Tuesday 1 July 2008

Too Much of a Good Thing

I've neither time nor wit for heavy-duty rumination at the moment. I'm too busy gathering rosebuds -- both literally and figuratively.

Perhaps it's because of the flowering season; perhaps it's down to the rare and glorious sunshine; but May and June in England are cram-ful of buzzing activity.

Even though I do have a Garboesque side, at the moment I'm just a girl who can't say no.

In the last nine days: I've been to a 40th birthday party, a 50th birthday party, three children's birthday parties, a BBQ and a summer fete. I've had 15 fourteen year-olds dancing, laughing, screeching, and eating Mexican food in my house. I've had 15 rather more restrained old friends eating hamburgers in my garden. I've been to London with one set of Houston visitors, and Hampton Court with another set. I'm gearing up for another weekend of much the same -- with friends for July 4, two more birthday parties and the Race for Life.

Why am I living my life like it's a race?

On Saturday, I spent a chunk of the day at my youngest daughter's summer fete. In a moment of true madness, I volunteered to make 100 roll-out sugar cookies (in the shape of ice cream cones; very cute, actually) for a decorate-your-own-cookie booth. Although I have burbled on about my enthusiasm for cookies, quite recently in fact, I do think there is a limit -- and I may have reached it.

Mae West once suggested that "too much of a good thing can be wonderful . . . " but I'm fairly certain that she wasn't talking about cookies.

I might wear myself out for friends, but I draw the line at baked goods.

I know that one day it will be November, when the days fade by late afternoon, and everyone hunkers down. I will remember, wistfully perhaps, these long, frantic days. But at the moment, I feel like I could do with a quiet afternoon in a darkened room.

But never mind that! Tomorrow I'm off to Wimbledon.

12 comments:

Brave Sir Robin said...

Wimbledon!!!!?????

sigh.

It's official.

I am green with envy.

(get it? Green? Wimbledon? Grass?)

Which match are you seeing?

And you MUST eat strawberries and cream. (pictures please?)

JaneyV said...

Crikey - and you still find time to blog!?

I went to my daughter's school summer fete on Saturday too - all I can say is that it's good endurance training - or torture depending on your POV.

I go with the latter.

Enjoy Wimbledon!

Alyson | New England Living said...

Wow! You must be knackered beyond belief. Do try to get a bit of rest. Though you want to take advantage of this wonderful time of year, it's always best to take a breather every now and again.

Sarah Laurence said...

Bee, I feel EXACTLY the same way right now. All of my family has come to visit during these final 2 weeks. Where’s the time to pack and clean? But it is nice seeing everyone and enjoying this gorgeous weather.

I do wish we had time for your July 4th too. How true about there being too much of a good thing! You expressed it so well. Enjoy Wimbledon.

TBM said...

Roxi and I were just talking about the dreaded 100 Days of Darkness last night. Of course it was 10 pm and still light out. All this daylight has confused our schedule (eating dinner at 9 PM). It is hard to believe that in four months we'll be sloshing around in the dark again. What a summer we're having!

End of school activities are always such a rush. Having US visitors (who have been out of school for a month already) during that time is extra hard.

Have a fabulous time in Wimbledon!! I might have to go next year just to check it off my list. That and Ascot, though after reading Audrey's post, I am a little intimidated by that thought!

Audrey said...

It all gets so crazy at the end of term and with visitors on top it's enough to put anyone over the edge. Having said that, I for one am glad that you are pushing the boat out especially for the Fourth of July!

Can't get too excited about Wimbledon but I do like the strawberries and cream part. I think that English strawberrries are pretty much the best thing this country has ever made. Tennis...not so much!

Anonymous said...

This is a CLASSIC case of Bee being Drunken !

From Debski Beat who is having another senior moment and cannot remember her password !!!

Bitty said...

But never mind that! Tomorrow I'm off to Wimbledon.

That does it. I am so moving to England.

(But in it's-good-to-live-in-the-US-news, my Mad Men DVDs arrived yesterday!)

herhimnbryn said...

A Busy Bee!:)

Anil P said...

Too much of a good thing cannot but be wonderful :)

Bee said...

BSR,
Official Wimbledon Report coming soon!

JaneyV,
Torture or endurance training? Depends on the weather, I think . . . but Sigmund votes for torture.

Alyson,
I AM really, really knackered.

Sarah,
We missed you last night at July 4th! You were there in spirit, though.

I hope you are enjoying your visit with your family. Have you put them to work packing boxes?

JAPRA,
We always eat dinner at 9 pm in the summer! I tend to be out in the garden messing about, and because it's so light I totally lose track of the time.

I've never been to Ascot, either. I have a sad lack of knowledge about horses. At least with tennis I understand what's going on!

Audrey,
Well, I love tennis AND strawberries. Of course I had some strawberries and cream at Wimbledon. You just have to, right?

Debski Beat,
Yes, I've gotten a little carried away! (Has your password come back to you?)

Bitty,
You're back! I've missed you.

Herhimnbryn,
Indeed!

Anil,
There are definitely worse things than having an overly busy social life.

Lucy said...

Not surprising everyone wants to hang out with you, I would(and eat your cookies)!

Have fun at Wimbledon.