On the Shelf - 'Ugly Fairy'

"Being replaced is like being put up on the shelf. Like there is no need for me. I am all confused. I am hurting for many reasons." Unknown

I'm really not superstitious, but this is the first year since children were little that ugly fairy has not adorned the top of the tree. But she just looked odd, or odder, on our slightly smaller and more delicate tree this year. The face of the pink, toilet roll decoration is horrific, drawn obviously in great haste and in blue biro by Laura when in Primary 1 . We always put doily fairy over her head to lessen the shock but now she has been consigned to a shelf.

House is very quiet as girls, husbands, kids and dogs left around 5 .30 p.m. We are back in our own bed, Steve doing Observer crossword, and me missing the comforting feeling of a full house bedded down.