The Wednesday with a busy evening

Hi,

Toby was off school yesterday and his sulphorous burps have turned more insidious, meaning he can't be far from a toilet.  Rather unpleasant.  Hopefully his body is getting rid of whatever has caused it to get so upset.

Despite my frantic day, I did get out to catch up with Celia.  We went to Home at MBIE and I had an iced coffee there.  They got full marks for presentation.  And it wasn't too sweet.  But I discovered why.  They used honey to sweeten it.  And of course, the coldness means the honey solidifies and doesn't spread out into the drink.  But at the bottom, it was undrinkable in its sweetness.  What marks overall?  A 7.

Iced coffee @ Home.  With honey!

I rode home after work and got some toast for Toby.  Trying to keep his diet simple.  Then I was off to the Nepal information evening.  Bharat gave a slide show and Mike featured a lot in his photos from his trip last year.  And he had a special mention for Mike's Dad and the memorial that was built for him.  We saw a few slides and Bharat mentioned that it was a special thing that happened while they were there, and that they will trek past it again this time.

I went home and collected Toby and his homework assignment due on Friday and we went into work.  We spread the work out over the floor next to my desk and Toby got the hang of printing and using my swipe card to get it off the printer.  Then he cut things out and stuck them on.  It looks ok.

Almost done

Mike flew back into Wellington from his day in Chch and dropped in briefly to work to see us.  He then called in to see Josh for a chat before heading home.  I was almost asleep by the time he came to bed.

This morning is cold here.  And windy.  My ride in was a bit tricky.  Damp roads and cold, strong winds.

But, nothing that can't be fixed by a nice cup of tea.

Have a great day!

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday that felt like a Monday

Hi,

Well, I kept making appointment for tasks for myself on Monday and wondering why I never got a reminder.  Hahah.  And one reminder I did get said I was a day late for a meeting I just made.  Oops.  And today doesn't really feel like a Wednesday either.  So my confusion continues.

It is beautiful here today and no mistake.

View of Mt Kau Kau this moning

Mike has his Chch day today so Mike and Toby were frantic to make an early getaway.  Not sure they did it.  Haven't heard.

Toby is a bit sick.  Not sure why.  His burps are constant and full of sulphorous odour.  Really quite yucky.

He has a big assignment due at the end of this week.  We are working on it every night this week.  We might come into work tonight with it so we can print out until we get it right for his display stand.  Our printer at home is a little temperamental.

My ride in was lovely - the roads were mostly dry.  Yay for dry roads.  But I am already looking forward to the end of the day so I can help Toby get this assignment done and dusted.

Have a wonderful day.

Love,
Angela

The long weekend with the best fun!

Hi,

Wow - I don't think I can do justice to the awesome weekend we had.  We left Wellington in stunning weather on Friday night.

Oriental beach on Friday night

Flew into Auckland without any hassles and collected the car from Apex.  Drove out to the Sampson house at Whenuapai.  What an awesome house.  Huge backyard.  Great location.  Yep - they'll be happy there for quite a while.

Hannah moved out for the weekend so we could have her room.  She's so sweet.  I was very proud (although I think they know that Mike and I would have slept anywhere) - and my body was also pleased to have a bed.  We did see her as she came back on Saturday night and cooked tea for us.  Lucky!  Scrumptious jambalaya.  Mmmmm.

But we were up early (4am!) and away for the dawn service.  Wally came too and found us a great car park about 1.5 km from the Auckland Museum.  We were there by 5.15am and it was definitely already packed.  I couldn't see very much.

ANZAC dawn service

Me, Wally and Mike

Auckland museum looked good

The boys after the service

ANZAC service programme

It was a great service. They did very well.  I thought it was the right amount of sombre ceremony.  Nothing flash - just more people than the usual one.

Back home via Maccas - but the queue was coming out the door.  So Wally fried up a huge breakfast at home.  Great!  I was full!

To walk it all off, we walked to Herald Island.  It must have been about 8 km all up.  It was lovely.

Herald Island walk

Looking out from Herald Island

Dinghies on Herald Island

Feet on Herald Island

Back home for fish n chips in the backyard and an early night.

Brennan and Toby enjoying the trampoline

I got an iced coffee from Wally and it was superb!

Next morning we had a lazy start then drove to the Waitakere Ranges for a wonderful walk to Fairy Falls.

