Good morning on Fri, Aug 21

Hi,

Another cracker day here - no wind and blue, blue skies. When Mike and I rode home last night, we were so happy to see our completed, installed wardrobe. It is a thing of beauty. Mike spent some time filling it last night while I was at table tennis getting pummeled by all the good players (I am probably the most useless player there - but improving somewhat). So when I got home at 2215 last night, there were clothes hanging up and drawer filled.

We want a LCD TV in there too - but that will have to wait for funding to catch up before that happens. Until then we might use our LCD computer monitor instead. That'll fit in the space.

This weekend we will be decluttering the green room downstairs into the wardrobe and garage and we'll get the use of our fourth bedroom back. Hooray. We can set up the comfortable single bed once more for guests instead of the stretcher beds.

We also have swimming, babysitting the Sampson children tonight (we are all sleeping over as Lesley and Wally will stay out all night - staying in town!) and perhaps a lunch at Sally and Andrew's if we're lucky. I want to try and build a storage shelf in the garage for crates and out Thule rooftop box so it all stays off the ground and dry. I must measure it up. It'll be pretty basic and Mike will need to cut the wood down.

Oh - and rugby tomorrow night. All Blacks v Wallabies. Come on New Zealand!

Have a marvellous weekend.
Love,
Angela

Good morning on Thurs, Aug 20

Hi,

The month is rapidly passing me by. This morning is a glorious day in Wellington - no wind and blue skies. Heavenly. If you're here - get out and enjoy it (you know who I am talking to!).

We have a squash game at lunch time today. I played for the first time in years about 3 weeks ago and now I want to start a semi regular squash routine.

Mike's parents arrived back in Wellington yesterday evening and my parents cooked up a storm at our house to feed us all. I'll head home at 1730 on my bike to cook up butter chicken for tonight's dinner. Anyone for a family meal this weekend? We'd have to sort out when the Gilbert parents are available because they have a function on at some stage.

Mike got to drive home a work car last night - it needed a run to keep its battery charged up. The temptation was strong to drive in with him this morning but I am keen to do 5 days riding this week! And it was a lovely ride in.

Ok. Time to get stuck in.
Love,
Angela

Good morning on Wed, Aug 19

Hi,

We seemed to cop a bit of wind and rain last night but it was almost all gone by the time we woke up. So I rode in - the roads were still wet but I stayed dry.

I looked out for Sally on the intersection of The Terrace and Bowen where we both cross each morning. I saw her there yesterday after not seeing her for ages and we had a good wee chat before work. Hey - that might be our coffee catch-up opportunity! But this morning we were out of sync. Never mind. I hope the ministerial chat at her work yesterday had no surprises. The MoH has been in the news for impending job cuts.

Mike painted like a mad man last night. The wardrobe has a top coat and all the ceilings are done. We're almost ready for the wardrobe man to arrive with the innards! That'll be an exciting day when that is finished. Given I have not used three quarters of my clothes since they have been unavailable in a pile buried downstairs somewhere, I need to be ruthless putting them back. The op shop may get some clothes I think.

Tennis and karate day for Toby. Next week is a karate grading day, so Toby has some moves to practise a bit more so he can pass. I think if he concentrates he'll be ok.

Mum and Dad will likely collect wee Toby from Skids after his tennis. And if they want to stay for dinner, ummmm.... they will have to provide dinner. We had next to nothing in our freezer this morning for a meal. So, I have no idea what we'll do for dinner tonight. A family mince pie? Yum! I could get one at lunch time.

Oh well. Time to start the day.

Love,
Angela

Good morning on Tues, Aug 18

Hello there,

Keas was great fun last night. The volcanoes were christened and they all erupted with varying degrees of ferocity. The daylight we have at the start of Keas now meant we could do it outside on the grass - so nothing was destroyed by the oozing lava. The kids all loved it. Next week is paper aeroplane night. Woo hoo!

I bumped into Sally this morning on the way to work. We chatted for a few minutes outside her work. The minister talks to them today. Ooooooo. The MoH is in the news already this week and guaranteed to stay there for a bit I think. Job cuts loom. Fingers crossed it doesn't affect our family, eh?

