I avoided Halloween this year. No amount of chocolate in the world was going to persuade me that I wanted to take my children trick or treating and knocking on neighbours doors. I applaud people who love it because it fosters community spirit. But I am not that person. I will probably never bet that person.
I manipulated my children into thinking a treasure hunt was a good idea and they handed out chocolate when trick or treaters came to the door. I think that’s what you call winning. But it did get me thinking. We put in our green card lottery application this week. Next year I could potentially be in a different hemisphere. A hemisphere that actually celebrates halloween properly. A hemisphere where my chances of manipulating my children into staying home with me are significantly decreased. Or we could be living up near Lismore where the odds of potential child manipulation are still excellent.
The logistics of moving is entirely terrifying. But the adventure still seems like a good idea.
That IS an adventure! Where are you hoping to go ni the US?
Um, what?!?!? Did New York have that big an impact on you?
Gosh, it would be an exciting adventure. All the best of luck with the greencard lottery.
It had a huge impact on Mr Googs! I’ve always been keen on the idea of moving somewhere because I moved around a lot when I was younger and as much as you protest about how you are never going to move when you have your own house, it gets under your skin a bit. I love the idea of exploring somewhere new and getting outside of our comfort bubble.
I’d be keen on New York or Boston I think. But really we have no idea. Although definitely thinking the east coast and not the west.
I lived in the USA for four and a half years, am originally from Scotland, would not trade Aus for America, but it is great to travel really does change your outlook. And different states have very different flavours, for sure. Always fancied Boston myself (we were in So Cal). As Hallowe’en is Celtic, it was huge in Scotland where I grew up, we went guising every year, dooked for apples, did a “turn” to earn our chocolate and sweeties. I just absolutely loved it, but I get it’s not for everyone. Just think though, if you have Irish or Scottish ancestors, by celebrating Hallowe’en you are carrying on a tradition first adopted by your ancestors many hundreds of years ago. Hell, you can’t blame a girl for trying
Good luck with the lottery. Exciting times! (Just by the way, my friend went on a year long trip around the world this year, she has had incredible adventures with her husband and 3 of her children. Sold everything they owned, cashed everything in and off they went. Brave, lunatic girl. Her blog is called Life Changing Year, if you are interested in travel from the perspective of an Aussie girl, it’s well worth a look. Also, she’s pretty funny.)
I would love to swap hemispheres, but only if it was to live in New York, I love that place so much. But the thought of doing it with kids terrifies me so I applaud your bravery! In fact moving to the next suburb with kids terrifies me!
In fairness, I have never moved with kids, so I think ignorance is bliss!
Well played, Alison. The heritage on my side is English/Scottish and my husband’s side is English/Irish. So I guess I should embrace it after all!
Thanks for the blog tip! Off to go check it out!
She has some great ideas for raising cash and finding it in places you might not have thought of too. Unfortunately I am far, far too lazy to get behind the ideas, but I recognise their worth
Look at those eyes!
She is extremely hard to resist.
I don’t like the idea of knocking on strangers doors and asking them for lollies. I’ve told my kids exactly that, and I refuse to hand out lollies, but my mum does however hand out to the trick or treaters, and so I let my kids dress up and answer the door for her (as well as score a few peices of the candy themselves).
Eeek. A greencard? I don’t want to lose you!
I think Riley got more excited about handing out chocolate than eating it. A first for her! At least with a greencard you have a year to take them up on it, so we have a bit of time to get organised. But yes, EEEEK.
I am not that person either & somehow Mr 4 is still oblivious to the whole thing. I reckon if you are in the northern hemisphere it’s a different kettle of fish….and if you go, I will cry ok? Like more than I do now about the stupid distance between our houses. I miss you Z. xxx
I know it’s very fatalistic of me, but I’m kind of just letting fate decide what happens. But if I go, I am definitely going to Adelaide first xox