Off to visit Fairy Falls in the Waitakere Ranges

Selfie with Mike

Selfie with Lesley

The kids climbed up the falls a wee way

Then from there we went to Bethell's Beach for a picnic.  Mmmmm.  Foooooood!

Sensation!

Picnic at Bethell Beach

Mike checks out the black sands of Bethell's Beach

Selfie in front of sea cave at Bethell's Beach

Walking back to the car

Awesome foot shot

I convinced everyone (even Brennan and Toby - twice!) that we really needed to do SingStar.  The Sampsons love it.  This was just the excuse they needed.  Hahahah.  We sang non stop for 6 hours!

We were all hoarse the next morning.

Karaoke!

It's a group effort!

But the next morning we had to leave.  We dropped Toby off at Jack's place and then Mike and I collected Roz and we went to Columbus in Onehunga for brunch.  I had a great eggs benedict.

Brunch with Roz

I get a hug from Roz

We caught up with Roz and then went shopping.  Well, Mike did.  All of Auckland was there due to the poor weather.  So Roz and I sat in the car and Mike dashed in to get the present for Jack.

Dropped Roz off home then caught up briefly with John and Mai (collected Elma, John's mother for the party too).  Toby didn't want to leave.  Poor kid.

Off to the airport for our bumpy flight home.  It was ok.  Had far worse landings.

This morning was pelting down rain here.  I never went for my run as I would have been soaked in 2 minutes.  But I rode in.  It was ok.  A wee break in the weather.

Have a wonderful week.  Thanks to everyone for a great weekend!  Can't wait to go back there now.

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with nothing much

Hi,

What a weird day at work.  It isn't often I am in an all day workshop (and again today).  So it is weird to be at work, but not doing my usual workload.  But it was fairly full on, so I was a bit grateful to finally see the end of the day.

Another stunning day here

Mike got to work from his Lower Hutt client just as I was finishing up.  So he took me home and we packed for our weekend up in Auckland.  Woot!  Can't wait.  Toby will get off in town this afternoon and he and I will find some yummy dinner while we wait for Mike to get done and head to the airport after that.

It is a long weekend here for ANZAC Day.  It was Mondayised last year but this is the first year it actually works in practise.  We're flying back at 5pm on Monday (arriving at 6pm).

Right.  Time to get stuck in before my workshop.  Have a lovely long weekend.  Enjoy the special ANZAC celebrations.  100 years.  Wow.

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with Aidan back - but not much else happening

Hi,

Woot!  This morning is stunning here in Wellington.  And I have also been meaning to mention it is birthday week for Michael.  Happy birthday Michael.  It's always busy for Shona this time of April!

Stunning sunrise view to Mt Kau Kau

Mike trying to photo bomb it.  Lucky it's just the top of his head because he only has a towel on!

Yesterday was busy but fun.  Mainly because Aidan flew back into town from her crazy (but essential) one week dash to New Hampshire to see her family.  And because I'm not likely to see her for ages yet, I did manage to squeeze in a hello as I dropped her from her house to her work.  Yep - after about 28 hours non stop travel, she went into work.  And she looked remarkably good for it too.  Pretty sure it wouldn't be terribly fun for my colleagues if I attempted a similar feat.

And, as is becoming a tradition, I got some socks from her visit.  Hahahah!  I was actually wearing the last pair of socks Aidan got me on her previous trip back to the US.  I like a bit of symmetry.  Toby should like these ones, as they feature a lot of orange.

Loving my most recent sock present

I ended up driving home and collecting Toby from the library as I went up the hill.  He was chuffed to get a ride home.  Cooked tea (chicken enchiladas) and promptly had to try and force Toby to at least try some.  He ate the salad I made him.

But Mike got home and enjoyed them!  Yay.  And he has them for lunch today too.  Good work.

Nice ride in this morning - it really is a lovely day today.  I am busy today and tomorrow in a workshop.  And tomorrow we leave for Auckland for the three day weekend.  Can't wait!

Have a wonderful day.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with not much

Hi,

Not a lot happened yesterday really.  It was nice having Mike in the office, but even then I never really saw him much.  I was busy.  Typical day, if a few more meetings than usual.  I did catch up with Ilske for a coffee date though.  That might have been the highlight of the day.

I rode home and found wee Toby at home, getting stuck into Tim Tams and not getting stuck into his homework like I wanted.  Hahahah.  I started tea and Mike got home just as I served it up.  Perfect timing.  He had a migraine yesterday so he is feeling a bit washed out.

