Wednesday 12 May 2010

The Gallery. A man of many talents....




Men*.

I'm surrounded by them. Here they are, throwing sticks into a Connecticut stream.

And, as someone who grew up as one of two sisters, I'm often unfamiliar with their wants and needs. It's been a steep learning curve; before having two boys I knew nothing about Thomas the Tank Engine, Lego or model railways. As they grow up they'll find I'm ignorant of Asterix, Tintin, cricket, most football and Formula One. I have never watched Top Gear, nor do ever intend to. I'm also about the least practical mother on earth. Need someone to put up new book shelves, find out why the cable box on the TV isn't working, or fix a broken scooter? Mummy's not your woman.

So it's lucky that they have a father that is superbly practical; a man of many talents. The Doctor can assemble an Iron Man Lego car in under ten minutes; he constructs intricate marble runs and impressive feats of engineering on the Thomas track. He spent Sunday afternoon setting up their new trampoline pretty well by himself with only a little help from me (the instructions said it would take three able-bodied adults). He can fix computers, unblock sinks and cooks far better than I ever will. I called him The Doctor here because of his medical career, but really, he does have an uncanny ability to swoop in and save the day like Doctor Who (albeit with a real rather than sonic screwdriver).

We've been married for 12 years as of last weekend, and not a day goes by when I don't wonder how I would cope without him.

Happy anniversary, darling.

*This post is for The Gallery: subject, Men. Head over there and check out some of the other great entries this week. Or alternatively you can just ogle lots of blokes......









15 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a star. You're a lucky woman!
xx

Dorset Dispatches said...

12 years! Wow! Congratulations.

A practical man is such a god send. I barely know where the screw drivers are. Dave is teaching the boys all that sort of stuff.

Now on the boy stuff, how is your star wars knowledge?

Fourdownmumtogo said...

Think of me. I live with four men in the making. I am not sure their daddy can match your man for practicality, but he knows all there is to know about Star Wars and Indiana Jones, and he can keep up with them on the Xbox and the Wii, so he will always be a hero in their eyes.

Twelve years! I can hardly believe it, it simply doesn't seem possible that it was that long ago that we were in that lovely rose scented courtyard in the middle of the City. How far we have all come. Happy Anniversary to you both.

Calif Lorna said...

Spending time by a river has to be one of my favourite things.

Congrats on your anniversary!

Jen Walshaw said...

I hope my two turn out half a good a Mad as MadDad as he is wonderful. He is a clever bloke who is becoming much more practical and hands on as he gets older.

Expat mum said...

SO jealous. I"m thinking of hiding the Ball & Chain's toolbox because nothing stays on the wall, or fits as it should once he's been at it.
Congrats too.

Anonymous said...

I am totally useless, too, and so glad that my husband can do all the things I can't.
A lot like yours except... yours can cook and mine CAN'T!!!

Iota said...

Lovely post. He sounds lovely.

I think you could get into Top Gear if you tried, though. It's not too bad...

Trish said...

My Doctor isn't quite so handy. Just as well he didn't become a surgeon as things would have got very messy.

Nicola said...

That is so lovely. He sounds lovely. You sound like a perfect match.

happy anniversary.

it is my 12th anniversary in 3 weeks. I wouldn't count on a similar style post tho...

Odd to think that we were planning/getting married around exactly the same time tho, isn't it?

Home Office Mum said...

what the commented before me said. :-) He sounds fab and congrats on the 12 year mark.

Nota Bene said...

What a lovely post...can he come and help me out with a few things?

March 17th said...

Hi - I am beyond useless ay anything remotely practical - The Man From The Ministry can even sew on a button which I can't. There is absolutely no question that a daughter was a wonderful bonus after two boys but I honestly love raising sons - they're always so warm and loving and as long as I don't totally stuff up they think I am fab.I get the feeling my daughter may be a little tougher on me !

Well done on your lovely award. xx

nappy valley girl said...

Thanks everyone - yes, I know I'm very lucky.

family Affairs said...

Lucky old you.....Happy Anniversary. Lx