I do better with shorter chunks of information. When she (or anyone) goes on and on in exhaustive detail, it is so hard to stay focused. It's definitely a two-way street. She is learning to give shorter, more meaningful chunks of info while I am learning to listen and not go into fix mode. I have a similar issue at work: certain people can't answer a yes no question with a yes or no. They have to provide several minutes of background info that is usually inconsequential. I need a quick answer so I can move forward and fix. That behavior tends to come home and contributes to the fix mode that husbands typically drop back to. Marriage (and communication in general) are tough things when dealing with vastly different personalities.