Hi,
After a busy day at work, with Mike organising lots of house buying admin stuff and attending a refresher for his first aid course, I managed to carve out some time for Spin after work.
The text I got from Mike in the afternoon scared me a bit when it said: I have an open fracture. But about 30 seconds later, I realised he was (probably) role playing at his course.
Spin was great as one of my favourite instructors was there in a surprise appearance. And my back was absolutely fine. I barely noticed it while I went for it on the bike.
Finished up and headed back to work to grab my gear. Two backpacks (and some groceries). Phew. Walked to the bus stop and found a work colleague there, surrounded by people. She had fallen running for the bus and was waiting for an ambulance in a lot of pain. After some time, there was no sign of the ambulance.
The young woman who had called for it rang back and they basically told her they couldn't find one to dispatch. Two other young people were there and helping.
They were all so lovely. And people walking past would ask if they could help and offered things to assist.
But, in the end, I rang for an Uber and the people helped her into the Uber with me and my gear and hers. And the Uber driver was so nice. At the ED, he got out and tried to get a wheelchair sorted.
People are nice.
Anyway, she got assessed straight away and sent me home. She texted me later that night and confirmed her dislocated shoulder. But she was so stoic - I was impressed with her bravery. I hope she recovers fast.
I Ubered home from the hospital because... buses!
Mike fed me. Yum. And then it was time for bed.
That was my Monday. Crazy.
Have a lovely day.
Love,
Angela
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Monday, May 20, 2019
The weekend in Nelson and with Eurovision
Hi,
What a weekend - I need a weekend now to recover from that. Friday saw Mike and I heading to the rugby. I had completely forgotten about that, so was woefully under-dressed for sitting in a cold stadium for hours. But Andrew had a spare scarf and gloves - and they made all the difference.
We met Elly and Doro there and enjoyed a local women's game (Oriental-Rongatai versus Northern United). It was a close game. Also watched some men's game - Hurricanes v Jaguares. The Argentinians made the 'canes look average. Boom!
Got an Uber home and was asleep before too long. Mike had to get up at 4.30am to take Andrew to Poads Road.
Andrew's weekend was going to be momentous. He had a plan to knock off the last 3 spot heights in the entire Tararua Forest Park. Every. Single. Spot. Height. He has been to them. I was with Sally and she heard updates from him during the weekend. He got the first two fairly quickly - and then had a big push to get that last one. And he did it. So amazing. He must be exhausted today.
Mike got home from dropping Andrew off at 8.15am and Sally arrived not long after to pick me up from home. We headed to the airport and checked in and found the Koru lounge. I forgot that is how Sally travels - and so yummy to get some nice food ahead of our flight.
We had an easy flight to Nelson - I had a gorgeous view across the sounds. Picked up the Yaris hire car from Budget and found our way to our first open house.
It was lovely. Sunny - good views. Not quite the access we were hoping to have - but not bad. Onto the next part of our schedule.
Lunch.
Hahah.
Then - off to 61 Davies. We met Tracey (Chris' partner) and she introduced us at the house to the listing agent, Karen. And Anita also met us to have a look around.
Turns out it was a lovely house. Mike called and we took him through on video Skype too. Eventually, we decided to make an offer. Via text - because that is how my brain works. Why talk to someone when you can text?
Tracey was great fun - and took us through without any pressure. Karen too, mind you. And such a gorgeous day to see the house at its best, I reckon. Tracey bikes and we have made tentative plans to explore some trails at a later date. She thinks we'd get along great - until the Eurovision interlude Sunday morning (see later in the blog). Now she suspects I am slightly nuts.
As we drove around the coast road, I saw Skull Island (* not its real name) and thought it would be a great pic for Toby to enjoy. I asked Sally to take the photo as I drove.
She had some trouble with my phone.
She's getting there!
No - she took just a photo of me as I drove along. My hand looks great.
Sally contorted herself to point the phone out the back window as Skull Island disappeared into the distance behind us. And took a final photo. If you do some forensic work on this photo above, you can zoom in and see about 12 pixels that may have captured the very top of Skull Island.
So - there you go Toby! We saw Skull Island.
Had dinner with Sally and Anita at Parts and Service. Vege options were limited - but it was tasty enough.
Next morning, was Eurovision! Momo called us and the three of us (me, Mike and Momo) watched the start together. Thank you Momo - you made it special.
