning of a statement or attitude.  A tiny little personal 
story to illustrate:  

     I was on the phone with my son when the doorbell rang.  My husband, who 
owns a carpet cleaning company and works 9 to 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, 
said, "I'm not getting that."  I translated that statement as, " Will you get 
that, Teri."
I said, "Well, I am on the phone."  He translated that as, "Then,will you 
please get the door?"  So, he gets the door and it was one of his employees.  
He told him to 
get lost, only in much rougher terms.  (He can be as gruff as Simon 
sometimes, I guess that's why I like Simon)  He comes back into the living 
room and is all out of 
sorts, ranting and raving about how these guys just come by anytime they feel 
like it even though he asks them not to do that.  (they don't but when you 
have 10 men 
working for you, someone is always doing something you wish they wouldn't do).

"Well, you told me to get the door, "  he said.  "I didn't say that; I said I 
was on the 
phone." " Well that made me think that maybe it was my daughter or someone. 
else, he says.    "Honey, just tell them not to come by or call on your only 
day off," I said .  "Well, if you're going to criticize me," he says.  
"Gene,"  I say, "I am not 
criticizing you; I am trying to give you something;  be firm and be clear.  I 
told them not to park behind my car and how many of them park behind my car?  
Not one."
"Well, I want to rest today.  It's not often I get two days off, " he says. " 
Yeah, it is 
nice not to have to do anything for a change, but tomorrow I have to get this 
place cleaned up.  You hang out if you need to, but I have a million things 
to do,"  I say.
"We'll work together,"  he concludes.  (he always has to have the last 
word-just kidding.  I loved the way he wound that up.)   

Sometimes these posts arrive way behind and out of sync with your present 
perceptions.  

                                                              Love you all, 
                                                               Teri 
                                                               rambling muse