Faster than a Speeding Bullet!

Well, it turns out that time has flown again, and I haven't blogged. Cannot believe we are already into June and soon into July. It seems that the older I get the faster I run, the more gets crammed in - and still the days whizz past until I hit yet another birthday!
Speaking of which...Lou's birthday was a hoot, popcorn and pizzas were demolished and it was very civilised - no tears, not much mess and general good will all round! Suspect Becca's on Saturday may be another story!

Today is Tuesday - (I have just marzipanned the Christmas cake for Sunday. At some point between now and then will also have to ice it - doubtless there will be the usual spikey icing snow scene - can't remember when I took over Christmas cake duties from Mum but am rather hoping that soon Booie will get the urge!) and I am in the middle of the week from Hell!

I realised this afternoon that I hadn't got around to buying Becca's birthday present (so, now you know it is nothing to do with the post!), neither have I made up the party bags or started on the cake. This year, finally, Rebecca has decided that she would like a cake that she likes! For the last however many years she has insisted on sponge cake, even though she won't touch it. So this year, she has decided on a number 7 ice cream cake in synthetic pink strawberry ice cream. I have never made an ice cream cake before - but I will have by the end of this week as I can't find anywhere to buy one from! Have also got to remember to be in for 6 hours in a row to cook the Christmas pudding - although I have remembered to order a turkey and have passed on veggie duties to Sarah and Mathew - Heather is being Trifle monitor.

If the above sounds doable, remember there is also the job and netball! Just to add to my pleasure there is also "Americana" at school on Thursday. This is, almost, a concert! It follows in the tradition of the Scottish Night (St Andrews Day 2003), Irish Night (St Paddy's night 2004), and Pacifica (some time since St Paddy's). A 'choir' of hundreds (ish - although it has gradually diminished in size), known as Chelsea Singers, gather in the school hall wearing appropriate dress (parents also expected to dress up!)(none of which have been organised yet!) and then sing-a-long-a-tape deck of traditional songs from the region for about 3 hours (not exaggerating very much - honest!)! Within this set-up there are then a number soloists and groups who take on a song. One or two of them can sing but most can't - very painful - usually there is at least one cute (but appallingly precocious) 5 year old , who is chosen because he/she is ok about standing up in front of a couple of hundred adults, rather than because they can actually sing!

Anyway, Thursday we have Americana. Highlights will include Tie a Yellow Ribbon, You Must have Been a Beautiful Baby and If I knew you Were Coming I'd Have Baked a Cake. Deep Joy! That said, the kids enjoy it so I really should stop grizzling and smile and clap as usual!

I think after this week we get to settle into wintry comfort stuff - as in warm jumpers in front of open fires and log burners on a Sunday afternoon with the papers. Tends to not be quite so much running around in the winter.

Other news - was out at friends on Saturday. Pot luck dinner. As in everyone takes a dish and who knows what you end up with - this is not actually a particularly good idea as it seems that in general everyone takes curry, or everyone takes puddings! Saturday's, however, very good spread including a pumpkin hollowed out and mashed up and then peas put in and spooned back into the shell (no idea how the peas didn't get marmalised, but they didn't) - v. tasty. Only after I got home did I realise that probably for the first time ever, I was the only Pom! Had a very good evening none the less!

Have also decided that to shift the weight again (how stupid am I!) I need a challenge - and so Soph, me and one of the Kiwi's from Saturday are going to do the round Taupo bike run. If you don't know about Lake Taupo, it is huge. Look at a map of NZ - the big blue blob in the middle of the North Island, that is Lake Taupo - it is a 160k round trip. Could do it twice - but figure I have to leave challenges for future crises! Am setting up an exercise bike inside and a bike stand (you can train on your own bike without going anywhere and your bottom gets moulded your saddle!) in the garage. It's on November 26th - haven't decided whether to get sponsors yet - will let you know if I do!

Dave the lovely Scot who read at our wedding is over in a couple of weeks to see some of the Lions matches. Soph and I are going to catch up with him and his new wife for a few days which I am looking forward to - and Soph moves back to Auckland next week. So loads of stuff happening - all good.

Oh, and am out on a date next week!