... the funny part Diane is...
... it's so TRUE of my spouse. Anytime I need to "clean up" her "attitude"... all I need do - as one of several options typically available to me - is to say something like .... "Honey, would you like to take some time to run over to (fill in the blank here) to 'GLANCE' for a while? And if you like - feel FREE to get anything you like provided its' flattering and gorgous, Ooo, and don't worry about the kids, I'll take of everything for them. Now GO!... ". And you'd be amazed... she doesn't even have to answer or acknowledge my offer. Within a few minutes - even if she had not asnwered "yes, I'd like that" ... (which - by the way - is a fantasy reply given that often my offers like THAT are given when she's caught me remiss at doing something she felt I should have already done.) OK, as I was saying, within a few minutes, even in the case of a SILENT reply to my offer... within a few minutes she'd be dressed to shop, at the door and saying .... "Ceee-Ya"..... "call if yaaa need me".... with a grin from ear ta ear. Yeah, I been with my spouse 24 years and I know what makes her happy... among other things, this is one of 'em.
By the same token, she knows what makes me happy too.
On another note, I'm obviously back from FIRESTONE... and I've noticed something interesting. Yesterday, I was at the "other" Firestone location by the Oaks Shopping mall. When I asked about what a brake job for my car ran - the guy at the counter said it was $159 ... however that only included basic pads... and if I wanted better brake pads then I should consider upgrading to a better pad. I then asked about other details and left intending to return today.
However, this morning I suddenly remembered there was a 2nd Firestone shop closer to us ... so, with $25 discount coupon in hand I visited the 2nd Firestone intent on verifying the same routine and prices were in effect. And on visiting, in the initial idle chatter with the clerk I casually mentioned we had been bringing our cars to that Firestone shop for over a decade, and that we have other family members locally bringing their cars here too. While looking up our account this was obvious when the counter guy asked which account with my last name was mine.
Well... the "rub" comes in that this clerk from the closer location seemed to be conducting business a bit differently. When I asked what premium brake pads cost - he replied "you won't need them. We include premium pads in the price". I thought that was curious... as it implied the other Firestone dealer wanted to give me a cheaper pad on their "regular" brake job and upsell me on "optional" premium pads. Well, there was a 2nd consideration which gave me some addditional reassurance of dealing with the 2nd Friestone dealer. I asked what a rotar would cost if I needed one. Well, the fellow sort of repeatedly suggested that new rotors are sort of unlikely - seeing as my car had so and so many miles on 'em... but he pulled up the price and said they were only $55. And he commented that the rotor cost was pretty reasonable for my type of car - to which I silently agreed. As I was expecting a much higher price.
In the end I was comfortable that this particular Firestone dealer was not as grubby about selling me stuff I might not need or in switching out a brake pad to sell me the one I might have gotten normally. Thus, my opinion of this dealer and it's practices is definately ratcheted up a couple notches from my usual guarded attitude.
The poor woman is a SAHM and never gets a break from her kids.. My DH has always been very very good about letting me do things and he is happy to spend time with the girls. My family's joke is Bill and I better never get divorced because if he sued for custody- he might win. 
Even though he likes to tease me, he really is a great DH! 
I'm sure your DW feels the same about you! 