I had to leave before the end. No WiFi to stream YouTube anymore. But Mike kept me updated. Netherlands. Well done!
Met Tracey at Devilles to sign for the house. She thinks I am weird as I had to watch Eurovision for as long as possible using the hotel WiFi before meeting her to sign for a house. She has no idea how normal I am. :-p
I am the epitome of normality. Or so I keep telling anyone that will listen.
Devilles for lunch and brekkie and iced lattes. The iced lattes generated quite the stir with the staff there. But whatever they concocted - it was good.
Went to Brightwater to see the Ernest Rutherford memorial. Then took the car back and checked in. Ate in koru. Sorted out Queens Birthday logistics. Boarded flight to WLG. Sally and I got stuck in stupid traffic due to road works on the quay trying to get me home. 1.5 hours from the airport to home? I may as well live in Sydney!
Sunday evening saw us (me and Mike) meeting Janine for Burger Fuel for tea (I had some meatless meat pattie - it was good!) before seeing Dr. Jane Goodall speak at Michael Fowler.
It was a bit different to two years ago. That was more: this is my life. This was more: this is how you should do your bit in your life to make things better for the planet.
Totally eat less meat!
Hahahah.
And she kept slipping in "and less dairy" too - but I was trying to ignore that.
There was a young woman from Paraparaumu College that gave an excellent talk on how she is trying to make change happen.
A band that played chill music. Trinity something.
And then Jesse Mullagan chatted to Dr. Jane Goodall for another 30 mins or so.
Yep - all good fun.
Went home and fell into bed. Was hard to get up in the morning. But got to my PT session where Quentin is trying to get my body stronger. Then physio, where she said the most flattering line I am ever likely to hear (NOT!). She said (and this is verbatim): You are not too horrific.
I heard that, and gave some mirthless chuckle, raised my eyebrows and directed my deadliest side eye at her as I said: Really?
She tried to backtrack then when she realised what she had said - but waaaaaaayyy too late for that.
Great. Not too horrific. That's a lovely thought to take into my week.
Can the week possibly get any worse than that start? All up from here then!
Enjoy your week.
Love,
Angela
What a weekend - I need a weekend now to recover from that. Friday saw Mike and I heading to the rugby. I had completely forgotten about that, so was woefully under-dressed for sitting in a cold stadium for hours. But Andrew had a spare scarf and gloves - and they made all the difference.
We met Elly and Doro there and enjoyed a local women's game (Oriental-Rongatai versus Northern United). It was a close game. Also watched some men's game - Hurricanes v Jaguares. The Argentinians made the 'canes look average. Boom!
 |
| Feet enjoy the rugby |
Andrew's weekend was going to be momentous. He had a plan to knock off the last 3 spot heights in the entire Tararua Forest Park. Every. Single. Spot. Height. He has been to them. I was with Sally and she heard updates from him during the weekend. He got the first two fairly quickly - and then had a big push to get that last one. And he did it. So amazing. He must be exhausted today.
Mike got home from dropping Andrew off at 8.15am and Sally arrived not long after to pick me up from home. We headed to the airport and checked in and found the Koru lounge. I forgot that is how Sally travels - and so yummy to get some nice food ahead of our flight.
We had an easy flight to Nelson - I had a gorgeous view across the sounds. Picked up the Yaris hire car from Budget and found our way to our first open house.
It was lovely. Sunny - good views. Not quite the access we were hoping to have - but not bad. Onto the next part of our schedule.
Lunch.
Hahah.
Then - off to 61 Davies. We met Tracey (Chris' partner) and she introduced us at the house to the listing agent, Karen. And Anita also met us to have a look around.
 |
| That's where we were. This is at Brightwater - a memorial to Rutherford |
 |
| Bought this house. |
 |
| Yep - this one. |
Turns out it was a lovely house. Mike called and we took him through on video Skype too. Eventually, we decided to make an offer. Via text - because that is how my brain works. Why talk to someone when you can text?
Tracey was great fun - and took us through without any pressure. Karen too, mind you. And such a gorgeous day to see the house at its best, I reckon. Tracey bikes and we have made tentative plans to explore some trails at a later date. She thinks we'd get along great - until the Eurovision interlude Sunday morning (see later in the blog). Now she suspects I am slightly nuts.
As we drove around the coast road, I saw Skull Island (* not its real name) and thought it would be a great pic for Toby to enjoy. I asked Sally to take the photo as I drove.
