The weekend with hardly a moment to chill

Hi,

What a whirlwind weekend that was!  Friday night I went out for dinner (sushi train) after work and then karaoke fun!  Woot!

Dave and Celia take it up a notch!

It was an early night though because Saturday was huuuuuuuggggeeeee!  I drove James and Celia home in her wee car.  Ok - right now I am glad I don't own a Nissan Micra.  But it got us to Moera.  Mike had only just got to Sally and Andrew's house with Toby himself.  So he jumped into the car and came and collected me.

Sally and Andrew sorted us out on the floor in the lounge and I was asleep in seconds.  Awake to pouring rain.  Oh.  No run for me.  Had a shower and got dressed.  Mike and I drove around to collect Celia and James, had a Maccas run (mmmmm) and then waited at Petone train station for the work bus.

It was really fast - they left on the dot of 8.30am from town.  Soon we were away.  The bus driver was awesome - thanks Dave!  We made great time to Martinborough where most of us got off for aht beer tasting part of the day (Mike's tour).  I stayed with Maryanne for the Brackenridge Spa.  What an amazing place.

Look at the platter they prepared for us!

I could handle this more often!  Brackenridge Spa was amazing!

And I had the Revival Facial (I think) and it was heaven.  Can I go back this weekend too?  I don't know what the thing was - maybe it was the gi-normous cheese board I helped eat before it.  But I was as relaxed as... an overcooked noodle.

From there we went to collect the beer tasters and then off to Murdoch James for lunch.  Some confusion meant they had issues with our order.  But they compensated admirably, even if it did make us a little later than anticipated.  But I enjoyed chatting to people.  And it was yummy when it came out.  I had the lamb.

Lunch was great - Mike got a pinky nail coloured in

Lamb lunch

From there we went back to Green Jersey cycle hire.  Where Mike discovered despite paying in full weeks ago for the 30 bikes, and popping in at 10am that day to confirm again, they had sold all our bikes.  Oh.  Good business model.  30 people tell 30 others and they don't come back to use your cycle business.

Anyway, it didn't matter.  We hopped back on the bus and drove to a couple of wineries and had fun.  I went to Te Kairangi and enjoyed the sunshine while people tasted wine.

Hanging flowers at Te Kairangi

Barrels!

We fitted in another stop at a brewery (some went to Cambridge St winery) before we were off. The bus nearly blew itself up on the way up.  Three quarters up we had to stop and anti freeze poured out the back in a slightly disturbing manner.

Mike decided to surf the bus from the summit down.  He did well, really.  Until we almost got to the end and he lost balance and fell hard against the side door and it popped open.  Fortunately not quite enough for him to fall out.  The entire bus shouted out "Sit down, Mike!".  My heart eventually slowed back to a normal pace.

Best say not much about the bus surfing incident

We jumped into our car at Petone and hurtled into town.  Parked at Reading and then off to see Gin Wigmore.  Sally, Andrew and Toby were already seated and watching the support act.  They were good (some brother/sister combo from Melbourne - possibly with King Lear in their name, but I couldn't quite understand what they said).

We all loved the concert.  Toby was clapping enthusiastically.  Gin did well, if a little shorter than I thought.

Toby watches Gin perform!

Gin!

I dropped the boys home and then took Sally and Andrew home.

Next morning I slept in, exhausted by the frenetic pace. But when I woke up, it was time to head to the working bee at the archery club.

I weeded for a few hours - carefully around agapanthus.  Then had a bbq lunch with whitebait patties.  Yum!  Back home for my only down time.  I read for a bit next to Mike on the bed before I realised I was actually asleep.  So I cuddled in for a 10 minute nap that may have lasted 20 minutes.  Oops.

Dropped Mike and Toby off at Josh's place and then collected Christine and Tom.  Caught up with loads of people at the Thanksgiving lunch.  Amazing food!  Wow.  Who makes stuffing like that?  I wish I did!

And I had pumpkin pie.  Yum.  Although someone hideously spiked the cream with a horrible substance that I later found out was bourbon.  That was foul!  Chatted away to people.  Sally and Andrew arrived too.  Met Riley (a cousin of Emerson and Duncan's) and wondered what she made of her first New Zealand Thanksgiving.

Home to my mountain of ironing.  Groan.  Got through some of it.  And off to bed.

Up early for a good run and enjoyed my ride into town.  Gorgeous day here.  The best sort of day.  Hope there's a cruise ship in!

Moon and Mt Kaukau.  Gorgeous morning.  Makes you all want to live here!

Have a fabulous week ahead!  First day of December tomorrow. Jeepers!

