Roger - agree about 'finding' the side stand whilst sitting on the bike. I welded a 2" long stud to the foot of mine, which just sticks out past the exhaust. Looks pretty neat too. I guess, as others have said, this is an age thing. I could carry car engines in my forties - now struggle to carry a bike engine. I can still lift a hundredweight (just) but no way can I get the GF onto its centre stand. My rear wheel is around 2" off the ground - after my son has put it on its stand. Position doesn't help either. One really needs to be more behind the bike than beside it to lift, but having one's foot against the stand means you're distinctly beside.
I see the idea of wood blocks, but one shouldn't have to do that. And what happens when you're out? Send the wife ahead with wood planks in the car?