The evening disappeared in a flurry of inactivity.  Well, I can't remember anything dramatic happening, at any rate.

This morning went well.  Aidan has landed back in New Zealand.  Yay for that.  I rode into work and the roads were damp from overnight rain.  It looks like it might rain today too.  Southerly again.  But at the moment it is fine.

Right.  Time for a tea.  Enjoy your day!

Love,
Angela

The Monday with nothing much

Hi,

Well, I guess the Monday did throw something up. I got a new job at work officially announced yesterday. I am a huge mouthful of a title now. Support Team Lead CRM & SharePoint Yep. That's me. In practise, it's the same job I have been doing for ages now. Just recognised with a job title. But I guess there are extra challenges that will come my way because of it.

I am rather excited, I guess. A change is as good as a holiday.

Right. As for yesterday, it all worked out ok. Mike went to Chch. I dropped Toby off and rode in from the library. A slight flaw in my plan meant that Toby walked home after school and didn't stay at the library. I looked for him before calling home and finding him there already. But we weren't late so it was all good.

Came home and made tea. Did some homework (Toby - not me). Relaxed before Mike got home. He had been at Scouts with Emerson and Duncan, showing the Scouts what he packs for a tramping trip. Mike said it was good fun. What wasn't so much fun is that he got a migraine right in the middle of it and had to do his talk without really being able to see his audience! But his vision cleared before he had to drive home and it sounds like it wasn't too bed - he just put himself to bed and that was that.

As I type, Aidan is in Chicago airport, waiting for her flight in an hour to LAX. Then it's the long hop over to Auckland through the night. She loses Tuesday entirely. Unlike her Thursday last week that was interminable. I hope her trip back home was good for her and her family.

Today is a normal day. I think. Work madness. Oh. No. I just remembered. We're supposed to go out. I think I might go home and do Toby homework and cook tea. Mike can go out.

Have a fantastic day!

Love,
Angela

The weekend with loads on

Hi,

What a busy weekend.  Mike and Toby got back around 1900 on Friday night and they were looking very happy and relaxed after their week in the bush.  Josh and the boys looked good too.  All up, it sounds like a successful adventure.  Good on them!  Mike will no doubt write it up for us to enjoy.

After  they both had a wash, they were allowed near a bed.  Hahah!  We slept in because Ilkse's 4WD Saturday was cancelled due to poor weather so we had no reason to get up early.  Instead we went out to brunch at the Dowse and bought a few things like an electric blanket for Toby's bed and a rubbish bin for our room.  Stuff like that.

Iced chocolate fun at Dowse

Please pose sensibly!

My boys are fun!

My iced coffee

Fingers over the camera as the boys try to "help"

Outside the Dowse

From there we headed home and Mike cooked dinner for us.  Mmmmm.  It was good.  We had an early night really (or I did) as I was getting up early for an archery have a go session with Ange.

Sunday morning from our house

The day was stunning - beautiful view from our house over the misty valley to Mt Kau Kau.  I collected Ange at 7.20am and we drove out to the end of Sally and Andrew's road for our archery session.  I had such fun.  Ange did too.  We want to do the beginner's course now.  We spent two hours shooting at the targets.  We started quite close to the target at about 12 m.  But after our first end (where I actually got arrows in the bulls eye) he said he'd never had such a good class and we moved back to the next mark.  I think we shot the rest from 14 m.

On my first end, the instructor asked me if I had ever done this before.  I said no.  And he said for me to not think about anything and just keep doing what I'm doing.  I was the only one he changed the sights for.  Turns out my dominant eye was giving me gyp - I am left  eyed.  Which doesn't work well for archery.  I kept having to try to remember to close my left eye.  If I was off with my arrows, it was because I was shooting with the wrong eye.  Towards the end the instructor came over and said that he wasn't ignoring me.  He just saw nothing for me to fix right now.  Hahah.

Anyhow, I had a lot of fun.  And I am keen to try it again.

I take aim

Fire away

Ange took me to Caffiend on Jackson St afterwards.  And the iced coffee was pretty good.  More like an iced slushy.  Crushed ice and ice cream.  Good taste.

