The Thursday (and Wednesday) of Christmas week

 Hi,

How did work get this busy in Christmas week?  So busy I forgot to blog!  Hahah.  Thursday morning saw me catch up with Maureen for a brekkie at The Lab.  But I didn't review her pic of me, so I now have a less-than-perfect capture of me, mid sentence.  We had a great brekkie - and I heard about her adventures in the 80s in a campervan around Europe.  Sounded like a lot of ours.

This is why I should review the iced latte pics.  

Also caught up for an iced latte a bit later with Barb.  And Ange.  Second iced latte for the day.  Enough for now.  But we did have a great scenic backdrop for the second one.

Barb took a good one with kina in the background

Close up

Sally had to cancel our lunch date.  We'll catch up post Christmas for brunch.  And save Higher Taste for the New Year.

It meant I could drive the car with Mike to the Bluebridge ferry terminal (and fill it with fuel before) to meet Iona and Col.  Their ferry was delayed so I missed them by 5 mins.  Mike stayed and handed the car over - they are on their way up north for a bit.

Iona and Col arrive - but I missed them by 5 mins

Back at work for a busy set of meetings.  But I also caught up with William as we were twinning the clothes - needed a pic of that.

William and me - twins!

And to catch up with Wednesday news.  Well, I can't recall back that far.  But looking at pics, I had an iced latte with Barb and Juliet - with a Pravda scone. They are really good on our scone taste tests.  Always consistent and excellent.

Iced latte with Barb the day before!  Honest!  I didn't have 3 yesterday!

This is my Christmas lunch.  Where's yours?

Wednesday Toby and I headed out after work to collect our My Food Bag box for Christmas lunch from Sally and Andrew.  And I have outsourced the cheesecake to Ange.

As we were driving back to town, Toby saw a Grand Via van and said:  Nice van.

I dissolved into giggles.  If you know us, you know.

We also jumped into New World to stock up.  It was busy and Toby decided we'd double bluffed ourselves and late on a Wednesday everyone was at New World to beat the Christmas rush.  But looking at social media it was worse on Thursday night.  Toby - I think we nailed it!

So now it is Christmas Eve.  I have a half day at work.  With... wait for it... no meetings at all.  I think Mike's day off in my work calendar means it looks like I am not here.  So no one has booked anything.  There is no one here, tbh.

So, last blog entry for 2021.  Off until Jan 10.  Plans include Christmas lunch with the whanau.  Off to Blenheim on the 29th for NYs.  I'd like to make a butt for archery at home.  I need to water blast the garage.  Might do some decluttering.  Want to make sure I still go to the gym despite no PT sessions.  

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Years.  2021 was... a year to remember.  Like 2020, really.  Let's see what 2022 has for us.  Besides a 20 year old son.  :-o  A lot has changed in those 20 years - that is for sure.

Love,

Angela

The Tuesday with a catch up with old mates

 Hi,

Busy day at work yesterday but Barb did sneak out to get me an iced latte so I have a pic from that.  I was on a meeting and couldn't get away with her.  But it was a perfect accompaniment to the digital work I was trying to get sorted.  :-)

Iced latte courtesy of Barb

After work we had a wee party for a project we had during the year that was successful.  We sat in a room together and opened a parcel.  I had ginger ale and lots of goodies.

Then Mike and I wandered over to Fork and Brewer and met up with Mark, Arthur and Dave to hear all about their latest events in their lives and the fun they've had at work.  Heard about Christmas plans.  It was such a good evening catching up with them.

I finally managed to drag Mike away from the good chats and nice beers and we grabbed a tonne of stuff from work (cleared out the wardrobe with our clothes - that sort of thing).  Ubered home.  

Fell into bed and had a good sleep.  Up for a nice brekkie with Mike and bus in for another day at work.

Enjoy your Wednesday.

Love,

Angela

The Monday that feels like it surely was at least a Tuesday if not a Wednesday

 Hi,

So the cafe at work has closed up shop already for the year.  This means no iced lattes within shuffling distance of my desk.  And yesterday was a bit too busy for venturing further afield as I had a meeting from 9 - 1pm.  Or was it longer?  It was a blur.

Got chocolates from Barb

I did get chocolates from Barb.  Sigh.  She's lovely.  She had so many to give out.  And a wee note on them all.  Thank you.

