The Thursday with not a lot although Toby was sick

Hi,

It was a frantically busy day at work - but I reckon that is the new normal.  I might need to re-train as a paramedic or something similar for a less busy job.  Although I know my work is not life or death, some people seem to view it in a different light.  I must keep those hoots of laughter more tightly under wraps.  Hahahah!

It has been chilling to watch the London attack on the news during the past day.  For it to happen somewhere Mike and I know so well is slightly worse to hearing about atrocities elsewhere in the world.  Stupid nutters in the world.

At least it is Friday.  And we're having high tea with Sally and Andrew this afternoon.  A birthday celebration.  Woot!

We'll be in Wellington over the weekend.  We need to get loads done around the house.

Hope you have fun whatever you get up to!

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with user group

Hi,

Oh - after prepping for presenting, the colleague before me went over his fifteen minutes of material to a 45 minute version and I had no time for my own.  As I dislike speaking in public, I had mixed feelings about that.  He talked well, but now it means I have to do it next month!  Hahah.  Like delicious anticipation - but the exact opposite!

Sigh!

Anyway, I Ubered home with Mike and we sorted out wee Toby.  He's all fine - he chatted to Grandy on the phone and convinced her that he was ok.  Perhaps I should have checked my blog post to ensure it made doubly sure Toby was fine!

And it was Sally's birthday yesterday - and I forgot to say on the post yesterday.  But I did remember and I hope she had a great day.  I heard they went out for a birthday date night to a lovely restaurant.

Toby is coming to see me after school today.  We need to look at gaming headsets.  Hmmm.  Maybe some market research is needed.

Have a wonderful day!

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with nothing much

Hi,

I seem to have missed a day.  Crazy.  Anyway, Tuesday was good - things went fast and it was the end of the day before I knew it.

Below is Monday night's dinner.  We did take a photo of Tuesday's dinner but only on Mike's phone.

Chicken noodly thing

We had pulled lamb on roasted kumara with a spinach salad on top and I quite enjoyed it.  Mint was chopped through the lamb.  Mmmmm.

On Monday evening we tried the neighbours car in our garage to see if an Outlander was an option.  Fitted easily.

Tuesday I caught the bus home and texted Mike what one I was on so he could jump on.  He timed it perfectly as I was saving my seat next to him.  But his snapper was empty and he had to stop to pay the driver and the last woman on before him sat in the seat next to me.  If only he had money on his snapper!

Anyway, we'd only been chatting across her for a few minutes before she gave up and stood up so Mike could sit next to me.  That was nice of her.  Or she was sick of hearing about our day and the evening plans.

Toby got hit by a car on his way to school yesterday.  He has a big bruise graze thing on his left knee.  I am still not sure of the details, but the driver ran a red light (according to Toby), Toby was knocked down, the driver stopped, Toby was fine so everyone went about their day.

I am still a little in shock about it all.  And I wasn't even there,  Imagine if I'd been there.  Ok.  Let's not imagine anything.

Ok.  Everything is better with tea.  I'll do that.

Have a brilliant day!

Love,
Angela

The weekend that wiped me out of energy

Hi,

Wow a full on weekend.  I don't think I have the energy reserves to handle weekends that are that draining.  Or maybe it is that weekend after weekend have that level of excitement?  maybe.  Hahahah.

Let's see what I can remember.  Friday night I went home with Mike (pretty sure).  We had a fairly early night because Saturday was fairly busy.

The boys had a haircut at 10.15 and we all went to that.  I went grocery shopping while they got their haircut.  Two birds, with one car trip!

Back home briefly to unload the groceries then Mike and I were off to Red Baron to pick up the DRZ and take it home.  Except, we decided to visit Sally for a cup of tea.  And that I had to ride it because Mike left his boots at home.  But as I took off, it cut in and and out and generally played up.  Stalling as I changed down to come under the bridge and up onto it.  As I let the clutch out, the back wheel gripped to road and slid around as it turned the engine over.  It caught and I rode happily up the ramp onto the bridge.  But it died again around the corner from Sally's house (on the main road still).  Mike joined me and we couldn't start it.  So he pushed it back the 2.5 km to Red Baron while I drove there.

Mike managed to bump start it down the bridge ramp and rode it around a bit.  It ran fine warm.  Red Baron were great and looked at it.  There may have been gunk in the fuel lines, but we now suspect the main issue is a huge reserve!  Keep it topped up with petrol and it runs ok!

We did get a cup of tea with Sally, and then home.  Sorted out Toby and then headed to Matt and Leanne's house for a BBQ!  Great fun!  I really enjoyed myself.  And I got a wee rainbow and flowers tattoo from Celia's youngest.  She gave them to nearly everyone there!  A huge highlight.

