Holding the Reins of the Runaway Extrovert 2013: Day 166 - The final (glitter) curtain falls on Eurovision 2013

It only took a month but the final parts of our Eurovision decorations came down today.

Admittedly we left the glitter Swedish flag up, along with some streamers in two corners of lounge room, and kitchen and also Aidan's computer nook because they looked pretty but it was time to take them down and finally say goodbye to Eurovision.

Till next year ...

Holding the Reins of the Runaway Extrovert 2013: Day 145 - The (almost) end of Eurovision

Woke up this morning, and after a shower and Insiders, and while waiting for the toast to cook (Steve was still showering) I took most of the Eurovision decorations, largely because the decorations were starting to droop markedly threatening to choke us as we walk by.

It's always a sad day when they come down but I did leave some up for as long as they last as Aidan and I both love the colour and the different look to the place.

Then off to get a haircut and groceries at Marrickville Metro while Steve headed home to clean up - then he came to collect me about 2pm or so and I spent the afternoon napping, reading and blogging before an Oricco chicken dinner and home.

Holding the Reins of the Runaway Extrovert 2013: Day 143 - Sagging streamers of Eurovision

Just days after the big Eurovision party, the streamers to sag and we ran the risk of getting choked.

So I cut most of them down, bar two in the two corners over the TV and the kitchen. Also kept the balloons that were there and the glitter flag.

Holding the Reins of the Runaway Extrovert 2013: Day 141 - Day off hurrah!

So glad I took the day off!

I slept a full 8 hours, got up, cleaned up some more around the lounge room and my bedroom, and did some on the 'net, before getting in to bed to read ... and as it turns out nap for an hour! Yes right into Ellen!

Got up for a lunch of Eurovision leftovers - Matt Astolfi's vegetarian lasagne was delicious! and yes more meatballs and Swedish coloured cupcakes - before two more 1/2 hour naps, more reading and the watching of the lastest episodes of Defiance, Revolution and Grimm with Aidan ...

Lovely restful day and much needed.

Holding the Reins of the Runaway Extrovert 2013: Day 140 - Hello groggy morning and au revoir mon cher Kerry

Had to go to work for 4 hours (but made easier by commuting in with my guy who was in town! Yay!) - yes the morning after Eurovision when I am normally not at my best; however I cut down on what I drank last night to make this morning a little more gentle - to meet Leona, the new marketing person from Melbourne, who turned out to be just delightful.

Managed to extract myself from work at 1.30, headed straight home to a lunch of Eurovision leftovers (meatballs, chips ... yes so healthy!) while Kerry finished off the herring and then with Kerry's support crashed out for a "short" nap ... which took 1 3/4 hours! LOL

I wanted to spend time with Kerry before she went but she understood how tired I was ... then off to the airport via Marrickville Metro - I need an ironing board cover ... exciting days! - to send Kerry off home ... always sad to see her go and have Eurovision finish ...

Steve came around for dinner about 8 and we had a lovely snuggle watching TV before he headed home to get ready for an early morning trip to Bathurst ...

Posing in the "Hall of Memories" - the flags of hosts of Eurovisions past ... a fitting last shot before we left for the airport

Holding the Reins of the Runaway Extrovert 2013: Day 138 - Eurovision Day 2

Big night!

After driving in Warren's SAAB car (Swedish) to IKEA that morning - we ended up buying blue and yellow bowls and small carpet squares in Swedish flag colours too  - we came back to get the GoGet car, raced to buy groceries for that night and the Grand Final night itself, got back a little later than 1pm (time I'd booked it till) thinking someone else had it as I couldn't extend my booking time to find no one did and we emptied the car of all the groceries onto the footpath in Bray Street for nothing.

I walked a load home but when that proved too much Fahmi came to our rescue and took us to get a blue glitter curtain from Balloon Inflation and then home.

After all that running around and stress we had lunch - Kerry ate some herring she bought at IKEA - it looked like little pieces of slime on her toast; we also ate some of the Princess Cakes she bought too - then I napped before going to Brett Clarke's with Fahmi once again as driver to get my declaration about Ian and Ingo signed (Waz came too for the same reason).

Then home to make Morrocan Meatballs, and get ready for Ellen, Tracy (entrees - cheese, dips and bickies - and Essie (fabulous Swedish Apple pie for dessert) to arrive and watch Semi Final 2.

Fab night!

Kerry's amazing headdress for the night

and now tonight's tweets ...

Holding the Reins of the Runaway Extrovert 2013: Day 137 - Eurovision weekend day 1

Kerry arrived last night ready for a BIG Eurovision weekend and tonight we sat down to watch Semi-Final 1.

Alas without Steve who went to Melbourne for sister-in-law Sue's 50th birthday shindig. I felt so bad that I couldn't go but Kerry had already bought her ticket and it is after all a weekend we plan for all year.

Thankfully we got some shots in before he raced to the airport :)

We had a ball! Ate a stir fry I cooked, drank some wine (well I did) and critiqued our way through the acts.

Here's my review of Semi-Final 1. (WE also watched the Julia Zemiro dock, The Heart of Eurovision, which was on before the show.)

And here are my tweets from the night ...