The Wednesday with most people's last day at work for the year

Hi,

It was a lovely day yesterday at work.  The craziness finally abated and I only got a few new cases in.  Woot!  And so far today - nothing.

Iced coffee at Verve

Burger Wisconsin in the park

Nom, nom!

Christmas Eve morning in Wellington

The day passed me by in a blur of social coffees and lunch.  Mike and I ubered to Jake's house and collected Toby from his playdate.  Thanks Jake!  My first uber.  And the driver went through a red light on the corner of Bowen and Lambton Quay.  Didn't inspire confidence.

We walked up to Burger Wisconsin and bought burgers and sat in the lovely sunshine in the park and gobbled them down before walking home.

I meant to take Toby to check out houses with Christmas lights but something happened and I fell asleep!  Tonight!

Have a lovely Christmas.  I am on holiday and back on the 5th at work.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with more work

Hi,

Work was work - still crazy.  But I did sneak off to get some shopping done and I also got an iced coffee break in!  Woot!

Mixed Business iced coffee goodness

Mike and I drove home from work just after 5pm and Mike did some homework and I fed the boys a light tea.  I did some washing and tidied up a bit.  Not so you'd notice!  Hahahah.

We went to bed and watched a documentary on the Celts and enjoyed that before falling asleep.  Toby woke up in the night and came to our bed though.  It's a little hard to rationalise scary nightmares when you're half asleep yourself.

Mike and I walked into work this morning and loved it!  The weather is lovely, if a little cool.  I did get a migraine this morning though.  Weirdly.  Wonder why?

Enjoy your day today!  I have to work tomorrow.  For my sins.

Love,
Angela

The Monday with work on

Hi,

Work seemed just as busy as usual - I was hoping for a Christmas week slow down.  Oh well.  We had a long lunch in the sun at the Royal.  I had lentils with mushrooms.  Quite good.  We sat with Mary, Rex and Jo (me and Mike, that is!).  Given it was just outside work, it was often interrupted by work colleagues having a chat to us.

After work, Mike and I walked to the New World and grabbed some food.  We both wanted salad for tea.  We ate asparagus and avocado as a starter and then chicken salad for mains.  Mmmmm.

I'm not sure where the evening went.  I read.  Mike watched science documentaries.  Toby did his own thing in his room.  But when I fell asleep, I was not walking up for anything.  The alarm went off for a wee bit before I realised.

Went for a run but was pretty lethargic.  Oh well.  Hopefully I do better next time I run!  Hahahah.

Hope you are all well and enjoying the lead up to Christmas.

Love,
Angela

The weekend with awesome stuff

Hi,

Mike surprised me by taking me out for dinner on Friday night to Siem Reap.  Yum!  What a way to start the weekend.

I also moved the piano into the lounge so our room now has a bit more space in it.

Up early to take Mike to the airport (and collected Josh on the way) and then the weekend was mine.  I headed home and tidied up a bit before heading out for Christmas shopping in Lower Hutt.  Back home and I couldn't face going into town with the car, so I jumped on the bus.  Did some more shopping and then as I came out of the shop, my bus was right there!  Boom!  Back home.

From there I went out to see Expansion at the Office pub in Newtown.  As I pulled up, Philippa got out of her car.  I offered to drive her home so she had a few drinks.  I caught up with a few of the punters from Mike's trip too.  They all asked after him and Toby.

Home late Saturday and I read for a bit.  Up early for a run and then scooted into work to get something done for Aidan's Christmas present.

I headed to her house for a bagel breakfast and we swapped Christmas presents.  She is off to somewhere to house sit for the Christmas/New Years so I won't see her for another year!  Hahahah.  I had a yummy smoked salmon bagel with capers.  Mmmmm.

I watched Aidan play a violin for a bit.  Lots of fun.  But she does have a long way to go.  If I get a solo performance every month or so, I am guessing I should see progress.

Then we were collected by Ange and went shooting.  Awesome fun!  First time I have shot with Aidan, so that was fun too.  It's usually me watching her.  Which is good too - as I learn by seeing.  But I like doing!

Taking aim!

Ange and I getting ready

Fire at will!

