#68 Finding Barbie’s Deluxe Mansion

I have watched from afar as parents panicked about their santa list. I remember distinctly calls from friends 200 miles away asking were there any Thunderbirds Tracy Islands in Dublin?

I always found those stories amusing in a remote kind of way – until this year.

We saw Barbies Deluxe Mansion in Smyths Toys for €99, and boy did we complain about the price!! Extortion! Day light robbery! 2 kilos of plastic! Made in China for a fiver!!

We waited for our designated shopping day in early December when Robert had a day off work. We got the LUAS into the centre of Dublin and began our retail extravaganza.

We looked in Smyths – sold out; Argos, sold out. Okay we could drive to Toysrus in Belfast- checked their website they were sold out too!

Panic was starting to build- we found it on Amazon at a store in Paris- phew- it could be delivered in 4 days. Cost £135 plus £15 shipping!!!!

Robert was dialling the number of his heart consultant at that point!

We had checked on his phone as we ate our late breakfast on Henry Street in Dublin. After a few deep breathes and discussing the possibility of a Christmas morning without Barbie’s extensive dwelling- we caved in.

It was ordered. Jesus this needs to become an heirloom at this stage.

I am going to do a spot check on it every day to make sure no old sweets, no stickers, or god forbid a marker have damaged it.

We went full hog and ordered everything else on Amazon- only to get an email later that day to say they can’t deliver to Ireland. So we called our friends in Newry and got everything re-directed there. Problem is they are leaving for Sweden on 22nd December!!

I am sure it will be fine! Honestly! Robert started to add on the €40 pettol it will take to collect the presents and suddenly we are wondering what size Barbie’s Deluxe Mansion is? Could we use it as a Granny flat? Or rent it out to language students in the summer?

I have written the ‘To Let’ sign in my head already!