H is having a lot of difficulty since we're spending much more time together. He often worked two jobs, I did too, occasionally, and it wasn't hard for me to manage a facade of normalcy during the short time we spent together most of our married life. Since he retired and we spend nearly all our time together, I can't keep up the masking behavior, and he's been subjected to "the real me".
He's been so annoyed and irritated: "Why are you acting this way when you never--or rarely--did, up to now?" Or concerned and a little scared: "Are you losing your mind?"
We've had many talks about this, and he's really struggling to understand. In those moments of understanding he's shaken his head in dismayed sympathy--"I don't know how you live with all that going on in your head at the same time. It's a miracle you can talk and feed yourself."
And of course, some days he's right. I barely can.
Even without the complications various chemical/mental/emotional challenges produce, Bev, two people who are all of a sudden retired and spending all of their time together are faced with difficulty! It's a huge change! I'm wondering if there are opportunities for one or both of you to volunteer or be engaged separately in outside-the-house activities?
I hope that didn't sound patronizing?? So didn't mean it that way.
AHAHAHA YES. Also known as "if work was more like a video game I'd be queen of the fucking universe"
So very much This.
Wishing you less pain and fewer irritating students today, Hil.
It's work work work for me. I'm amusingly (and scarily) productive at the moment. Except I can't bring myself to start writing the first thesis chapter that my supervisor wants. It's less frightening to read another book.
Whenever we get a long weekend or day home together, DH looks at me and says, "Just think, when we're retired, we'll get to spend ALL our time together."
One of us won't survive.
I've got today off (no classes on Thursdays), but I've got to grade quizzes and work on my notes for tomorrow's classes. But right now, I'm watching Buffy on Oxygen. They're showing "Becoming 2" now.
This is the Hello Kitty thread, right?
I Heart Nerds: Hello Kitty Scarf
Andi,
I bought that book a while ago - probably on a previous recommendation from you - and I have yet to read it. Guess this time I can go shopping in my bookshelves!
ZenKitty, I found my copy at a library sale on Buck-a-bag day. I got nine other books. I'm pretty sure that was the best ten cents I've ever spent on a book.
