My Inner World

Last weekend, I went on a very early morning shopping spree. I had to pick up these shoes. They were a nightmare to find and I wanted to make sure I got them. They were laid aside for me, but I am of the " you never know!" variety and wanted to take NO chances. I had searched the 'Net. Called every shoe store in the North County, and nobody had them. When my MIL spotted these, and had them laid aside for me I was SO relieved. It's the one and only thing Munchkin has asked Santa for. Can you imagine them not being there for x-mas morning?
Well, they have been purchased and (apart from the watch that I bought my mam and I have to return because the face is waaaaaay to small for her to be able to see without her glasses. How stupid am I?!) I have now finished my Christmas shopping! All the essentials have been bought and anything I buy now is "extra". And should I choose not to buy another single thing, we are still OK for Christmas! I love being able to say that.

People here always give me this "look" when we discuss the holiday season and the necessary shopping. They give me this little smile that says "Oh Mieneke, and your silly little ways". They like me, but think I am a little "unique" all the same. They just kind of let me get on with it and consider me quirky for making my lists towards the end of September and getting my shopping finished by early November. This year, I am also looking in to recipes (Thanks Overwhelmed!) and getting the ingredients in to test a few out before Christmas. This, also, raised a few eyebrows.

The Irish are very laid back. They generally do not worry about Christmas until December and, if the madness in Dublin City Center is anything to go by, they tend to wait until the very last week to finish the shopping.
The stress towards the end of the month becomes palpable. This crazed look appears in people's eyes. The last rush to get that particular "Bratz"-laptop or whatever the "in" thing may be that particular year. The huge queue's to get in to the multi story car park of the shopping center. The "festive" honking of the horns. The "traditional" white knuckles on the steering wheel.

That's right people. I am the weird one for avoiding all that...:-)

Ow, bought something nice on holidays too! Who needs fridgemagnets or ceramic windmills when you can buy this:



It's a Senseo machine! They have been around in the Netherlands for years and they are perfect if you don't fancy making a whole pot of coffee for just the one cup. They are fairly new and much more expensive in Ireland. So, we bought this one at home.
Getting up for work this morning was NO fun, but that freshly brewed cup of coffee sure made it easier!

I also bought a new wintercoat for about half the price I would have to pay for it over here!

I'm telling you: Rip Off Ireland lives! Thankfully I have these little trips to circumvent it! ;)