So the countdown is nearly at the 24 hour mark.  In my freezer you will find:

- nanaimo bars

- chocolate cake

- carrot cake

- peanut butter cake

- 200 sambosas, half just cheese and half curry potato filling

- a white cake that will become the fancy decorated birthday cake of Lola’s dreams.

In my fridge:

- salsa

- the ingredients for mango/apple salsa

- vegetables for a vegetable tray

- fruit for a fruit tray

On my counter:

- strawberries, drying after being washed

- chocolate, waiting to be melted in order to coat the strawberries

In the back fridge:

- juice and coke for refreshments

In my room:

- 40 treaty bags assembled and organized into categories of boy/girl/small child

- a board decorated to look like fish swimming in water

The guest list has been slowly whittling itself down closer to the 30 mark, which is much less nerve racking.  I cheeredpretended to be disappointed whenever someone said that they wouldn’t be able to make it to the party.  Every regret was actually a relief in my books.  The less people, the less chance there is of a huge, irremovable stain on my carpet. 

Then, again, the bottle of gin is always available to soothe my beaten spirit.