Michael: How far is to Saint Nicolas?
Me: Well, we haven’t lived in Belgium for a long time now and, um…
Him: When is it?
Me: Well, some people might say it has already passed. Technically.
Him: When is it?
Me: December 6. But, you never liked the chocolate Santas anyway, he had to bring you crisps.
Him: That’s hardly the point.
[His siblings emerge from their bedrooms looking peeved.]
Me: Um, well, it’s really up to Saint Nicolas and I suppose we don’t live in Belgium any more….
Him: There will be three pairs of shoes beside the fireplace tomorrow night. Saint Nicolas had better deliver.
Me: Um, ok, we’ll have a word with him.
Exploring Dublin
Herself was off school today. Her cousin who lives across town was in a school play. The Princess decided to go and see her little cousin star in Matilda. My first born, therefore, spent two hours today criss-crossing the city on Dublin Bus. She is still alive. I am very proud. She tells me Matilda was pretty good as was the post-play lunch with the relatives. Who’s a big girl then?
Unrelated: I’m still sick, thank you for asking.
Seasonal Affliction
I went to a Christmas bazaar on Saturday afternoon. I was uncharacteristically dissatisfied with the merchandise on offer. I didn’t buy much and trudged home disconsolately afterwards. Little did I know it but I think, even then, evil germs must have been coursing through my system removing my otherwise unquenchable appetite for Christmas tat.
I went to a Christmas party on Saturday night. The party givers had a beautiful large, two storey over basement Victorian house with a sea view and I felt very unseasonal envy. Afterwards giving our babysitter a lift home, she remarked that I was a bit hoarse but I felt fine and attributed it to uncrushable envy or shouted conversations over several hours. I was fine on Sunday morning. On Sunday afternoon, I went to my Sunday afternoon bookclub Christmas tea. It was in the Westbury. It was pricy but, in fairness to the Westbury, it was delightful. I had a lovely time but by the end of the afternoon I was hoarse again. Cycling home, I felt light-headed and by the time I got back, I had a nasty sore throat and sore ears and sore sinuses.
Herself was sick last week. “I’ve caught your cold,” I said bitterly to her. “No, you haven’t; every cold virus is different.” Fine. I am sick anyway. After lying awake half the night hacking I decided to cancel my dental appointment this morning (I left a message on the machine at 7.30 but have had a painful conversation with dental receptionist just now where she sounded like she didn’t believe my story of illness but thought I was malingering – were you looking for paranoia, well, it’s available here) and stay out of work sick. I can’t remember the last time I was sick enough to stay out of work and I feel distinctly sorry for myself. I haven’t even eaten anything yet today which is, frankly, unheard of (though even as I type I think I might be able to fancy a lightly poached egg – is this the harbinger of recovery or just the lemsip talking?)
I have my Monday evening bookclub Christmas meeting tonight and I would love to go, I have even bought the present for the Kris Kindle thing. I suppose if I don’t go, it can be repurposed as a teacher present.
Yes, it’s all the problems of the world here today; bet you’re glad you dropped by for this fascinating account of a bad head cold. I think I might light the fire to speed my recovery.
I Say a Little Prayer for You
Herself and her friend A were running across the road to the bus stop. She says it is hair raising (mental note, must investigate this on google maps) and as they got to the other side, she said to A, perhaps not entirely seriously, “I am just going to say a prayer thanking God for delivering us safely to the other side of the road.” A (who has to my knowledge made her communion and confirmation and attended exclusively catholic schools) said, “Say a prayer? You can’t do that, you’re not an exorcist.” Herself asks, “What do you think people do in churches, A?” A replies, “Are they all praying like, like…” “Like Catholics,” herself cuts across. “Do they sprinkle each other with holy water while they are praying?” asked A with interest.
Cycling Etiquette
Yesterday I walked to school with the boys as usual pushing my bike along. I was walking on the pavement pushing my bike on the edge of the road when a man in lycra sped past me and said, “If you’re not cycling, get out of the cycle lane!” Should you push your bike on the path? It is very annoying to find cyclists annoying. I am on their side. Sigh.
A Tooth Fairy’s Lot is Not a Happy One
Herself lost a tooth yesterday. Who knew children kept losing baby teeth for so long? This morning she came into us to announce that the tooth fairy had not come. “Perhaps he will come today,” I said. She looked at Mr. Waffle with a sapient eye as he dragged himself out of bed and said, “I think the tooth fairy is trudging to his work, even now.”
I got this email from her during the day.
From: Herself
To: Me
Re: Don’t go getting ideas.This is blatantly unacceptable.
Does there come a time where one is just a smidgen too sophisticated for the tooth fairy?
