The Wednesday with are we there yet?

Hi,

We're not at the end of the working week yet?  Sigh.

Toby went to the orthodontist and he needs braces.  Mike was surprised.  Toby wasn't.  I wasn't.  What was surprising is how much Toby wants them so his teeth are straight.  That little fact, Mike and I didn't really know. 

Anyway, that's all good.  Still cheaper than his private school education was costing us.  So - win!  Right?

I caught up briefly with Andrew at Aroha before my Spin class and was animatedly explaining some probably pointless story (as I do) when after 5 minutes of arm-waving and talking non-stop, I glanced over to the next table and discovered Sally (work Sally) sitting there with a smirk on her face because I had completely failed to see her the entire time.  And she had texted me to say "Boo!" too.


So I introduced her to Andrew and that was kinda funny.  Sally and Andrew.  But - not the right combo.

I ran off to Spin and hopefully will catch up with the Sally and Andrew couple on Friday after work for some fun.  Well, a nice dinner out somewhere.  Which is fun in my book.

At home finally, after appointments, meetings and whatever else (Sreejith took me and Toby home and collected the hand trolley), I cooked tea.  Mike and I chatted away.  Turns out he thinks I am stubborn.  But, in a good way.  Good stubborn.  Mainly because he admires that when I say I will do something, I generally do it.  I figure if it is "good stubborn" there must be a far better synonym for that trait.

Turns out the thesaurus has mainly poor words that also depict the trait of being stubborn.  But I have selected "strong-willed" as my synonym of choice. Mike can argue that with me later.  But if you know me, you know I will just go along with my interpretation because I am, after all, strong-willed. 

Bwhahahah.  I am really making up some rubbish now.

Ok.  No towel shaming.  It was gym day for Mike so no damp towel to spread over the bed.

Toby has a half day at school - with rehearsals for Cymbeline after lunch.  And the boys both head away down south at 2am tomorrow morning.

Woot!

Have a brilliant day!

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday that felt like Thursday but with no purple shirt

Hi,

I can tell you this - if I had a purple shirt on yesterday I would have sworn it was Thursday already.  That one day took 3 days duration.

Anyway, even the caffeine in my iced coffees did next to nothing to make the day go any faster.  But I guess I did stay awake and meet Andrew and head to the Sprig and Fern with him to secure a big table for quiz night.

Morning latte with Andrew

And another at Ti Kouka with Cate

We were a big table so Andrew sat out, reading a book.  They have a limit of 6 people per team.  But I think I may have been the 7th person.  Oops.

We came 4th - but the top three teams were well in front.  I think there was a tie with 96 points.  From ten rounds, that's an impressive point tally.

My best answers?  I did the crossword round fairly easily.  Got a few of them.  Knew Oliver Cromwell and a few others.  It's amazing what rubbish is in your brain.  But some of my guesses were way off.  Hahahah.  It is a great quiz night and I loved the chap running it.

Dropped Andrew off and got the hand trolley for Sreejith and the boxes of books for Andrew's cousin in Dunedin.  Yay!

When I got home I realised the towel shaming has completely failed me.  I still get a damp towel on my bed.  But now I get chocolates.  And what's worse is, this is now conscious thought from the towel fiend.  He now knows he shouldn't leave the towel on the bed, but now he goes out of his way to leave it there.  On my side.  All spread out, making as much of my side of the bed as damp as possible.

Towel shaming is backfiring on me

What else?  Not a lot.  Not enough sleep.  Need more gym.

Toby has the orthodontist today.  Let's see what happens there.  Woot!

Have an awesome day.

Love,
Angela

The Monday at work

Hi,

Brrr - what a cold snap we have here.  I went to Spin after work and Mike was kind enough to come in and collect me.  I chatted to Vanessa as I waited for him because she was up for work again.

Towel shaming.  Something is not quite working.  But the chocolates are soooo good.

Home made burgers - this is a mushroom one for me

Cooked burgers when we got home - they were very good.  Toby got one for his lunchbox today.

I left early this morning to walk to Spin and met Vanessa for it.  Woot!  Good fun!

Have a great day!

Love,
Angela

The weekend in Wellington with climbing

Hi,

My weekend was kinda good - could have done more around the house.  But hey - why would I start bucking a trend now?

