I'm baaack. Tired, no brain and wilting in the heat. So in brief:

-we had a fantastic weekend.
-drive down and back was pleasant and the right sort of boring.
-ipod string worked a treat so we had music
-all agreed the party was grand. I had such a good time that 6 hrs of party seemed to go past in about 20min.
-twas Faaabulous to see everybody. Sydney peeps, Canberra peeps, visiting from Geneva peeps, peeps I haven't seen much in years. Lovely stuff
-a big thanks to my hosts. great, welcoming and fab as usual. As accommodating as accommodating things, and showed me the Blackadder millenium special which i didn't even know existed.
-bonus extra hangings out with R+J. lovely
-purchasing of much specialty produce, beer, jam, coffee, mustard, various smoked meats. We proved we could still find our way through Albury the old way, enabling a visit to Butts Smokehouse.
-finished pink/green sock #2
-arrived home to great heat and crispy plants
-also to a newly finished north fence! I am so glad I expected collateral damage because there was.
-now to stay awake for the return of budge and hope that this cough is leftover cat exposure or pollen effect and not lurgy.

probably more detail on some of the above later.

I just girded my whatsits and went to a Guy Fawkes party. It's increasingly rare for me to go out on a weeknight except for the regular commitments, even they have been piked from quite a bit lately. I've been making excuses all day to not go but I'm glad when it came down to it, I did. Got to see some fireworks up close and personal- not that close! A guy was burnt, another was beaten up -pinata style. We chanted and stalked in circles holding hands.

Remember, Remember the 5th of November
Gunpowder, Treason and Plot.
We know of no reason that gunpower treason
Should ever be forgot.

Got to see an old friend and hang out with some of the lovely regular crowd. I actually introduced myself to the host.

All rather pleasant and I feel like I have had an outing. Next time I must remember a coat though, it was freezing! I sit here smelling smokey with hot chocolate in hand.

for those that read this and know what I am talking about- I plan to be at the cocktail party and I hope you will be too so I can see you there. I have no idea what I will be wearing except that it will involve my beautiful new boots. Oh and that it will involve more than my beautiful new boots. Hmm. Wardrobe review needed.

The party went off quite well I think. Around 17 people which is a good number. After all the calls yesterday from various people saying they couldn't come I was afeared we wouldn't get enough to make a party or eat all the food. Thankfully I needn't have worried.  People seemed to have a good time, food got et, had to kick people out at ~1am. All good.

House is now clean. Not yet back in order as I took the rare opportunity of a clear, clean floor to lay out the heart quilt - Finally! All the pieces were ready to go in about Oct 07! It is now partly pieced and looking cute and bright.

BTW- I'm giving the new boots a turn about the house. They are still comfy but I need to remember how to walk elegantly in heels this high.

Wonder who won the championship today? Half of me wanted to go which is a good thing. The other half couldn't face going out. I feel like I could be coming down with a cold. I shall hope it is just sleep deprivation etc but I might go drink some OJ anyway.

see, the freesias are budding!



more fun to have a pic with violets in too.

HP marathon went well yesterday. I would have liked to invite more peeps but I was worried about space. It turns out we can comfortably/bit squishily sit 10 in my lounge for movie watching. That did require furniture shifting though. Food was all good, I like it when people enjoy my cooking. I had fun playing hostess. Was a bit annoying to have to drive out to purchase the last (available) film though- had to try three shops before I found a copy.  Doushkasmum's latest cider is great- even I like it. mrsbrown's homemade breadrolls were fab. Actually a nice range of food. We had treats but didn't overdo it or eat junk.

Now the house is pretty much back to rights. Well, as right as it usually is. furniture is back in place, dishes are washed.  Thanks to Erudito for shifting assistance pre and post.

Tea clipper rose is planted. Looks like this was dug up and shoved in the nursery pot fairly recently. So not quite bare rooted but not far off, whereas Martine was settled in her pot. They have gone in with cow manure and quite a bit of commercial compost- "fud". Time will tell, I will be watching hopefully.

Now what to do this afternoon? I think I have mostly lost that exhausted/ill post party feeling. Still not up for much more energetic endeavour. I'll get this last load of laundry out, then see.

Nearly every time I have a 'party' I am ready ages early and batting about the house, fidgety but tired from running about.  So there are guests coming for dinner in half an hour but the spuds are cooked already, I have turned the roast down in the hope it won't end up overdone, all else can't be worked on yet. Desert is in the freezer.  Maybe I just need to throw more parties so I can get the timing right.

Being ready early can also lead to being tipsy before the guests arrive! though not when the parents are here monitoring my alcohol consumption.

I could do more tidying but I have got to that stage where to tidy further would make mess before deep tidy can be achieved.

busy few days with no LJ, pout. However.... the job application went in on time. I have at least 2 competitors, wish I knew who the second one is. Whatever, not the end of world if I don't get it. If numbers of well-wishers counts, I'd be a shoe in. Ta for all the good luck messages.

In other, more certain and  immediately relevant news: 
-I have freshly trimmed hair, with a surprise point no less!
-I have decided on and altered a frock
-to wear to R's annual cocktail party!!!, to which I am going!!!! If you know what and where this is and are going too- I look forward to seeing you there.
-because of this I am NOT working tomorrow!! YAY, 3 day weekend!.

I refuse to apologise for the number of exclamation marks in this post.

and I am liking this new style I am trialing for my journal. One day I might learn how to design my own. Would probably end up somewhere between this one and the previous trial. Parchmenty with a dark border and a bit of detailing and pretty fonts. Sort of elegant, readable steampunk. There are several pretend handwritten styles but I don't find them terribly usable.

Budgie likes champagne. I found him thus during prep for last night's party, all fluffed up and pleased. I don't know how much he drank.

Thank you to all who came, I did enjoy the party. We chatted and drank and fed each other lovely food. All good.  The bell worked just fine. I'm still enormously pleased with it.

Ta for the flowers to splodgenoodles . The tulips have opened up and are looking bright and impressive, the freesias are scenting the lounge room.