a simple yarn

Ahem, excuse me, but will everyone who is related to me either by blood or by marriage, please close your eyes for the next 2 paragraphs? Thank you.

Okay, I’m in a bit of a pickle. I’d love to show you the current projects I’m working on, but, well…… they’re intended to be ‘parcels-posted-for-the-festive-mid-winter-celebratory-experience-involving-holly-and-ivy-and-plum-puddings-with-brandy-sauce.’ (For you who are not relatives, that’s British Isles code talk to throw off the family who are hopefully not peeking at this point!)

So, you can see my dilemma…the challenge to post pictures of works in progress without tipping off the fam about their Christmas pressies. Got to work hard at either a) creatively giving surreptitious clues while keeping relatives in the dark, b) coming up with other non-festive-project-related blog content, c) hiring techno-hit-men to block internet access for family for next 3 months or so, d) tap into my Scrooge-side and upload cool pics anyway. Sigh. A blogging conundrum.

Right, so for today it’s options a) and b).

Stylised pictoral clue of current work in progressNow for option b)….non-festive topic…kiddies.

And like almost every other parent in the world at large, I make the following statement to no one’s surprise…I am ready for my kids to go back to school. It’s been a nice summer, to be sure, but the frequency of hearing ‘I’m bored and have nothing to do,’ is on the rise, accompanied by perpetually hanging 2 inches from my left elbow, necks craned to see what I’m busy doing. Well, that’s gotta stop. If you are a fortunate parent who has already bid your children good-bye as they trot off to teachers, packed lunches and recess, I envy you. My day is coming on Friday. Yippee! Although……Kiddie-Daughter and Kiddie-Son will be returning at noon that day.

In the eternal wisdom that is the education system in Dublin, my children will go to school for a total of three hours on Friday, their first day of school, and then promptly return home for the weekend. Hmmm…..and that’s counted as a school day.

Ah well, even so, I am busily preparing them for the blessed event. And this year, we’re doing it eco-style! In addition to purchasing recycled pencils and rulers made from re-processed styro cups, I have found book covering ‘plastic’ that is not plastic. It’s made of 100% corn. And no, it does not melt in the rain. Nope…it looks like plastic, acts like plastic, but is 100% sustainable.

Natural book cover & the Irish language
So hopefully the Kiddies will not only learn about the three Rs…reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic, but also reduce, reuse, and recycle!