Hats, hangovers and turning 30

It's funny how free booze seems to turn even the most sensible of us into teenagers. I was invited to Ascot with the boss and a colleague by our esteemed partners at the football club. We were treated to full hospitality and as much champagne as we could put away. Not terribly sensible of me to drink quite so much of it though... The boss is fairly easygoing, and advised my slightly nervous new colleague that the only rules on a corporate social are not to shag anyone you shouldn't, and don't drink so much you throw up. Hmm, I'd say overall a 50% success rate for me then, although I didn't disgrace myself in public, but the joy of having a hangover the same day as the drinking is one I'll be trying not to repeat in a hurry.

Still, my hat was marvellous, and although I didn't win on the geegees, I still had a lovely day. The Queen and her party looked well, and we were sitting near Dennis Wise in our marquee, much to the scorn of our football colleague.

A visit to a friend with a new baby today offered me the opportunity to pass on some of the knowledge I've gleaned in the past 14 months as mother to M. It was amazing to think that just a short time ago I had so much to learn. I was glad to be able help C. out and have a good old cuddle with her little boy.

Mind you, for all my worldly wisdom about newborns, I'm still learning every day when it comes to little M. On Tuesday I learned not to give her the keys to play with and then shut the car door. She promptly hit the central lock button and we coudln' get her to hit the "open" button on the key fob. An hour later with our neighbours searching fruitlessly for the spare keys in our sideboard and E. banging on the door to the nearby fire station to no avail, and there was nothing for it but to call 999. The girls from the nursery (where I'd just picked her up from) did a sterling job trying to keep Millie distracted, but she was rather distressed and couldn't understand why we weren't getting into the car. We did try to call the AA, but they put us in a queue, so 999 it was. They turned up after just a few minutes and it was decided to break the front passenger window. Just as they were about to do it Millie picked up the keys and started playing with them again. Cue all the firemen, nursery girls and us cajoling her to hit the unlock button, but to no avail. Smashed window it was. The little sweetheart was wet through when I get hold of her, but no harm done and she was right as rain in no time. We were very lucky actually, as ten minutes after we got the cars home the biggest thunderstorm I've ever seen/heard struck, and M would have been terrified, and us soaking wet, if we'd been any later.

Birthday tomorrow, although spoiled slightly by having to go into work for a meeting. But apart from that I'm looking forward to a nice day with Mum and Dad and then a meal out with E. in the evening.