...... to think most men become grumpier and more intolerant as they age

Has anyone lost their miserable old git this morning? If so, I can tell you where he is. It is a glorious day and since my own personal mog was feeling sick (off post) we thought we'd have a blow on the headland. It was really beautiful - just a huge expanse of heather, gorse, rocks (and of course the customary offerings of dog pooh carefully preserved for posterity in black plastic with a neat bow on top) and I was just starting to relax when I heard a blast of tinny music behind me. I turned to see a silver-haired old b**gger stomping along towards us, arm outstretched, and nestling in his palm an old portable radio antenna twinkling in the sunlight. He passed me without acknowledging in any way that I existed and eventually disappeared, his soundtrack with him. He cannot possibly have been able to hear it above the wind and the sound of the sea crashing against the rocks, but an hour later, blow me, there he was again, still stomping along with his arm out and antenna gleaming, music still pumping out. This time he puckered his face up into what I think was a form of greeting. In response I puckered up mine into what I know was a very annoyed frown - grumpy old woman or what. Does he belong to one of us? Silver neck-length hair, head to foot in navy, and with a very noisy left arm. If he is yours, is there any chance you could give him some headphones for Christmas

Can I add that it is also that he doesn't feel I admire, appreciate, am grateful enough to him. But if he is putting me down it is a vicious circle as I then feel angry and there's no chance of admiring comments then.

Anyway am working on it and planning another heart to heart so we can both make our complaints and hopefully work out a compromise.

I think you may be right Frankel, about the feelings of inadequacy and fading powers.

I love Bargain Hunt, always eat lunch in front of it if DH not around. He declares it 'rubbish' so we sit in silence at the kitchen table instead

He also rubbished the Archers for years so I couldn't listen to it with him around (but must say it is pretty rubbishy nowadays anyway so no loss).

I am Frankel and I am a Grumpy - well, grumpier than I was when I wasn't grumpy at all. I try to combat being miserable with being generally helpful and, so far, after 44 years of marriage, it seems to be working. I think 'for better, for worse but not for lunch' cuts both ways but, ironically, we often go our own ways in the morning and join one another, and 'Bargain Hunt', for lunch. Increasing grumpiness may be related to increasing feelings of inadequacy after, rightly or wrongly, assuming a lead role - being increasingly aware of fading powers and one's own mortality. Maybe testosterone makes men more grumpy later in life - although grumpiness isn't, exclusively, a male preserve.

I fear I shall regret posting on this thread. [Hard Hat]

Sonsybesom ((((hugs)))).

Lose yourself in GN there is plenty to read on here - I can waste hours!!

You are a lovely comforting bunch. Can't get out of the house, as in very isolated area, but computer helps, and reading, though told 'you are in a world of your own, sick of you reading'. Can't leave but sometimes hard to stay cheerful. I love that, 'nobody told you hos first name was 'Always,' brilliant! Thank you for hugs xx

Sonsybesom just remember that when you married Mr Right, nobody told you his first name was Always ! You deserve a big big {{hug}} I have known days (and weeks) like you describe. GO OUT TO COFFEE!! LaGrande congratulations to your DH (and it will keep him out of your hair for a bit longer.) "I may have married him for life but not for lunch" is another quote I like.

Thank you!

Sonsybesom (((hugs)))

LaGrande Good news. To continue to feel useful matters.

This post was a great comfort to me, as DH is so irritable
I never know what I am going to do that is wrong next. Virtually everything is a fault, and I have to be so careful it is a constant strain. He is on several types of medication and I make excuses for him because of that but it is stressful beyond belief. It is such a help to know that this is not an unusual problem, but I get very tired of it.

Congratulations to the Grand Duke

Lovely Duchesse enjoy.

All is happiness and light in LaGrande household as DH has been offered a promotion which he will probably accept.

It means retirement is postponed possibly a couple of years but will mean more financial security in the end and also a big confidence boost for DH which I suspect is part of the problem with his grumpiness (I think he felt old and passed it with little to show for his hard work). So we're getting out the

When I first met DH nearly fifty years ago he was a thrilling cross between Robert Mitchum and James Mason.

Now I'm beginning to think I'm married to ..........Count Arthur Strong

Gaga Isn't that in the marriange vows?

Merlot Mine is an armchair manager but does at least go and watch it in his study unless it is his team or England when I vacate the sitting room for him or sit and read a book. I would not do it all the time as he has found a way of watching just about everything through his laptop which he plugs into the TV so it would be completely unfair. Anyway, I don't have a TV in my study so I can't go there!

glammananna Your DH watches football in the bedroom??? You are so lucky. Mine watches it from the comfort of the sofa while I am banished to the bedroom - my choice, apparently. He says I'm more than welcome to join him in yelling obscenities at the screen directing the match. What, and miss The Great British Bake Off?

My DH is a paragon of all virtues - so long as I remember that he is always right.

hunt Mine was a national treasure, patient and unassuming and always put me first.

I am amazed that there are so few people who don't have grumpy husbands, or perhaps they just aren't posting.I have the most ''ungrumbly'' husband .He doesn't even grumble when I burn the toast!

jeni, I can imagine the jobsworths at Athens shivering in their shoes!

biker fancy the district nurse calling without first contacting DH personally.lol.So glad you had a good day dress shopping with DD it does brighten our day to have a girly day doesn't it ?
I must be very fortunate and have a rare species of the male form in mr.glamma he is considerate in the home and will do anything that needs doing that I find difficult without moaning he is supportive of the DCs but will tell them if they are going down wrong path but never really interfers with their choices or mine.
The only thing that grates with me is his complaining when football is on he watches the TV in the bedroom when he watches matches but you can hear him directing the match from the lounge (armchair manager) if I only have this to complain about I think I am doing well.

Later. Off to work in Exeter now.

I would have loved to see you throwing your weight about, jeni! We grandmothers can be very formidable when crossed.

Hello jeni! Missed you! Glad it was good. x