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Archives for December 2025

Bah Humbug

1 December, 2025
Posted in: Dublin, Ireland, Middle Child, Mr. Waffle, Twins

The Trinity Christmas tree was lit this evening. I left work a bit early to be at the front gate where I had arranged to meet husband and one child at 5.30. Chaos ensued: child turned out to be at a lecture; husband was carried away by the crowd; rain lashed with real enthusiasm; the Trinity choir tried some challenging numbers instead of going for crowd pleasers; of the anticipated mulled wine and mince pies there was no sign (to be fair, my expectations were low on that front anyhow, were they planning to feed the 5,000?).

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“Feeling Christmassy?” asked Mr. Waffle when we eventually found each other. We went to find our own cup of tea. The Westin had an event in the atrium and directed us to a noisy pub downstairs; the Palace Bar was heaving (full of men in suits drinking pints); the Joy of Cha, despite indications otherwise on the internet, was closed. We cycled home in the rain and I lost my hat of which I am very fond (herself models the hat below in a shot from this time last year, idle to deny that it looks a lot better on her than me). When we got home I went back to the shed to cycle in to try to find the lost hat but then I got a work call which I dealt with in the shed (glamour) and then somehow, I’d lost the will to retrace my steps.

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However, when I finally got home, as part of my gradual Christmas prep, I got out my Spode ware and found my Christmas tablecloths and tea towels (“Oh my favourite Christmas tea towel,” I exclaimed as it emerged from where it had been nestling since last January. I am now the kind of person who has a favourite Christmas tea towel, apparently.) Mr. Waffle turned on Christmas FM, lit a fire and made me a cup of tea. Perhaps I am feeling a little bit Christmassy after all. You?

Updated to add:

Look what I found this morning!

I Have a Suggestion

2 December, 2025
Posted in: Dublin, Ireland

On Sunday the parish priest said that for the next 12 months we will be praying for one vocation in Dublin. Yes, one. Setting our ambition level low, I see. I wonder would it help not to cut out half of the potential candidates?

Harsh but Not Unfair

3 December, 2025
Posted in: Dublin, Ireland

My cleaner asked me this morning whether we would be getting a Christmas tree this weekend. “Certainly not,” said I, “it would be dead by Christmas let alone January 6 (statutory day for taking down your Christmas decorations etc. I will brook no argument in this regard).”

“I wouldn’t think so,” she said, “your house is so cold.”

Alas

4 December, 2025
Posted in: Dublin, Ireland

My hairdresser is great. He remembers me. I go once a year in December and as he said today “It wouldn’t be Christmas, if you weren’t here.” So true. My hair grows really slowly and the cut is generally good for 9 months and not great for three.

I had my annual haircuts today and despite my very best efforts he would not at all take off as much as I wanted. It’s grand but I wouldn’t call it a huge change. I’ll have to go back to him in July. Sigh.

The Sick Man of Europe

5 December, 2025
Posted in: Mr. Waffle, Twins, Youngest Child

The youngest child has been sick all week. Yesterday morning he dragged himself out of bed at the crack of dawn to go to a 9 o’clock lecture on the Ottoman Empire. Term is over but this lecture had been deferred. I suggested he skip it but he said that he thought he would be the only person there (so it proved) and he did not want the lecturer to have turned up for nothing. Very virtuous.

Today I got a text from Mr. Waffle saying that the student was quite sick in bed. The Ottoman Empire may have claimed its last victim.

Saint Nicolas

6 December, 2025
Posted in: Belgium, Family, Middle Child, Princess, Twins, Youngest Child

He came – after all these years. As I write one of the Dublin based children is still in bed, so possibly excitement levels are not what they once were. But look, it’s the thought that counts!

I guess it’s a long time since 2006.

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