We left after about 1.5 hours of shooting.  I tried Aidan's bow and she doesn't have any sights on hers so my two arrows shot clear over the target and one buried itself in the bank just below the train line!  Yikes.  Apparently I need a different anchor point for bare bow shooting.

From there we stopped off at Caffeind and had lunch.  And Ange and I had iced drinks (chocolate for Ange and coffee for me) and I watched in amazement as Aidan drank a whole latte.  I have never seen her drink coffee before.

Latte

I drove Aidan briefly into town to a music shop and enjoyed the steel string guitars on display.  Oh - I think I'd love one.  She got what she wanted and then I was off home.

Back to the airport to collect Mike, Toby and Mike's mother from the airport and then we were all home in time for dinner.

This morning Mike and I walked into work and we'll walk home later today.  I need to go grocery shopping for Christmas lunch this evening.

Have a wonderful week.  Christmas is coming!

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with Star Wars

Hi,

Ok.  I had a day at work.  Busy.  I did see Ange though - back from her holiday.  She had such a great time.

Iced coffee goodness at Home

Don't eat the dice!

My own mints from Las Vegas

I need to catch up more about it.  She loved it all!  And I got some presents.  :-)

But yesterday was all about Star Wars.  Really.  It was.

After pre Christmas drinks at work (thanks Steph!) I walked up to Aidan's house and we got ready to head out for our evening of Star Wars excitement.

Aidan dropped me home after a cup of tea and I collected the car and then collected her from her house.  From there we grabbed Mike and then went to The Library for an extended cocktail hour.

Star Wars fans!

Negroni!

The drinks Mike and Aidan had all seemed to be red in colour.  Dancing Shows?  Something starting with "n".  Negroni?  Anyhow, we chatted for a few hours before Aidan and I dropped Mike home and headed out to Miramar.

At The Library - drinking cocktails

The cinema was strangely quiet really.  We sat for about an hour waiting for the movie to start.  Finally, we were let in and found our seats.  At 12.01am it started!  The audience was very receptive.   They clapped and cheered when various characters appeared and did stuff.  It was long, as 2 hours 16 minutes.  But it went fast.  Admittedly it was hard to keep alert at 2am and the cinema was so warm.  I was boiling hot.

But it was worth it.  It was a great movie.  Aidan analysed it quite a bit in the car on the way home.  I wasn't at my peak of social interaction, being 6 hours past my bedtime by then!

I fell into bed and would have been asleep by 3:05 am.  Hahah.  Slept like the dead - for 3.5 hours.  When my alarm went off, I just lay there, wondering what the noise was.  I don't think I was working at peak efficiency.  Maybe it is more how Mike feels each morning when his alarm goes off...

I rode into work and enjoyed the wake up that provided.

Right.  Time for really get stuck in.

Have a wonderful day!

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with eating to excess

Hi,

Ok.  So, the day started with breakfast with Mike.  Which is always more substantial than my two Weetbix each morning with some yoghurt.  But what happened after work took things to a new level.

Toby made it to Dunedin just fine and apparently slept well when he got there.  Given it was 9am, it does seem a little odd.  Can you get jet lag from Wellington to Dunedin?

I saw Ilske for the last time before Christmas.  Had an iced coffee at Mixed Business.  She is off on Sunday to Buenos Aires.  Wow!  Hope she has fun.

After work I caught up with Josh for a quick drink at the Royal.  Mike was lured in with me - I think it was the beer.  Not me doing the luring.

Josh had to head off for his next social engagement (it is the season for social madness) so Mike and I went to Munchen - a new German restaurant.  I ordered the Schweinshaxe from the menu and the Californian waitress had no idea what that was.  "Oh, the pork knuckle", she said.  When I pointed.  Mike ordered the crumbed chicken breast, making no attempt to speak any German.

We ate a bread brezel thing before our main.  Which took ages to come.  They actually gave Mike his beer on the house.  But we waited patiently watching others around us get their food.

As we waited, we chatted away.  At one stage I asked Mike what it is about me that he loves the most.  Do you know what he replied?  Awww, shucks.  He said:  "Your attitude.  You are always happy, always have a smile.  And your analytical ability".  He made my day with that comment.  How cool to know that someone loves something that is deep within you.  Something that isn't likely to change because it is so intrinsic.  I was chuffed.  And given Mike knows me the best of anyone on the planet, it was even sweeter to hear it was something that is a part of my personality.  How he managed to get past my feet, I'll never know.  He has iron willpower.

