2016-09-11

castiron: cartoony sketch of owl (Default)
2016-09-11 01:44 pm

A Year in the Life: 2003

Year in the Life Meme: [personal profile] oursin gave me 2003.

Age then: thirties

Age now: forties.

Relationship then: Recently divorced and not dating.

Relationship now: Married to Spouse.

Where I lived then: house in the unpopular neighborhood.

Where I live now: same house, but the neighborhood's now very popular. Would be great if I wanted to sell, but since I want to stay here for the forseeable, the higher property taxes are a drag.

Was I happy then: Overall, yes. As difficult as it was to be the single parent of a mentally disabled child while working full-time, my life was still so much easier than it had been while I was living with my ex. I had just discovered international folk dance and was enjoying the music and the exercise, as well as meeting new people (one of whom was Spouse).

Am I happy now: Reasonably. My income isn't keeping up with rising expenses, and the prospects for my finding a better-paying job aren't great, but I make enough to keep us fed and housed, and I have sufficient sick leave to deal with the routine ills of young children. I'm still physically functional; I have some in-person friends; my family life is decent. I'm frustrated that my writing has dried up again, and I'm concerned about my family's longer-term future, but right now things are okay.

Ask for a year in comments if you'd like one. If I happen to pick one you're not comfortable writing about, please let me know and I'll choose a different one.