She had some trouble with my phone.
 |
| Asked Sally to take a photo of Skull Island. She looks intense |
She's getting there!
 |
| Wait - that's a blurry pic of me driving. Not Skull Island. |
No - she took just a photo of me as I drove along. My hand looks great.
 |
| Ok - Sally says the very top of Skull Island is somewhere in this photo - out the back windscreen. Enjoy that, Toby! |
Sally contorted herself to point the phone out the back window as Skull Island disappeared into the distance behind us. And took a final photo. If you do some forensic work on this photo above, you can zoom in and see about 12 pixels that may have captured the very top of Skull Island.
So - there you go Toby! We saw Skull Island.
Had dinner with Sally and Anita at Parts and Service. Vege options were limited - but it was tasty enough.
Next morning, was Eurovision! Momo called us and the three of us (me, Mike and Momo) watched the start together. Thank you Momo - you made it special.
I had to leave before the end. No WiFi to stream YouTube anymore. But Mike kept me updated. Netherlands. Well done!
Met Tracey at Devilles to sign for the house. She thinks I am weird as I had to watch Eurovision for as long as possible using the hotel WiFi before meeting her to sign for a house. She has no idea how normal I am. :-p
I am the epitome of normality. Or so I keep telling anyone that will listen.
 |
| Seagulls want my iced latte |
Devilles for lunch and brekkie and iced lattes. The iced lattes generated quite the stir with the staff there. But whatever they concocted - it was good.
 |
| I am a little bit freezing in the shade with my iced latte |
 |
| Nelson Koru to ourselves - thank you Sally! |
Sunday evening saw us (me and Mike) meeting Janine for Burger Fuel for tea (I had some meatless meat pattie - it was good!) before seeing Dr. Jane Goodall speak at Michael Fowler.
 |
| Dr Jane - yes - she was marvellous |
Totally eat less meat!
Hahahah.
And she kept slipping in "and less dairy" too - but I was trying to ignore that.
There was a young woman from Paraparaumu College that gave an excellent talk on how she is trying to make change happen.
A band that played chill music. Trinity something.
And then Jesse Mullagan chatted to Dr. Jane Goodall for another 30 mins or so.
Yep - all good fun.
Went home and fell into bed. Was hard to get up in the morning. But got to my PT session where Quentin is trying to get my body stronger. Then physio, where she said the most flattering line I am ever likely to hear (NOT!). She said (and this is verbatim): You are not too horrific.
I heard that, and gave some mirthless chuckle, raised my eyebrows and directed my deadliest side eye at her as I said: Really?
She tried to backtrack then when she realised what she had said - but waaaaaaayyy too late for that.
Great. Not too horrific. That's a lovely thought to take into my week.
Can the week possibly get any worse than that start? All up from here then!
Enjoy your week.
Love,
Angela
Friday, May 17, 2019
The Thursday with a continuing sore back
Hi,
What fun, eh? My back is still sore. But I lay flat on my back for a while last night and thought I was cured (or close to it). But waking this morning, I was back to stiff and sore. I did have another physio appointment this morning. That woman is amazing at her job. I walked back to work, feeling marvellous.
But 30 mins standing at my desk, and I was sore again. I just need the physio to follow me and loosen me up every 20 mins or so. Yeah, yeah. That's a good solution. :-p
Did see Andrew ahead of his "big push" to knock off the last of his spot heights. This is huge! And the forecast is not playing ball. Severe gales on the tops. How rude! Hope he gets them all.
Meanwhile, Sally and I are off to Nelson to look at houses. And Mike is entertaining half the internet at our house Sunday morning for Eurovision.
And we have Jane Goodall Sunday night.
OMG - the weekend is action packed.
Have an awesome one wherever you are too.
Love,
Angela
What fun, eh? My back is still sore. But I lay flat on my back for a while last night and thought I was cured (or close to it). But waking this morning, I was back to stiff and sore. I did have another physio appointment this morning. That woman is amazing at her job. I walked back to work, feeling marvellous.
But 30 mins standing at my desk, and I was sore again. I just need the physio to follow me and loosen me up every 20 mins or so. Yeah, yeah. That's a good solution. :-p
 |
| I am glowing! It was sunstrike! |
Did see Andrew ahead of his "big push" to knock off the last of his spot heights. This is huge! And the forecast is not playing ball. Severe gales on the tops. How rude! Hope he gets them all.