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with nothing much

Hi,

Thursday came and Thursday went.  For some reason, I am a day behind this week.  So today (Friday) feels like Thursday.  It's the best feeling when you think it's Thursday and you realise it is actually Friday!  Woot!

Big weekend ahead.  Big!  I'll need a holiday to recover.  Karaoke night tonight.  First time in months and months and months.  I am over my cold (pretty sure) so I should be in fine form.  Well, as fine as I get.  Which isn't very fine at all.  But is totally enthusiastic!

Then off to Sally and Andrew's house afterwards to sleep overnight there.  Up early for a run (that's my plan - I fancy checking out the riverside run) and then off to Petone train station to catch a bus full of wok colleagues for our social club Big Day Out (BDO).  We're going to the Wairarapa for some fun in the... rain.  But never mind.  I can't wait.  It will be such fun!

I have a spa booking for some pampering.  Then lunch with everyone before a cycle ride through wineries.  Awesome!  Thanks everyone for organising it.

We catch the same bus back and collect our car from Petone and hurtle into town to meet Sally, Andrew and Toby for the Gin Wigmore concert.  Huge!!!!!

Sunday I am up early for a working bee at my archery club.  Then home to prep for Thanksgiving lunch at Josh's place.

Told you my weekend was huge.  Bigger than huge!

Try and keep up with me this weekend!  Woot!

Have fun!

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with Lulu staying

Hi,

After I left home yesterday morning, Josh dropped Lulu off for a sleepover.  Hahah.  I was excited to ride home and see her.  But I had to leave her all excited to see me and head out to collect Toby and feed Ange's cats.  Then we got back and Toby took Lulu for a walk.  They were both so happy.  Mike got home just as Toby left.

I cooked some dinner for Toby and Mike made some dinner for himself and I then got ready for the first dragon boating training session.  But first we took Lulu for another walk - but just around the block.  I think having a dog is marvellous!

I jumped in the car and headed to Freyburg pool.  Met Dave who was the first one there and waited for the others to turn up.  We did some warm ups and then tried paddling technique and timing.  Ummmmmm....  It's a bit hard.  Hahahah!  I have a lot of work to do over the summer.

I dropped Ian off at the station and then did some more grocery shopping.  Seems I practically live there in the evenings lately.  But I was alone so I went to my favourite supermarket.  Not the yucky Aidan one.

Back home and I was pleased to fall into bed.  Perhaps I didn't quite get to sleep early enough.  Mike took Lulu off our bed and down to Toby's room.  She stayed there all her doggy night.  Her doggy night seems to end at 4.20am!  That was when she came back to our room.  Oooohhh - that was a wee bit early.  We managed to put her off for a wee bit, until my alarm went off at 5am.  She obviously saw that as the signal for some play time.  Her tail was waggling hard because I could hear it thumping on the walls around our bed.

I got up and decided against a run in favour of an early morning walk with her.  Yay!  We only walked about 1.5 km but I think she had enough by then.  Back home for food for her while I showered.

I left the boys still in bed when I left, despite my pleas for them to get out of bed.  I hope they have made a move now!

I think Mike has something on after work today.  I'll ride home and do the laundry and make tea and tidy.  The place oddly needs a good lux now.  Seems like there are light coloured dog hairs everywhere.

Have an incredible day!

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with E and D staying

Hi,

I had a good ride home in blustery northerlies.  Emerson was waiting at home when I got there (fortunately not for too long) and I let him in.  Turns out there was some competitive event to get to our place, with Toby coming in a distant third.  Emerson took the bus with Toby and walked home from the library.  Duncan decided to take his normal bus home and change in Kelburn to the bus to our house.  And Toby texted me while I was riding home and asked for a lift.

So, after Duncan got in, I settled the boys in and then changed to go and collect Toby.  On the way home, we fed Ange's cats as she is now well and truly on her way to a great holiday in Las Vegas, New Orleans and the Caribbean.  Toby enjoyed playing with them.

Back home and I cooked tea for the boys and then read for a bit before bed.  Mike got home fairly early from his brew bottling session and I fell into a coma while he was still doing something in bed.  Not sure what.  Hahah.

Up early to get fives lunches done.  Wow.  Made a dent in my morning routine.  Left the boys (lots of boys!) in relative calm.  Mike was watching me make lunches and saying things like "I  never get up this early" and "It's so early".

Nice ride in.  Warm today, despite the wind and overcast weather.

Lulu arrives today to stay.  I hope I get to walk her this evening.  I have dragon boating training so I am a little unsure of the timings.  Fingers crossed.

Have a wonderful day!

