The Monday with dinner at Ange's place

Hi,

What a day.  Normal work madness (or was it even crazier than usual?) and then a lovely ride home.  The difference being that there was no wind.  I wasn't fighting a headwind like I have been for the past two months.  Hahah.

Toby's birthday present from Emerson and Duncan.  Perfection in Toby's eyes.

Got home and found no Toby.  Texted him and his phone beeped at me from his bedroom.  I started dinner.  Cooked up a whole lot of chicken enchiladas.  I think this is the 4th time I have made them and I didn't read the recipe this time.  Seemed to be ok.  But I left them cooking for Mike and Toby.

I had other plans!

I went over to Ange's place and she cooked an awesome meal.  With kale.  Really?  Yes, really!  And asparagus, and snapper and fettuccine.  It was amazing.  Turns out she subscribes to this thing called My Food Bag.  They deliver the ingredients for 4 meals a week with everything you need.  Food, spices, herbs, recipe.  And you choose the meal for the day and cook it up.  Ange has the gourmet food bag.  It was good!

Then we watched the sun setting, without a breath of wind before settling in to watch a movie.  Magic Mike.  It was ok.  I managed to stay awake to watch the end.  Then I wandered down to the wee car and drove home.  Read to Toby (we're reading Dickens' A Christmas Carol and it's really good fun). Then comatose sleeping.

My ride in was good this morning.  Dry roads.  And I hope it stays dry because it is the Wadestown Christmas Carols night tonight.  Toby and I are heading there.

Have a wonderful day.
Love,
Angela

The weekend with Toby's party

Hi,

What an amazing weekend.  We jammed so much stuff into it.  Friday night Benjamin came and looked after Toby while Mike and I went out for our fifteenth wedding anniversary.  We got tickets to see Empire and it was great!  Go see it if it comes near you.  Best described as a burlesque acrobatic evening, I guess.  Funny and amazing.  Mike and I loved it.  We wandered home and I dropped Benjamin home.

Next morning we were up early.  I went out to see Jo to pick up the amazing cake she had made for Toby's party.  She had a late night trying to make two cakes.  Given ours was amazing, I am pretty sure Ryan's cake was just as good.  The cake was a huge hit.

Paintball fun!

Mike went to collect the Mighty Red Gallant from Sally and Andrew at 11am so we could transport enough boys around.  A carload of boys were at our place by 11.30 so I drove them out to the Paintball place at Manor Park and we got started.  Mike arrived a little later with Magnus and Rob dropped Jake off after the first game.  So it all worked out well.

Getting geared up

 They had good weather and enjoyed themselves a lot.

In-between games

Toby looks incredible

Mike has reacted to the disinfectant in the foam in the mask

 However, Mike was allergic to the disinfectant in the foam in the mask.  He was so swollen around his eyes.  Poor guy.

We fed the boys at home and had the awesome cake.  Some boys went up to do some boxing before Mike went to his evening Nepal meal.  Then some went down to the park to play for quite a while.

Afternoon tea

Look at that cake!  Paintball theme.

Close up of Mike's face after the swelling has subsided a bit

Then we got pizza in and the all watched Commando on the TV downstairs.  I slept on the floor in the lounge and was asleep by the time Mike got home.  Mike took devices off the kids and eventually they all went to sleep.

Breakfast!

 Next morning Mike cooked up sausages and they ate through a mountain of cereal and sausages.  Amazing.  Lucky I don't have 8 boys to feed all the time.

Decorating the tree

Then I went out to do some shopping.  Busy.  And raining so hard.  I was largely unsuccessful finding things on my list.  But I picked up a tree on my way home and Toby decorated it!  Result!

Took loads of shots of Toby looking very cute

I took photos of Toby for fun.  He was looking very gorgeous.  We then piled into the car and headed out to Sally and Andrew's place for tea.  Toby got a chocolate fountain for a present so we loaded that up and had great fun after dinner, dunking fruit and marshmallows.

Toby was exhausted after his weekend so Mike took him home early.  I drove home a bit later in the MX-5 and we all fell asleep.

Toby's second last day at school today for the year.  Wow - the year has gone so fast.

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with nothing much for us - but it was Tyler's birthday

Hi,

Toby had an appointment at 4pm so Mike left work early to drive out to the surf club to collect him.  Mike found a flat tyre on the car and had to change that before leaving.  Toby had already left the lifesaving club and gone to school.  So Mike had to drive back to Scots and find him.  Then they stopped at work and I got in and Mike went back to work and I took Toby to the appointment.

I had a lunch date with Mike at Mixed Business.

We got there bang on 4pm.  Oossshh.

Back home and I cooked tea for everyone.  Mike got home just as tea was ready.  It was nice to chat about stuff.  We talked to Tyler for her birthday.  She looks so grown up.

Mike and Toby got some emulator working on the new laptop so Toby can play old Game Boy games.  I think they are both happy as clams.

This morning I was on the bus.  It is a wee bit damp anyway.  The roads were dry when I went for my run this morning but it has since rained a little.

