It really,
really helps to have someone pass the tools.
Imagine having to climb down off the roof every time the need for something occurs to you. Or, being super prepared and having to carry 20 things up the ladder at the beginning of the task. If these jobs aren't done frequently, how is a person supposed to think of what all is going to require??
This passing the tools is something that DW has never done. She is too impatient and with any delay of requirements, drifts off to points unknown. If I am really new to something & needing to ponder the steps, she might be willing to stand there and tell me what to do ... that is often confusing to me because A. she has never done the task before and, B. I'm trying to think the steps through so there is a certain amount of internal dialog going on. We have been together so many years that I actually try to anticipate some of her behavior and give her a series of small tasks to keep her engaged. Also, I give her an opportunity at the very first, to learn her thoughts on how I should proceed. Then, I can
hurry her off on small errands so that she can return at frequent intervals.
It doesn't really
work 
. She just gets ahead of me and when I take independent actions -- she seizes the opportunity to wander off ...
Steve