Hi,
Mike was right - I had forgotten all about Toby being babysat by Benjamin and us going to the movies last night. But it all went well.
I rode to karate from work and just finished putting my bike on the car when the boys came out. We picked up Burger Wisconsin for Toby (Jack had eaten already) and they played together for a while. Mike went to collect Benjamin and John came to pick up Jack. Then we were off.
We went to see Black Swan and although it was a very good movie (well acted etc), I was a bit traumatised by it all. The lead part was obviously someone with severe mental problems involving hallucinations and weird body harming, and when it finished I couldn't really say I had enjoyed it. It was good, but yucky. Mike thought it was better than he had anticipated. I think he thought he was going to see a movie about ballet.
Anyhow, his interpretation of the ending was different to mine. And I have decided to take on Mike's upbeat interpretation rather than my dire one. I am sure everything is going to be absolutely fine. Yep.
We got home just after ten and Mike took Benjamin home. Thanks Benjamin. We owe him money as we forgot to get cash out. Maybe we should just get Benjamin's bank account details? Mike will see Vivienne at the weekend anyway - piano moving is the order of the day.
Anyhow - Mike has a half day today (we think) because he promised to go to a special assembly today to see Toby. Toby told us Friday initially, but today confirmed it was today! Yikes.
Have a great day! Stay dry if you're in Wellington. It's wet, wet, wet!
Love,
Angela
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Mike's Tuesday and Wednesday morning
A few workmates and I tried to go to Siem Reap for lunch - because it's the yummiest Thai/Malaysian food around. But disappointingly it was closed (on Monday and Tuesday lunchtimes) so we headed to Roti Chennai instead. Now, I quite like Roti Chennai having been there once or twice before - but Siem Reap it's not. So we were sadly disappointed. It wasn't even up to its usual cheap-and-cheerful standards either - our rotis were lumpy and cold. Our waiter was quite uncoordinated too, and split stuff and dropped our meals loudly on our table. Someone nearly wore their chicken curry. One of my workmates didn't hold back in describing what she thought of the place in a not-quiet voice. Quite funny, in an awkward Ricky Gervais sort of a way... But I think we'll try again today.
I had to leave work later than Angela, so I got to ride my bike home yesterday afternoon. We'd driven in partly because the big storm Angela was telling you about had hit in a huge way - but by yesterday afternoon it had passed through and the sun was shining. So it was a pleasant ride home. Huge tailwind though, which meant I got another personal best going up the hill - 8 min 15s!! Would have been sub 8 min if a doddery old man near the top hadn't met a car going the other way and spent ages figuring out where the edges were on his Porsche Cayenne, and how to actually get it out of the way so traffic could flow. He should have bought a Daihatsu Charade if he can't drive an SUV. Oh well. But that really was a one-off that was totally wind assisted.
I went home and then drove the other car around to Lesley and Wally's for fish and chips. Their alterations are looking good, but they're as well as being kitchen-deficient, they're pretty cold - there are holes in their walls right now where the southerly whistles through. We left them trying to work out if their washing machine will actually fit in their new laundry! Ah, don't you love it.
Speaking of renovations, ours are proceeding apace. The sparky comes to finish off tomorrow. The builder will be coming next week to fit the doors and the brace gib. The painters have just started on the outside. Hmm, I must ring the plumber. And the bank!!!!
This morning we awoke to a genuine Dunedin-day morning - cold, crisp and clear. I enjoyed my ride in - I'll try to keep it up over winter in spite of my aversion to riding up the hill in the dark. I must invest in a reflective ankle strap and some AAA batteries for my bike lights.
 |
| The storm, at midnight Monday night. Gales and lashing wind! |
I had to leave work later than Angela, so I got to ride my bike home yesterday afternoon. We'd driven in partly because the big storm Angela was telling you about had hit in a huge way - but by yesterday afternoon it had passed through and the sun was shining. So it was a pleasant ride home. Huge tailwind though, which meant I got another personal best going up the hill - 8 min 15s!! Would have been sub 8 min if a doddery old man near the top hadn't met a car going the other way and spent ages figuring out where the edges were on his Porsche Cayenne, and how to actually get it out of the way so traffic could flow. He should have bought a Daihatsu Charade if he can't drive an SUV. Oh well. But that really was a one-off that was totally wind assisted.
I went home and then drove the other car around to Lesley and Wally's for fish and chips. Their alterations are looking good, but they're as well as being kitchen-deficient, they're pretty cold - there are holes in their walls right now where the southerly whistles through. We left them trying to work out if their washing machine will actually fit in their new laundry! Ah, don't you love it.
Speaking of renovations, ours are proceeding apace. The sparky comes to finish off tomorrow. The builder will be coming next week to fit the doors and the brace gib. The painters have just started on the outside. Hmm, I must ring the plumber. And the bank!!!!
This morning we awoke to a genuine Dunedin-day morning - cold, crisp and clear. I enjoyed my ride in - I'll try to keep it up over winter in spite of my aversion to riding up the hill in the dark. I must invest in a reflective ankle strap and some AAA batteries for my bike lights.