The only thing I achieved was I took photos of the new garden for you to see - in broad daylight rather than those fuzzy nighttime ones I have shown you.  See below.

Saturday was lazier than I anticipated.  Oops.  No painting done at all.  But we did get out for dinner before dropping into a party at Jo's house. 

Sunday I collected Jo from her place at 11.15am and we went to The Botantist for brunch.  Yum.  Good iced coffee - not sweet at all and not bitter.

Where should I put my feet?

Someone looks happy and someone looks more concerned than anything else

And I went climbing for the first time in forever.  The fact that the last time I did a lot of climbing was outdoors and before Jo was born did actually show.  But I had a lot of fun and keen to go again. 

Winter is here! Monday morning brrrrr

My photos are out of sequence.  This was this morning's hailstorm!  Wow!  People and cars were taking things gingerly.

The Botantist for brunch Sunday - good iced coffee

Daffodils in daylight

Garden looking mighty fine!

I can see it being great - soon.  Once the building is finally all finished

More garden

Even more garden

Ok - last garden shot for today

Towel shaming chocolate

Friday iced latte

Ok - two iced lattes on Friday

Right.  The boys have a short week this week.  They have Friday off and they are on the 2am ferry Friday morning for their road trip to Dunedin.

I am on cat duty. 

Hope your week is a good one!

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with nothing much

Hi,

I got a chance to have a coffee with Anjali and Sreejith during the morning yesterday - yay!  They move into their new house on Queens Birthday weekend!  Oossshh!  Good on them.  They have bought in Avalon.  Nice work.

Purple shirt Thursday iced latte @ Machete

Was busy at work until really late with a bit of a messy issue.  You get that.  Mike kindly came in to get me!  How nice is he?

I can't wait to see our garden in the daylight this weekend!  Woot!  It looks so good.  Need to paint the laundry so we can get the tub and doors in. 

And I might be going climbing Saturday afternoon.  Goodness knows how that will go given I haven't done it for 20 years.

Have a great weekend.

love,
Angela

The Wednesday with stuff

Hi,

Had a super fast day at work - guess that's what happens when it is madness.  Takes a blink and it's gone.  I did catch up with Andrew to hear about various things he is doing with Sally.  They are also busy.

Iced latte with Andrew

I had a PT session at the gym yesterday morning and now I have a routine to try besides Spin classes and yoga (and a bit of Just Dance every now and then).  I'll give it a go today because work has stuff on during the Spin classes.

Mike collected me from work after his bottling session and we got home.  I cooked sushi for the boys while he sorted out his bottles of beer and my bike.  By the time he got back from fiddling in the garage, I was serving it.  So despite our late home time, we did eat ok.

Then - into bed.  Up early for my ride into work.  And the day stretches ahead.  Hope your day is a good one!

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with crazy work

Hi,

What a mad day at work.  But, at the end of the day, when I got home to cook tea for Toby - we had plants in our garden.  And it looks amazing.

Before I got home though, my day had been bedlam - with an iced latte with Bronwyn to discuss work to break the insanity.

Iced latte with Bronwyn

When I got home, I was gobsmacked.  And the plant team manager (Brooke) had amazed me by planting a wee bunch of daffodils now - and hiding more that I will see come next Spring.  How cool is that?  I may have pushed her to swap out non-natives for natives, and them promptly said how much I like daffodils in the Spring.  A legacy of my time in London, I think.

The entire garden looks fantastic - and I can't wait to see it in daylight this weekend.  Woot!  Thank you Allworks.

I have daffodils!

Towel shaming number 3

The towel shaming above was actually the evening before last - and I got fancy chocolates.  Oddly, there was no towel on the bed when I got home last night.  To me, that could mean two things.  One:  Mike has learned I don't want damp towels on the bed.  Or two:  Mike never had a shower yesterday before work.

Now I know there are Mike-lovers out there who firmly believe Mike can do no wrong.  And I certainly am first to agree that I won the spouse sweepstakes and got the best man in the entire world.  But, I am actually going with explanation two - unless proven otherwise.  Hahahahah!

Look at our garden!

Top garden

Yes, I am a happy woman.  I have gardening notes to follow - and a vege patch to plant out soon.

Bring it on!

Love,
Angela

The Monday back at work

Hi,

We get plants today!

The planting team will come today and when I get home, the front yard should look completely different.

