Wednesday, April 6, 2011

A Generalization


I once heard the statement that men are like butcher knives and women are like Swiss Army knives.

A butcher knife is big and sharp. It's an effective tool and is good at doing one thing very well: chopping big hunks of meat.

A Swiss Army knife has lots of small knives in various sizes for different jobs. You could probably hack through a big hunk of meat with a Swiss Army knife, but it's going to take you a little more time. However, not only can you hack away at meat, you can also open a corked beverage, saw through small branches, file your nails, remove bottle caps, tighten screws, poke holes through leather, cut paper or fabric, tweeze splinters and pick food out of your teeth. And a lot more, I'm sure.

A Swiss Army knife isn't the most effective tool for a single job. It's the most effective tool for multiple, simultaneous jobs.

While I was away in St. George, visiting my parents, Robert was at home, being a butcher knife. He was very effective at one task. And it wasn't cooking, cleaning, buying groceries, taking out garbage or doing laundry. It was buying a car. He did a great job buying a car. (2008 Honda Odyssey)

And so today, I will be a Swiss Army knife.

And not just any Swiss Army knife. I'll be this Swiss Army knife.


Somewhere in my mind I can hear Ty Pennington saying, "Welcome home Afton. Welcome Home."

7 comments:

Gwen said...

Haha! Afton you are so funny. I'm glad you were able to lounge around in Kayenta enjoying the view and getting a sunburn. Maybe by the time you are finished taking care of your millions of jobs you will be ready for another vacation!

I-Shüan said...

I'd be proud to be THAT swiss army knife!

Chelsea said...

That is hilarious! Can't wait to see you new wheels. And Ethan was SO adorable leading the music last night. If I didn't know boys that age so well, I'd have gotten up and squeezed him! Serious!

a said...

Maybe next time you can hire a housekeeper to come in just before you arrive home to mommyfy the house.
a

Afton said...

The whole point of me leaving in the first place, besides me getting an amazing getaway, was for the people at home to have to do my job and realize how awesome I am at doing it, what hard work it is, and to fall down and worship me when I got home!

Anonymous said...

Considering I was reading ahead in my mind and fully expecting Robert's one successful job to be keeping the children alive, I am very impressed he made the car purchase. Is the new van clean? Maybe you could hide out in there for a few days!

Margo Mead said...

While I was recovering from surgery Pat was embarrassingly good at doing all the things I'd been doing rather hapazardly prior to the surgery. He bought groceries, cooked meals, did laundry, cleaned the bathrooms, and all on a more regular schedule than I had been managing. I guess I at least know he will be able to take care of everyone's physical needs if I am ever gone!