It’s the Most…Socially Demanding Time of the Year

Between illness and the general social whirl, I have not updated you on December’s activities. Fear not, that, somewhat delayed, update is coming.

The boys had their annual Christmas performance with the school. Daniel who has been learning the tin whistle since November played a solo Christmas carol. We were very proud. Poor Danny, however, was a bit too nervous to enjoy it. Although we couldn’t tell that he was nervous and he played perfectly, he did not enjoy the experience, I think.

He was scheduled to play at the church Christmas fair but, unfortunately I had booked tickets for us to see a production of “A Christmas Carol” the same evening so it was not to be. He and his sister who was to sing at the event were not entirely delighted with me. Fortunately, Daniel quite enjoyed “A Christmas Carol” so I trust that that may have helped to deal with the pain. I decided that we would go to Milano’s for dinner in advance as a treat. I did not book. This turned out to be a poor idea, as it was full, and we ended up walking around Temple Bar trying to find an acceptable substitute. For the boys, there isn’t really such a thing. Oh woe. It is hard when what was planned as a “delightful Christmas outing for all the family” does not quite materialise as hoped.

We had people around for Christmas drinks on the day after the play. I may have mentioned that I was ill (ahem) but, really, we couldn’t pull back on all the invitations. My sister came up which was lovely but overall, I could not be said to have hugely enjoyed myself.

Later in the week we were scheduled to go to another friend’s Christmas drinks. Unfortunately, it coincided with the Christmas concert in the Princess’s school. We told her we couldn’t make it. She replied

Oh that’s a shame. I was in London at the weekend so didn’t make yours; in contrast I understand to [mutual friend] who thought it was on this coming weekend. I am up to date with [mutual friend] as she arrived to my house last night, for this evening’s party. We are all at the top of our respective games.

Oh yes we are. The Princess’s Christmas concert featured her singing “Silent Night” solo but it was, alas, a bit difficult to hear her due to the enthusiastic amplification of the keyboard which accompanied the singing. Some of the students put on a very clever and quite funny Dublin version of “Romeo and Juliet”. Honestly, I have paid for productions I enjoyed less. I am really going to have to do some work on my Irish though. Although “Romeo and Juliet” was in English, everything else was in Irish and a lot of it was quite baffling to me.

By the time I finished work on the 23rd, I was, at last, recovered but really a shadow of my former self between socialising and coughing.

More Christmas news to follow.

Updated to add: Today, January 11, Mr. Waffle had lunch with a friend who hadn’t made it to our Christmas drinks. She confessed that she and family had turned up on the following day and seen us all through the window sitting around not partying. Realising that they had mistaken the date, they tiptoed away. Mr. Waffle expressed regret that they hadn’t come in but personally, I can only thank them from the bottom of my heart.