I did get a late lunch break where Barb and I rushed around the shops in Lambton Quay getting stocking fillers (and Barb got more chocolates for some that missed out).

After work we headed to Bin44 for some drinks.  Caught up with a bunch of people.  Ange came too - and she had her car below work.  So just before it garnered another $4 for the next hour, we all jumped in (Barb, Juliet, Ange and me) and exited.  Headed for the suburbs, dropping off people.  Great fun!

Finally dropped Ange at her house and walked back home.  Fed the cats.  Mike and Toby got home from the dentist.  And by then it was so late - I went to bed.

Such gusty strong wind.  Wow.

Another big day.  Saw Quentin this morning.  Failed my 40kg bench.  Sigh.  Got a late session on Thursday with him.  4.45pm.

Going to meet my old colleagues after work today.

So social.

Have an awesome day.

Love,

Angela

The weekend in Wellington

 Hi,

After the rain all last week it was lovely to see Saturday clear, warm and sunny.  After a lazy start to our day (no boot camp) I decided to wash the outside of the house.

Perfect day for it.  Toby helped a lot - he especially enjoyed the water blaster.  The front porch now looks brand new again.

Dirty wet scratched legs

It was tricky doing the sides of the house as it is so high.  At one point I had to fight my way through Juliette's garden to get into a good position.  That garden is so grown up now it was hard to find my way through.  I see a job for the Christmas break for me there.  Get out and prune and clear some of it.

Is that really comfortable?

Sunday we headed into town for the new Spider-Man movie.  No way home.  And it was ... amazing.  (See what I did there?)

Best Spider-Man movie for a long time.  I am not going to say "ever".  Because Tobey Maguire's reboots were great back in the day.  But this one ties a lot up in a perfect character arc bow.  

Model cat

Feed me

Moxley was funny when we were relaxing on our bed and it was her dinner time.  Mike is the supplier of food so he copped the insistent paw tapping to suggest it was now time for her food.

It worked.

Up on Monday for a big day at work.  Come on!  Oosshh.

Have a great week.

Love,

Angela

The Thursday with cancellations in my life

 Hi,

My Thursday was typified by cancellations.  Hahah.  And humid weather.  More humidity today (Friday) and hopefully no cancellations.

Dinner

Thursday saw some stupid free people mass together to protest their lack of freedom.  I have decided that I might have sympathy for people actually incarcerated doing some sort of protest against treatment or conditions or something to get recognition for some plight.  But if you are in one of the most freest of countries in the world that has escaped a lot of the ravages of covid, and you are putting others at risk with stupid decision-making, I just see that as stupidity.  And maybe actually negligent.  Malicious.  Well, a lot of ill-feeling in general flowing from me to them.

Anyway.  This blog is generally about what I have for lunch.  Which brings me to my first cancellation.  :-)  Sally was due to meet me for lunch.  But she was on one side of the covid protest march and I was on the other side of the tide of stupidity.  Sally oozes common sense and knew she should not brave the covidiots.  So she stayed safe at work as did I.

I went to grab lunch with Mike and Barb at Mojo next to work.  Mike grabbed a Mevo car and drove out to Lower Hutt to help his mum with her next project - replacing her windows with double glazing. 

Then as the afternoon wore on, we had some colleagues in our team pull out of the intended dinner after work.  So that was cancelled in favour of something in the New Year.  Good decision there.

It coincided with chaos on the home front when Toby realised Thursday was the deadline for some student loan admin for next year.  Our chat exploded with talk of how to resolve this unexpected issue at 4pm on a Thursday.

So I left on a bus after my last meeting.  Had to run for it.  Lost my water bottle as I lurched down the street.  Stopped to retrieve it.  Ran some more and jumped on.  As I situated myself in my seat and scanned in, I read the chat.  Confusion reigned.  Mike was asking if I could drive the Focus home from near the GPs instead of taking the bus.  Ummm.  No.  I had no key.  He said he had the key in his pocket.

Well, to me that was very odd.  Wasn't he home or heading there after being in Lower Hutt as per the last info in the chat?  So I stayed on the bus as I could do nothing.  And I had earned that bus with my running efforts.

Got home just as Toby and Mike pulled up in the Focus.  Huh?

