The Monday in level 4 lockdown

 Hi,

Monday was a busy work day.  And in lockdown, it turns out I don't take a lot of pics.  But Moxley was on our desk between us at one point during our working day, and she looked so chill that I had to take a photo.

Moxley looking gorgeous

After work, Mike got stuck into the basement plastic work.  It is looking so good.  He has now run out of both polythene tape and No More Nails.  And I have run out of real nails in my shelving job.

But in good news, we move to level 3 tonight at midnight.  If click and collect is up and running, we might be able to get our tape and our nails and, well, not nails.  So we can continue our work.

Level 3 is like level 4 - but with takeaways.  Auckland remains in level 4 for 2 more weeks.  Sigh.  It is such a hard ask of our biggest city.  I hope everyone is okay.

September tomorrow.  Wow.  The year is flying by.

Got my PT session after work today (Tues).  Quentin wanted a sleep in this morning.

Have a good rest of the day.

Love,

Angela

The weekend in level 4 lockdown

 Hi,

A rainy weekend in level 4 lockdown doesn't leave a lot of room for excitement for the Monday update.  We did eat well though because Mike did a supermarket run on Saturday.  Nom, nom.

Stir fry dinner

Pancake brekkie

Hokey pokey biscuits

I did catch Mike and Moxley napping on the couch during the afternoon.  So cute.

Sleeping

On Sunday after a long walk I did more shelving in the garage.  Tenzing came to explore the garage while it was open.  He went everywhere in the short time I let him in.  

Looking back at our house and garage from Crofton Downs

Tenzing explores our garage ...

... while Mike lined the basement with black plastic. How exciting!

I got the bracing up for the next shelf.  But I have run out of nails now.  I think I will make the next shelf out of lots of 4x2.  It will be a heavy duty shelf.  Hahahah.  Mike reckons we have nails that will do the job somewhere - so he might look for them.  I looked and only found short ones.  If not, I might be able to get more once we get to level 3 and I can click and collect.

Right.  The day looms ahead.  Let's see.  I did have PT session with Quentin this morning.  Leg day.  Oosshh.  We got ready for a run before work but as we did stretching at the letterbox, it started raining.  So we ran back inside.  Hahahah.

I see Abby repainted her room over the weekend (pics in Facebook).  It looks so good.  New bed and mattress too.  Well done, wee Abby (and Mum and Dad too).

Have a wonderful day.

Love,

Angela

Covid diary:

Mike to New World Thorndon for groceries.  1300 - 1400.  Dropped some off at Ange's house on his way home.

Mike, Angela for walk to Izard Park, Crofton Downs, Sunday 12:00-13:00

The Thursday in lockdown level 4

 Hi,

Maybe the lockdown has me jaded when the only pic I have of yesterday is one of my dinner.  Did nothing else happen?

Dinner

It was a nice dinner.  Salad and omelette.  But if that is the only thing worthy of a pic, then you know my day was purely functional.  Work, work, work.

We did have after work drinks online with work mates.  And we did chat to Sally (and Andrew when he wasn't working) for a while.  

But - that was about it really.

Today (Friday) we hear if we will be moving down levels.  Oohhh.  Auckland is still in level 4 until Tuesday.  But - let's see.

Have a great day.

Enjoy your weekend.  More projects for us.

Love,

Angela

The Wednesday is lockdown level 4

 Hi,

Looking at the photos I took yesterday, it seems as though the only action was with the cats.  Which is fairly accurate, to be fair.

Work was busy.  And in-between, the cats were a lovely distraction.

Cat model

OMG - gorgeous

And again

Mike made lunch - Mmmmm

Smudge senses an opportunity

And yes - she wins the prize.
Grated cheese. She loves it.
She has Mike very well trained.

Huge busy day at work today.  At least there is a gap for lunch.  Already did the PT session with Quentin.  Mike has his at lunchtime.

Might try for a walk after work.  And there is the coffee table of stuff to keep sorting through.  Yep - busy.

Take care.  Have a good Thursday.

Love,

Angela

The Tuesday in lockdown level 4

 Hi,

The days are definitely starting to blur now.  We're in level 4 until Friday at least - with more cases coming.  And it has unfortunately got into large church gatherings in south Auckland and the Pasifika community is now bearing the brunt of it now.  :-(  I hope it gets under control very soon - looks promising but still more work to do by everyone.  Especially health care workers and people doing it tough in Auckland.

