Freaking Out

I'm in the local kosher grocery store and I see the Rebbetzin. We always say hello to one another when we see each other, but that's about it. Although we are about the same age, our children go to different schools, and I don't have much to say when I see her. But today, she is ultra-friendly and says (in a voice louder than I am comfortable with) "How are your aliyah plans coming along?" Now I haven't even told some of my close friends of our plans yet so I answer her (as quietly as I can). I say "OK. There's a lot to do." She is still speaking quite loudly when she says "Oh, yeah. This is about the time when you're looking at washers and dryers".

Now this statement totally freaks me out. Because not only am I not looking at washers and dryers, I am not really ready to look at washers and dryers. I am still at the stage where I'm not really sure if I can do this.

I tell the Rebbetzin that we haven't actually told everyone yet. I feel bad when she says "OH! I'm sorry!". I'm assuming her husband told her when we asked him for a letter declaring that we are Jewish, one of the many paperwork items we need for the Jewish Agency. Also, as I say that we haven't really told everyone yet, the person behind her - who missed the beginning or our interchange - turns around and stares at my stomach. I am positive that she thinks I am pregnant, which I am not.

What are the points of this story?

(1) I realize that I am still uncomfortable saying that I am making aliyah. I can say I am moving to Israel but I can't reach the level of saying the A word. I'm not sure why.
(2) I need to start telling people that we are moving. If the Rebbetzin knows, I'm sure a lot of people know.
(3) I need to get more excited about this move - for my family's sake and for my sake. Everyone keeps saying "how exciting!" but all I can think about is "how terrifying!"
(4) If I could just lose the "baby fat" - OK, so it's been six years since my last baby - I wouldn't worry about people thinking I'm pregnant.