Tonight is Tuesday night and the evening we have off from frenetic activity. I do need to go and buy dinner at lunchtime today though. I fancy chicken schnitzel strips. And I just know Toby does - he eats more of them than I do!

Nothing much going on. So, have a good day!
Love,
Angela

Good morning on Mon, Aug 17

Hi,

Another great weekend up at the tramping club lodge. Not a lot of skiing however. I have to say that I have never skied in so much rain before. I am amazed at how "unwaterproof" my ski jacket is.

Saturday we stayed in the lodge all day. There was one lift open and we could see the queues. Someone went out and said the queues took 40 minutes. Ouch! So I had a lazy day reading. Very pleasant.

Sunday was much nicer -still overcast and I did get rained on again. But Toby and I went skiing. I took Toby up the big chairlift and we came down a blue run. I took him off piste a little on a steep bowl and he was not impressed. Mummy has learned her lesson. I thought he did quite well though. No major panic - just a squeal every now and then as his mighty edge control wavered on the steep hillside. He skis like me. In complete control but wound up like a pretzel.

Mike couldn't ski as his binding was hanging on by one screw. Oops.

We had a nice early departure as the rain kicked in heavily and it seemed pointless to get wet while skiing.

Now we have a mound of washing and a house to tidy.

Keas tonight - it is volcano eruption day! Bring it on!

Have a great week.
Love,
Angela

Good afternoon on Wed, Aug 12

Hi,

Mike's parents arrived last night for a quick stop on their way up to the Lamb's 50th wedding anniversary celebrations. So we all had fun over dinner catching up - my parents were over too.

Today is karate day and Mike's parents dropped wee Toby off at school. That meant Mike and I could ride in together. The roads were nice and dry so it was a good ride in. It was later than usual as Mike can't seem to leave super early in the mornings.

I think Mike's parents are collecting wee Toby from Skids after tennis and my parents are arriving to take Toby to karate.

Complicated, eh? ;-)

We have chicken satay sticks for dinner, so I hope that caters to everyone. Phew!

I saw a photo of my sister Karen running in the Sydney City to Surf race. She did it! Hooray! And now she has a certificate of merit.

That's about it. The training is going well this week. Loads to learn.
Love,
Angela

Good morning on Mon, Aug 10

Hi,

What a great weekend. Mike started it in an odd fashion though. He said he'd have one drink after work on Friday night so I went home and watched the Friday night movie with Toby. After that Toby and I fell asleep and I didn't wake up until Mike came in at 7.30am and said he was about to grab the car and drop someone home and would we like McDonalds for breakfast! Yes please! Wee Toby was already up getting some quality Cartoon Network time.

So I got out of bed and prepared for my breakfast feast by cleaning the kitchen and doing to washing as it was another brilliant day in Wellington! Turns out Mike had no money to get Maccas. Oh well. We all got ready for swimming and got breakfast on the way - and ate it at Sally and Andrew's place! Not too bad at all.

Swimming was good. We went to Queensgate to get some essential shopping done - clothes. Boring. Mike slept in the car. Trying on bras was definitely odd with Toby sitting at the bottom of the cubicle commenting on various colours and styles! Still - it worked ok.

Home for a while and Mike collapsed in the bed. Happens when you have 3 hours sleep in two days. Mad fool!

Then off to Sally and Andrew's for a camping night. We had a BBQ and pitched the tent and toasted marshmallows in the brazier. Great fun.

Sunday was a quiet start at the Woburn camping ground. It was a wee bit cloudy but still very good weather. We eventually decided to go home around lunch time. Sally and Andrew must have been relieved!

A little bit of tidying before Christine and Tom turned up - but Tom was fast asleep and slept in our bed. We organised the Mt Hutt ski trip a bit more and played Wii. Christine loved the Wii.

Then off to Mum and Dad's place for dinner. Yummy roast!

Now I am at work and in a training session all week. So comms might be a bit slow or non-existent. :-)

Have a great week!
Love,
Angela