Tonight we're off to celebrate 15 years married.  Woot!  I only remembered yesterday.  Oops.  It's on Saturday but we're busy with Toby's party this Saturday that I decided to make it a Friday date.  Got tickets for something to surprise Mike.  He reads this so I can't say.  I'll tell you on Monday.

Have the best weekend.  I'm picking up birthday cake tomorrow morning, maybe doing some exercise class (or a run maybe) and then the party kicks in.  Taking boys to paintball and then home for cake and games and a movie with sleepover.  I intend to throw pizzas at them.  And chips.  That should work.  Mike has a dinner to go to on Saturday night - but he can help with breakfasts on Sunday!

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with nothing

Hi,

Today is Tyler's birthday!  Woot.  She is 11 years old and I can't wait to see her at Christmas.  Toby and I were lamenting last night that is has been far too long since we have seen Tyler and Abby.

Normal type of day yesterday really.  I rode home and found Toby there already, recovering from his surf lifesaving day.  I have tried to get it out of him what they covered.  But all I get is "They made us wait".  Wait for what?  I still don't know.  Toby complained he got cold, he got sunburn and everything got covered in sand.  Oh - and there were bugs, apparently.  I hope today goes better (although it seems to be far windier today - sand might continue to be a problem).  I have asked him to apply more sunscreen today even if it is cloudy.

But I cooked dinner for him and Mike (Mike got home a little late but not too bad) and we ate soup and bread.  I didn't like the soup.

Then Mike and I relaxed for a bit before Mike turned comatose on the couch.  Off to bed and I read to Toby and didn't fall asleep in his bed.

My ride in this morning was windy.  Roads were dry though.

Have a fantastic day.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with nothing

Hi,

I rode home after work and found Toby getting stuck into an online game with his mates.  Mike was staying back and heading out to the Southern Cross for a quiz night with work mates.  I made tea for Toby and relaxed and read.  Toby had his dinner and then had a bath and then played for a bit.

My toes in the bath

I also had a bath and then read to Toby in his bed.  And, well, you know how yesterday I fell asleep in his bed after not doing that for the last 7 years?  Well, it happened again.  I stop reading, he asks for cuddles, and it is so warm and quiet.  Next thing it was 11pm.  I leapt out of bed and took Toby's dinner stuff up to the kitchen and that all coincided with Mike getting home.

He thinks I am wide awake.  Maybe even pining for him.  But he is in a boisterous mood so we chat for a while.  When the alarm goes off at 5am for my run, it is hard to get out of bed.

But I did.  It was a lovely morning.  And my ride in was fantastic.

Toby has a few days of a special End of Year programme.  They are learning Surf Lifesaving at Lyall Bay.  Cool!  He's so lucky.

Hence the wetsuit fiasco on Monday night - right?  Hahahah.

Love,
Angela

Our team Christmas tree at work.  See those post it notes?

Those post it notes are handmade decorations.  Yes!

The Monday with shopping after work

Hi,

The Monday back at work was a busy one.  But I did manage to get away to see Aidan for lunch and catch up with her (well, sort of - I actually spent more time with her colleague).  We ate in the lunchroom at her work and the view was indeed worth visiting to see.

After school Toby came to our work and I finally got away to The Warehouse in Lyall Bay with him.  Toby had to try on a wetsuit so we found two (one shorty one size 12 and one long one size 14) and entered into the changing room cubicle.  From this point, hilarity ensued.  I got the giggles trying to pull the full wetsuit onto Toby.  It just would not go over his feet.  I have no idea what the other customers thought, hearing me dissolve into giggles, punctuated by comments such as "Just keep pulling!" and "How can it be stuck there?".

He's hiding the baggy bit!

Eventually I got it over his feet and although there were baggy bits, the length was good and if I thought he had any hope of getting it on himself, I would have bought that one.  I now also think that Toby has the body of a 12 year old and the feet of a grown man.  No other explanation for a wetsuit that would not go over his feet but otherwise is a good size.  He has his Dad's feet!  Toby now has a shorty wetsuit.

We picked up Mike on the way home and I cooked tea (well, Mike cooked it really) and we ate that and relaxed for the evening.  It was a bit late by the time we ate so the evening flew by.  I went to Toby's room to read to him and fell asleep in Toby's bed.  Oops.  I haven't done that since he was about 4!

Up to ride in this morning.  It is still cold.  Second day of summer?  Hardly.

Have a lovely day.

Love,
Angela

The weekend with the Round Taupo race

Hi,

What an amazing weekend.  It started with watching the boys do their morning routine on Friday.  It's a funny act.  They both dawdle interminably and then rush right at the end.  I dropped Toby off at the bus stop and came back for Mike and then dropped him off at work.  I picked up my groceries for the weekend and headed back home to put the bike on.  Not too much later, I was off.

My drive up was uneventful - the weather was quite pleasant and I had a pork pie to eat on the way so I never even needed to stop.