Australia is also a bit of a mess.  

Moxley helping herself to my water

Busy day at work - cheeky Moxley helped herself to a glass of water on the desk.  Reminder to self:  never drink innocuous looking glasses of water.

Did a workout with Theresa online after work.  Body combat.  Great fun.  I had no clue.  Kicking, punching.  But it was a lot of fun - so there is that.

Cooked tea while Mike had a PT session with Quentin.  Mmmmm.  Buddha bowls.

 

Buddha bowl for tea

Someone posted the Pravda cheese scone recipe at work so I made them after dinner.  They were pretty yummy.

Pravda cheese scones 

Delicious he said.  Light and fluffy he said

Off to bed and a good sleep.  Up for a walk with Mike after brekkie.  Saw daffodils in the garden.  I love them.

Spring in the garden

Yep- thank you Brooke

Up to the top of Te Ahumairangi hill after dropping off some cheese scones with Ange.  :-)

Halfway up Te Ahumairangi

At the top

Hello Wellington

Selfie

Looking back at the Hutt Valley

Back at work now.  Busy again.  I hope your day is a good one.

Love,

Angela

The Monday back at work at home in lockdown level 4

 Hi,

Well, Monday saw the Prime Minister, working with the MoH, extend the lockdown for the entire country until Friday.  Auckland longer - next Tuesday.

I think this is probably very wise and I have suspicions there are cases lurking that have not been uncovered yet.  But if we are all locked down - hopefully no one is spreading it.  Sneaky virus that it is.

My next jab is Sept 14 - so I have a wee way to wait yet to get my full vaccination.

PM held up a paper map in the presser yesterday

I cooked tea while Mike worked late.  I made a smoothie for him using frozen berries and lots of kale from the garden.

It was ...  wholesome.

Anyway - his late work meeting turned into a drinks session.  His colleagues were sipping on gin while he knocked back his kale smoothie.

I suspect they are all glad they do not live with me.

I made tea with frozen veggies.  Stir fry.  Tofu.  It was delicious.  Mike loved it.  #winning

After tea, Mike did a shopping list and went into New World Thorndon at 7pm to buy our much-needed groceries.  He did very well.  Reported a run on spinach (he had to buy rocket and scratchy mescalun) and coriander (huh?) but got other things like toilet paper without any hassles.

Socially distanced cars
Not as much food in the trolley without Toby

We unpacked.  Nothing from the health authorities on washing the goods this lockdown so we pretty much just shoved things away in the fridge or pantry.

Guess not a lot of surface transmission now.  

Off to bed and a good sleep although I have got a wee headache this morning.  Did an online PT session with Quentin at 7.30am.  Good way to start my day.

Have a marvellous day wherever you are.

Love,

Angela

Covid diary:

Mike to Thorndon New World 1900 - 2000 Mon Aug 23rd

The weekend in lockdown level 4

 Hi,

We had our first level 4 lockdown weekend.  It went quite well.  Mike and I were in project mode.  He was working in the basement and covering all the clay with black plastic to seal it from cold, damp clay.  He has now run out of No More Nails.  

I decided the garage needed shelves.  Basically so we can one day soon fit the car back in the garage.  I used power tools and everything.  Made 2 shelves.  Restacked.  Happy.

Making shelves

Tool belt and everything

Built and stacked

I have run out of ply for the actual shelving now - waiting on moving down a level or 2 so I can buy the rest.  

Under the duvet

Home made iced latte delivered to bed

Plastic bread tags are now cardboard

Pinned

Ripening

Sunday saw me look at the garage again.  But this time I decided to hang the Thule rooftop box to gain more floor space.  We're using bungee cords.  But it is cumbersome.  However, the concept is sound.  When the shops reopen - we will buy webbing and have a hook and eye system.  

Thule rooftop box is out of the way - but only a PoC at this stage.  Could be better.

Mike collected potatoes from the garden so we had something fresh to eat.  And I harvested our kale.  I see smoothies in my Monday food choices.

Kale chips from the garden

Potato bake - from the garden

Our potatoes from the garden

We did a PT session with Quentin so we are back on track there (Mike was owed a session).  I had mine this morning (Monday) online.  And then Mike and I went for a run after it - before work.

Mike's run at bottom.  Tight.  Mine at top.  Loose.