Toby has a short day at school today - he finishes at midday.  He will likely get to see the planting in action.  Ooohhhhh.

And we did a thing at work - ShadowTech

Yesterday was busy at work.  Lots of things happening - one of which was ShadowTech.  This is where young women at high school get to shadow women in IT jobs.  We had three young women from a school in Lower Hutt.  I hope they found it interesting.  At least Michelle found them some notebooks and pens to take home.  Oossshhh.

Got to the gym after work as work hours were too hectic.  And then met Mike at the Grand bus stop and caught a 14 home with him.  Cooked tea.  Toby had prepped the veges component of the meal.  We worked like a boss team!

Fell into bed but had a rather restless sleep.  There's always tonight to catch up on any lost Zzz's.

Have a fantastic day!

Love,
Angela

The weekend with Lesley and Wally in town

Hi,

What a whirlwind social weekend - and it was such fun.  Made me connect with my inner (very deeply buried) extrovert self.

Met Lesley and Wally off their plane late on Friday and settled them into Marion's flat for their holiday birthday weekend!  Wally celebrated his birthday on Sunday!  Woot!  We chatted to them for a while before leaving them to enjoy the place to themselves.

Saturday we were up for brunch with Lesley and Wally at Thunderbird - and joined by Celia and James.  Very pleasant morning.  Mike and Toby went to the gym for the afternoon.

Alpacas!  Courtesy of Beth and Chris

Last undergrowth removed - it looks so good

Bucket list achieved!

Smudge looking mighty fine - and a wee bit dusty

Ethan arrived for an overnight with Toby and Mike and I headed to Sprig and Fern (after sorting out pizza for the boys).  I left everyone there (dropped a woman called Kate off at her place) and went to visit Celia and Eva's birthday party.  Celia's parents were there too helping with the smooth running of the after-Zelandia stuff.  We set up the telescope and all the girls did the requisite "oohhhh" and "ahhhh" as they all looked at Jupiter.  Easy to see the bands and the 4 Galilean satellites.

Dropped Celia's parents home and crashed into bed.  Up for Yum Cha with Sally, Andrew, Anita and JR.  Toby loved it - I really appreciate how Anita and JR make Toby feel included when he is in their company.

Back home and then off to Beth and Chris's place to say hello, feed the alpacas and try and start an old motorbike.  Mike got a ride on a ride-on mower, fulfilling a bucket list moment.

Dropped Lesley and Wally at the airport, got some groceries and home to bed.  Oooshhh!  What fun!

Have an awesome week!

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with dinner out

Hi,

Crazy days blur into even crazier evenings.  Such is life in the Gilbert household.  I caught up with Ange for lunch - well late for a catch up with her.  We ended up at Plum - and their iced latte was actually pretty good.  A tad sweet - maybe I ask for a half sugar next time.

Lying socks are on their last legs!

Iced latte with Ange at Plum

While I walked back from Plum, I wandered past the door to Andrew's work.  I peered in as I went past, wondering if I would see him coming or going, and nearly bumped into him on the street as he was stopped waiting for me to approach.  Hahahah.  Funny.  We chatted for a bit.

The towel shaming is becoming really odd.

I rushed home after work and cooked tea for Toby.  He got a super fast special - chicken kebabs, rice, tomatoes and avocado!  It looked pretty good.  And I got a kiss for it.  Jumped in the car and spent ages looking for a park in town.  Tried to find Mike - and failed.  OMG!  I went into pubs on my own - and he wasn't there.

No, I cannot navigate Wellington based on pub names and strip clubs.  For some reason, those aren't landmarks I take any noticed of in the slightest!  Eventually Mike talked me in and I found him.  Still not sure of the name of the place.  Something Quarter.  But not "Little Beer".  And on Dixon.

Anyway.  The company was good.  Then we went to another pub.  Goldings.  Never been there - but I have been close by.  After a drink, we all wandered home.  We took Momo home, via collecting my bike from work.  Made easy as I got a park just outside when I drove in.

There are steamrollers in our street!

And we have steamrollers in our street.  Weird.  And what are they called now they no longer run on steam?  I wonder if we'll have a street next week or if they are intending to rip it up and re-seal.

Goodness knows.

The weekend beckons.  Woot!  Wellington weekend ahead of chaotic weekends ahead.

Have an incredible weekend!

