Today was the deadline for taking the company's retirement package, and apparently several thousand people went for it (yes, the husband works for a large company). Despite that, the next step will probably be along the lines of 'guess what? you're retiring!'. This happened in the 80s as well--in addition to pay freezes, cancelled bonuses, etc. We were in a very different place in our life then and still managed to struggle through. This time around I worry about the kids. We made life look too easy for them--they never saw what it took to get to a place where we were able to make it look that easy. I don't know what their expectations are or if they are realistic, but honestly, if it were me just starting out now, I'd do it very differently and those kids I'm worrying about probably wouldn't exist...
It has not been a great day. I have been coughing for what seems like forever and it's getting a bit wearing. I don't feel sick at all; just cough, cough, cough. It's giving me a headache (or is that from a lack of caffeine???), but it's a great ab workout! Typical irony of our life: the husband stops smoking and I (a nonsmoker) develop this cough!
Okay gym session this morning--not quite as much energy as usual but still managed to do a decent half hour before my time with the trainer. The test will be when I actually drag myself there 5 days a week and not just when I have a session to train. I used to live at the gym--that feeling hasn't returned.
A friend (happy birthday KK!) asked how I was feeling about becoming a grandmother and it forced me to admit a few things I've been avoiding. I'm feeling kind of defensive (needing emotional protection) because I know that simply due to geography, we will be the outsiders. I'm trying hard to deal with that without letting it dampen what should be unmitigated joy and excitement. (Sorry kiddo.)
It was the husband's birthday yesterday and we had a really nice, quiet day. For the next few weeks we are exactly the same age--and then I will again become his old woman. So for this little bit he gets to complain about being old; after my birthday, not so much! And today I proved my love by ironing his clothes... My life is measured in such things. And as much as I am happy in my marriage, I have never been happy in the role of housewife. The poor man didn't get anything he expected--but I choose to think that what he DID get has been a pleasant surprise.
Tomorrow I am having lunch with a woman I met at the husband's not-a-Christmas-party-Christmas-party. We happened to sit next to each other and enjoyed talking. She actually called and she, her mother who is currently visiting and I will meet for lunch. We have lived here for almost a year now and she is (ready?) the third person I have met aside from store clerks and service providers. I have met one neighbor. One. People suggest inviting all the neighbors over so that we can meet them. At this point it has taken on a life of its own--how long can we live here without the neighbors interacting with us???
And finally---HOORAY for Slumdog Millionaire winning all of its categories, and for Shahrukh Khan (actually known as SRK or King Khan) for showing his support for it. Please, please, please go see it--you will learn SO much about what life in India is really like. And you will enjoy the movie.
