and yet I don’t think I have anything to say!
New years’ and Christmas just flew by. We had a ton of relatives on both of the family. A cousin got engaged. My sister-in-law is having another baby next year. We refused to socialize because we wanted to start 2012 with no fanfare and alcohol. We stayed at home and I made a gourmet meal (fish fry, pepper chicken & salad) NOT. The DH splurged on some good whisky, got me some diet coke and we smooched at the stroke of 12 and we turned the lights off at 12.15.
I want to feel sad at our pathetic life, but somehow it seemed fitting, seemed completely us. This is probably how grown ups behave.
The DH and I have some big decisions to make this year. Like:
We had been thinking about having kids the whole of last year and I think this year, we are ready. However, we aren’t sure about how to go about planning for a baby, all we know is boy+girl = baby 
Very classy, no? But seriously, I think this year makes sense because I now work for an US manager and most of my calls are either late night or early morning which translates into me working from home a LOT. In addition, I am lucky that my work doesn’t necessarily need me to be physically present at the office. Besides with the DH working normal hours, I think we can manage. Lets see how that goes. I think I jinxed already.
I have given up dreams of being slim, and now focus on just eating right and including an active life style. I think I am just built that way. The last couple of months has been full of healthy eating and while it doesn’t show on me much, the DH is rocking an awesome body with all the diet food in his system. I hate men and their wretched metabolism! With all my relatives over the festival season, I noticed that none of us are what society calls “slim”, but all of us are ridiculously smart 
. Some compensation at least no? 
This year, is the year of not stressing. Yesterday night I sat up thinking how I ended up blowing up money the whole of December and I realized its been a pattern for me. Also, there’s no point getting upset because of some smart financial decisions the DH and I made, we actually make money in the first quarter as against to losing it to tax which is the norm for most Indians.
Finally, this year, we WILL travel. I feel like we are forever trying to save money to make one of those dream trips and we always run short. This time, we have decided to use the credit card and/or the savings and make that trip we talk about every night. Where do you think we should go?
Happy New Year!
Dee
R's Mom said
Happy New Year to you and DH
Wow…I dont eat non veg but that gourmet (not) meal seems interesting…
Most people do what you guys did…its not getting old..its just acting smart
Loved the idea of why you should have a baby this year..awesome logic
and I guess even I have come to terms with my SIZE how much ever X’s I have to add before the L’s
Yay to more travelling as well..do it now..once a baby comes it will be tough..
okie enough of aunty type advicing…
Wish you a great new year
chroniclesofdee said
Thanks for the comment. If everything goes as plan, it would be a crazy year for us
R's Mom said
me first
chroniclesofdee said
Yes, u are
The Bride said
“This is probably how grown ups behave” So true. I would be fine at doing exactly that. I have no problem with doing something non-eventful. My big problem is what to tell people we did so as to avoid sympathetic looks.
How to plan for baby? You could consider doing some practical things I never did – check your blood groups to ensure they are compatible, test for the major STDs and test yourself for thalassaemia. The latter is important and Indians are prone to it. If both parents are major carriers, the chance of a baby with thalassaemia is high and requires lifelong care (such as weekly blood transfusions). I discovered I have it only after getting pregnant, luckily my husband doesn’t so we’re ok. But the sensible route would be to check first and avoid the heartbreak.
Where to travel? If you’re into history/art/culture, Europe! And if I had to pick one city, Rome.
chroniclesofdee said
Blood groups I am sure of but not thalassaemia! But the DH and I were thinking we probably should squeeze in a med test before we begin, I think it makes more sense now after your comment! Besides, we can have them reimbursed at work, so we really have nothing to lose here
Thanks!
Sig said
Happy New Year Dee!
Sounds like the perfect way to start the new year!
Not old at all!
LOL you saw my resolutions and my fancy board – I hope I’m not setting myself up to fail!
