The weekend with bored games

Hi,

Hahahah.  My blog post title is the best pun I've made yet!

Happy birthday to Sally for yesterday!

Friday I chatted to Ange before leaving work.  Mike came online and he was going to come with me so I pinged him.  And it turns out my message to him was in front of the company meeting upstairs.  Lucky I never said anything cheeky like "Hey gorgeous, how about it?".  That might have started rumours between Mike and me.  It was the second time that week I had pinged him and it was in a meeting where it popped up.  He needs to use the "Do Not Disturb" status more,

We drove home and Mike and Toby got burgers while I made a salad for myself.  Mmmm.  My favourite.

Saturday I stayed in bed late and then got up for a shower and off to buy groceries for lunch because Mike had invited the neighbours over for board games.  And although they chose possibly the least boring game (Rails - in Australia) it went for 4.5 hours and it was well past my attention span.  We did have fun.  I ate yummy cheese and I enjoyed watching Mike and Art discuss the finer intricacies of the game.  Watched through my eyelids.

Mike makes a move in Queensland

Mike made his pot luck dinner after that and headed off for the evening while Toby and I relaxed at home.  I made sushi for tea and I am unsure if my attempts are getting better looking or not.  But Toby ate seconds.  So they must be ok.

Toby's firsts

Mine

From dinner, I read a bit and then Toby and I went to sleep.  Although I think I was awake when Mike got home from his dinner.  He had a great time and his salad was a huge hit.

Next morning was wet, wet, wet!  I was supposed to go watch Aidan shoot some arrows at her archery but the weather wasn't playing nicely.  So I went for my run and did my best time ever.  Happy with that.  It stopped raining on me as I started.  No wind.  Very nice.

Feet after the run

Then I jumped in the car and grabbed some lunch from La Cloche for Aidan as she had canned the archery in favour of me bringing her lunch.  Sounded good to me.  I got some of her new favourite French onion soup and baguette with a lemon tart to finish.  Found her a little under the weather, as she seems to have caught the beginnings of a head cold.  So she was all for cups of tea and lying on the couch.  It was a low key visit.  I enjoyed it.  Aidan ate her soup with relish.  So I think I chose well there.  We chatted about Scotland a fair bit.  It's an easy subject for me to talk about.

Then I went home and Mike decided to iron for me.  I sat and watched him and chatted away to him.  He complained a fair bit about the chore.  It was entertaining.

My well trained husband

We headed out the door for the family dinner at Helen and Ron's place.  It was a huge day because it was Sally's birthday!  Iona and Col were down, as were Aidan and Janne (and it was Aidan's birthday a few days ago).

Iona made birthday cake

Sally carves into her cake

We caught up with everything and enjoyed the chatting.  Then we were off and home.  I finished the ironing before hitting the bed.

Sleeeeeep.  It was great!  Could have gone on for longer.

This morning's ride in was dry enough.  The roads were wet from overnight.  But not too bad.

The week starts!  Woot!

Have fun.

Love,

Angela

The Thursday with lunch with Aidan and goodbyes to Luke

Hi,

What a whirlwind social Thursday I had.  I had lunch with Aidan, which was really nice because I was working late and could actually spend longer than thirty minutes with her.  We ate sushi.  Mmmm.  Sushi.  Chatted about various things.  The weather was so cold.  I was in a jacket and a scarf.  Me!  In March!

I also took a colleague out for a coffee, so I had another iced coffee.  What am I doing?  I need to substitute something else.  But they are so good.  She was a bit astonished at having to take my photo while I had a sip.

Iced coffee at Mixed Business

Bye Luke.  See you in London one day

We all say goodbye Luke

Ange appeared at my desk and took me to the pub for Luke's last drinks before they leave New Zealand.  We enjoyed sampling the delights of the Fork and Brewer's bar menu.  Their cheesy fries weren't as good as the Green Man's cheesy fries.

Then Ange took me home.  The boys had already had their dinner and they were almost ready for bed.  Toby was proud to say he had been selected for a writers workshop next week.  Monday from 10 - 12.  Good on him.  I am also proud.  He loves writing.

The weekend beckons.  And it looks good.  Like always.

Have a wonderful weekend yourself.