Love,
Angela

The Monday with a walk

Hi,

I guess it was tough to get back into work after a whirlwind weekend like that.  As a consequence, my Monday seemed to take two days to get through.  Hahah.  But I enjoyed my ride home.  First time for a wee while - last week there always seemed to be a need to take the car off Mike for some reason or another.  But it looks good for another ride home today too.  Yay!

I cooked dinner and Mike got home just as it was ready.  We ate and then Aidan came and collected me for a tandem grocery shopping expedition.  Her supermarket of preference is Countdown, but I still love her anyway.  I have no idea how Countdown can have their fruit and vege supply so poor compared to New World.  Everything else is fine - I think.  But, I really don't like their fruit and veges.  They must keep them stored somewhere for a lot longer.  I dunno.  In saying that though, the strawberries I got last night were very good.  Oh well.  I have to go to Countdown every now and then to buy Rooibos.  So if that is when I go grocery shopping with Aidan, then all is right with the world!

Anyway, I got home and then I tidied Toby's room.  I am unsure how he can get it quite so messy.  I suspect my mother knows though.  It's genetic, I'm sure.  After that I went for a walk with Mike around the neighbourhood.  It was a good walk.  I love evening walks.  I should have been born in Europe where they still promenade as the night draws near.

Anyway, today is windy and overcast, but no sign of rain.  If the clouds above released their rain, the wind would ensure it landed in Blenheim anyway.  E & D arrive at our house tonight for a special mid week school night sleepover.  Doesn't happen often.  Toby was off school yesterday with a sore ear (he has medicine from the doctor for it - Swimmers Ear - although he hasn't been swimming!) but he is back today.  And the boys should all come home and I'll cook up tea.  I suspect there isn't much in the way of homework.  Maybe Mathletics for Toby for a bit.  Aidan is off for work.  Routine back to normal tomorrow, I'm sure.

It must be time for a tea.  My regular tea companion at work (Jurica) is working from home for two weeks while his wife is attending conferences.  Solo tea for me for a while.

Have a fantastic day!

Love,
Angela

The weekend in Auckland seeing Florence

Hi,

What an amazing weekend. I had such a good time and there was hardly any downtime at all. It was all systems go the whole weekend.

Aidan and I left in the Corolla from work at midday. It turns out that was probably a fantastic decision. I collected the car and headed to Aidan's work. She was waiting with her colleague, Pam. Pam wasn't feeling well and lives in Paraparaumu, which was on our way. We grabbed Aidan's gear from her place and headed up the coast.

Pam got safely delivered home and we kept going to Otaki where Aidan was coveting a pie from the petrol station. We were both starving by this time and I had a nice peppery steak pie and Aidan got a Thai chicken one. Scoffed that down in the car park and off again.

The weather was pretty poor all the way up the island. Rain off and on. Not very heavy though.

Next stop was Taihape and Aidan wanted to check out a shop with housewares. I sang while in the car, waiting. I started Bruce Springsteen and Aidan was very tolerant. I may have sang Bruce songs for the next two hours. Aidan didn't say anything but since then she has instigated a rule of no more than one hour a day of Bruce while on road trips with her. Oops.

Petrol somewhere north of Taupo and Aidan was starving so she grabbed some McDonald's. I don't mind breakfasts at McDonalds but I really don't like their burgers. Aidan has discovered they have wraps and she doesn't mind that if she's hungry. She also gets car sick on an empty stomach. However by the time I was hungry, there were no towns around. I ate leftover Doritos for my tea. With strawberries for dessert. "Salad" as Aidan called it. Fruit salad this time - she took off the stalks after the last effort ended up with me spitting out leafy bits (in my defence it was getting dark by this stage and I needed to keep my eyes on the road).

Time for a podcast and I enjoyed Aidan's selection. They also did the trick of sending her to sleep. We drove into the outskirts of Auckland around 8.00 pm and we were at Roz's house within forty minutes I guess. Nearly foiled at the end with local road closures all around her street. But we got there in the end.

Aidan collapsed into bed and I chatted to Roz for a while, catching up. Eventually sleep claimed me and Roz settled into her mattress on the floor and I got her bed. Roz has a fantastic bed! How on earth she wanted to give that up and sleep on the floor is beyond me. Next time it is definitely my turn on the floor.

I wandered down to Roz's room and started to get ready. I thought I heard the cat snuffling and wondered if she was in Roz's room. So I looked around and realised it wasn't actually in this room. Popping my head back out the door, I realised it was coming from the spare room - Aidan was obviously well asleep and making sounds that I initially attributed to the cat. So, way more delicate than a raucous snore - but definite signs of a deep, contented sleep, nonetheless. Hahah!