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with nothing for me

Hi

Wednesday came and went in a bit of a blur.  I did get two iced lattes but I completely forgot to take a pic with the second one.  It was with a client so I can be excused.  Not for being too shy to ask her - she knows already about this "thing" I have.  But discussing work was obviously too exciting for us.

But Ed took a photo.  And video.  Which is really funny.  I wonder if I can embed videos here?

Iced latte with Ed

Ok - the attempt to shame the damp towel has taken a new turn

I had to hurry home with the car (Mike had driven in and dropped the key at reception for me) and meet Brooke from the people doing our landscaping.

I chatted to Brooke about the actual plants for an hour - even through the rain that started about 30 mins into our chat.  She seems great and was happy to discuss substitute plants with me.  We might get plants in early next week.  It'll look amazing - and even better once they flourish.

When I said goodbye, I went in and noticed the damp towel on the bed - with a votive offering to me.  Smoosh balls.  I suspect my husband is now toying with me.  And I see now that he actually commented on the blog when I put up the pic of the first towel shaming.

I want in delicious anticipation of what I will find when I get home after work today.

Mike got home after tramping club and cooked his tea (basically from the other night when he was out at the quiz night) and declared it a wonderful dinner. 

Shucks!

Have a fabulous day!  Woot!

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with Mike at a quiz

Hi,

I found some pics of Toby from only four years ago - but he has changed so much since then.  We were at Australia Zoo with Grandy. 

Four years makes a big difference - Toby at Australia Zoo

I held a kangaroo at Australia Zoo - thanks to Toby's camera skills 

Anyway, yesterday I caught up with Andrew and heard about his wet weekend tramping through the wilderness, finding more spot heights. 

Iced latte with Andrew @ Machete

Twin cups - me and Joycie have a cup of tea

I also had a nice cup of tea with Joycie - and we now have matching cups.  Choice, bro!

Toby was feeling better when I got home.  I cooked tea for him and we ate together before he disappeared downstairs.  I was tired so I went to bed nice and early.  Mike stayed out at a spontaneous quiz night session with Andrew, Momo and Jon.  They won a bottle of wine - but I think it was for being at the wrong end of the leader board.

I was almost asleep when Mike got home - 5 more minutes and I wouldn't have heard a thing.  But I ended up being more awake listening to Mike and chatting away.  Mike was snoring by the time I fell back to sleep. 

Mike has sleeping superpowers.

At work this morning - trying to deny the cold is taking deeper root.  What cold?  I don't have a cold.

Have a great day!

Love,
Angela

The Monday back at work

Hi,

Denial - I do not have a cold.  Toby does and is off sick.  :-(  Poor Toby.  It must be awful getting sick - I have no idea what that's like.

I am going to attempt to change behaviour at home by posting pictures of damp towels left on the bed.  Most days I get home and go into the bedroom to get changed and find a damp towel on the bed.  I pick it up and put it on the towel rail in the bathroom.  I think this means the culprit has no idea it was left on the bed - or we have a magic bed that moves towels to their rightful place.  But if a post happens with the damp towel highlighted, the culprit (who may or may not read this blog) might realise they actually leave it lying around.

Shaming technique - attempt no. 1

Ninja cat - she's on the ironing board!

Toby took the pic of Smudge on the ironing board.  She is so cute.  We have the cutest cat in the world.  Do you think she thinks she is invisible?  Well, she's almost right.  She really does blend in - except for her eyes!

Right.  Time for the mayhem to begin.  Come at me!

Have a brilliant day.

Love,
Angela

The weekend with Mike and away and Eurovision goodness

Hi,

Happy Mothers Day to the mothers I know - I hope you had a good day on Sunday.  Especially my mother.  Of course.  She's the best one.

Friday I got through the day - not entirely unscathed.  But at least it started ok with an iced latte with the team in the morning to say hi to the new person starting this week.

Friday iced latte @ Machete

By the time 5pm came though, it was pretty bad.  I got away for sushi with Toby before he started his 48 hour film marathon.  I caught the bus home and as I stepped into the house, Toby texted.  He needed a signed, printed consent form.

Ok.

Could I email it instead?  No, they prefer the real one.

Sigh.  Ok.  I'll take my PC and head back to work by car, then drive to your school and drop it off.

Got to the car - Subaru wouldn't start.  And I couldn't take the Ford, because that hasn't started for a while now and needs the Ford dealer to look at it.  Again.