After being there for a few hours, I managed to drag Mike away (big surprise!) and to the next BBQ.  Gemma and Henrik were having a combined 40th party.  An 80th!  Oossshhh!  Among friends again - and Celia came to this one too.  Caught up with Ange.  Yep - a great party.  Appreciated that invitation a lot!

Got Mike home at a decent hour because we were up very early for a Sunday for our refresher motorcycling course with Two Bald Bikers out at Wainuiomata.  Big day!  And well worth it.

Outside Maccas together

Mike and I rode to McDonalds in Wainuiomata for brekkie before the course started.  From there, we got to the venue and enjoyed a small group (only 4 students) of instruction on a PC before the practical kicked in.  Around 10.15 we got on the bikes.  They used a radio headset on everyone's helmets which made it much easier.  No navigation headaches and instant feedback on anything you were doing.  It was a really good course.

I am now completely exhausted.  Constant concentration and manhandling the bike all day means by the time it was done (practising emergency braking) I was wiped out.  Mike and I rode home from Upper Hutt and reflected in what we'd learned.  Lots!

My certificate

Back home and we ate and watched Creed with Toby (a Rocky movie - it was quite good).

Fell into bed and not sure I am completely back to normal levels of energy yet.  But the working week looms large.  Best get it tackled!

Have a great week!

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with a work party

Hi,

After a crazy day at work (where I did get an iced coffee date in - thanks Sreejith!) we had an after work function.  I saw so many friends there from their previous working lives here.  Including Mike of course!  Hahahah.

Iced latte at Mojos

Mike gave me the car keys and said he'd stay for a little while.  I drove home and didn't see him again.  Unless you count my sleepy stumble to the front door to let him in at goodness knows what hour.

I cooked tea for Toby (I ate at the party) and we had a relaxing evening.  I tried to tidy up but all I really did was move things around.  Not exactly what I was hoping to achieve.  But at least it makes it easier tomorrow morning to tidy.

The weekend beckons.  We have two BBQs tomorrow - guess we'll manage that somehow.  The boys have a haircut.  Mike and I have the motorcycle refresher course on Sunday.  It's going to be busy!

Enjoy your weekend!  And happy St Patricks Day!

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday that felt like Friday

Hi,

My days are really blending crazily into each other.  How can it possibly only be Thursday today?  Anyway, Wednesday passed by in its usual blur of activity.

I was so busy I missed my gym session, which made me slightly grumpy.  The ride home did a lot to make me more mellow though.  I cooked tea (and forgot a photo) and Toby and I enjoyed it.  Honey soy chicken on rice with satay sauce.  There was a lot leftover, so I popped it in the fridge for Mike.

He was out carousing with Andrew and Josh and I was dead to the world when he got home.  I think I woke in the middle of the night and found him in bed and snuggled up.  When I got up (after another snuggle) I discovered he must have eaten his tea when he got home because my idea of sending it with him to work for his lunch was now dead in the water.  He will have to buy his lunch today.  Poor chap.

My foot is looking a lovely colour from the hammering it got on Saturday.  I took a photo for you all.

Bruising coming out nicely

Gosh, it is a great looking foot, despite the harsh treatment it received during race day.  :-)  I do need a feet pampering session soon though.  I'll book that in shortly.

Right.  Time for tea.  Got a work function after work tonight - one that Mike and Ange are invited to (as ex workers) but hope to get home to cook tea with Toby.  He has a big test today for maths.  Good luck wee boy.

Have a great day!  Lovely to get a sunny morning here today!

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with a tough ride home

Hi,

I left work later than anticipated and negotiated heavy traffic through the middle of town.  I didn't know it then, but there had been road closures due to a bomb threat at the central police station.  As I turned into Lambton from Willis, I thought I heard my named shouted out.  I looked at the footpath and spotted Mike walking to his Meetup meeting.  How nice to see him on my way home.

I cooked tea for us - turkey mince pasta bolognese.  I liked it.  And I think Mike liked it when he ate some when he got home.  But Toby didn't eat much of it.  I managed to get a bath in before Mike got home.  Sat with him while he ate tea but it was quite late by then and I went to bed soon after.

I had a restless sleep and woke early.  Who knows what did that to me.

Toby is good - for some reason he is going to school today dressed up in some costume from the $2 shop.  I hope that is ok.

I need a cup of tea.  Have a lovely day.  Stay dry if you're in Wellington - my ride in was a little damp.

Love,
Angela