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with not much

Hi,

I rode home and enjoyed the benefits of the southerly again.  Woot!  Fairly flew up the hill.  Well, maybe in my mind's eye.

I made a scrumptious dinner.  Roasted vegetables (zucchini, capsicum, red onion, potato), rare lamb steak sliced up, roasted pinenuts, feta (everything is better with feta) and rocket and spinach.  Not sure Toby liked it much.  But Mike thought I'd turned into a gourmet chef.  He's so easy to please.  Hahah.

Not sure where the evening went.  I was in bed before I knew it.  I think my book was calling to me.  I have finished it and the entire series, so now I'll actually get some things done in the evenings.  Before I find a new series to read.

Yesterday I did get out briefly from work with Rex.  He is partial to iced coffees too - despite having a bad reaction to caffeine.  Mike asked the obvious.  Why don't we get him a decaf iced coffee.  We're totally trying that next week!

Rex and I share an iced coffee

I have my eye on Rex's iced coffee too

Right.  Time for a tea and to start the day.  Hopefully less mayhem and havoc than most days.  We can only hope.

Enjoy your Thursday!  Make it count.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with Mike in Chch

Hi,

So, every Tuesday for a while, Mike is flying down to Christchurch for work.  Down and back on the same day.

I rode home last night and was pleased the wind and rain had eased a lot.  It was pleasant enough, if cooler than I have been used to.  The southerly assisted me up the hill.  Always a good thing.

Cooked dinner for Toby and we relaxed after homework was done.  I read a bit.  Then I think I was almost asleep by the time Mike got home.  In fact, it is all hazy.  I might have been walking while half asleep to let him in.  Or maybe I didn't even get out of bed.  I can't remember at all.  I think I was reading.  Oh yeah.  No, wait.  I think Mike took the book out of my hand.  Ok - I was basically asleep when he got home.  Hahahah.

This morning is clear and cool, but mostly sunny.  Shame that cruise ship in yesterday wasn't scheduled for today.  It might be cold today, but it is lovely.

Right.  Time to kick start the day.  Have a brilliant Wednesday!

Love,
Angela

The Monday with normal routine

Hi,

Well, apart from leaving work early to drive across to Scots to collect Toby and back to Khandallah for his appointment, it was a routine day.  No, wait.  That doesn't sound terribly routine.  And we've had so much rain.  So, it was a slow drive all around Wellington.  But Toby and I got home and I cooked dinner and Mike arrived just as I was eating mine.  So we ate together.

Then I convinced the boys that what they wanted more than anything was a walk.  So we got into warmer clothes (yes, the southerly had kicked in by then) and went for a long walk.  Loved it!  Thanks boys!

We all slept well too.  So there you go!  I got up early for my run.  Went out in my t-shirt and smartly came back in and pulled on my merino long-sleeved top instead.  And it was just the right temperature with that on.  I would have been freezing with just my t-shirt on.  Might be the end of t-shirt running weather.

Mike dropped Toby off at school today because Tuesdays are his Christchurch day.  So he's off down there and has Tuesday flights booked for ages.  He also has a social club movie night tonight.  So I won't see him for ages.  I'll be completely asleep by the time he gets home.

Time for a tea!  I could happily murder a cup of tea right now.

Have the best day ever!

Love,
Angela

The weekend that was just wonderful

Hi,

Although it was a weekend at home, I had a wonderful weekend.  Jam packed with loads of things.  Let's see if I can remember any of it.

Friday I caught up with Ilske for an iced coffee after getting a ride with Jo from work to Cuba Street to drop off the tax documents.  The exciting part of that was Jo took me on the back of her scooter.  She was awesome, given I was by far the heaviest pillion she'd ever had.  The wee scooter handled it brilliantly.  I was so chuffed!

Iced coffee at Thunderbird with Ilske

Got home after work and Mike had collected Toby from the ferry terminal with Josh and his boys.  We had lots of cuddles and Toby was so talkative and looked happy and healthy.  We watched a movie together called "FAQ About Time Travel".  It was hilarious.  And in the end credits, Mike Gilbert drove a car for them!