I think the Subaru's battery is flat.  Anyway, I locked it manually, and as I walked back home, the bus I just got off was coming back into town.  So I jumped on.  The bus driver looked at me funny.

But he looked at me even funnier when I got off two stops later.  Toby said I could just email it in.

Got back home and emailed it and collapsed into bed.  But, the events of the day meant my head was jammed.  So I read for hours, chatted to Mike when he got to Ruapehu, and then watched surfing videos until 1.30am!

Power bowl at home

Saturday meant no washing got done because the washing machine was on the blink.  But I tidied.  And headed into town to get the PC charger from work and go to my spa appointment.  I went grocery shopping and piled a whole heap of stuff into my backpack and two carry bags.  Check out staff felt sorry for me.  Bus driver felt sorry for me.

Pretty much by the time I got home I was also feeling a little sorry for myself too.  And my arms felt a little longer than they had been 1 hour before.

Went to bed much earlier though.  Up early to get ready for Eurovision!  Momo arrived just before 7am and we enjoyed ourselves watching the fun in Lisbon unfold.

Netta won Eurovision!

Jo arrived after it just finished and after a cup of tea we went to Cafe Neo.  Jo has some sort of parking angel as she got pole position park just outside.

Jo bombs my photo - iced coffee at Cafe Neo

Doro also arrived and we went back to Jo's for another cuppa before Doro took me and Momo home.

Toby arrived just before I got home.  He had a great time making a film about anti rom-com.  And Mike got home around 5.30pm.

Toby made tea for me.  And dessert.  I got a huge amount of chocolate mousse.  I am a lucky mother.

Mike is having a 'mare start to the week.  Late buses.  No bathroom stuff.  Unexpected appointments.  Although the washing machine is now going.  Turns out the tarp underneath it had caught in the pump.

Ok.

Time for the week to commence.

Have a good one.

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with stuff

Hi,

The working week with no end - although it is Friday morning now.  For real.  Mike and Toby are both away the entire weekend.  Toby has a film marathon for drama - 48 hours at the marae at his school with a whole bunch of other drama students.  Mike is off to Ruapehu for a working bee at the lodge.  getting it ready for the winter season.

In my circumspect blog post, I am going to say this:  Mike has a corneal ulcer that he has hit hard with special drops from the optometrist.  No contacts for a while for him.  Toby has an ultrasound booked for something unspecified.  Conjecture on my part suggests his ribs as an obvious candidate.  This may or may not be true.  Mike is pleased Toby is handling it all himself in a show of independence.  For the record?  His mother is slightly anxious about this.

That is the end of the blog speculation.

Although from my perspective, Mike can't drive so I get a working car this weekend. 

Iced latte with Mark @ Machete

The weekend might be interesting.  Mothers Day on Sunday - happy Mother's Day to the mums I know.  Woot!  If people turn up for Mike's Eurovision party I will be busy hosting that at 7am on Sunday.  Grumble, grumble.  Ok - I admit this.  With Mike away, I will still watch it.  It is now a thing in our house.  Ok - I also hope no one turns up at our house and I can watch it happily in bed.  With toast and tea (for Mother's Day - naturally).

Housework.  Washing (yes, I will visit you, Sally, at some stage).  On that note, the washing machine repair person will be here early Monday.  Woot!

Have an awesome weekend!

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday that should have been Thursday

Hi,

I cannot believe it is not Friday yet - so confused.  At least I got a haircut last night and now I can see much better.

Unfortunately for you, my pics are from yesterday before the haircut.  You will need to wait for a bit before you see if you can discern any difference.  Pretty sure the answer will be no.  Because Mike never said anything when he saw me last night.  And my hair was at its peak of difference then.  Pretty much back to normal now I have squashed a bike helmet on it and whooshed down the hill to work.

Happy iced coffee at Cafe Neo with Vanessa

The planting people have added soil to the bottom layer of retaining wall in preparation for the plants.  It looks so good.

Soil

Concrete scoured and honed and looking mighty fine

Right.  Time for the madness and chaos of the day to start.  I am so tempted to see if Sally will let me do some remedial washing tonight if I turn up with a basket of washing.  Save a long visit at the weekend.

And I have asked Mike if he can leave me a working car.  Here's hoping.

Have a great day!

Love,
Angela