Turns out that Toby's Student Loan admin had necessitated a run to the WINZ office to manually sight documentation. Mike had headed home and taken Toby into town to do all the admin.  And he had a session with mates so wanted me to come and drive the car and Toby home.  And he would have given me the key.

I had no clue.  They had failed to tell me that part.  I just thought there was some random reason why there was a car in town.  Because, I dunno... Gilbert plans!

Anyway.  Mike caught the bus back into town.  And I cooked tea for me and Toby.  And then relaxed for the evening.

Mike got home by Uber with 6% battery left.  He was expounding the various scanning techniques and processes at a few of the pubs he visited.  I think he now has a ranking system.  Hey day was the best by far - an efficient process at the door to check scan-ins, check vax passes, spot checking ID against the vax pass. Mike showed me the stamp he was issued on his wrist from that establishment.

Sleep.  Then up for early bus with Mike.  He's off to his Friday brekkie.  I am at work.

The weekend is coming.  We have dinner tonight at Wolf.  I am assured they have a vegetarian option.  Then Christmas shopping over the weekend.  Not a lot else on.

Yay.

I hope you have a lovely Friday and an even better weekend.

Love,

Angela

The Wednesday with more spin

 Hi,

Managed to get a work iced latte in - thank you for supplying those to me Puni.  Merry Christmas.

Work iced latte

Cheers Puni!

After a busy day at work I hurtled out to get to Spin at the gym before heading home for my last meetings of the day.

Got to Spin after work

It all worked out fine.  Got home and had time to make toast before my meeting.  And tidied up before going to bed.

Mike got home after his gym session with Quentin.  He chatted to Toby and then Toby cooked himself some tea.

Yes, it was a bit chaotic.

Slept well.  Up for gym.  Got one more on Tuesday and then Quentin is on hols until mid Jan.  Got a work thing tonight - just for the team.  Not sure if they are joking when they suggested we could do karaoke.

Have a wonderful day.

Love,

Angela

The Tuesday with karaoke

 Hi,

Huge day.  It started well with Juliet getting me an iced latte from her bagel trip with Roanne.  Winning the caffeine race from the get-go.

After a full on day at work, Celia drove me and Angie to kZone for a karaoke night with our friends from our last work.

Mike was coming but at the last minute went home to chill with Toby.  

We got to KZone at 5.45pm but it was closed and not opening until 6pm.  So we trotted over to Joe's Garage to see if we could eat or have a drink ahead of getting a karaoke slot.

Juliet got me an Ugly Bagel iced latte

But as we were perusing the menu Akshatha said we had a 6pm slot.  So we booked for afterwards and headed over.

Had such an awesome time singing with everyone.  Celia and Angie, obviously. Khemry.  Akshatha and Preeti on her first night out on the town without her wee one.  Pritesh held the fort admirably, I am sure.

Karaoke!

A few songs I had no clue about.  But I did a rendition of Merry Christmas, Baby by Bruuuuce.  Knocked it out of the park!

Okay.  Maybe in my mind.

Late iced latte at Joe's Garage.  Decaff.  Hahah

Dinner after karaoke

$30 for the hour from 6 - 7pm.  Great value for the fun we all had.  Off to Joe's and a dinner there.  I love chatting to all these women.  So smart.  Makes me a happy woman.  

Celia was kind enough to drop me off home.  So I was home at 8.30pm or so.  Said hi to my boys.  They had made themselves Louisiana Fried Chicken and mashed potatoes.  The kitchen still bore evidence of the efforts.

Off to bed but I stupidly read for ages.  Slept like a log once I did go to sleep though.  Hahah.  Up to find more rain.  

Going to try and fit spin in after work today.  Yes!

And I have my haircut at 12pm today.  Sweet.

Hope your day is a good one.

Love,

Angela

The Monday back at work and with a spin class for me

 Hi,

After a busy day at work, I got away in time for my first spin class since July!  Yes, covid level 2 made it next to impossible to book the spin class.  But under orange light with a vax pass they can fill up the room once more.

Work iced latte

So off to spin I went.  And it tuckered me out.  Hahah.  Mike met me outside afterwards and we had the intention to walk home.  But we got to New World and bought dinner and then missed the bus to get home in a timely fashion.

We ubered in the end.

