I've been in denial that the chagim are actually around the corner. First I had to get through the summer holidays with four kids in tow, a house to renovate and a job. Then I had to get the children back to school with uniform that actually fits them and new shoes that almost required a re-mortgage. Then I had to re-orientate myself to the weekday routine of shlepping them from one after-school activity to the next. Not until my sister started scheduling festive meals did I realise the chagim are actually here. It doesn't help when my calendar requires a turn of a page to reveal October with "chag" scribbled in red pen over way too many days.

Anyway, there's no escaping it, the chagim have arrived and the good news is that the stores are stocked high with new season fashion to debut on the High Holy Days. So we should all have a happy new year!