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DEAR RETRO HOUSEWIFE
Husbands
Can't Call In Sick!, 2008-10-26
Hi, I have a moderate to severe flu. Unfortunately, this is also a very tough week for my husband at work, and I want to take care of him as much as possible...without passing my germs onto him! What are some low-stress ways to keep him happy when I'm too sick for much moving around?
Charlotte
RE: Can't Call In Sick!
This is when having family close by can really be a life-saver.
Let's assume we are just going to get the basics done: hubby needs to be fed when he comes home and should be able to arrive at work in the morning without appearing to have slept in his clothes. I would recommend locating a nice big pot of chicken soup - maybe Mom or a sister would be willing to cook up a batch? Pair that with a loaf of fresh dark bread and butter and a quick cucumber or tomato salad - or a cold string bean salad - takes about 1 minute to make - I use the French cut canned string beans, some chopped onion and a dash each of vinegar and oil. Simple meals are best when one is sick, and the soup will be good for you, too.
If you are short of chicken soup bearing relatives and are well enough to make it to the store, I'd opt for some fresh, hot soup such as can usually be found at your local fancy-pants grocery. Grab a loaf of bread from the fancy-pants bakery, perhaps a beer or two for your man, and be done with it.
If need be, drop a suit at the cleaners - including the items you would launder yourself - it's worth the extra money. Then go home, climb into bed and rest. The two of you can camp out on the couch, one at each end with dinner on a tray. Kind of like a picnic. He will probably enjoy the change of pace and you'll get to relax.
That's what I'd do.
RH
Status: COMPLETE