Another iced coffee at Caffiend with Ange

Back home and I tidied before Celia came to say hi with her two wee girls.  Toby loved it.  I convinced them to stay for pizza and we ate and then Celia left to explore the Wellington war memorial changes.

Chaos in Toby's room with Eva and Charlie

Mike was out at tramping meetings and I got the ironing done.  Then I took him into work to get some stuff done for his trip to Chch today before driving up to Josh's place.  But Mike ran out of time and we pulled the plug on his beer drinking chat with Josh in favour of homework and getting ready for the week ahead.

Weird ironing experience in front of our bedroom mirror

A bit chaotic this morning as Mike got ready for his flight.  I dropped Toby off at the bus stop and rode in from the library.  Got an appointment with him at 5pm today.

Have a wonderful week ahead.  Short week next week for ANZAC Day.  Yay.  Love this time of year with its short weeks.

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with a movie with Ange

Hi,

Well, the plan was to fill in my day and evening so I never had time to think about much besides work.  It worked pretty well.

I got an iced coffee in with Rex and Jo.  Rex doesn't drink coffee (like me really) but the caffeine from the iced coffees makes him a bit funny.  So we decided to try a decaf iced coffee. Rex was in love with it, I think!  Decaf FTW!

Decaf iced coffee.  Yes, there is such a thing!

Work disappeared in a blur of frenzied activity as it usually does and then I was collecting Ange from the pub to heading off to see a movie.  She drove closer to the movie venue and we walked the last wee way.  I enjoyed the evening - crisp and clear.   We watched the Second Best Marigold Hotel and it was a good distraction.  It stands up well to the first one.  Different tone to it.  But I had a few laughs.  

Hi Christine's house!  Mt Vic catching the sunset.

Ange dropped me home and I think I was asleep in seconds of my head falling onto the pillow.  Such a late night for me.  I did wake up at 4 am when I got a text from Aidan.  She had landed in LAX and was waiting for her next flight.  I rolled over and got another hour in before the alarm went off for my run.

Had an alright run.  Average time.  Hoping to blitz it on Sunday.  No idea why.  Just because.

The weekend should be awesome.  Mike and Toby are due back and I have missed them.  I might cry when I see Mike.  I need to get a grip!  Hahahah.  Then 4WD with Ilske tomorrow.  Then archery with Ange on Sunday.  And time with Toby.  Mike is away for Survival Night.  But that is a misnomer.  They eat bacon and drink beer all night.  Guess they still have to survive that!

Right.  Time for tea.

Have a brilliant day.

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with lunch with Aidan

Hi,

What a funny day yesterday.  I am supposed to go for a run with Mary around lunchtimes on Wednesdays.  But yesterday it all went a bit pear-shaped.  We delayed our run until 4.30pm but then Mary got held up at a client site.  So it never happened.

But it did mean I got a lunch with Aidan and her colleague, Greg, instead.  Yay!  We went to the dumpling place.  Not sure what Greg thought of it but I enjoyed it.  And I think Aidan did.  She is off now for a week to visit her grandmother in the States.  Her grandmother has been quite sick and Aidan is fulfilling her grand-daughter (and daughter) duties.  Apart from the flying she dreads, I don't think it is a duty to her at all.  It's important.

The weather is still deliciously cold here.  I am looking out at the Hutt Valley and it is shrouded in misty light cloud.  So, actually, I can't see the Hutt at all.

Tonight I am off to the movies with Ange.  We'll see that Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel movie.  Should keep me entertained for a while.

I do need to finish tidying the house.  I have just been watching Downton Abbey in the evenings and neglecting my housework duties.  But the boys should be home tomorrow so I really need to sort out a few things first.

Have a great day!  Safe travels to Aidan.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with not much

Hi,

After a freezing, busy day at work, it was nice to get a bit warmer on my ride home.  But I ate so much during the day it wasn't funny.  Started with breakfast with Fran, which was yummy and a mountain of food.

Fran and the tip of my mountain of food at The Green Man

Client bought me this chocolate mousse from Louis Sargeant

I was still recovering from that when Rex and Jo asked me to join them for lunch.  I was still full, but I figured, I wouldn't eat much tea so I may as well join them.  I ate another mountain of food - this time noodles.

Got back to my desk and I realised I had a client meeting.  Rushed out for that and ended up with the richest chocolate mousse on earth and I ordered a hot chocolate to boot.  I was well and truly living on the edge.

Back to work and all I wanted to do was lie on the floor under my desk and groan a lot.

