Trick or Treat; and Tricked?

This week is full-on Hallowe'en planning for me. Bearing in mind how little effort was made during the October half-term when I started here, it's quite impressive to think about how much we do now. Makes me rather proud of the impact I have had and the differences I have instigated. Makes me a little annoyed at myself too, as I have to do most of the work to make sure it all happens! But hey - it's good to be busy. I mean, what on Earth would I do with myself if I wasn't doing this for the next few weeks? It's not as if I could do with a rest after another exhausting Summer...

Philippa is now getting very excited about our holiday, which is not something I can think about yet; coming, as it does, the other side of the 31st of October. I know I'll enjoy it when it happens, and I know I will be more enthusiastic as it approaches, but right now it feels like a long way off and not something I can give too much mental attention to.
We're still waiting to hear back from my Irish colleagues about whether June next year is a good time for us to go and visit. My wife is worried that their offer was just them being polite, and now we've actually asked they're going to blank us and it won't ever happen. But I still have faith. They did not give me the impression that they were bullshitters and I don't think they would have mentioned it if it wasn't a genuine offer. I think Philippa is just being edgy because she wants it to happen so much.
Again though, it's a loooonnnggg way off and not something I can allow myself to worry about at the moment.
I will give them a prod though, if they haven't messaged by Friday...

RC 7-10-24