This morning is illustrative of the progress we have made in the last few weeks.  My purchases earlier in the week to resolve Maureen’s clothing shortage had only been a partial success.  It’s not easy for a man to choose ladies underwear and it is hard for any capable woman to feel she needs help on this front.  We now seem to have overcome this matter; through perseverance and maturity.  In fact we had great fun with the early morning Fashion Show, where I assisted with ‘fitting my wife up’: being able to laugh our way through this exercise is a sure sign of our closeness.   Not a bad start to the morning for any alpha male, who is coming to the end of his seventh decade!

The need to return gear provided me with an opportunity for both a bit of ‘me time’ and fun.  Maureen wanted to do her housework as I skipped into Grimsby, once again, to search for suitable undies.  Fortunately, Dawn my friendly assistant from a couple of days ago was on hand and once again and help me understand the complexities of band and cup sizes.  My female friends on Talking Point have also given me Distance Learning on that front. Once again i came away with prospective purchases, that have good potential to provide support and coverage – only time will tell.

This ongoing search for additional clothing has several bonuses.  It has given us both the confidence that Maureen does not need ‘baby sitting’.  It is obvious that her reluctance to accompany me into town is not being lazy or avoiding social contact.  This was clear when I returned home after an hour or so.  Music was being played and Maureen was singing while she worked: all normal stuff replicating her earlier life as a housewife.  What a move on from fear of being left by herself and not knowing how to fill her time.

Another bonus is that Maureen recognises I am trying to help her.  She is extremely grateful that I am attempting to solve the underwear shortage and  have some understanding of her difficulties.

Finally, I had some fun on my mission.  The women in the Superstore could not have been more helpful as they coached me through the complexities of firm support.  We joked as they tried to help me to to understand the struggle that lots of women have finding suitable attire.

Some have argued that it is no longer safe to leave Maureen to her own devices.  I consider that my present approach has been risk assessed and tested.  It enables me to have bits of ‘me time’ where my care giving role gives me access to all sorts of areas that men often fear to trespass.   My advice to all those who have to tread this path is not to be nervous as there is always lots of support at hand.