Nowruz

Dear Friends,
Superstitions, superstitions!

Nowruz, the Persian New Year, is around the corner. In my culture, as in many others, one must welcome the New Year in new clothes! Yesterday, I asked myself whether in the midst of all these upcoming cuts and expenses (pension, moving, painting, disconnecting, and reconnecting fees), it was really necessary for me to celebrate the first day of spring in new garments. The answer was simple - Of course!

I’m very superstitious. Not only I need new clothes, but I also need new shoes, to walk happily through life, with confidence, and a new bag to hide the old baggage!  

At first I took myself to lower end stores. Then I realized that I’m not rich enough to buy cheap anymore, as the Brits say. So, I headed towards the labels. I like to texturize and mix and mismatch, but this time, I opted for an independent, self-sufficient dress (you know, the kind that doesn’t need embellishment). Few names over, with the money that I didn't spend on accessorizing my already busy black-and-white polka-dot dress, I bought another frock, equally self-supporting. 

On my way out, I stopped at the Clarins counter and bought a bottle of Huile Orchidée Bleue (believe me, its aroma is as intoxicating as its name)! Rationale? I might as well shop while I can! I just hope that now that I’m so watchful of my weight, shopping doesn’t become my next anxiety muffler. God knows my angsts outnumber my dollar bills! 

The winter bla, bla, blahs!

Dear Friends,

I thought yesterday was a good day. It certainly started well; a nutritious breakfast, a vigorous workout session, a healthy lunch, a fun movie and an uplifting blog posting, laced with gratitude! But then, at around three o’clock, something snapped. I’m not sure exactly what, but I know it did!

A whole box of cookies, a large bag of chips, a tub of yogurt and a tablet of chocolate later, I still hadn’t solved the mystery. At first, I thought perhaps the idea of displacing myself again had distressed me. After all, moving to Cobourg is not as easy and cheap as one might think. Then, I thought maybe the array of paint chips I’d picked up at Benjamin Moore had overwhelmed me (I can’t decide what colour to stare at, for the rest of my life). It was only around dinnertime (yes, I still needed to eat something) that I recognized the culprit! The weather had destroyed my willpower to stay away from the three deadly S’s, sugar, salt and starch! Due to the poor driving conditions, all my plans had fallen through. My granddaughters didn't come for a visit; I couldn’t take the bus to my friend’s and of course, scouting Iranian stores in north end of the city was definitely out of the question. Furthermore, I found something very unsettling about seven o’clock at night, daylight and snowstorm, all in the same window frame.

It might not be the job, the fragile health, or the shattered nerves, that are pushing me into retirement, but the damn weather! I’m not sure how today (extreme cold alert) will unfold, but I think I’m going to launch a lawsuit against my ex-husband, for bringing me to this godforsaken climate! 

Sneak Preview!

Dear Friends,

If this week (March Break) is a sneak preview of what retirement will look like, I'm sold on the idea!   

Morning after morning, Body, oblivious to the sound of the ticking clock, wakes up naturally. The taste of breakfast lingers on the palate for as long as it desires, without being bullied by the minty taste of the toothpaste. Healthy food is bought, cooked and eaten without stress, far from the rush hour frenzy. Mind enjoys the quiet and Vanity has all the time she needs to scrutinize new wrinkles, pores, and other deficiencies. 
So far it has been peaceful, yet eventful. There have been coffee dates, working out sessions, lunching, shopping, visiting with granddaughters, reading, writing and even a day-trip to Cobourg!
This morning, only a week away from spring "special weather statement" returns to Toronto. I'm very  grateful to have the option of staying home, not having to fight yet another winter blast! My Adrenal glands are definitely enjoying the break! 

One hundred and eight more days to retirement!
P.S. Did I mention the sinfulicious act of watching a chick flick in the middle of a workday?

Viva Uniforms!

Dear Friends,

After my Great De-cluttering, I’m left with only three black bottoms and a few Gap "Favourite" tops for work. Hopefully, spring will spring soon, and I’ll be able to show the lighter, brighter side of my wardrobe. Meanwhile, my limited selection has cut my fussing time in half.

Lucky are those who have to wear a uniform!

Not having to worry about what to wear to work frees up so much grey matter in the morning, or at night, if you are proactive and like to lay out your clothes before going to bed. Imagine what you could be doing instead; meditating, eating breakfast, putting on makeup, doing crossword puzzles (or the laundry) — possibilities are endless!

Not only uniforms save time, energy and money, but they also equalize.

Luckier than the ones who have uniforms are those whose workplace  has cafeteria. What to take for lunch is as stressful as what to wear to work!

To Keep or not to Keep?

Dear Friends,

I’ve always wanted to be a mattress,  a suitcase and a couple of boxes kind of a gal. Every time I move, I say goodbye to a ton (or two) of clothes, furniture, books and tchotchkes. But then, before I know it, objects keep piling up again! There are simply too many things out there that I like, need or must have!

Yesterday was all about de-cluttering. I thought I start with my wardrobe, since I’m very good at tossing out what has ceased to be useful or beautiful, but this time around, I couldn’t bring myself to pretend that I was allowed to pack only one suitcase. The thought of giving away even the least appealing garment or accessory ran shivers down my spine. What ifs, buts and maybes kept creeping into my process of elimination. I’ve never lived on fixed income before. What if I can only afford the bare necessities from retirement on? Maybe I have to wear these clothes till the day I die!

At 10’oclock in the morning, I finally reached for the Merlot. Ten ounces of red later, a much more optimistic Lili put on Roy Orbison’s "Pretty Woman" on repeat, and had herself a fashion show in front of the closet mirror, promising to get rid of the ill-fitting and the unflattering, without prejudice.

Big bags that tote daybooks, make-up bags, lunch containers and sometimes even a pair of 

indoor shoes — out! Conservative tops and bottoms that look good only in traditionalist milieus — out! A mountain of scarves and custom bijouterie, to grab and hold seven/eight-year-olds attention, straight into granddaughters’ dress-up chest!  

By the afternoon, I was feeling very good about my iron will, and then I took a break to read the news on line.

Regrettably, I landed on an article about the sad state of most seniors. Apparently, 30% of Canadian retirees return to work to make the ends meet.

Later at night, I got out of bed, and reluctantly snuck couple of business-like pieces into the pile of “keepers," just in case.