Mike Gilbert as the Camera Car Driver

But before the movie, I wandered around to Ange's house to collect her spare iron after the disaster last weekend where our trusty iron popped the fuses in the house.  I watched a bit of TV with Ange and watched one of her cats sleeping next to me.  So cute.

Sapphire curled up

Next morning Mike dropped me in town and I caught up with the work Dragon Boating team for the finals.  I saw a heat and they cruised in.  Turns out they were awesome all day and got silver in the final Corporate challenge.  Such a good team.

Team Raptors go!

Wow - push ups to warm up.  That would have killed me

Loved the team's warm ups

In the front in their heat!

Nice view of the harbour

Mike popped in to say hi to everyone as he collected me.  And then we went home to get ready for tea with Tabors.  They were due to arrive at 6pm.  Although Mike had arranged this dinner and we were unsure of the actual timings.  Fortunately the Tabors knew when they were due.  Hahah.

Some of these just look like they used to contain alcohol

Mike cooked up an awesome vegetarian lasagne and we chatted away.  The boys finalised their tramping plans for the second week of the coming school holidays.  Lake Waikaremoana.  Should be amazing.  Aidan and I muttered about some of our plan for our weekend away.  It's not quite as locked in as the boys, but it's getting there.


Next day saw me sleeping in as I had read until late and this played havoc with Mike's plans.  I think he was using me as the early alarm clock.  But it wasn't on.  :-p

He got up to take rubbish to the tip and Toby mowed the lawn.  I tidied and pottered around.  Mike and I moved stuff to the loft and threw away a few things.

Toby mowed the lawn

View from the garage through cobwebby windows

Goodbye my lovely Shoei helmet

I have said goodbye to my old Shoei helmet.  I love this helmet.  It was so comfortable and quiet.  But the foam inside has all come away.  I need a new one.

Aidan popped in for a cup of tea and I had a welcome respite from throwing away my stuff.

Then, I went grocery shopping for the week and came back to make tea.  The evening was perfection so we sat on the deck reading.

Dinner on the deck with my Kindle

The view was stunning

Mike also enjoying dinner on the deck with his Kindle

This morning was a bit weird.  I was about to head out the door in my bike gear when Mike mentioned Toby's appointment at 4pm.  I need the car for that so I hurriedly change to my work clothes and drove in!

We're supposed to get the tail of Cyclone Pam that just devastated Vanuatu.  It won't be great weather for the next few days.  We've got gale force southerlies forecast.  It might be a good thing I have the car today.

Right.  Have an awesome week!

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with no Toby

Hi,

But today is the Friday where Toby gets back.  Mike and I have missed him and we're looking forward to smothering him in kisses.  Okay - that might be just me.  :-p

Yesterday was a beautiful day here in Wellington.  So the autumn still has lovely weather left in it.  Mind you, I can't wait for the ski season, so I also look forward to cold, freezing, wet days here that leaves metres of snow on the mountains.

I went to the Backbencher for drinks after work with Aidan and her colleagues and Mike soon joined us.  He had a haircut booked up the road so it was super easy to lure him away from extra work and having a beer.

Aidan had fallen over on her run into work yesterday so she showed me her impressive scrapes.  Ouch!  The road rash down her leg looked amazing.  Plasters on her knee and mighty fine looking bandages on her palms.  Her colleagues have been practising their first aid skills on her all day.  I'm pleased they all took care of her.

Anyhow, Greg and Ella entertained us with their conversation and it was just the sort Mike loves to get involved in.  But we had to get away for the haircut and I had tea to cook for Ange.  Woot!

I caught the bus home and started making butter chicken.  It wasn't as good as my normal butter chicken.  But Mike said it was the best.  He likes it tomatoey.  We chatted away to Ange for ages before I got sleepy and conversation wasn't my strong point anymore.  Keeping my head off the table was enough effort.  But Mike and Ange are night people and were still going full bore.  Eventually they may have noticed my lack of social skills and Ange headed off home.  It was a great night!

Had to catch the bus in this morning.  Can't wait for a cup of tea.

The weekend looks pretty marvellous.  Work has the dragon boating team finals so I want to go and watch that.  I need to do loads of housework.  And buy an iron!

Enjoy your day!

Love,
Angela