Bits and bobs

I've been asked to help a colleague out as she's been under extreme
pressure for the past several months, with things peaking since
April. I jumped at the chance as my own workplace has been numbingly
quiet lately, and I was having problems not sleeping on the (lacking)
job. I hadn't worked in a really hectic place for a couple of years,
so I'd forgotten how crazy it could be and it's hit me like a ton of
bricks, with the result that I'm even more tired than usual.
The up side is that my colleague really appreciates the help. The
last couple of days she's left the office muttering to herself
"ohmegod, ohmegod, we'd never got this much done in this place as we
do now, I'd forgotten how it was to work with someone who actually
does what she's meant to!"
It's really good to see her laugh, grin and joke. In the past few
months, every time I'd talked to her she was in the dumps. I'm not
sure how she kept it up so long, had it been me I'd have freaked out
ages ago.
Of course I'll have to make sure I don't mention any of this to the
bosses or they'll think they can take it for granted, so I'll have to
think of some way to stay there a while longer, while making it look
like I'm doing them a huge favour (which I am, incidentally, I just
happen to enjoy it too).

Meanwhile, the preparations for Lorelei are under way, with cars
being booked and yours truly being the nominated second driver. Never
mind that I practically haven't driven for 2 years in the UK, and
much longer than that on the continent (which I didn't mention to the
rest of the group, hahaha). Just as well it's Germany, where drivers
are so polite that the last time I was there nobody beeped their
horn, not even flashed their lights at me, despite the fact that I
held up the traffic at a set of lights for three rounds of green
lights - I was looking at a map and hadn't realised there was a queue
behind me!
Anyway, the starting point was that we'd book an 8-seater, but we've
just been informed we can only have cars seating up to 5 people and
there's 7 of us, so we'll need 2. My suggestion that two could sit on
the roof was overruled *g*

Friend's baby is impatient. He's due in mid August but she texted me
tonight from hospital where she's being kept under observation as
she's having contractions. Probably just a precaution, but she was a
bit worried so we had a little exchange to cheer her up.

Guy I was meant to see weeks ago but never got round to came over
last weekend. It was nice but the boy needs to learn! He rang me this
evening asking if I wanted to see him again. I think I will, at some
point.

I have a brand new cooker which I also got last weekend... Is it
really sad if I say I was more excited about it than him?