Theresa laughed at how my Strava shows a loose interpretation of the run.  And Mike's is tight.  She thinks I get distracted on my run and chase shiny things.  I say it is Mike's slightly larger watch.  Hahahah.  Too funny.

Mike did 5 km under 30 mins.  Oosshh.

Right.  The week has kicked off.  Busy.

Take care.

Love,

Angela

The Thursday with lockdown

 Hi,

Turns out I rarely take pics when we are in lockdown.  Hahah.  Not even the cats got a look in yesterday.  Busy at work.  Mike and I did get out for a run in Izard Park at 3pm though.  There were a few others taking advantage of the sunshine to enjoy the park too.

My run was slow and short.  Best build that up.  Might try and get out today too.  I do want to do some boxing in the garage.  Maybe my lunch break could be that.

The weekend is coming up fast.  Not sure if we will be in lockdown level 4 or not.  Auckland is still sadly experiencing a growth in cases and places exposed to the delta variant.  And some of those places have had a lot of people in them (schools, malls, clubs - ohhhh).

Seems prudent to continue at level 4 for now.  But let's see what an abundance of caution might mean for sensible decision making at the govt level later today, eh?

I do want to build shelves in the garage.  Just need some materials for that.  If things allow click and collect I might be in luck.  But at least I can plan and design.

Right.  Hopefully your day is a good one.  And the weekend is even better.

Love,

Angela

The Wednesday with lockdown

 Hi,

First full day in lockdown level 4.  The situation is snowballing in Auckland.  Updates through the day show the potential for big spreading events.  So far though, nothing outside of the Auckland area.  But it is super catchy delta variant - so goodness knows what today may bring.  It is so different from the freedom and safety we have had up to recently due to excellent border and healthcare measures from the govt.

I am quietly optimistic we will get on top of it.  NSW is providing a good example of what happens if you wait too long.  Still exploding numbers there.  :-(

Moxley chilling in the home office

Are you watching me?

Completely dead to the world

Busy at work.  Keeping me out of any mischief.  But today is a far nicer day so I hope to get out into the park later this afternoon to get a run under my belt.

Dirt Duathlon is postponed.  That was due this Saturday.

Hello Thursday morning

We have a 1pm update again from the PM and Dr Bloomfield.  Let's see what the overnight work by health officials have discovered.

Take care of yourselves wherever you are.

Love,

Angela

The Tuesday with a snap level 4 lockdown from midnight

 Hi,

Well, the Tuesday was just trucking along like a typical Tuesday.  We went for lunch at Yoshi.  We did typical meeting stuff.

Then word got out of a community case found in Auckland.  And the day took a different turn.  I went home like usual on the bus.  Waited for Mike.  He braved the little Countdown in Lambton Quay as we had no essentials as we'd been away all last week.  

Got home as the Prime Minister was sending us all into Level 4 lockdown for at least three days. That's the hardest lockdown we have - basically, don't leave your house for anything. Pharmacies and supermarkets are the only businesses that can open.

Smudge on my lap

Moxley on my... head!

PM on the TV

Mike made bread for this morning. It's a lockdown tradition.

Mike and I are working from home.  Toby went to Tessa's place to stay with Steph and Sam.  Let's hope we can corral this outbreak.  Good luck.  Kia kaha.

Love,

Angela

The Monday back at work

 Hi,

We are back.  But my first day back at work yesterday was so busy I couldn't get a blog post out.  And, tbh, I still haven't read all my emails in my inbox.  Oops.

Work iced lattes

Theresa and I had a late work meeting and we were going to go to the gym.  But the heavens opened and it hosed down.  So we did an online session in the workshop.  Funny.

Mike came in to pick me up - and took Theresa to the station so she could make the slightly earlier train.  That worked a treat.  Then when he came back to get me - he also took Barb home.  He was the Uber man.

When we got home, we tried really hard to get the Focus into the upstairs garage.  But despite a lot of juggling, we missed by probably 15 cm.

Close fit

And... it didn't work!

Moxley enjoying the sun on Sunday

But now I have a project.  I am going to buy right angle shelving brackets and put all our crates onto shelves.  Then we will get the car in.

Excited about that.

We went into the house after our  failed car fitting exercise and I had some dinner (leftovers from the freezer).  And off to bed.

What a wild night - so windy.  Off to the gym in the morning for leg day.  :-)

Have a great day.

Love,

Angela