Once every item of clothing we owned was wet and frozen and we ran out of food, the white wonderland dream became a nightmare.
The next annoyance came when my brother in law had to change his wedding venue. The organised marquee couldn't be erected, heated or even accessed in the snow. Luckily a local hotel pulled out all the stops and Eanna and Liz had a fantastic day.
Our 10 year old made us as proud as peacocks when he joined the band and played 'Sweet Home Alabama' on the guitar!
The snow melted enough for school to open and I thought I'd have a few days to get organised for the 25th. Luckily I made one mad dash to Dundrum Shopping centre and got the essential items before the snow returned ten-fold.
But we've survived so far, with only one crumpled car door, courtesy of the gate and a particularly nasty lump of black ice. The snow has melted and we can make it to the supermarket without the need for a 4 wheel drive.
Santa was very generous and we now all own phones chez nous. Kim's is hello kitty, because it's vital to have a mobile when you're nine. I've been getting texts to let me know her where abouts at all times, even if she happens to be in the same room.
One of the children, who will remain nameless filled the kettle with milk - to make hot chocolate, of course. The dishwasher has given up the ghost, but seeing as it's over 20 years old and was inherited, we all feel its done its duty. I still balk at the thought of spending money on a new one. It's a bit like buying diesel or petrol isn't it? I know it's totally necessary yet I always feel robbed. It would be so much nicer if they gave even a small free gift like a pair of socks or a lipgloss... A walnut whip... Anything...
We're off to a hotel for New Years Eve with the kiddies to attend a black tie gala ball. It's our first year doing this and I'm really looking forward to it. The kids will probably be possessed with over excitement and tiredness by the midnight countdown. But we'll try and inject them with a usually banned fizzy drink buzz and help them last the evening.
I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas and that 2011 will be a happy healthy and prosperous year for us all.
My new book Talk to The Head scarf is due out January 6th. It's non-fiction and is my memoir detailing how I coped with and still live with cancer. It's a positive rather than wrist slitting type of read and I hope you're all going to enjoy it. The paper back of Miss Conceived is also due to hit the shelves any day now. So I will be in the incredible position of having both fiction and non-fiction on release simultaneously!
So instead of viewing January as a bit of a drudge, I can't wait. Bring it all on! Happy New Year to one and all, and lets all spread the light and hope.
Love
Emma x