Bill,
: You must be married. Here you are using good simple English to describe an everyday problem and you're still apologizing. All you need, is a handle puller, which can be gotten from a hardware store. The things will set you back about 15 bucks, but will spare the tub handles getting all mucked up. Check out these "Smart tools" from PASCO Specialty. These are not dumb tools, they are smart! Why would you buy dumb tools anyway. They call this one "Big Yank faucet handle puller" Even if you're from the South, you can use this thing. I've even seen people that aren't very big use it. You don't have to be a big Yank to use this tool, just smart.
: by the way, I gotta go, Yes dear, I'm sorry dear, no I won't do it again dear. I'll be right there dear, Sorry guy, I gotta go!
: Mad Plumber
After you break the pin off the faucet handle puller. Fish the broken pin out of the screw hole. grind or file the end of the puller flat.
put the screw back into the faucet handle all the way, then back it out 2-3 turns. use the handle puller to pull the handle out a little bit, then take it off. back out the screw 2-3 more turns. Then repeat with the handle puller.
usualy doing this 2-3 times will move the handle enough so that it is free and can be pulled off.
When replacing the handle, coat the splines and the screw hole liberaly with grease. Silicon grease is better but any kind will do. (bacon grease will work although it does tend to smell a bit after a while).