Cake - a day late

Had scrumptious rolls with haloumi and asparagus and the boys had home made burgers.  And then we got out the cake we forgot to have yesterday for Toby's birthday.

Mmmm.  Delicious.

Off to bed early.  Asleep by 9.30pm and awake 10 minutes before my alarm at 5.30am.  Perfect.  More rain today.

Went to the gym.  Dead lifts.  And karaoke tonight after work.  Woot!

Bring it all on.

Have a great day.

Love,

Angela

The weekend with Toby's birthday

 Hi,

What a whirlwind of social events that weekend was.  Phew.  Now I am at work to recover.  Hahahah.

Saturday saw us up for the last boot camp pf the year.  Then Mike and I did some messages - picked up Toby's birthday cake.  Bought some Christmas presents.

Headed to Karaka to meet boot camp punters at 11.30am and enjoyed a catch up with most of them.  No boot camp until late January now.  OMG.  I need to up my gym game to make up for no boot camp and no PT sessions after this week.

Drove back home and showered and then off to Rex and Jo's house warming.

Boot camp end of year celebration

Their house is stunning.  Wow.  They have done so well.  Good on them.  And it was good to catch up as I haven't seen them for ages.  Sophie was also there - and we have been trying to catch up for the past 18 months and covid and work and life have got in the way.

Not sure I like the fact it has been so long since I saw her last.  I really need to make more effort.  Move those clashes and go grab her and properly catch up.  Turns out she is a product owner now too.  Hahahah.

Oh - how I have missed seeing Sophie

Back home for a quick breather and then off to Circa to meet Kara and Neil and to see a play called Hole. 

The play was excellent.  Well acted.  Good sets.  Minimal props.  But on its own, the story had no character arc for its actors.  To my mind, no one changed from their going in position.  And the subject matter had so much potential.  Climate change in Antarctica.  No one can argue with that.  Or fail to be affected.  

Oh well.  It was good.  So see it and tell me what you think.

Back home to sleep.  Up for Toby's birthday on Sunday.  And the weather did no play ball.  Seriously.  Was it December or July?  Apart from the fact it was 18C or so, you could be forgiven for thinking it was winter.

Happy birthday Toby from Aunty Karen, Uncle Scott and Tyler and Abby

Happy birthday from Dad

My phone showing Toby's birthday and him surrounded by daffodils

We went out to Yum cha to the Grand Century and met Polly, Sally and Andrew, Kara and Neil and enjoyed yum cha together.  Such a good way to celebrate Toby's 19th birthday.

Back home and chill.  Mike took us mother home and dropped off some things at her place.  Then burgers for tea and bed.

More rain today (Monday).  Still warm though.  Busy social week as Christmas crazy kicks in.  Karaoke tomorrow night with the old workmates.  Hahah.  It's going to be fun!

Have a fantastic day.  And enjoy the week.

Love,

Angela

The Thursday with work

 Hi,

Turns out I forgot to blog yesterday.  Oops.  So now I have lots of things to remember and get down on here so I know what happened.

Smudge working with me

And yet again...  Looking at my pics, it looks like normal life in the Gilbert household.  Nothing out of the ordinary.

Avocados arrive

Iced latte with Roanne

I did get out to Ugly Bagels for an iced latte with Roanne.  And after I went to the physio with Kara (thank you Kara) I got back to work and got dragged into drinks with her and others from her team.  So my day was bookended with Roanne.

Always a good day when that happens.  :-)

Sign of summer

Friday brekkie with Ed, James and Celia

Friday saw me in early to meet James, Celia and Ed at Urban cafe.  Mmmm.  Good to hear from them all.  

Weekend looks like boot camp, running, cakes, birthdays, plays, Yum Cha and goodness.  I will need a holiday after that social weekend.

Hahahah.

Have a fantastic day!  And an even better weekend.

Love,

Angela

The Tuesday with work and catching up with Theresa

 Hi,

Oh - no photos to add.

How about another teaser from our holiday down south?  For your viewing pleasure?

One of my fave pics.  Mike walking out along the beach after almost finishing Humpridge

Despite the lack of pics, my day was a busy one.  I had meetings through lunch so I ducked out to grab a toasted sandwich from Mojo.  Second visit for the day after the birthday iced latte with Maureen.  Ordered their delicious roasted mushroom and haloumi sandwich.  Noticed him checking the bag carefully.  Thought nothing more about it.

