Valerie:
Wow! What can I say? I'm sharing this with the list because it certainly
deserves to be shared. I'm sure that I speak for at least the majority of
the list when I say that comments related to spouses are usually "tongue in
cheek". Hell, most of us who love these cars are old enough to have been
around the block once or twice and hopefully have matured enough to put
things like hobby cars in their proper perspective.
But I would bet that there aren't too many of us, male or female, who can
put up a roster of achievements like yours.
BTW, working on my car at the expense of getting things done around the
house isn't an issue here. Among my friends and family, I'm known as the
guy who's never without a project. There are no complaints from my spouse
on that issue. That's probably why she grouses a bit but doesn't really
give me a hard time.
No, my biggest problem in getting Kath to buy into the hobby is her basic
lack of interest in things mechanical. I really do think that once I get
one of these cars to the point where I can take her to an event without
overly high levels of anxiety re possible breakdown, she'll begin to warm up
and get into it. Basic reason - she's a very friendly person who likes
other people and who would do well with the kind of folks who love these
cars.
Thanks for your input and good luck with your many projects.
Will
Yellow 77
-----Original Message-----
From: Valerie Stabenow [mailto:hlub34a@aeroinc.net]
Sent: Monday, July 30, 2001 8:07 AM
To: Will Brien
Subject: Re: Anybody know a good marriage counselor?
Well...in my case the M/F are reversed....
It was "allowed" in part because we have a wonderful old bank barn
(you drive up a grass ramp to the second level) for storage...and I do
most of the work on the cars myself. My husband has one collector car.
I typically don't leave one in pieces all over. The current one that's
"under construction" is my MGA...I have to get the calipers off for
rebuilding. The calipers will be rebuilt, put back on and the car will
be out of there.
The other plus is that I designed the replacement shop/garage for the
60 + year old one that was in really bad shape. The new garage has a
30 x 26 side for the everyday cars (plus we can stick a smaller one in
the middle), the bead blaster and the vertical air compressor. The
shop side is also 30 x 26, has stairs to the upper storage loft over
the every day car side, has a 12.5ft ceiling to accomodate the drive
on lift, and radiant heat, running hot/cold water, telephone and a
parts cleaner tank.
Since I work on husband's collector car as well, there's not much he
can say. Plus, I do all the mowing (@2 acres), trimming,
landscaping/planting, etc. I also installed the dishwasher and the
garbage disposal and whatever interior/exterior
painting/wallpapering/repairs that are needed. This past weekend I
stained our 12 x 18 deck.
What would be the big reason for refusal? Money? Do you have any other
expensive hobbies? Does your wife have some "thing" that she'd like
that buying this car would not allow due to funds depletion?
If you have proven that you like these cars, that there is nothing
"around the house" that has been left undone because you are out
"messing with your cars" and you don't leave one in pieces for
months/years, then I think you have a good case.
good luck and let us know when you get it home.
Valerie Stabenow,1962 mga,1967 tr4a, 1969 xk-e, 1973 tr6, 1981
corvette
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