When it came the food was magnificent.  My pork was exceptional.  I ate the whole thing, despite the waitress believing I was going to share.  But this is there the eating to excess comes in.  When I left the restaurant I wasn't uncomfortable with what I had eaten.  What I want to know is:  how come I still feel full??!!  Hahahah.

Wandered home and slept the sleep of the dead.  Got up and walked into work with Mike.  It's a bit rainy today.

But the big new today is:  It is Star Wars day!  I go to the midnight showing of Star Wars tonight.  Woot!  I can't wait.  I am counting down the hours now.  Less than 16 to go now.

Iced coffee

Old versus new

What to choose?

Time to kick start the day with a great cup of tea.  So excited!

Have a brilliant day.

Love,
Angela

The Monday with packing for Toby

Hi,

Monday was a lovely day - the weather was perfect (if a little cool still).  I also got a lunch with Aidan - I ate my yummy bread roll in the garden behind parliament and Aidan ate dumplings and we finished off with raspberries.  I do like summer fruit season.

It was so nice I stretched out on the grass to enjoy some sunshine.  And I learned that those biting flies in Australia called March flies are called Horse flies in the US.  For some reason, when I imagine a horse fly, it looked like a miniature pony - with wings!  Like a tiny Pegasus.  Now I know they are boring, bitey, March flies, it is a little less fun in my imagination.

I went to collect Toby's iPad after work and then collected Mike on the way home.  We packed for Toby and Mike and Toby went for a walk.

I think Toby was awfully excited about going to Dunedin today.  He was up at 5.30am when I went to wake him up.  We have dropped him at the airport and he is halfway to Dunedin now.

Toby checks into his flight

Time for a cup of tea.  Mike and I had breakfast at Bethel Woods on the way back to work.  And we saw three other Intergen people at the airport.  Peak flight time, obviously.

Have a marvellous day.

Love,
Angela

The weekend with Toby's birthday

Hi,

What a lovely weekend!  I went home on Friday and we chilled out for a bit before sleeping well.  Toby did wake up and midnight and come bounding up the stairs, excited that it was his birthday!  Hahah.  Wonder where he gets that from?!

Next morning was Toby's birthday, and we were up early to give him presents.  After that, we had breakfast and it was a lazy morning.  Mike sat around in his underwear reading the internet while I was chatting to my mother for almost an hour in my pyjamas.  Then there was a knock on the door and Mike fled in panic, pleading with me to open the front door.

So, thinking it was his friend, Sarah - only - I opened the door.  Yep -there was Sarah.  And some strange man I'd never met who looked decidedly awkward at having me open the door with my pyjamas on.

Big day - in Toby's life and Ingress.  

Oh well.  Hahah!  Talking to Mum was great fun and worth still being in my pyjamas for some random stranger.

After midday, Mike and I went for a long walk to the French bakery and wandered back with yummy things for lunch.

Then I went grocery shopping for party food and Vivienne and John came over to help us eat everything.  They are so obliging!

We're having Toby's birthday party for his friends in late January!

Stealing yummy cake bits

Cake cutting

Further away cake cutting

After I dropped Vivienne and John home we went to see Spectre - and the highlight for me was seeing the new Star Wars trailer.  I have the tickets in my hot little hand for Wednesday night!

It's this week!

Funny!

Toby laughed like mad at some photo Mike took of the two of us -tears were coming out of his eyes.  He was so funny.

Next morning I was up early for a run down to Aidan's house.  25 mins I think it took me.  And the fastest interval I have heard my phone announce = 5 mins 31.  But that was because it was all downhill in that section!  Hahah!  Aidan made the best scrambled eggs.  As I started to make the toast I realised her bread was moldy.  Oh.  But we found bread rolls in her freezer so I toasted them in a pan.  To keep the eggs warm while I did that, Aidan put them in the oven on a low heat.

When the bread was toasty, she reached in to take out the pan of eggs and got a bit of a burn.  So she ate her yummy breakfast with one hand in cold water.  I hope it's ok.