Started wolfing down said sandwich at my desk as I worked.  Wondered why it tasted a bit odd initially.  Then why bits were stuck inbetween my teeth.  Peered into sandwich and found.... roast beef!

Oh.  They gave me the wrong sandwich.

Mike gallantly ate the rest of my sandwich and said it was delicious.  Well, if the mushroom and haloumi one is anything to go by, I am sure it was delicious.

But by then my meeting had started.  So Mike went back to explain and buy another sandwich.  The staff were so mortified they had given me the wrong one, they made another for me on the spot.  For free.  Mike took it back to me and I ate my sandwich with the camera off during my meeting.  Hahah.

Thank you for sorting out my sandwich woes, Mike and Mojo.

After work, Callan, Mike and I met Theresa at the Thistle.  We enjoyed a few drinks to hear about Theresa's first few days at MoH (all good) and for her to hear what has happened in the 3 days she has been away (lots!).

Hahahah.

Mike and I wandered away while Callan and Theresa caught the train out to their far away houses.  :-p Jumped on the 14 home.  Cooked tea for everyone.  

Then it was time for bed.  Hahahah.

Working from home today.

Toby off to the gym.

Have a great day.

Love,
Angela

The Monday back at work

 Hi,

Yes - I am so behind.  Just did Monday's blog.  And now today's blog.  Happy birthday at the weekend to Tyler.  She turned 18.  I watched her high school graduation YouTube video yesterday and she did so well.  I am a proud aunty.  She got a major award.  Best All Rounder.  Firsts in Ancient History and PE and Economics (I think).

Arthur iced latte catch up

Saw Arthur yesterday for a catch up.  He is happy at F5.  And he has met Carl now (virtually).  

Happy birthday Maureen iced latte catch up (okay - she has never taken to cold coffee and has a flat white)

And this morning I took Maureen out for a birthday coffee.  We had our first coffee together this time last year - I didn't even know she was a December baby (like Toby).  But this year I knew she was a Dec 7 birthday person so we went out.  And I even got some birthday cake when her colleagues celebrated back in the office.  Mmmm.

She's planning a huge ride from Cape Egmont to East Cape in late January.  If covid allows.  What an amazing goal to focus on.

Gym this morning

Last night Mike and I went home on the #14 bus with Mike and cooked some Buddha bowls for us.  And into bed early.

Oh - my blog is all over the place.  Chaos.

Teaser pic for you from the Southern adventure:

Last day beach walk

Wet weather - it has not stopped for a while now.  And it is wet rain.  :-p

Will catch Theresa after work at Thistle and see how MoH is treating her.

Have a wonderful day.

Love,

Angela

The weekend in Wellington after our southern adventure

 Hi,

We are totally prepping for a blog about our trip.  Honest!  However, it might be a little time coming.  But for now, here is an update on the exciting weekend we just had.

Happy anniversary Mike.  :-)

Friday saw Toby and I hunt down our Christmas tree.  Our usual place in Te Aro school wasn't selling them this year - for the first time in 45 years.  And possibly the first time we couldn't buy from them since about 2009.  Toby sussed out other spots and we headed to the Zealandia overflow carpark.  

Nope.  They only sell at weekends.  We consoled ourselves with an iced latte and the Mini coffee bar and then decided we'd go find our own wilding pine.

Back to the garage for a saw and off we went to Te Ahumairangi hill.  We wandered around trying to find a half decent tree for our festive needs.

Toby shows our two candidates off

Tackling a branch

Happy to hunt for our tree

Not sure we got the best looking tree in the neighbourhood - but it is our tree.  And Toby reckons it typifies the covid era.  Bit scraggly.  But it will do.

Mini bar iced latte

We did enjoy our iced latte at Mini coffee bar in Northland.  Mmmm  One of the best around.  Toby enjoyed the barista's banter too.

Our wilding pine Christmas tree

Moxley checks out our tree

Saturday saw me and Mike at boot camp.  Then Toby and I popped over to feed Coco.  She was not happy that I was there.  Guarded her dental chew fiercely with a growl.