RE: The Tuesday with Cubs
By 'chariot' Angela means 'hard, sharp manuka logs, tied together and with a child clinging to the top of them while 4-5 others run full tilt around a small hall with concrete walls'. There were way more than two injuries. My team required band-aids when they put their bodies on the line to finish well - they ran into and over the girl at the front who was carrying half the weight of the 'chariot' and not keeping up with the others at the back. And in another race, one boy smacked into the chair that was the finish line with his head. Shook himself and kept going though.
Tonight is also way busier than Angela realises. Choir for Toby, Tennis for Toby, Karate for Toby. But also dinner with his friend Jack, a Pocket Legends game-playing event with another friend Alex, and babysitting with Benjamin while we go to the movies. Black Swan at the Embassy. Reckon we'll grab a quick bite to eat in town first, too. Bring it on!!
Tonight is also way busier than Angela realises. Choir for Toby, Tennis for Toby, Karate for Toby. But also dinner with his friend Jack, a Pocket Legends game-playing event with another friend Alex, and babysitting with Benjamin while we go to the movies. Black Swan at the Embassy. Reckon we'll grab a quick bite to eat in town first, too. Bring it on!!
The Tuesday with Cubs
Hi,
Because we had driven in, there didn't seem to be such a huge rush as usual. I guess I was lucky the traffic was clear though. I collected Toby early-ish and went and got fish n chips for us and the Sampsons. We ate lots before Cubs. The kids enjoyed their time together. The Sampsons are in the middle of major kitchen/dining renovations. No kitchen, no sink, no dishwasher. I think takeaways make their day at the moment. They have their camp stove (a 3 burner one we know well from camping with them) in their lounge!
Anyhow, Cubs went well. We did knots (clove hitch and square lashing) and then made a chariot. The races were cutthroat though and there were two casualties (one boy got a chariot in the head and one got a cut). We said goodbye to some people last night (off to Scouts).
Busy today. Choir for Toby. Tennis for Toby. Karate for Toby. Phew! Roll on Thursday!
Love,
Angela
Because we had driven in, there didn't seem to be such a huge rush as usual. I guess I was lucky the traffic was clear though. I collected Toby early-ish and went and got fish n chips for us and the Sampsons. We ate lots before Cubs. The kids enjoyed their time together. The Sampsons are in the middle of major kitchen/dining renovations. No kitchen, no sink, no dishwasher. I think takeaways make their day at the moment. They have their camp stove (a 3 burner one we know well from camping with them) in their lounge!
Anyhow, Cubs went well. We did knots (clove hitch and square lashing) and then made a chariot. The races were cutthroat though and there were two casualties (one boy got a chariot in the head and one got a cut). We said goodbye to some people last night (off to Scouts).
Busy today. Choir for Toby. Tennis for Toby. Karate for Toby. Phew! Roll on Thursday!
Love,
Angela
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The Monday with Keas and a race to beat the rain radar
Hi,
I left work a few minutes earlier than anticipated as Mike had sent me the approaching rain radar and a massive rain front was bearing down on Wellington. I opened the link, and read Mike's warning that said the rain was coming from Nelson. And I quickly saw a wee wisp of cloud somewhere near Kapiti and almost scoffed. Almost. Then the rain radar kicked in and showed me the approaching rain from Nelson, just as Mike had said. It was huge. Easily the size of the top of the South Island. I rode like the wind to Keas.
Keas went well. We made helicopters and kites. And with the wind, they certainly flew!
Mike came and got me - thank goodness. And then we ate yummy tea. I think Mike should cook more often!
I wonder if Mum and Dad got the rental property they had applied for...?
More rain and Cubs tonight means we drove in. How slack.
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
I left work a few minutes earlier than anticipated as Mike had sent me the approaching rain radar and a massive rain front was bearing down on Wellington. I opened the link, and read Mike's warning that said the rain was coming from Nelson. And I quickly saw a wee wisp of cloud somewhere near Kapiti and almost scoffed. Almost. Then the rain radar kicked in and showed me the approaching rain from Nelson, just as Mike had said. It was huge. Easily the size of the top of the South Island. I rode like the wind to Keas.
Keas went well. We made helicopters and kites. And with the wind, they certainly flew!
Mike came and got me - thank goodness. And then we ate yummy tea. I think Mike should cook more often!
I wonder if Mum and Dad got the rental property they had applied for...?
More rain and Cubs tonight means we drove in. How slack.
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Monday, April 4, 2011
The weekend with a glorious Saturday
Hi,
Friday night we had our work function to attend - a quiz night. It was great fun although we came a solid middle-of-the-table. Shame I know nothing about politics and economics!
Hannah was babysitting Toby and I know Toby had a lot of fun. Mainly because he whispered to me as he was going to sleep "I like Hannah". Yep - me too, Toby.
In fact, Hannah stayed with us as we took Toby swimming. We popped into Borders to check out their book sale and then out to Lower Hutt to the pool. As we entered we saw Brennan! How weird is that. He had had a sleepover at a friend's house just around the corner from the pool. So after swimming we collected him and took Hannah and Brennan to Cafe 162 in Karori for lunch. Off to the Sampson house afterwards to drop off kids (although we kept Brennan) then home to play.
