I don't do Christmas.
That is a complete and utter lie.
Obviously, in a Catholic household that is stacked to the rafters with kids, someone has to. And we all know where relying on the Father of This Lot would get us, don't we?
What I meant to say was I don't do Christmas in September, October or November. In fact I don't usually even mention it until we get into Advent. (WELL into it, if I've got anything to do with it, but I digress).
The department store which (foolishly) employs the Football Fanatic was having a one-day 20% off sale last week. Add to that her 20% staff discount and the 3 for 2 offer on all Christmas gifts, toys and games, it was, quite frankly, an offer I couldn't refuse.
Unfortunately, the one-day-sale clashed with my school trip day, so I couldn't go.
It was decision time.
Should I miss out on the opportunity of getting most of the Christmas presents at almost half price, or should I......horror of horrors........trust the Football Fanatic to get the presents for everybody ON HER OWN WITH NO ASSISTANCE??
It was a tough one.
I thought long and hard.
And finally.....I succumbed. ('Mum, how hard can it be? What could possibly go wrong?')
And so, on the morning in question, we set off in different directions.
Me, to the Arctic wastelands, and she to town..........with a list.
Re-living the events which led to this post has quite frankly worn me out, so you'll have to wait till tomorrow for Part Two.
But before I go, I must admit to being quite dismayed at some of the comments I got on yesterday's post. Some of you seemed to think that I had MADE UP the biretta/beretta comment by the Football Fanatic.
Would I lie to you?
Ask yourselves, in all honesty, living with this lot, do I need to?
I PROMISE YOU, she really did say that!
And for anyone who didn't get it, this is a biretta:
....a cap worn by the Roman Catholic clergy, mainly abandoned sometime around 1970, when we went over to the new style Mass......
.....and THIS is a beretta:
......a handgun usually featured in gangster films.
Actually, Fr. J thought it was quite funny.
But then, he adores the Football Fanatic. Has done since she was a little girl.
It comes of never actually having to live with her, I expect.
10 comments:
What do you mean we have to wait till tomorrow!?!
Oh this is going to be good! Thanks for the fair warning. I'll have my coffee ready and will take a pit stop before reading :-)
Peace - D
What ever possessed you to let her loose with a list. I thought you were wise beyond your youth. But now, I can only shake my head and know there's definitely no hope for me.
Well, it's just past 3am there in your country . . . I'll wait, though, and not bother getting up in the wee hours in hopes you've posted early morning . . . like one of the previous posters, I'll have done my loo visit and have a cuppa coffee in hand and settle in for the read. Can't wait!
I must admit the biretta thing went right over my head but I always find your posts interesting and enjoyable! So it went unnoticed!!!!!
Why did that sale have to be on the day I was babysitting? It was my day off too!
However my old man went & got himself a bodywarmer. Such a pity it is a bit tight! "They didn't have my size," He said! That wouldn't have happened if I'd have been there, but I digress.......
How do you manage to leave it so late to start on your shopping? You have so much to do with the five in your lot!
I look forward to reading what happened in part two and will also reread your last post!
Himself and me went shopping on that day - we came back with absolutely nothing - not a jot - not even cards or wrapping paper. I love Christmas but hate shopping for it. I'd rather poke my eyes out with a burnt stick rather than head to the shops. You have my sympathy.
I'm trying to make as many presents as possible, to save buying them. Then the Chancellor goes and cuts VAT, making it a lot cheaper to actually buy the blinkin' things.
Tsk.
x
Can't wait for the next instalment! Mind you, having a personal shopper must have some advantages?!
I really loved your last line about your daughter and Fr. J loving her! Reminded me of myself and my older daughter and people who thought she was sooooo sweet! I always told them that -"you don't have to live with her!"
She must have got good discounts then.
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