A round up in the “World of Claire”:
- Yes, I have almost finished my Christmas Shopping. You may be sick and hate me now. It’s ok, I know ridiculously organised people are ridiculously annoying. I’d hate me too, if I wasn’t
so damn proud of myselfsuch a smug git. - Talking of Christmas, all of us here at Claire HQ have come to the conclusion that me wantee everything.
- Especially this, this and this over here.
- My assignment has not be marked yet. The suspense is killing me.
- Almost 18 months after I got a new phone and changed my number, my local Wheelchair Maintenance Service still call me on my old number (now owned by K), despite me notifying them of the change FIVE. Bastard. Times.
- The above makes me cross. In fact, it makes me so cross that the last time they called K at work to tell her that they were descending upon her to fit new parts to “her” wheelchair (because they don’t even check who they’re talking to!), I ranted incessantly for over an hour.
- Aforementioned Wheelchair Maintenance People descended upon me this morning to fit new wheelchair parts only to discover that 50% of the parts order was missing. Now they will have to come back again when the missing 50% turns up.
- I’ve decided that next time they visit, I’m going to wear a very large, loudly coloured T-Shirt with my phone number printed on it in 6-inch high lettering.
- If that doesn’t work, I’m going to egg their van.
In other news, it’s been a while since I did a “Show and Tell”, so long in fact that what I’m about to show you was actually made well over a month ago. For those of you that keep up with my Flickr, you will have seen these some time last week.
For everyone else, Hey, Look! Shiny New Things!
Sometime back in September, whilst I was dancing like a crazy lady on day release and breathing hyperventilating the same oxygen as Prince, my sister was sunning herself on an idyllic Caribbean Island and turning 21.
It was a good Summer all round, really.
Anyway, to commemorate Laura being all growed-up, K and I made a pretty ungrowed-up, 21-shaped cake in the theme of “100 Acre Wood” (Winnie the Pooh & Friends).
I made the Madeira sponge with jam and butter-cream filling, but the credit should go to the ever-talented K for all the rest, including the Royal icing and adorable characters. She modelled each character by hand (no moulds or cut-outs) from marzipan and painted them using edible paints.
I think Lumpy the Heffalump and Tigger kick ass. Correction: K kicks ass.
A full-time wheelchair user since 1998, Claire lives in an adapted bungalow in England with her Partner of 10 years and their two dogs: 
I hate you
The cake’s brilliant though. K should do it as a side-line. My favorite has to be Pooh, or rather :Pooh’s rear-end with legs
My Christmas shopping was all done by October 15th. Beat you
That cake is absolutely amazing — there’s so much detail it’s hard to believe it was all done by hand and from scratch. I hope your sister appreciated it!
I am feeling slightly proud of myself too! For the first time ever, despite promising myself I’d do it every year, I’ve already started my Christmas shopping. Not quite as impressive as ‘almost finished’, but better than nowt.
I’ve decided what I want just today. It’s a teddy bear called ‘Cheeky Racooba’ made by the Merrythought people (only UK manufacturer?) ..the only problem being it’s about £120. I somehow don’t think I know anyone soft enough to spend £120 on a teddy bear.
That cake is bloody impressive. I don’t know how you pair do it!
I’m nearly done too! Very unusual for me too though.
I’ve already commented on Flickr, but I want one of your cakes very much. Very very much. I will pay you handsomely! (well, peasant-ly, but you get the idea!)
V xx
K does kick ass!
She could make money off that kind of talent…
Imo:
Tanya:
Jem:
For that sort of money, I hope this bear is the kind that does the washing up!
That said, we collect film memorabilia/film-related action figures/dolls and they don’t come cheap, so it’s all swings and roundabouts… (not the shitty Pirates of the Caribbean crap you get in Toys R Us, I mean actual collectible, limited edition stuff… Nightmare Before Christmas and X-files mostly.)
Vixx:
Alyssa:
Yeah, like I said to Imo — if it wasn’t for the fact that K has to use her annual leave to make them (because they take so long), I think she would
I still hate everyone who has finished their Christmas shopping on here. However, I am one step closer in that I have made a list of names
And K can do cake decorating in her spare time
Bloody hell — what a cake! No one has ever loved me enough to make me such a cake. It’s a masterpiece.
PCB:
Aw, we love you PCB
Next time we make one, we’ll toast to it/cut it in your honour. 
That’s exactly the kind of thing Karl would say, so I’m not getting my hopes up
WOW that’s a cake and a half! i am very impressed *nods*
I have done no Christmas shopping, but have had a thought. No I lied, i refuse to think about it til later …
That Mac looks EXACTLY like the new ones we jus got at school! they are cool and very very good to type on, but i still don’t understand how they work. The kids are very impressed by them. i didn’t have the heart to give one into trouble when he said “God they’re just so sexy!” lol. Good luck with that!
Bean xoxox
By hand? That’s pretty awesome, actually no, it’s totally awesome.
I’ve not yet started my Christmas shopping yet but then tons of people decided that they should have their birthday just the month before (a teacher once reckoned that Valentine’s Day has a lot to answer for…)
I haven’t done any xmas shopping yet. But I have decided to give my family some stuff that I’ve recieved from my website.
That cake is cracking, I love it!
I’ve yet to even start my Christmas shopping, but I’m not worried about it as I know exactly what I’m buying everyone when I actually get a day off work to go shop!
So much cookery talent… so little mental space to take it all in… hnngh! *splodes*
Also, muchos jealousy over the present pre-purchasing. What with me going on an all expenses paid holiday, courtesy of Her Majesty, to Afghanistan in the new year, I’ve got other things on my mind!
Also, can’t wait to see the new blog theme…
Bean:
Charlie:
Jenny:
Aw, that’s sweet — what kind of stuff have you gotten from it?
Melissa:
That’s the spirit: a woman with a plan!
Sensei:
Ah yes, I remember you talking about your jolly little jaunt in Afghanistan,
do you know how long you’ll be away?
Just a little over 2 months or so, which isn’t so bad — it’s not an Army version of 6-months!
I should imagine your beloved Mrs R is relieved at that
2 months will hopefully speed by and you’ll be home before you know it.
Well, Best of British, mate!
That’s amazing, that cake is! I’ve never seen anything like it!
And I really do believe that six-inch letter, plus eggs, plus maybe a wee ditty that you could sing over and over again in their ears while they fix the chair, might possibly be enough to make ‘em understand your new number. How annoying!
Carolyn:
Welcome, welcome!
Fabulous idea! All I need to do now is practice!