Wally also popped around to have a coffee - and fix our freezer door with Mike! Funny! It is much better now! Ta! And then Jonathan came over for his sleepover. Toby and Jonathan had a ball playing together and then having dinner and watching a movie. They both slept in the tv room.
Sunday morning they were up early. Do you call 4am early? Or is that technically still the day before!!!! It felt like it. I think they got at least one more hours sleep once I sent them back to bed. But Toby did look pale all day so I think he was pretty tired. Jonathan was collected at 9:30am and Mike started demolition work once more.
We had lunch at the Bichans and enjoyed catching up with everyone. Then Mike and Sally drove to 40WLW via Dick Smith and bought a wi-fi router and Mike installed it successfully! Yay!
We stayed so long we had tea there too! Then home to an early bed!
Great weekend. I heard from Mum and Dad twice - so perhaps they are missing us. Questions about Toby are always high on the list when we speak. Maybe they miss Toby even more! They have a car already and will hear today about a rental house they would like. It is almost a try-before-you-buy as it is in the complex they are keen on. At least they'll know for sure.
Have a marvellous week.
Love,
Angela
Friday night we had our work function to attend - a quiz night. It was great fun although we came a solid middle-of-the-table. Shame I know nothing about politics and economics!
Hannah was babysitting Toby and I know Toby had a lot of fun. Mainly because he whispered to me as he was going to sleep "I like Hannah". Yep - me too, Toby.
In fact, Hannah stayed with us as we took Toby swimming. We popped into Borders to check out their book sale and then out to Lower Hutt to the pool. As we entered we saw Brennan! How weird is that. He had had a sleepover at a friend's house just around the corner from the pool. So after swimming we collected him and took Hannah and Brennan to Cafe 162 in Karori for lunch. Off to the Sampson house afterwards to drop off kids (although we kept Brennan) then home to play.
Wally also popped around to have a coffee - and fix our freezer door with Mike! Funny! It is much better now! Ta! And then Jonathan came over for his sleepover. Toby and Jonathan had a ball playing together and then having dinner and watching a movie. They both slept in the tv room.
Sunday morning they were up early. Do you call 4am early? Or is that technically still the day before!!!! It felt like it. I think they got at least one more hours sleep once I sent them back to bed. But Toby did look pale all day so I think he was pretty tired. Jonathan was collected at 9:30am and Mike started demolition work once more.
We had lunch at the Bichans and enjoyed catching up with everyone. Then Mike and Sally drove to 40WLW via Dick Smith and bought a wi-fi router and Mike installed it successfully! Yay!
We stayed so long we had tea there too! Then home to an early bed!
Great weekend. I heard from Mum and Dad twice - so perhaps they are missing us. Questions about Toby are always high on the list when we speak. Maybe they miss Toby even more! They have a car already and will hear today about a rental house they would like. It is almost a try-before-you-buy as it is in the complex they are keen on. At least they'll know for sure.
Have a marvellous week.
Love,
Angela
Friday, April 1, 2011
The Thursday with normal evening activity
Hi,
We had nothing on. What a pleasant change. Rode home and made good time (not as good as Mike recently) and collected Toby. I rode past John on Molesworth St (he was waiting for a bus) and then as I walked down to Skids, John was walking up with Tom. So I was almost the exact same time as him. That's ok.
Home for dinner and Mike arrived just as it was almost cooked. Then Toby finished his homework and we tidied up a bit. I convinced Mike more demolition was not required and he watched Time Team with me. But after it finished and I went to bed to collapse, he watched more tv and then read late when he came to bed. I didn't notice anything.
Everyone was up early though and I tidied the things that escaped last night. Hannah is babysitting Toby tonight as we go to a work function. Hope it's fun.
Weekend is looking pretty calm. Swimming tomorrow. More demolition. And a wee friend is sleeping over on Saturday night. I think Mike wants to hire a trailer to cart away debris from the green room. Maybe a Sunday task.
A free weekend. How interesting.
Enjoy your weekend.
Love,
Angela
We had nothing on. What a pleasant change. Rode home and made good time (not as good as Mike recently) and collected Toby. I rode past John on Molesworth St (he was waiting for a bus) and then as I walked down to Skids, John was walking up with Tom. So I was almost the exact same time as him. That's ok.
Home for dinner and Mike arrived just as it was almost cooked. Then Toby finished his homework and we tidied up a bit. I convinced Mike more demolition was not required and he watched Time Team with me. But after it finished and I went to bed to collapse, he watched more tv and then read late when he came to bed. I didn't notice anything.
Everyone was up early though and I tidied the things that escaped last night. Hannah is babysitting Toby tonight as we go to a work function. Hope it's fun.
Weekend is looking pretty calm. Swimming tomorrow. More demolition. And a wee friend is sleeping over on Saturday night. I think Mike wants to hire a trailer to cart away debris from the green room. Maybe a Sunday task.
A free weekend. How interesting.
Enjoy your weekend.
Love,
Angela
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