End of January odds & ends

• You know you're past your childbearing years when... the clerk at Baby Gap hands you a coupon for a new Gap Maternity store that's opening in the city... and suggests that you can pass it along to someone you know who's pregnant.
• (Which is worse? -- the feeling that people are constantly looking at your midsection for a tell-tale bump and asking if you have any "news"? -- or feeling old & completely invisible?)
• In fact, I did have someone to pass the coupon along to:  my next-door cubicle neighbour, who is in her mid-30s.  I recently overheard a few conversations about dr's appointments and bloodwork & then one about scheduling an ultrasound. I walked over & said, "Ummm, I don't want to be nosy but I couldn't help but hear..." and she flung her arms around me & squealed, "YES!!" "Oh, that's wonderful!" I told her as I hugged her. And I meant it. 
• Of course, I am already worrying on her behalf. :p
• So far, everyone's been too busy (and I guess it's still a bit early-- and not a lot of people know yet) for too much baby talk. But I know it's coming (especially with Grandma Coworker nearby, only too ready to offer advice). She is due in September.
• It's been a cold January. Damned cold. And I know cold -- I grew up on the Canadian Prairies, after all.  ; )  (But it's a DRY cold there...!) ;)  (Seriously -- it does make a difference!) 
• Normally, I don't start loathing winter until February. But I am seriously ready for this winter to be over, already. :p
• Feb. 1st, it will be exactly two years until I can theoretically retire early at 55. We'll see how it all pans out (particularly once dh's severance runs out)... but at the moment, I am leaning towards retiring sooner than later. Life is just too damned short.