The weather in Auckland was a bit pants. Windy! And for a while Roz's bedroom door squeaked back and forth in the wind. So I had to get up and open it wide so I could get to sleep. Then Mike rang just as I was asleep. Hahah. Eventually fell into a coma and woke around 6am.

Never saw Aidan for a while - the cat noises were in evidence still. She managed to sleep for eleven hours by the time she finally woke up. Roz and I were enjoying a cup of tea when she wandered out. We all had one and then went off to find the cafe of choice in Onehanga. Mmmmm. It was good.

Good eggs benny

Iced coffee was good too!

After brekkie we discovered an archery shop really close by so poor Roz had to endure excited shopping from me and Aidan (originally we were going to drop her home before we went archery shopping - but it was so close!). Aidan bought arrows! Woot! I have a finger tab and an arm guard. I can't wait to head to the range now to try them out.

After we went back to Roz's house, we left again to go Op Shopping. Roz had pointed out a good street with a few of them. But Aidan went into the first one and never came out for the best part of two hours. I kid you not!

Aidan gets into the shopping experience

That is a happy face behind that possible dress option! (It didn't make it into the yes pile)

I was quite happy though - there were plenty of books and knick knack things to keep me occupied for a while. And then I was useful as the clothes holder and put-away person. I also got a look at some shorts Aidan tried that she was convinced came from the costume wardrobe of the Hobbit movies. Hahah! Highlight of the shopping right there!

Eventually I had to say to Aidan that we had to leave. I was hoping not to have to use that dreaded phrase "I think it's time we left now" because I really was quite enjoying myself and I know Aidan was and she thinks that it isn't that much fun for me. But if I don't do it much and I am in the mood, it is fine. Seriously it was getting a bit late to make our appointment in town by this stage. I had no idea Aidan was going to be absorbed for so long.

We jumped in the car after making the Op Shop hit its profit target for that day, and drove into the city. Fortunately we found a car park on the street only a block from the spa after only one circuit around. Unfortunately my bragging about parallel parking suffered as I hurtled to a stop in the middle of the road and tried to park from that position. Not good. I ended up having to come back out and park properly. But once I did that, it worked first time. However, I had to endure sniggering from Aidan and she reported two men on the street were disgusted with my first attempts. Tough audience! Aidan, I mean. I don't give a hoot about two random strangers.

We went to the spa and got our feet and hands (Aidan) pampered. Roz was there already and Anne arrived right on time. My feet were stunning with the cherry pie red I selected for my toenails.

 

Gorgeous feet!

The end result!

After the spa session, Roz went home and Aidan, Anne and I went to some deli or other under Sky City. New York style. I had New England styled mussel and pastrami chowder - with kumara. Not sure how close it really was to New England after that description but it tasted ok to me. I followed it up with pumpkin pie and that was brilliant! Aidan disliked her lox bagel. But I ate most of the poutine (chips and gravy with curd?). Anne regaled us with her tales of living in Auckland and she had us in stitches!

She dashed off to find her sister for the Hunger Games movie and Aidan and I moved the car closer to the concert venue and finally found a pub that wasn't too loud or too crowded. We tried quite a few. I don't know what Aidan bought me, but it was a pomegranate and berry soda and was the yummiest drink I have had in a long time! She drank white wine. She was also fascinated by her fingernail polish.

Taking a selfie of her nails and wine glass

Apparently the fish eye lens made her hand look like a giant hand and that was really funny!

While we sat there chatting and passing the time, we idly watched people wandering around. But all of a sudden Aidan grabbed my arm, looked me in the eyes with a wild expression and shouted "Jo!" and took off out of her seat. I was a little mystified by this slightly out of context behaviour and watched Aidan zip around to another table close by and give a woman a hug. Turns out her work colleague who was also going to see Florence, had selected this pub to have a pre concert drink at too. Who knew?! How funny.

Anyway, our platter of food arrived just before we were due to leave so we tried to make a dent in it. I paid for it while Aidan checked out the facilities and then we were off to the concert. Found our seats and watched the support act from Sydney. Kinda glad they only played for 30 minutes. Sorry about the lack of enthusiasm. I am sure there is a great untapped market out there for their work.

Concert about to start!

Support act

Florence came on bang on 9pm and she did a very good concert. Aidan knew every song and sang heartily. I knew maybe three quarters. It was awesome! Loved it. I'd see her again. She was't too loud. Florence has loads of energy! She leapt around the stage like a crazy person.

I was full of trepidation at taking Aidan to a concert. Aidan has this reputation of falling asleep in concerts. So I quizzed Aidan a bit closer on this. Admittedly, doing it an hour before the concert wasn't probably the wisest course of action. Too late by then. But, it turns out Aidan had attended three concerts in high school (two Suzanne Vega ones and a Sting one) and since then only attended things like the ukulele orchestra and piano concerts and whatever. My brain was going "I'd fall asleep at those sorts of concerts too". Warm room, nice music, comfy seat. Boom! Zzzzzzz.

