As I type this the house is yet to stir and the television is telling me all about the Qantas debacle. For many people this Monday, sandwiched between Sunday and the Melbourne Cup, is taken off to make an extra long weekend. One of these people is Adam.
However the schools are still open and I fully intend on taking the kids because I’m mean, apparently, and so I really ought to get moving.
Our recent weather has gone from lovely back to ugly and I spent, in a conservative estimate, about three-quarters of the weekend tucked up in my nightie and dressing gown, trying to get preparations for the month ahead underway. Unfortunately, due to the weather and sensing I was busy, the children orbited around me like bored planets and it took all my patience to not, to coin the phrase, lose my shit.
That said, my grumpiness did motivate Riley at one point to mutter to himself, “I don’t know what’s gotten into you today, mum”. Then I felt a little chagrined. I also had to laugh at his quoting back at me a phrase I sometimes say to him.
Part of the excitement and anticipation of the weekend came from the knowledge that today is Halloween. Last year we went for a brief walk of trick or treating. Two years ago, we had a little party. Today? Remains an unknown at this point because – and I can’t scream this irony enough – Keira has a dentist appointment to have a filling in a tooth late this afternoon. So on the one hand we have the chance to look after your teeth! On the other, the chance to potentially source the very products that ruin them! If she’s still feeling like going for a wander afterwards, we might go.
I know some Australians really aren’t all that embracing of the growing tradition that is Halloween, but don’t mind it. Yesterday – in one of those brief windows when I was actually dressed – we were at the shopping centre, in a food court, sipping coffee when out of nowhere a group of teenagers in full zombie-punk costumes walked past to disappear again. I don’t mind how our ordinary lives get a spooky shakedown once a year. You never know, it might even be good for us. Encourage playfulness and creativity.
Okay, time to move. The half-hour has ticked around again. The television is telling me about Qantas again. I hope they get it sorted out soon.
