Interesting morning

Toby and I got off to school and work pretty well.  It's Toby's field trip to Carter Observatory today, and he's pretty excited about it.  I told him that his Mum will want to know every little thing about it.

While I was heading to the bus, a wee girl asked me all about it, and if Toby was going.  I have no idea who she was, but she certainly knew Toby and knew I was his Dad!

It was a slightly exciting bus trip in this morning.  First, there was a nose to tail right in front of the bus stop, which gave all us bus commuters who now vaguely know each other because we hang about at that bus stop every morning, something to chatter about.  All very minor though.  A kid in an old people-mover didn't notice that traffic was stationary and sailed into the back of the car in front.  He slightly bent their tow bar and put some scuff marks on their bumper, as he shattered his bumper, pushed in his grille, smashed his headlights and buckled his bonnet.  It was a shame for him.

And, there was a tree down on Wadestown Road, in the valley before you head up to the shops.  We had to wait a bit for a man with a stop-go sign.  It was on National Radio this morning, as part of their New Zealand traffic report.  I like being in a country where you can have a traffic report for the whole country, and it still only takes 1 minute, and they include things like a tree down, around the corner from where you live.

Good morning on Fri, Jul 23

Hi,

After working a bit late last night and waking up groggy, I decided to take the bus in this morning.  It didn't look too bad out there.  Damp roads and misty clouds, but no wind.  It would have been a good ride in, I reckon.  And the bus ride in leaves me dopey at work for ages.  Give me an invigorating ride down the hill to start the day anytime!

Last night Ma and I decided to flag table tennis.  She is still pretty sick and I am still blocked up.  My cough might be getting better though.  Next week we'll be in fine form.

Friday night tonight.  Hooray.  I wonder what movie we'll watch at home? 

Swimming lessons start for the term tomorrow.  Toby will miss next weekend while we're in Sydney celebrating my wee sister's big birthday!  Woo hoo!  I have asked if Duncan and Emerson can come for a sleepover on Saturday night and we'll take them on the day walk on Sunday Mike has organised for the tramping club.  Good fun.

Have a marvellous weekend.  Stay snug and warm.
Love,
Angela

Good morning on Thurs, Jul 22

Hi,

Another drizzly morning - but no wind.  So not a lot of complaint from me.  I'm not sure how the boys managed it last night but we ended up eating McDonalds for dinner.  I feel slightly ill just recalling it.  Anyhow, I was working late so I asked Mike and Toby to come and collect me after karate.  They "convinced" me to take Toby to Maccas after dropping Mike off for a pre-tramping club meeting.  So, we dropped Mike off and drove to the McDonalds at the Basin.

While Toby and I were getting stuck into our "food" (Toby won a sundae by putting 20c into a bubbling container and having his coin land on a tiny pad inside - who knew), Mike walked in.  There was no one at his meeting and he had left his phone in the car and couldn't confirm the time or venue.  So he ordered Maccas and that was when I was wondering if this was some elaborate ploy to eat Maccas...

Anyhow, turns out Mike was 10 mins early for the meeting.  Heheheh.  That has never happened to him before so he left thinking he was completely wrong.  I enjoyed the joke.

Karate went well.  Toby was taught a speed block/punch contest.  Sounded like fun.

I am working late tonight and debating whether Ma and I will be well enough to play table tennis.  Ma has been diagnosed with the flu.  Not Swine - at least, we don't think so.

Have a good day!
Love,
Angela

Good morning on Wed, Jul 21

Hi,

The weather has turned drizzly.  Must be Dad's day off, eh?  Heheheh.  The ride down the hill was slow - I am such a wimp when my brakes don't work crisply.  I was on Toby drop off duty as Mike has karate duty this afternoon.  I suspect tennis might be an optimistic wish today.

What else have I got on my plate?  Building Toby's pom pom for the pom pom demonstration on Monday evening at Keas.  It's a bit tangly.  I must have lost the knack.

I need a cup of tea.  Been too busy so far this morning to get one.  My cold is still spluttering along.  It might be getting better.  Ma is off to the doctors - finally.  Hopefully she hasn't left it too long to get it sorted quickly.  Karen did say we weren't allowed to bring germs over for her birthday!

Have a great day!
Love,
Angela

Good morning on Tues, Jul 20

Hi,

The roads were dry riding in this morning so I had a good ride down the hill.  My cold/cough meant I took it very easy so I didn't get out of breath and start coughing and spluttering.  Ma is quite sick with a bronchial cough and Dad will take her to the doctors today.  I hope she gets better soon.

First night back at Keas was good fun.  Pom pom making absorbed them for quite some time.  I'm going to help Toby finish his this week and show them the end process next week.  Next week, an investiture and shadow puppets.  Oooooo.

I can't wait for my cup of tea.  Best go and sort that out.

Love,
Angela

Toby's lunch

Angela went in early today, so she could leave early.  So early that she couldn't make any sandwiches.  Now, I think that's a good thing - I think that Toby and I should make our own lunches.  And surprisingly, Toby was really on board.  When I said that he had to help me make his lunch, he went one further and did the whole thing himself.  He even didn't want me there to provide any help at all.

I hope he really enjoys his potato chip and Hersheys Chocolate Sauce sandwiches.

Good morning on Mon, Jul 19

Hi,

Back in the swing of things already.  Emails piling up and trying to stop thinking about the wonderful holiday we just had.  A bigger blog about the trip will be forthcoming.  But for now, just a general update.

Mt Hutt had a big dump of snow the night we arrived and it lasted well until we left.  We had brilliant conditions.  No wind, blue skies.  Lovely.  I had my first ski lesson in over ten years and found some new form towards the end of the week.  Great.  Mt Hutt has a new electronic system in place and you can see how many vertical metres you ski.  I did 15,540m over my 7 days.  Pretty chuffed about that.  Next season I'm aiming for 20k.  Heheheh.

Toby had a ski week that in his mind went for an eternity.  But we think it was good for him (as parents do).  He has progressed from 3a at the start to 3b at the end.  He still resorts to a fantastic wedge on steep slopes.  Why not, I say?  Toby is the wedge prince.

We had fun skiing with Christine, John and wee Tom too.  The accommodation was good.  The pool the Sampson kids swam in back in the last school holidays had surface ice all over it.  Toby found it fascinating.

Anyhow, I'd better leave it at that for now.  I hope your week is great fun.

Love,
Angela