Its been a very long day

I've spent all day at work on a panic job. I'm feeling very jaded and uninspired at this point but thankfully I'm just printing the final proofs now and can then go and baby sit my niece and nephew. I'm REALLY hoping for an easy shift!!

What amazes me is how my brain has just turned to mush and how much junk food I've eaten - probably the cause of the mushy brain if I think about it. On a normal work day I make my own sandwiches every lunch time with fresh food but because it was Saturday, I didn't think to bring anything with me. I'm way too embarrassed to say what I've eaten. My teeth are all furry and I've got a craving for fruit.

I read an article last week that said eating two apples a day will lower your cholesterol within 6 weeks. I haven't reached that target this week but I'm going to try again.

Babysitting

Last night I babysat a friend's daughter but I could hardly call it babysitting as she's 9.

I had a great time. A. had a plan for what she wanted to do, which was to work on the stuffed doll she's making for her 5 year old cousin. I'm very impressed with her because she has a complete vision in her head of what she wants to do and achieve and I was there to help her execute the vision.

We made great progress. The doll had been stuffed but the gaps needed sewing. I pinned, she hand sewed and I did the tying off. Then buttons were sewn on. We were on a roll so we made a start on the doll's hair which consists of yellow plaits. A. made 5 fat plaits and sewed one on before we called a halt to the evening.

The doll has to be made by Monday but there is only the hair to finish and even then A. has a plan. So impressed.

Seen

A truely superb 'fro. He was cruising down the pavement having a smoke and he had the biggest, blackest, frizziest 'fro I think I've ever seen. I almost applauded but thought he might have been offended. Plus, he was a pretty scary looking guy and I'm a wimp about accosting people I don't know. I certainly wished I'd had my camera but I'm not sure I would have had the nerve to ask him if I could take his photo. Pity, as it was spectacular and I'm grinning even at the memory.

Soooo hot

I'm melting, I'm meeelttiiiing (in fading tones).

Have just poured myself out of my un-airconditioned car. Thank goodness the office is air conditioned. The weather is mad and unpredictable. We lurch from 15 degrees C to 30 degrees C every couple of days. But at least its summer!

Wet meal

Went out for a Christmas dinner last night with a business women group I belong to and it turned out the restaurant provided waaaaay more entertainment than they, or we, were expecting to. The restaurant, MU (stands for Meat Unlimited apparently) has its official opening on Thursday night but last night was an opportunity for them to do a dry run, including our group of 22.

It didn't look completely finished (tiles missing under the bar, curtains hadn't arrived etc) but still looked great. There was a huge number of staff on but they were using it as a training night, all four owners were there as well and a large number of other patrons. They had us seated in an upstairs separate dining area and we were being well looked after. We had a slight delay with our meals but they fed us bread and dips which kept the ravening hordes at bay. I'd have to say that we barely noticed as there was so much talking going on.

Then, just as most of us had got our mains, there was a loud rushing noise like compressed air escaping and lots of running around downstairs, followed by a taped message asking us to evacuate the building. We could see into the kitchen and a water sprinkler system main had burst and was spewing water out all over the kitchen - ovens, hot plates, food, staff were all dripping.

A few of us (not me 'cos I didn't think of it) took their meals and drinks with them when they exited. In the end four fire engines (1 fire woman amongst all the men) and a rescue ladder truck turned up. They eventually managed to stop the flooding but of course the kitchen had to be closed. Everyone's food was cold but they were able to give us hot drinks from the bar. We didn't stay long after all that but they refused payment for what we'd had which was generous of them as we all found it quite entertaining. Quite aside from the drama, the atmosphere and the food were excellent and I was looking forward to my lime mousse pie for dessert. I could recommend going there as I'm sure they'll have ironed out their teething problems by their official opening!!

Floods in the laundry

We picked up a new (old i.e. 2nd hand) washing machine last night from his workmate. Much newer than our current one. So he installs it and does a test fill of it - looks as though its going well and comes in for a coffee. Much later in the evening he suggests I go out to see what's happening. What's happening is that there is a huge puddle of water on the floor, more like a small pond, not yet a lake. Turns out that if you don't connect the hot water tap, when the cold water goes in it comes out the hot water tap!! We live and learn.