@ The Bride – I didn’t know that about thalassaemia – probably worth getting myself and Evs checked out as well…
chroniclesofdee said
I told the DH that everyone on this post thought we weren’t lame for spending NYE at home and he told me I was deluding myself
I love that you took time to inspire u all year long.. I wish I even had 1% of the creativity or foresight to have done that
celestialrays said
Ayyo Dee. We too sat at home, refused to socialise, ate awesome food and drank a bit. We had invitations from 3 different circles and we just couldn’t bother! I made chicken chettinad, peas pulav and puris. He changed the bed sheets and mopped the floor. That was new year preparation for us.
This year we might not travel. We need to save for other pressing needs.
Where should you go… Hmmm… In India, I have been floored by Leh Ladakh and want to go there someday. Or Rajasthan.
Or do a Euro tour? (So that when you come to London, I’ll come and meet you
)
Or go to some island. Booze by the beach, sea food and the sea breeze can be very pampering
Wish you both a happy 2012 Dee
chroniclesofdee said
lol.. We changes sheets and cleaned up the house too before cuddling up in front of the TV!
Well, the DH wants to do a Euro tour, I am open to anything! Would love to meet you guys too
Bikram said
WIshing you both a happy 2012 …
I veto CR’s idea of coming to europe .. she has not met me maybe when you come we can all meet
all that food for the day yummmy
THis year I definitely need to go to Canada and USA yessssssssssss
chroniclesofdee said
Hahahha.. I wish we could definitely make plans
snippetsnscribbles said
Of course, that’s how grown ups behave!
We just didn’t feel like.
Check this out – we told one place we were going to another and told the other we were going to the first one. We didn’t go anywhere!
Instead, we lazed at home, ate boring puliogare (that G made :p), drank some wine (only me), watched the ball drop at NY and then went to bed! But it felt so right!
A baby this year – YAY!
Wishing you all the luck! God bless 
@TheBride – Thanks for that info on thalassaemia. Didn’t know that at all! Should get G and I checked too.
I say Europe trip too!
And they do a great job of putting you up in amazing hotels and all that.
My inlaws are going in May and it seems like they just enjoy the travel packages! No worries about anything. Just go wherever they take you and enjoy
You should make me that fish fry and pepper chicken when I come to Bangalore :p
chroniclesofdee said
For some reason, I wanna go to Africa to some sort of safari or something, but the DH is insistent on a Euro trip, so lets c..
All depends on the cost
And once ur in Bangalore, will make all the fish fry and chicken u want! Come off now wonly
CA said
Good luck with your 2012 plans …
Regarding the travel … I liked CR’s idea. Beaches are usually fun
chroniclesofdee said
I agree.. beaches are the best idea!
Shruti said
Congratulations on the Baby decision! Wish you all the happiness and joy!
Places to travel – I totally recommend – Maldives if you are in India, or Hawaii if you are in the US! (I am totally a beach person)
chroniclesofdee said
I guess we wanna make a longer trip like 2 weeks or something and catch a couple of places.. Hawaii sounds amazing, I hope the DH and I can make it sometime in our life at least!
mirrorprobeandexplorer said
Just live and love (lots of it).
Good luck. You do realize that you dont have to have it all figured out right away right? Take things as they come and have lots of sexy time.
chroniclesofdee said
I know! I cannot help the worry-wart in me. I need to have everything figured out NOW.
Amma also keeps says enjoy the moment instead of planning for a future u aren’t even sure of
mirrorprobeandexplorer said
Smart woman your amma!
chroniclesofdee said
she sure is!
Cocktail party said
Loved this post!! Amazing!!
:):)
chroniclesofdee said
thanks!
AlwaysHappyKya said
Lights off at 12:15 on new years eve..ahem. Sounds perfect
Travel plans with credit card is okay my dear. Am sure you’ll find it all worth it! Like Rays mentioned, go to a beach town..tropical and yet jazzy. Thailand ?
US or Europe is always great. But, why not start with something closer?
Baby – I was so excited for you when you announced plans sometime back too. No backing out again this time, ok? I wish you both a happy little Bambino..if not entirely planned, then sure an ‘Oops!’ one
chroniclesofdee said
I wish, it was lights off for some reason like that, but it was the night when Aunt Flo was in the middle of her trip! So, it was lights off, eyes shut
Last year was supposed to be baby year, but a lot of things came up and the DH & I kept backing out because we weren’t sure.. This year we wanna at least try, if not anything else
Ramya said
I always end up going wild on New Years Eve and regretting it the next day. But I never learn. So what you did sounds rather inviting.