Got into Taupo and opened the house up.  I immediately unpacked, got all my gear ready and laid out and then prepped my bike.  I cleaned and lubed it.  Made sure tyres were ok (glass inspection - all clear).

Bike all prepped and looking shiny and pretty

I drove closer to town and walked in to register.  I got mine and Mike's and queued to change Mike over for Andrew.  The process was a shambles.  I then tried to change my category 7 to category 9 (the same as Iona and Andrew) but they tried to stop me.  Me, being such a mega athlete and all.  Why would I want to move into a lower category?  I said "My husband is in that category and I want to ride with him".  So they caved in and let me.

I wandered back to the house (Tui house again - and it was good again - better book it for next year), thankful I had parked so far out of town.  The immediate vicinity was clogging up fast with cars,

Christine and Brian turned up after a wee while and I played Scrabble with Christine while Brian made tuna pasta bake.  It was scrumptious.  Christine slaughtered me in Scrabble.  She needs to play Mike for a bit of competition.

My words are things like "eye" and "tie".

Christine did use the dictionary

Iona and Col popped over right on tea and we chatted away for a while.  Now, we were all aware of the running water noise, but we all assumed it was something like the dishwasher or the toilet cistern.  None of us went to investigate.  But when Iona and Col got up to leave, Christine shouted "The water!" when she looked at the bathroom.  I ran there in my socks and found myself splashing over the carpet.  Oh no.  I looked into the bathroom but nothing was running.  Then I noticed the water was actually coming from the cupboard.  I opened the cupboard and the hot water cylinder was squirting water from a pipe at the base.  Col immediately ran to turn off the toby and I ran to tell the owners behind.

Fortunately, Dave, the owner, was a retired plumber.  He had it fixed in about 20 minutes.  I promptly went to bed after that excitement.  Christine and Brian mopped up best they could with towels.

Anyhow, Andrew was arriving soon and also prepping for his ride.  I got up at 4.30am and had a shower and got ready.  I was so excited.  I are breakfast (tuna pasta leftovers) and chatted to Andrew.  Then we were off to Iona's motel and collected her then rode to the start line.  We were first in line.  Waiting, waiting.

6am we were off.  The day was cold.  And Iona and I got rained on in the first 40 km but Andrew, 5 mins ahead of us got nothing.  Off and on we got baking sun and freezing rain and a cold wind.  But I found it easier conditions than last year.  Iona was sure it was easier last year.  She has legs of steel though.

I found the first 40 km quite good.  We got to the interchange point 30 mins earlier and anticipated being held up.  But the elite riders must have passed already so we rode right through.

The second 40km is my nemesis.  Lots of up and down.  I need to concentrate on this 40 km in training.

I like the last 80 km.  It includes two big hills, but also great downhills.  I can go faster on the flat sections and the wind was assisting a bit this year (unlike last year where it felt like a head wind).  Andrew let me draft him in sections and it was great.  Coming off Hatepe hill, he was pedalling and I was coasting.  Awesome action, Andrew!  Thank you.

As we approached the finish line, I knew I was close to beating my time by thirty mins from last year.  So I rode faster in the last few kms than last year.  Did it too!

Refreshment stop.  The volunteers are all so nice and supportive.

I'm refreshed!  Only 40 km to go!

Haptepe Hill - the last significant hill.  Only 20 km to go now!

And chatting to Mike at the end.  I was so happy - look at my grin!

Andrew and I rode home and had a shower and fell into bed.  I enjoyed a snooze I have to say.  It was so nice doing nothing.

Christine and Brian came home and cooked tea and it was really yummy.  Chicken with feta, and salads and asparagus.  My ideal meal.  Thank you!!

Iona and Col popped around again and Christine took Brian and Andrew on in dominoes.  We watched and chatted.  I made plans with Col to get up at 3.30am and watch the Aus versus England rugby.  With that in mind, it was an early night.

I got up at 3.15 and Col was in soon after that and then we scoured the Sky channels in vain.  Couldn't find it.  So after about 30 mins of fruitless searching, Col went home to bed and I fell asleep in seconds in my bed.

Up to tidy up and put away the gear.  We drove into town and ate at Replete.  It is a tradition with Andrew and Iona and Col.

Sunday morning iced coffee at Replete.  It was ok.  Not sweet at all.  I quite liked it.  7

2014 number

I filled up with petrol and left just before 10am.  Had a good drive home - it was pretty windy.  Had to fight the car at times.  Just north of Levin a van in front of the car in front of me left the road, climbed a 1 metre high bank with its two passenger side wheels and ripped off vegetation and I was sure would not stay upright.  But when I pulled over, there was the van on the side of the road.  The occupants were shaken but not hurt.  Wow!  How lucky.  I was sure I would be pulling damaged people out of a wreck when I saw the van up on two wheels.

Home safely and super happy to have Taupo done.  Yay.  I did it thirty minutes faster than last year.  7 hours 18 minutes.

Next year I want to have a 6 in the front of my time.

Have a wonderful week. Christmas shopping starts in earnest now.

Love,
Angela