The Monday with Keas and lovely weather

Hi,

After the panic of the morning, it all came right at work at lunchtime when the cause of a lot of problems was identified and addressed.  I felt much better about it all.  We had worked hard over the weekend so it was good there was a result of sorts on Monday.

It was good enough for me to get away for Keas as usual.  Mike dropped me and Toby off straight there as we were running late.  Trouble was, Wally was sick and had the key.  So we played outside for ages as it was so nice.  Then Mike came back with the key and we went back inside for the handing out of certificates for their big investiture a few weeks back.

Today was supposed to be nice, but the wind has got up and we have clouds.  The ride down the hill was scary for me because my bike has started making a disturbing clunking sound on the odd occasion.  When you're doing 50km/h down the hill, you don't want to hear clunks.  Mike rode my bike down to try and identify the source of the clunk.  That meant I had to ride his.  And although his bike is nicer than mine, I cannot reach the pedals on his seat, so I coasted down and I am so glad I didn't clip in on one side because when I stopped, I couldn't clip out.  My cleats must be slightly different to his.

We're off to Vivienne and John's for tea tonight.  Should be a good, good night.  Looking forward to it.

Anyhow, have a great day - whatever you're up to.
Love,
Angela

It's been a busy weekend, and leading into a busy week

Mike here.  I imagine Angela will be under the pump and not blogging.  In spite of being quite chipper about things last time - at 4pm yesterday they discovered that the whole environment was quite different to how they thought it was, and everything was wrong.  So people are, well, less chipper.  And more busy (if that's possible).

Along with Angela being flat out at work this weekend, we had a whirlwind of social events going on as well.  Saturday morning, my Mum came up from Dunedin.  Timing meant we needed to hit swimming straight away.  Toby did well with his swimming - his kicking is the key thing though, when that's right he's good, when it's not he's not - and my Mum chatted away with another mum whose daughter was in Toby's class. 

Then we put Sally in a quandry by inviting ourselves around for lunch, right in the middle of her flat-out Saturday.  She handled it with her usual aplomb though.

Hmm, I seem to have lost a few hours on Saturday afternoon.  I have no idea what we did between lunchtime and about 4pm!!  That's a worry, isn't it.

But at 4pm, Toby's friend William came around for a sleepover.  Which pretty well meant that both boys disappeared downstairs and we saw very little of them til the next morning.

Next morning, the alarm went off at 6am and Angela was off! to work.  All still going well and chipper (presages of dread and fear).  That left me to sort out the arrangements for theWadestown Garden Walk for the 7 ticketholders, their families, and other Bichans who were coming to visit since we'd arranged to host the Bichan Sunday meal.  Panic!  Everything worked out fine though.  People came and went, people brought just the right food, my part of the catering went off smoothly, most people wandered back for lunch at something like the same time, and a good time was had by all.  Apart from Angela that is.  She missed pretty well all of it, was able to emerge back from work around 2pm to squeeze in some garden visits - before the dreaded 'oops, we did it all wrong' phonecall at 4.   Then she vainly fought the system for a few hours, remotely from home, before everyone gave up and we went....

To the Gin Wigmore concert!!!  Woo hooooo!!  I've been eagerly anticipating this concert for weeks now, especially since she lost her voice and had to delay it for a fortnight or more.  And it was fantastic.  Really good.  The Wellington Opera House is a cute little venue, a small, faded-glory sort of place.  Think the St Kilda Palais, or an older, smaller Dunedin Regent Theatre.  Perfect for her sort of music.  And the support band, The Thomas Oliver Band, were superb as well.  I think they've just recruited some groupies.  And they're supporting George Thorogood next year!!!  Have to go to that for old times sake, I reckon.

Well that was the weekend, full of ups and downs and drama and excitement.  Let's see how the week pans out!

Good evening - from work

Hi,

Well, another late night at work.  And an early morning tomorrow for me too.  But it is not all gloom and doom.  People are quite chipper about things. 

We've had a good day.  Between working at 7am this morning and working till at least 8pm now, I have squashed in Christmas shopping with Mum and a BBQ lunch at Sally and Andrew's place.  I'll sleep well tonight, that is for sure.

The weather is very odd.  A mist has been shrouding Wellington and the Hutt Valley all day.  A work colleague from the Wairarapa said it was gorgeous over there this morning.  Who knows?  Wellington has unusual weather conditions quite often.  "It's very unusual" is the catch cry of Wellingtonians.

Back to work.

Have a great weekend (what's left of it).

Love,
Angela

The Wellington Cup Carnival - Just like the Melbourne Cup, but it's in Upper Hutt.

I got handed this flyer today.

Folks at work who have actually been to the Wellington Cup Carnival say this oversells the event quite a lot, and I have to say I can't picture people this glamorous in Upper Hutt.

Maybe the drunk guy in the green shirt will be there - and the sleazy guy in the orange sports coat and the mullet.  The others - could be a bit artistic licence.

If you're still keen to go, though, it's on on the 29th of January - check out http://trentham.co.nz .

The Thursday with a birthday and still more work

Hi,

What a lovely run of good weather.  How nice for a change.  Shame I never see it at the moment.  I am looking forward to the House and Garden walk on Sunday around about 18 Wadestown houses and gardens.  It's a fund raiser for Toby's school and they have sold 750 tickets.  So it'll be huge!

Yesterday Mike collected Toby and took him to the Sampsons.  This was for Chelsea's 8th birthday.  Her birthday is 11/11 and Toby's is 12/12.  As Lesley pointed out, Chelsea's birthday next year is on 11/11/11 and Toby's the following year is 12/12/12.  Cool, eh?

Anyhow - have a great weekend, wherever you are.
Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with work

Hi,

Yes - I am sure tennis was fine, karate was fine and Mum's dinner was yummy.  But I was working.  Never mind.  I do have a plate of dinner in the fridge so I can let you know how yummy it was (or is!) tomorrow!

Toby wore his nicest clothes to school yesterday.  He has a new Oxford shirt and khaki drill pants and he chose to wear that.  Funny boy.  He did look smart. 

Today he chose his new t-shirt and new hoodie.  He has definite fashion tastes.

I'd better get stuck into work now.  Been fighting my machine all morning.  I think I have it beaten now.

Have a great day!
Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with Vivienne's birthday dinner

Hi,

We had a great time at The Flying Burrito Brothers last night for Vivienne's birthday.  We ate so much that I had no room for my main when it arrived.  Toby was the same.  Anyhow, Mike collected Toby from the restaurant and I went to work to get my bike to ride home.  Then I got sucked into working as there was a problem with some stuff.  10pm I left work and had a great, quite, fast ride up the hill.

Today is lovely.  I rode in after dropping off Toby.  My bike computer is kaputt (the wire has snapped).  I can make it register odd values by touching the wires together.  Toby likes that bit.  I have no idea how fast I am going.

Busy at work.  Phew!  It is karate day and tennis day and I am looking forward to a great dinner from Mum.  She is experimenting on us tonight.  Yummy!

Have a great day!
Love,
Angela