Each week, local "women about town" Anjl Rodee and Marilynn Mee answer OnMilwaukee.com readers' questions about relationships, romance and whatever else is on your mind. They point out that this column is "for entertainment purposes only," but they mostly say that so they don't get sued. Send your questions to Anjl and Marilynn at anjlandmarilynn@staff.onmilwaukee.com.
Dear Anjl & Marilynn,
My husband never communicates with me. What do I do? How do you keep up to date his day-to-day activities if he never shares what happens?
Dear Where's My Husband,
Marilynn: I sometimes have this problem with my best friend. And my mother would say she has the same problem with me. Let's discuss this.
Anjl: Let me just interject here that upon initial reading of this question, Marilynn and I find ourselves staring at each other blankly ... so, take whatever advice follows with the knowledge that for columnists, we're crappy communicators.
MM: And some of us are crappy at finding a boyfriend, much less communicating with a husband. However, I do have an opinion on this. In a word: questions. You have to ask a lot of questions every day. You just can't expect a man to sit down and say, "Hey, guess what?" the way women do.
AR: True that. I have trouble keeping track of my own schedule, much less having any idea what my guy has on his plate. This will sound kinda techy, but I have an online calendar, like the free one you can use on Yahoo or Google. I put down everything, from band rehearsals to lunch dates to reminders to buy hand soap. I can then zip it off in an e-mail to my guy, and he knows everywhere I have to be.
MM: That is brilliant! Could you include me in that e-mail, and could you show me how to set that up?
Now, the hard part is going to be training your man to actually do that. You don't sound to me like someone that will have a hard time sticking to that plan, but it may be hard getting him to keep up with it.
AR: Actually, it's for his benefit, too. I can't function without it. I'm a Mac person, so mine (iCal) transfers easily from computer to iPod to computer, I can check it from anywhere.
Now, if you're not both computer savvy, or don't work near one, you might want to invest in a package of post-it notes and keep it in the bathroom with a pen, so he can jot things down as he shaves. I'm not sure if men can jot and shave at the same time ...
MM: I seriously doubt it. Besides, every time the bathroom steams up, the post-it notes are gonna fall down.
AR: OK, how about lipstick on the mirror, like in the movies?
MM: Now might be a good time to introduce our experts, this nice couple we met at Starbucks. They look like they still talk to each other.
Nice Man from Starbucks: First of all, don't glaze over when he starts talking. Don't start talking about something else while he's telling you about his day.
Nice Lady with Nice Man from Starbucks: Timing is important. Don't start talking when he walks in the door.
AR: Very good advice ... but maybe we should find out how long this has been working for them.
MM: How long have you been married?
Nice couple from Starbucks: 23 years.
MM: (whispering) I think their dog looks dysfunctional ...
Anjl Rodee is a jack of all things right-brained. After a variety of odd jobs, from singing telegrams to ballroom dance instructor to weekend overnight DJ on Lazer 103, Anjl earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Mary College and settled down to a nice career as an award-winning artist. At night Anjl can be found playing with a variety of local bands. She currently fronts a classic band called Radio Doctors, and plays bass and accordion with her friend Chris Demay.
Marilynn Mee has been a fixture on Milwaukee radio for most of her adult life. After a short stint on WQFM, she joined Lazer 103 at its inception. After several years as a Bob and Brian sidekick, Marilynn became midday host and music director, earning national recognition from the likes of Billboard magazine and Radio & Records. She is currently the midday host on 96.5 WKLH. Marilynn is a well-known animal lover, lending her name and free time to humane societies and animal rescue groups.
Anjl is a mother and grandmother and is in a committed relationship. Marilynn is single and mom to 2.5 dogs and a one-eyed cat. Anjl and Marilynn both hail from the greater Milwaukee area and have been best friends for 20 years.