She dropped me home (to save me running back up the hill with a tummy full of eggs) and I got a pastry for Mike from the French bakery and then we had some cake at home before she went off grocery shopping.

Then Mike and I took Toby shopping to Queensgate.  Mike was well over the experience although I thought it was quite good for being so close to Christmas.

We called in to see Sally and I  have now seen her gallstone for myself.  Wow!  We went home and I ploughed through my pile of ironing.

The week ahead is so exciting.  Toby heads to Dunedin tomorrow to see his Nana.  I see Star Wars at midnight on Wednesday night (technically super early Thursday morning!).  Loads of shopping still to do.  Yep - bigger than Ben Hur!

Have an awesome week.  And today is Dec 14th and a wonderful, sunny day!  Happy.

Our day here is finally a stunning summer day!

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with no boys and a Sally op

Hi,

Well, while I was fighting fires all day at work, Sally was getting gallstones sorted.  The size of boulders, from what I've heard.  It sounds like it all went really well and she'll be right as rain any day now.  No more painful nights for her.  Woot!

My work day was dire.  So busy.  And today it will be continuing.  Sigh.  But I did see Aidan for lunch so that was a bonus in the middle of the chaos.  Controlled chaos, naturally.  Hahah.  One of my colleagues said it was wonderful how I keep calm and collected in the face of terror.  Made me laugh - and more than a little chuffed.

My boys took Isaac and headed off camping.  I have seen some great photos from their trip.  They are due back today around lunchtime.

The weekend is coming.  And it's Toby's birthday tomorrow.  I collect a cake from Jo this evening.  Ooooo.  And I'll buy party food too.  What else?  Christmas shopping still.  I haven't finished.  Sigh.

Hope you are all well and enjoying the wind down to Christmas.

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with nothing much

Hi,

It was weird being the only one to get up to go to work.  I was fantasising all day about Mike cleaning the house and having dinner cooked for me when I got home.  But when I got home, he greeted me with a cute, dopey smile and a kiss and if anything, the house was actually messier.  So, he started dinner (yay!) and I tidied up.  The boys just humoured me as I wandered around declaring the house unfit for human occupation and that visitors would be banned.

But I tidied fairly quickly and did some laundry.  And Mike cooked a yummy tea, so all was right with the world once more.  And if the house had been super tidy when I got home, I would have had thoughts about parallel universes and the like.

Mike did mow the lawn during the day though.  So outside the house looks way better!  Woot!  I did tell him that meant visitors could only stay in the front door porch.  Hahah.

They are both off camping today.  I think they have selected Kaitoke.  Isaac is going with them.  That should be fun although the promised fine, still, glorious day that the MetService said would be today is actually overcast and windy.  A typical Wellington day.  They are back around lunchtime tomorrow.

Right.  Time for tea and to start the day.  A few meetings in my day today.

Have a wonderful day.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with the last day of school for Toby

Hi,

Toby and I had a fabulous afternoon together.  I had a half day at work and drove over to his school just as the boys all got out.  But I found Toby just where he said he'd be!  We gave a few presents to some key teachers that helped Toby this year.  We cleared out his locker and left.

Such a lovely afternoon - sunny!  We drove to Maranui cafe and had a great lunch!

Toby looking enthusiastic

My manic iced coffee face!

Mmmmmmm

Toby looking awesome!

We enjoyed our food - Toby ate loads.  A huge milkshake, then chips and pancakes with bacon.  Wow!

Then we went into town and did some Christmas shopping.  Got quite a bit done and mailed Grandy and Gramps their present.  I was so happy to hear it was the day before Aussie cutoff - so it will get there before Christmas!  Woot!

We went home and relaxed before I went back into town for a team dinner.  Karin and David were in town so we went to D4.  The food looked great, but I was still full from lunch.

Serge tackles his meal!

 Back home and I cuddled up with Mike watching a documentary.  I think I actually saw it to the end.  Amazing effort.  And then Mike watched something else and I explained how I didn't think I could get to sleep with him watching something right next to me.  Zzzzzzzz.

Mike and Toby have the rest of the week off together.  And Toby's birthday is this weekend.  Followed by a trip to Dunedin next week.  Then Christmas!  Woot!

The time is flying by!

Have a wonderful day!