I got absorbed in work until Aidan texted if I wanted to come to her place for tea,  Uh oh.  Undone again.  I rode home, got changed (a bit too slow for Aidan; she ate her tea as I was still riding up the hill) and drove over.  I got a huge bowl of chilli that was delicious but very filling and rich.  I almost managed the entire bowl.

Chatted over a cup of tea before heading home.

So, all in all, I ate enough calories yesterday for the entire week.  Hahahah.

Have a brilliant day.  Not too shabby outside, even if it's still cold.

Love,
Angela

The Monday with no one

Hi,

The weather has turned freezing!  There is a snow day today in Dunedin.  Brrrr.  Snow down in Ohakune.  I think the boys will be quite cold on their tramp.  But they have all the right gear.

I rode home yesterday with a southerly to help me.  It was cold even riding home at 5pm.  I was in bed with the electric blanket on pretty early.  And I may have kept it on all night.

Not only that, it was super hard to get out of bed at 5am for a run.  Freezing.  But dry.  Windy though.  My hands were cold, even at the end of the run.

But my ride in wasn't too bad.  It looks like the sort of day where we might get some sleety rain later.

Right.  Time to kick start the day with breakfast with Fran!  Woot!  Haven't caught up with her for ages.  Looking forward to that.  School holiday treat for us.  Although Fran no longer has to worry about school holidays with Corey at uni now.

Have a wonderful day.  Stay warm if you're in NZ.

Love,
Angela

The weekend with Mike and Toby leaving, then my parents leaving

Hi,

It was a great weekend, despite everyone leaving me.  I had Friday off work and even with the pouring rain, we decided to drive over to the Wairarapa.  I had forgotten we were going to visit Aidan and Janne and has a cafe in mind.  But Mum reminded me so we teed that up and popped into see Janne for a cup of tea.  It was so nice!  Mum and Dad were pleased.  Then we turned around and drove back.

William popped over and he stayed for tea and played with Toby.  I think it made Toby pretty happy.

View from Aidan and Janne's place

Their front porch

Mum was tired but still keen for karaoke.  So we went out at 7.30pm and found Celia, Serge and Dave and we sang up a storm for 2 hours.  Woot!  I drove Mum home and then Celia to her car at the train station.

Karaoke!

Saturday was great fun.  Mike and Toby were up early to pack for their week away tramping.  Eventually they were all packed and Josh, Emerson and Duncan arrived to take them away.  So far it sounds like they are having fun.  Mike bought Toby size 11 US tramping shoes!  He's a giant.

Then I collected Aidan from her house and back to collect my parents and we drove over to see Vivienne.  We had the yummiest lunch.  Chatted away for hours.  Played with the dogs.  My parents were so happy.  Made me happy too.  It was Aidan's first time visiting Vivienne and Joshn's place.  I think her eau de Lulu was a huge hit with the dogs.  She must smell way better than me.

Mum and I had an appointment for a facial so we had to leave.  I dropped Dad and Aidan off at our house (Moby was there) and then continued into town for our appointment.  They were running late but it was lovely.

Then I dropped Mum home and dashed off to collect Serge and Paul and drive out to Aotea to Celia's party!  Woot!  More fun!  Had a great time.  Thanks Celia.

I'm partying with royalty

I got home late and snuck in, hoping not to wake my parents.  I felt like a naughty teenager.  Hahah.  Had a great (if short) sleep in Toby's old bed.

Woke up and went for my run.  Did a personal best.  Yay!  Then showered and relaxed before Sally arrived to take my parents to the airport.  We left them at the drop off place and I had tears in my eyes. But then I watched my mother try to get the automatic doors to register her presence and giggled my tears away.  But I miss them already.

Sally had a perfect plan for cheering me up. Lunch with her and Andrew at the Dowse.  Their iced coffee was pretty good.  I had Eggs Benedict and enjoyed that.

Lunch with Sally and Andrew

Iced coffee to forget my sorrows at everyone leaving me

 Andrew raced off to meet John for golf and Sally and I walked back to her place and then she drove me home in the wee white car.  Such a cool end to the weekend.

I watched Downton Abbey for hours before falling asleep super early.  The heavy rain and wind at 3.30am woke me up.  But at 6am it was ok again and my ride in was dry.

Time to start the week.

Have a wonderful week yourself.

Love,
Angela