Dear Cr-Abby from HArd Working Texan

WIFE'S CASUAL WORK ETHIC ANGERS HER DILIGENT HUSBAND
DEAR CR-ABBY: I work 5 1/2 days a week (46 hours) with no benefits. I can't afford to miss a day because, on the rare occasion that I must, I don't get paid.
My wife, "Kelly," misses work frequently because she is "sick," "tired," etc. She is in the same boat as I am -- no work, no pay. Kelly knows how tight finances are and how much I hate having to work almost six days with no time off. But she still misses work and treats it like it's no big deal. She says she understands our situation.
I would like to go back to school and get my degree, but I'm afraid to rely on Kelly to pay the bills while I'm in school. I am so frustrated with my wife because of her work ethic that I feel like exploding and screaming at her. How should I handle this situation?
-- HARD-WORKING TEXAN

Dear Hard Working Texan,

As a soon to be fulltime Crawford/Dallas resident can attest, working hard is only half the battle. You both need to work smarter or you'll end up with a 24% approval rating.

Tomorrow night make a meal and serve it on a nicely appointed table. However, have the portions already doled out on to each plate. Serve wifey the percent that she brings in and your portion should reflect your contribution. Do the same with the wine, and dessert.

Then begin the dialog with the 8 most beautiful words a Texas women can hear..."Honey, I don't want you to work anymore" Let's decide how best to get that goal accomplished because this (the current situation) isn't working for either of us.

Cr-Abby.