We had no such concerns here. Aidan loved it!

Back to the car afterwards and a reasonable exit from the car parking building in an orderly queue saw us wrestling with the Auckland spaghetti junction in the dark, in the rain. And the GPS sent us down SH16 instead of SH1. We had a nice drive out west before turning around and getting back to Roz's house around 11.30pm. A little bit of knocking on the door got poor Roz out of bed to let us in.

An electrical storm meant I read my book for a while with the lights flickering. Auckland does seem like a third world city sometimes - especially with their electrical issues. But I was soon asleep. The storm continued all night and apparently Auckland had 1300 lightning strikes during the night. I woke at 5am and could "see" the lightning through my eyelids.

Anyhow, I showered and packed up and we both jumped in the car after thanking Roz for putting up with us coming in at 11.30 and getting up at 5.30! She's a trooper!

We found a McDs just down the road and had some fun with a guy obviously on his first morning shift ever! We had to enter negotiation with him to get our order. We ordered at the speaker. Then confirmed our order again. And just one more time to be sure. Funny. I got a look from his supervisor that made me snort with laughter. The chap poured Aidan's cup of tea in front of me and added half a cup of milk to her boiling water. The supervisor said "No, it'll be cold if you do that" and gave me a long suffering look and took him away out of sight of my prying, mirth-filled eyes. Aidan's tea was just hot milk and filled to the brim. She took off the lid to get the tea bag in and got a lap full of hot milk for her trouble. She opened the door and tipped out enough to make it all work. I got the giggles. Lucky I wasn't holding the hot milk. I'd have been scalded.

Iced coffee madness!  But it was good!

Then we were off. 6.25am we got on the motorway south from Roz's house. I was convinced we'd fallen off the bypass road around Matamata when all I saw were signs for the Coromandel in about 30 km, but it was all good. Aidan allayed my fears by consulting the GPS woman. But you have to remember my trust in GPS woman had been shaken by the SH16 fiasco in the dead of the night, the night before. I asked Aidan twice to confirm. She was very patient with me.

Anyway, we made great time through the wind and rain and we had time to stop in Turangi for a bite to eat to settle Aidan's stomach ahead of the Desert Road. I got an amazing iced coffee at the Mustard Seed cafe where they had carved off a block of ice cream and just plonked it in the top of the coffee. So funny. Tasted great!

The rest of the trip passed easily. We sang away to either Aidan's playlist or my own. And I noticed she chose no Bruce at all. Nada!

It feels like little like that movie everyone parodies - with the Bohemian Rhapsody scene.

We stopped at Waikanae for supermarket provisions and then into town to drop Aidan home. Easy peasy. I'd go on a road trip with her anywhere. She will travel with me, so long as Bruce is rationed properly.

I caught up with my boys and heard about their adventures for the weekend. I ironed a pile of clothes and we went around to Josh's place to collect Mike's bike.

Back home and I collapsed into bed. What an amazing weekend. Mike summed it up by saying he was glad I went away with Aidan, because I do things that are a wee bit different to what I do with my boys. Guess they don't like spa sessions too much. But if they ever start liking those foot spa treatments, I'll be happy to share!

So, thank you everyone involved for an awesome weekend. Mike for letting me go. Aidan for accompanying me. Roz for her hospitality. Anne for joining us. And Florence for a great concert!

Have a great week ahead!

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with nothing much

Hi,

Yesterday Toby had an appointment so I collected him off the bus with the car and we drove to his appointment and enjoyed the sunny afternoon weather.  Back home, and I got him something to eat.  Mike rang for a pick up from town just after 7pm so I nipped back and collected him and my bike.

All is now right with the world.  Bike is at home.  Toby is a bit sick with ear ache today - I think Mike is planning a doctor's visit.

Today I have a half day at work before driving up to Auckland with Aidan.  It's the Florence and the Machine concert tomorrow night.  Woot!  We get to stay with Roz and Roz and I finally get a spa visit together (can't wait for that - if I had known you could pay people to play with your feet I'd have done it years ago!).

The plan is vaguely this:  drive up from midday today.  Eat junk on the way.  Fall into a coma sleep at Roz's place when we get there,  Up for brunch with Roz.  Mmmmm.  Archery shop visit.  Spa visit.  Dinner.  Concert.  Sleep.  Drive.  Junk food.  Wellington.

I think I have covered everything.  The weather is supposed to be pants so we have the Corolla.  Stink for me.