If you’re looking at 2 weeks, Europe is a great destination. If you plan well, you can do it within a not too unreasonable budget….book flights early, take a rail pass, stay in private houses instead of star hotels etc. I could totally help you plan a trip within a budget to a destination of your choice.
And baby! Wow. 2012 looks like a very big year for you guys!
chroniclesofdee said
Wow!! I might take u up on that offer
Thanks sweets!!
Nuttie Natters said
oooh we grew up too and spent new years at home…doing grown up things (like watching big boss)!!!…ok we are grown up loosers
U sound so positive and yay to not being slim…i like us non slim junta!
Wishing u a fantastic year ahead…babies, work life balance, travel et all!
chroniclesofdee said
yay for chubbies :p (I will never b a diplomat, no sense of saying the right things)..
Next year, we watch shitty reality series :p
Preethi said
Happy New Year Dee !
Yay on your travel plans. Yes, Europe sounds like a very good option. I am sure there are many places in India as well that are worth visiting.
All the best on your baby making plans.
chroniclesofdee said
yep! We have been researching travelling abroad but its not possible since we earn in rupees :p
Maybe the north of India this year
Rem said
Happy New Year Dee and Da;).. have been lurking forever and v v occasionally commenting..loved your post!
If you want a taste of Africa..South Africa’s your place to visit and 2 weeks is ideal…great value for money(as opposed to Europe)Cape Town’s as European as you can get and you must do a safari(Kruger or many others) I’ll be happy to give you any info you need.
All the very best with the baby-making;).. all I can advice is don’t stress about it and let the universe unfold it’s plan for you in 2012. xx
chroniclesofdee said
hmm.. Exotic vacays cost a lot because we have to pay in measly rupees
Right now, we need to save to travel next decade!
Rem said
Oh and I must tell you about our NYE,considering I have a17 year old and a 16 year old and am probably the only actual “grown-up” in this forum;)…we partied the night away (with the kids in tow…cousins,sister-in-laws etc etc…whole jing-bang(now if that doesn’t give my age away,nothing else will!)Partied like troopers until 2am,those who drank,drunk; all of us ate our fill of a decent buffet and made our table the funnest one to be at!Life goes round a full circle!
chroniclesofdee said
Cool!!
An old timer who shut her blog! said
And you say you don’t have anything to write about? Spending the New Year’s at home cuddling is I think is a beautiful way to welcome the new year.
And all the best for the baby and vacation. Ladakh-Leh, Kashmir are the best places in India. I had been on that trip last yr and it’ll last with me till end.
And pls don’t think or feel sad about your lives, I guess most of us live that kind of life. Counting your lucky stars does help in that direction
And if nothing, there are loads of people who read and nod and appreciate you. We are wishing well and are virtually with you in all that you share at this space.
Sorry for making this a mini-post. Thats what happens when a blogger shuts down her place.
chroniclesofdee said
Well, the DH and I were planning a Kulu-Manali kind of trip.. but I have terrible altitude sickness
Thank you for the wonderful comment, made me smile
P.S. You should start blogging again!
popbiscuit said
Hello..I jumped over to your blog from one of your comments somewhere else pretty recently and have enjoyed reading your posts .I love the honesty of your posts. Thought I would delurk , say Hi and wish you a very happy new year! Looks like you have some big plans in store and hope that they all materialize.
chroniclesofdee said
Thanks for the comment!
Belated new year wishes too!
Just call me 'A' said
Hey Dee…remember me
. I went missing a year ago and stopped blogging 
. Still undecided if i’m back yet or not but for now, i’m around, occassionally.
.
Feels good to start reading you again. Thumbs up on the BIG 2012 plans and can’t wait to hear the good news soon
love A
chroniclesofdee said
!!!!!!!
How did I miss this comment?
Welcome back A