Toby and I go check on Coco

Sunday saw us up early to head for the AFL grand final day.  Bit windy (when is it not?) and slightly damp from time to time as drizzly rain tried to dribble to the ground.  Our team, Nga Manu Rere (the flying birds) got off to a poor start - 2 behinds to 2 goals in the first quarter.  And despite probably have more possession and more 50m incursions, we couldn't capitalise.  We lost by 8 points when the final whistle went.

I felt like I played quite well.  So I was generally happy.  Team did well.  Just not ours on the day.  Minor premiers.  But not grand final winners.

Grand Final day

I am ready

Popped into Sally and Andrew's place for a drink and a catch up.  Their floors have been sanded and look fantastic.

Back home via feeding Coco.  

Moxley claims her spot

Then decides she needs two paws to really lay claim

Off to bed early and ready for my first day back at work.

Have an awesome day!

Love,

Angela

Southern Adventure - Part Five - Home from Tuatapere

So, the Monday saw us wearily but happily getting back into the van, bidding farewell to Callan and Stacey, and getting on the road again. Driving from Tuatapere to Dunedin is surprisingly direct; you're more or less heading due east as far as Clinton when you pick up SH1 the rest of the way. It includes SH93, better known as the Gore bypass road between Mataura and Clinton. I remember this road well from shuttling between Dunedin and Invercargill in my teens and 20s. It used to be narrow, gravel, windy and hard work, now it's sealed, wide and just like any other highway.  

Mostly East. Very little North.

As the miles drifted by we listened to an audiobook Merv had recommended to us - "An Officer Not A Gentleman" by Mandy Hickson. A great 'read', it had us on the edges of our seats as we drove.

We were in Dunedin just at dinner time. It was great to see my mum. She's doing well in her wee house and her garden is spectacular again. The neighbour with the rat "problem" is keeping her entertained. The problem seems to be with the neighbour, not the rats. 

Roslyn Mills building. Angela's mum worked there!

View from my mum's window

The next morning, as is becoming tradition, we headed to No7 Balmac for brunch before getting back on the road. Next stop Christchurch.

Iced coffee#1 at No7 Balmac

Experimenting with Angles

A few hours of nice easy drive later we were in Riccarton Macpac, taking back our two failed water bladders. "Oh yes, those ones are problematic, we've changed suppliers now." Great. "We'll happily replace them for you." I asked for a refund instead of another two problematic water bladders that would almost certainly fail in the same way.

Then we checked into our fav little motel, Ashford Motor Lodge. We had a anti vaxxer in the room next door who we could hear alternating between watching down-the-rabbit-hole youtube videos and talking to other down-the-rabbit-hole people. Until two in the morning. It's a shame for her. Imagine having your whole identity defined by something like that.

After getting our key and dropping our bags we were off to see Toby and Tessa, and Steph and Sam. And David (Tessa and Steph's Dad)! He was convalescing at their place. 

We headed to Pomeroy Inn for dinner. Yum.

Next morning - Little Poms cafe for breakfast of course.

Same Angle different city

Hi Toby! Hi Tessa! Look at those iced chocolates.

Ducks (and ducklings) on the Avon

We got a few jobs done - Briscoes for Tessa's christmas present and to filch some old boxes, packing Toby's stuff into aforementioned boxes and loading them into the van, visiting the pet shop that Tessa is working at (they didn't have the right sort of kibble but they did have toys and a special eating mat). All this meant we were off just a little late, at 12pm.  Our road trip luck ran out this afternoon and it was a really slow drive behind trucks and slow cars, meaning we didn't make Picton and the ferry queue until 5:15pm. It was great though, having Toby in the van with us. We chatted away and listened to various podcasts and stuff. Fun.

A strange set of events took place in the ferry queue. Some lanes of cars were boarded but ours wasn't. We waited. Then a policeman wandered over to a car in the next lane. He talked to the driver for what seemed like ages, it appeared to be a fairly jovial chat. That is until he opened her car door, took her keys, and took her away with him! Only then we boarded, about 30 min late. I wonder what all that was about.

What an great holiday! It felt like we packed so much into our time off. So many different adventures. Road tripping. Stewart Island. Invercargill. Tuatapere. Humpridge. Christchurch with Toby and Tessa. Great scenery and great company. Thanks so much to Callan and Stacey for organising most of it, and Andrew for squeezing some time out of his insane schedule to come join us. 

Moxley likes the sleeping blanket we put out for her