The boys have a sausage and beer night planned tomorrow night.  And probably dreadful movie selection - which I will be grateful to miss.  Hahahah!

Have a wonderful weekend!  You know I will be having one!

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with a movie night

Hi,

Well, the day passed with the pace of a snail.  A snail that was very sleepy.  A sleepy snail pace!  Work was diabolical.  Although I am beginning to think work was pretty normal and it is just my tolerance is at an all time low and so I find all the normal niggly things really frustrating.  So, today I will reset my expectations and approach it all as the new normal.  And just put plans in place to try and yank the niggles back in line with where they should be.

But, work wasn't the highlight of yesterday.  Not even close!  I went out for dinner and a movie with Aidan.  Woot!  She had some social club work function fund raising night where we all got jaffas and went to see the new James Bond movie - Spectre.  Aidan collected me from work, after I had told her my day was a bit pants and I was leaving as soon as my 8 hours was up - but I got absorbed in work and only noticed the time when she texted to say she was leaving her work.  Yikes!  I jumped out of my seat and ran outside and crossed the road and wondered if I would recognise Aidan's new car at a distance and if she would see me and hadn't I made a huge mistake by working later than I thought and ...  Well, my huge list of potential disasters was averted when I recognised Aidan's car in the distance and she saw me and I jumped in.  So, that was easy.

We went to Ombra on Cuba St and had tapas.  Eggplant, lamb and beef meatballs and risotto.  And Aidan had some drink I still have no idea about.  She called it a negrini (I think).

That drink looks a little toxic to me - but Aidan liked it

We wandered around to the movie and waited in the lobby for a bit.  Aidan chatted away to work colleagues and then we went to see the movie.  It must have been quite long because I didn't get home until 9.30pm!  I thought the movie was good - James Bond stuff.  Lovely scenery in awesome cities and rural locations.  Car chases.  Great fun.  Aidan and I did comment on the cheesy opening sequence with naked women and octopus tentacles writhing about in a suggestive manner.  I think that cheese was their intention.

Aidan dropped me home and I fell into bed pretty quick.  Got up for my run this morning and rode in.  We finally have a gorgeous day out there.  Yay!

Have a wonderful day!

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with lunch with Aidan

Hi,

I caught up with a friend for a coffee at Colonial Cafe (near work) and enjoyed an iced coffee.  Work was work - so busy.  And I did have lunch outside in the sunshine with Aidan.

Iced coffee at Colonial Cafe

I was running late at work with a pile of stuff to get through so Mike threw me the car keys and I collected Toby on the way home.  I cooked him tea and then went to collect Mike and Andrew from their beer brewing hop-adding session.  Dropped Andrew at the station and then picked up some groceries before heading home.

Had a great sleep.  Mmmmm.

Tonight I am off to see the new James Bond movie. And maybe something to eat.

Have a great day!

Love,
Angela

The Monday with nothing much

Hi,

I had a very normal Monday in the scheme of things.  Got through work with minimal fuss (always a bonus in my working day) and then rode home.  Mike left work on time so he collected Toby instead of me jumping into the car when I got home and heading back to collect Toby.

I made tea for everyone and then Mike and I ate cheese into the late evening.  Mmmmm.  It was yummy.

Off to bed quite early.  Even Mike!  I got up for my run and had a good run.  Then my bike ride in was lovely too.  The cold southerly has finally turned back to the north and it's not so freezing.  Although I think that might be a short-lived turn of events and a cold blast is coming later today.

Right.  Time for tea.

Have a marvellous day!

Love,
Angela

The weekend in Wellington with a Nepal reunion

Hi,

What a great weekend!  It had a bit of everything, really.  Friday after work I caught up with a bunch of workmates at the pub next door and Janet from our Sydney office (not anymore, but that is a long story) came to visit.  She was down for Toast Martinborough.  Everyone else was off to see the Phoenix play, so at about 7pm it was just me and Janet.

We caught up on each other's news.  She has had a huge amount of change in the last year, besides leaving work.  She's moved to Auckland!  Yay!  New Zealand's gain!


Mike popped in to collect me and chatted to Janet briefly before we headed home.

Iced coffee goodness at Mixed Business

 I was up early with the boys to meet Aidan and her boys at Five Boroughs near the Embassy cinema.  We had breakfast there and I really liked Mike's pancakes.  I'd go back just to try them again.  Aidan didn't have much fun with the menu.  Her first choice (oatmeal) was not available.  Then her second choice (spinach) was not available.  But in the end her scrambled eggs with mushrooms looked amazing.

From there I collected Ange and we both went to the archery range and shot for a few hours.  I do love this!

