I'm really late with my October blog. Apologies. I've been running around like a mad woman, having weeks where I can't fit every thing in. You know those days where a huge part of you wishes there were more hours in the day - and another part is glad there isn't? The effects of all the radiation I've endured over the last couple of months brought me to my knees for a couple of weeks. In other words, I'm pulling the cancer card as an excuse as to why I haven't been blogging.
I tend not to use the cancer card unless I really have to, but it's been a bit of a struggle for the last while. But just like the mega storm that hit Wicklow last night, the fug of nasty debilitating exhaustion that comes with radiation has passed over! Sadly my house didn't end up at the foot of the yellow brick road after all the drama and I still don't own a pair of ruby slippers. That could be an excuse to go shopping couldn't it?
Halloween was great fun. My ten year old son decided he wasn't doing the dressing up thing, instead he wore a very creepy and genuinely terrifying mask his Auntie Robyn bought him. My nine year old daughter wanted to be a dead bride. I found this mildly disturbing until I realised that the whole Twilight/zombie theme is quite normal these days. A dead bride outfit was found on line, but it was a) savagely expensive & b) in America - so that was out. She settled for a glittery red devil costume from Tesco, which we managed to adapt with fake blood and drawn on scars. So at least she still managed to look like she'd been at least maimed if not dead.
We spent Halloween night at our friends the Murphy's house. Each year they host a halloween party where most of the adults and children from a ten mile radius congregate. The children run off and trick or treat while the adults (most of whom were also in fancy dress - i was boring and went for the biker jacket with fairy skirt and wings look - no scars or suggestion of being dead) all eat drink and be merry.
The sugar charged children returned with soggy feet and did apple bobbing and general trashing of the Murphy's house.
Each year we have a ball, each year we leave the house looking like vandals have been at work. Each year they graciously invite us all back. There is a big reward somewhere in the sky for Bernie and Garrett Murphy. Thank you both!
We have a quick fleeting run of vomiting bug chez nous last week, but we're all back on track now. The Christmas lists are being drawn up and it's technology all around for us now. We seem to have passed the 'I want everything in the catalogue' phase, instead they want stuff that I have no idea how to work. I am coming to the realization that my children are passing me out with most things in life.
I'm comfortable with that. Maybe they can both leave school, get jobs and I can retire?
We still have a parrot in our tree in the garden. He's been there since last April and although he's stunningly beautiful, he makes an awful racket. We're all worried about him as the weather is turning colder, but we've tried everything to coax him down and he's having none of it. We bought him some food and bird house and we're hoping he flies in there at night and has some food and shelter.
We are all totally addicted to x-factor in our house. What on earth are we going to do when it's over? I know it doesn't finish until December but I already fretting about what we're going to do after the winner is announced. God, that's sad.
I'm predicting Matt and Rebecca in the final - although we vote for Mary Byrne every week too. So brilliant to see an Irish lady flying the flag.
I have to do some work, so I'll sign off. Hope you all survived Halloween and I hope you're all as unorganized as me and haven't done all your Christmas shopping. I spoke to someone who was wrapping her last two pressies on Saturday. I still have an uncarved pumpkin in the sitting room.
Love, light and laughter to you all
Emma x x