"Four weeks", the Good Lady Wife said to me this morning as she set off to work. It has become a familiar countdown over the last six months or so, the week starting with a single, ever-decreasing total, a number that seems to be able to inspire joy in her and dread in me. It means that she now has only four more weeks to work before retiring : a cause of great joy as she contemplates endless shopping trips with her life's companion. For me it means lifestyle changes which will result in less time for aimlessly wandering down the digital side streets of the Internet and more time devoted to aimlessly wandering down the main streets of shopping malls. But I am determined to keep my two remaining Blogs - News From Nowhere and Picture Post - going, even if there are a few more gaps in the stream of consciousness.
I remain hopeful that after a few weeks of watching daytime TV, she might be tempted to sign back on, albeit for a few sessions a week. I can then be left in peace to wander around, going nowhere in particular and pausing to admire the adventurous nature of a dandelion. The times maybe a' changing - but hopefully by not too much.
A dangerous time, Alan. When one spouse retires and is constantly under one's feet, that is the time when grounds for divorce rear their ugly heads.
ReplyDeleteNo - you must persuade her to remain working!
In fact, your public demands it!
ReplyDeleteHopefully after a few weeks of togetherness, you'll both settle into a new routine. I can only imagine that she is very excited to stop working. Good luck with it all.
ReplyDeleteBill : Perhaps I will start an on-line petition.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Kate; after a few weeks she'll want to go on her own expeditions without accompaniment. Then you'll be able to resume your aimless wandering.
ReplyDeleteWe ladies (I use the term loosely) must remember that if the tables were turned, we might be feeling similarly. Having one's own time is hard to relinquish. New routines will fall into place and new shopping companions found. Or maybe she should start blogging....
ReplyDeletesince she is so excited about her upcoming change in status i sense glw is really needing to move onward and upward.
ReplyDeletebest of luck to you both on the change in the daily dance.
who knows maybe the glw will start a couple blogs of her own!! just make sure you don't have to compete for keyboard time!
I also think you will find a new routine that will suit you both - and perhaps she'll be baking cakes and making delicious lunches.
ReplyDeleteAnd besides that, you're off to New York soon!
ReplyDeleteChristine : Seven weeks today ... yipeee
ReplyDeleteYes all your attention could be taken away
ReplyDeleteAs she will always want you to play
Going shopping each day
Would cause any husband dismay
So have fun with that
Maybe be a nut and rhyme like the cat
Then she'll want to leave you home
As she goes out to roam..haha
You will both find your space..although the transition may be difficult..you cannot blame her for being excited:)
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if she might be wanting to kick you out of the house for a few hours each day so that SHE can have some space to wander aimlessly!:)
ReplyDeletesmiles. you know you will have lots of fun...
ReplyDeleteIt'll be fine :-) enjoy NY - see a Broadway show, eat massive meals (and still leave most of it), do the bus tour (loads of fun), go to Central Park and do the helicopter trip over Ellis Island :-D
ReplyDeleteMay the next 4 weeks go slowly for you! haha.
ReplyDeleteSincere best wishes for that! But in addition: what a remarkable photo!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the shopping malls will soon lose their appeal. Maybe you can give her a digital camera, so you can both roam the countryside in search of wonderful dandelion shots.
ReplyDeleteI fear for my mother's life when she finally retires. I fear equally for my father's life. They should not be together 24-7. And yes, we (meaning their children) have a pool going for who cracks first.
ReplyDelete:)
I think this intriguing photo is getting overlooked in the speculation about what is around the corner.... corner...is that the link?
ReplyDelete