Saturday morning archery

My archery form

Dropped Ange off and saw Mike's new bike in the garage.  Ooooo.  It is very flash.  Should be good for his Queen Charlotte ride with Andrew on Waitangi weekend.

Mike bought a new MTB.  Oooohhh - I have MTB envy.  We now have 7 bikes in the garage.

I went grocery shopping quickly and then made salad for dinner.  We had our Nepal reunion dinner and had a lot of fun catching up with everyone.  They are like old friends that you feel comfortable with.  Toby loved Simon and Becky's dog, Mossy.  We had awesome food and then watched slides from the trip.

Toby loved Mossy

Mossy is a cavoodle

Sunday we were up early to take Mike to the train station for his day walk.   Isaac came around for the day and he played with Toby.  I tidied and did a mountain of laundry and ironing.  Yuck.  I hate ironing.

Then we had dinner and went to bed.

The week ahead is busy.  Mike and I have nights out after work.  And then on Friday I am off to Auckland for the Florence and the Machine concert.  Woot!

Right.  Time for tea.  Have a fantastic day!

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with a Josh catch up

Hi,

Well, I got through my day just fine.  I did some real work for a change.  It was interesting to see things again from a technical side.  I think some changes are needed.

I caught up with Josh after work and we had a drink and some chips.  I gave him my version of our Nepal trip (he has caught up with Mike several times since and got his view) and we chatted about various things.  Perhaps not quite as political in nature as his conversations with Mike.  Politics doesn't float my boat.

I got a lift home with Josh, which was nice.  And then I chatted to Mike for a bit.  We had a restless night with Toby not sleeping well.

But it is Friday!  Woot!  And the weekend is a biggie.  We have our Nepal reunion dinner tomorrow evening.  I can't wait!  And Isaac is coming to stay on Sunday for the day.  Toby will be chuffed.  I am hoping to squeeze in an archery session tomorrow morning with Ange.  Fingers crossed the weather co-operates.

Tonight after work I am having drinks with Janet (ex Sydney office).  I am looking forward to that!

Right.  Time to start the day.

Have a marvellous weekend.

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with not much

Hi,


It was Chelsea's birthday yesterday though.  Toby always keeps track of that, because it is a month out from his!  I hope she had a lovely day.  Teenage years!  Wow.


I got an iced coffee with Steph and a bacon butty, which was a super way to start the day.  Thanks Steph.

Excellent iced coffee at the Colonial Cafe

Then the day disappeared in a blur of activity. 


I drove the car home because Mike was meeting a friend in town after work and I cooked tea for Toby and then jumped into the car to collect Aidan for some whirlwind grocery shopping.  Dropped her back home and then went home myself and chilled out for a bit.


For some reason this new PC isn't working with photos.  So no pics for you today.  Imagine an iced coffee one.  And a chocolate fish.  Someone at work loves me.  And it's not Mike.  But I know who it is.  And she's lovely too!

Look!  Got the photos in!

Chocolate fish

Have a great day.


Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with a chat with Ange

Hi,

Well, I did get an iced coffee with Mike in the morning, so my day was already way better than the day before.

Mixed Business Iced Coffee goodness

The day went in a huge flurry of activity.  I can't keep up with it all.  Did I really just have an awesome holiday a month ago?  Wonder how I get a job where I can have two weeks on and two weeks off?  Hahahah!

Mike gave me the car at the last minute and I wandered home and sorted out something to eat for Toby.  Then Ange came to our house and we chatted away for quite a while.  I heard all about her holiday coming up.  Lucky her.  Las Vegas.  New Orleans.  Caribbean cruise.  Woot!  Then she's back just before Christmas so she gets a few short weeks to ease into it before the Christmas break.  She's planned that very well.

I dropped Ange home and went into town (well, Park St) to collect Mike.  He had a bit of work to do at home but I fell into a coma pretty quick.

I need a cup of tea around about now though.  That's high on my list.

Have a wonderful day.

Love,
Angela

The Monday with archery and Vivienne's birthday

Hi,

What a great way to end any day.  I drove out to Lower Hutt with the silver car jammed full of rubbish for Sally and Andrew's skip.  Went to my archery lesson and had a great time.  "Perfection" I think was a word bandied about at one point.  The coach may have been prone to exaggeration, but I really enjoyed myself.  So did Ange.  We're joining the club!

That was our last lesson in our beginners course.  Now we join up and go down as often as we can for practise.

My trusty bow

The scoring

Ange takes aim!

I popped in to Sally and Andrew's place to dump rubbish and got a cup of tea.  It seems ages since we've just enjoyed each other's company.  Something to remedy in the next few months!