Love,
Angela

The Monday with nothing much

Hi,

Well, I had an unexpected visit from Toby after school.  He got off the bus and came to work.  So we went out shopping and I bought him some clothes.  He got some skinny chinos and a very nice long sleeved shirt.  It's entirely possible my male model husband has passed on his genes to my male model son!

Anyway, we also got a little bit of Christmas shopping in.  We visited Kirks and Toby posed as the doorman.

Toby looking welcoming

It was probably our last visit to that shop as David Jones has bought it and I think it swaps over in January.  Huge change for Wellington.  It's a little bit of a shame.

Toby and I found some sushi for his dinner and he was so happy.  He scoffed 8 jumbo pieces.  Chicken and avocado.  Hahah!  He's so cute.

Then Mike came and I dropped them off at Southern Cross so they could watch Nightmare before Christmas and I went grocery shopping.  Back home and I mucked around before going to bed.

I was fast asleep when the boys pounded on the front door.  I did hear a little through my sleep befuddled brain of their exciting evening.

It's an odd morning this morning in Wellington.  Not a breath of wind.  Wow!  More, please!

Have a wonderful day.

Love,
Angela

The weekend with a bit of lots of things

Hi,

For a weekend with not much on, I feel a little like I need a holiday this morning.  Hahah.

Friday night Andrew came home with Mike after a few drinks and they both tucked into Burger Wisconsin while we watched a Friday night movie together.  Blade Runner.  It was good!

Next morning we were up to grab some second hand clothes for the work Christmas party.  Fortunately Aidan has trained me in finding the second hand stores and we found almost everything in the first one we visited.  From there, Mike had a quick look in two others before we went to McDonalds for lunch.

Maccas for an iced coffee

Posing nicely for the camera

Toby encroaching on my photo

Ok - Toby photobombing my photo!

Toby loves his Create Your Own burger at Maccas

As does Mike!

Mike and Toby discovered the Petone store did the Create Your Own burgers now, so they got stuck into one of those.  I had a bite, and it was actually not too bad.  My iced coffee was far too sweet.  Less sugar and it would have been quite good.

Back home and sorted before dropping Toby off at Isaac's house for a sleepover and then us to Serge's house for pre party drinks.  Serge took a few photos of me.  To capture the idiocy!  The theme was Back to School.

School girl.  Snort!  Not really.

Pigtails!

The venue was upstairs at Macs Brewery and it was very good.  Nice canapes and then a huge plate of calamari turned up on our table so I helped demolish that.  Not much room left for mains after that.

Naughty school kids

Playground skipping!

One of the naughty kids!  Hahaha!

Dance moves!

At midnight we left the party and went to karaoke!  Woot!  A whole bunch of us.  And even Carl and Hazel turned up after Daniel's wedding.  Awesome!  It made for a late night home.  2am!  Oooooo.

Karaoke selfie!

Up early the next morning after 5 hours sleep.  I drove out to Sophie's house and caught up with Andrew and Pax before whisking Sophie off for brekkie at her local cafe.  Quite good eggs benny.  And I have had the iced coffee there before and it is quite good.

Another iced coffee - this time at the cafe near Sophie's house

Dropped Sophie back home with a plan for a date in early January after they get back from Brisbane.  Back home and then we went Christmas tree shopping.

We've found our tree!

Toby hangs around in the loft, grabbing down Christmas decorations and putting up ski gear

We popped around to Fiona and Brendon's place for afternoon tea and I scoffed lots of meat.  Mmmm.  Toby and I read two "That's not my..." books and relived his childhood.  Hahahah!

Where's the mouse, Toby?

The big difference is, he spoke more this time.  He used to just point to the mouse.  He's so grown up now!  :-p

Nostalgia!

Back home and Toby decorated the tree.  He's so much taller than me, he can do it easily.  We strung the lights up too!

The finishing touches on the tree

The tree in all its glory.  The house smells great!

Toby has decided our tree looks like a woman.  It has a narrow waist!  Hahah!  From the angle above, I think I agree with him.

Right.  Time for the week ahead.  Toby finishes school tomorrow.  I have a half day to collect him, clear out his locker and take him to a cafe and then Christmas shopping.  Bring it on!

Have a great week yourselves!

Love,
Angela