Right.  Time for tea.  Jurica (my work tea date) is working from home today, so we're synchronising our tea times.

Have a brilliant day!

Love,
Angela

The weekend in Wellington

Hi,

Happy birthday to Vivienne!

Ok - I still can't believe I saw a hot air balloon over the valley from our house.  Someone mentioned a school fair was on at the weekend, so maybe they had "rides" up in the tethered balloon.  No idea.  But what a treat to see one there!

Hot air balloon weather

On Friday the Rugby World Cup parade went through Lambton Quay.  Maryanne got us seats in the cafe at Whitcoulls and I had an iced coffee and watched the All Blacks and staff drive down with the cup.

RWC parade

Iced coffee while waiting for the parade

Back home and we all crashed into bed.  Mike and Toby were up early for their haircut.  I pottered around tidying.

Around 2pm we stopped off at Will's house to drop off Toby for a sleepover, but no one was home.  So we collected Josh and dropped Mike and him off at the brew session.  I then dropped Toby off at Will's and then lay on the couch at Josh's house reading.  The purpose was to look after the boys, but actually, I hardly saw them.  I played with Lulu a bit though.

Went down to collect Josh and dropped him home and then we all parked near the KFC and walked to Christine's house via New World for some much needed cheese.  It was the fireworks in town and Christine has a good view.  There were road closures so we had to park ages away.

View from Christine's place

Guy Fawkes celebrations at Christine's house

Andrew playing

 We ate our way through cheese and butter chicken and watched the fireworks.  Pam (Tom's grandmother) dropped us off at our car on the way home and we crawled through traffic until we hit the motorway.  Dropped Andrew home and then crashed into bed.

Sunday morning I was up fairly early and got a text from Aidan saying she was making me breakfast and I only had a few minutes to get there.  She insisted I could jump in the car in my pyjamas, but I refused.  Going without a shower was bad enough.  I threw on some clothes and turned up.  She has been sick (again) recently, so it was up to me the handle the food.  Bagels and smoked salmon.  Yum!  We chatted away for a bit before her need for a nap overpowered her vocalisation centre.

I went back home and Mike took off for his tramping work.  I tidied up downstairs.  I still have a bit of work to do in Toby's room, but it is much better now.

We cleared out loads of rubbish from years of build up.  At least 6 rubbish bags.  Quite good.  Mike is pleased.  We still have a bit of work to do.  Anyone want a piano?  That would make our room a little bit easier to maneuver around in.  Want me to bring one up, Roz, in a few weekends time?  I could hitch it to the back.  :-)

Have a great week ahead.  Enjoy it.

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with a bit of a flood

Hi,

You know something?  When Wellington turns on a good day, it really is a wonderful place to be.  And although it might have taken me almost ten years to admit, I think the scant number of good days really do make up for the numerous bad days.

Yesterday started out in rain and freezing cold.  And ended in a glorious night for Guy Fawkes.

Mike had a social function after work, so at 8.45pm I texted him to see if he really did want a lift home because I was almost asleep.  He said yes, so I shouted out to Toby that I was off and would be back within 30 minutes and it was time for his going to be routine.  Including a bath.

Off I went.  Collected Mike.  Fortunately had to drop a colleague off at his place, which meant we didn't go to collect my bike from town and spend a wee while there.

Because, when I got back, Toby was on the couch upstairs still fully clothed, enjoying the fireworks around the place.  I casually mentioned why he didn't have a bath.  Well, he looked at me with fear in his eyes and ran down the stairs so fast!  Mike followed right on his heels.

Yes.  We spent a lot of time getting all our towels and clearing out the spare room of furniture.  The dehumidifier is on.  We'll see how it looks tonight.

Wellington on Thursday morning

Replacement Serge

Right.  Time to get started.  Weekend looks good.  Bit busy.\

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with brewing by Mike

Hi,

Well, after another aborted mission to Toby's appointment, we both went grocery shopping and bought yummy things to make us happy.  Fruit, mainly.  Fresh strawberries.  Mmmmm.

I had fun when I got back to my desk from loads of meetings.  A treasure hunt on my desk from Nick.  He was the wonderful person that organised the Melbourne Cup sweep at work.  And I got second.  He hid my winnings on my desk and I eventually found it.

First clue

Second clue

Third clue

Fourth clue

Not that clue!

Sixth clue

Found it!  My gambling winnings!

My sleeping boys.  Who do you think left the dribble on the pillow?

Mike was out late bottling his brew with workmates.  He had fun, I think.  And now he has a stash.

Had a cold ride in this morning.  We've had a blast from winter.

Right.  I'm off to brekkie with some colleagues.

Have a great day.

Love,
Angela