Meanwhile, Sally and I are off to Nelson to look at houses. And Mike is entertaining half the internet at our house Sunday morning for Eurovision.
And we have Jane Goodall Sunday night.
OMG - the weekend is action packed.
Have an awesome one wherever you are too.
Love,
Angela
Thursday, May 16, 2019
The Wednesday with a sore back and physio
Hi,
I ended up having to go home at midday with my back just going into spasms for no reason. Well, not "no reason". I know why. But nothing I could do seemed to fix it enough for me to sit and work.
I caught the bus home and lay on the floor at home and tried to get comfy. Seemed to work like that - and the cats were pleased I was constantly at their level.
Mike got me a physio appointment at 2.20pm so I took the bus back in and saw Niki at Capital Sports Medicine. She gave me exercises to do - and said my back was pretty stiff. And that my body was already trying to compensate for the injury. Great.
I went home and did my exercises like mad. Many times. And again this morning. I need it fixed.
When I fed the cats last night, the universe tilted a bit. Smudge usually leaves food in her bowl, and Moxley finishes it off. But last night, I fed Moxley in the kitchen, took Smudge to her bowl in the bathroom, and fed her there. I closed the door to the lounge to keep them apart - like usual. To give Smudge time to eat in peace.
I got distracted with talking to Mum, Dad and Karen (and Tyler and Abby - and saw Scott briefly) on Messenger video. 30 mins later I realised Smudge was still outside the lounge. I opened the door and checked her food - all gone.
But - in the weirdest thing - Moxley had food left in her bowl. And Smudge came over and ate it. While Moxley just watched.
Sunset was amazing. Like it was on fire. My pics were ok - but my social media had some incredible ones.
Iced latte with Mike (and Andrew yesterday). And I am now heading to Nelson with Sally for the weekend in a house expedition.
Missing Eurovision. Oh.
Have an awesome day.
Love,
Angela
I ended up having to go home at midday with my back just going into spasms for no reason. Well, not "no reason". I know why. But nothing I could do seemed to fix it enough for me to sit and work.
I caught the bus home and lay on the floor at home and tried to get comfy. Seemed to work like that - and the cats were pleased I was constantly at their level.
 |
| Cat found a warm spot |
Mike got me a physio appointment at 2.20pm so I took the bus back in and saw Niki at Capital Sports Medicine. She gave me exercises to do - and said my back was pretty stiff. And that my body was already trying to compensate for the injury. Great.
I went home and did my exercises like mad. Many times. And again this morning. I need it fixed.
When I fed the cats last night, the universe tilted a bit. Smudge usually leaves food in her bowl, and Moxley finishes it off. But last night, I fed Moxley in the kitchen, took Smudge to her bowl in the bathroom, and fed her there. I closed the door to the lounge to keep them apart - like usual. To give Smudge time to eat in peace.
I got distracted with talking to Mum, Dad and Karen (and Tyler and Abby - and saw Scott briefly) on Messenger video. 30 mins later I realised Smudge was still outside the lounge. I opened the door and checked her food - all gone.
But - in the weirdest thing - Moxley had food left in her bowl. And Smudge came over and ate it. While Moxley just watched.
 |
| Hilarious cat antics |
 |
| Sunset was on fire |
 |
| Fiery glow |
Sunset was amazing. Like it was on fire. My pics were ok - but my social media had some incredible ones.
 |
| Iced latte with Mike and Andrew |
 |
| Cheers! |
Missing Eurovision. Oh.
Have an awesome day.
Love,
Angela
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
The Monday at work
Hi,
Mondays. Ohhh -they can be so hard, eh? And that muscle I pulled during my deadlifts? Ouch!
Met Mike (and two tramping friends - Adam and Preeti) at Higher Taste and had a yummy dinner ahead of the grocery expedition. Where I saw two yellow cars and took a pic for Toby. Hahahah.
Home for a hot bath to try and relax my back. Into bed with the electric blanket on the nuclear setting to also heat up my back. But it acted like a lure to Moxley and she completely stretched out on the bed and enjoyed the heat rising from beneath the duvet.
Went to Spin this morning. Back still sore though. Mike says it is normal and just my back growing stronger through the pain.
Whatever.
Sigh. At least the weather is nice today - and looks good for the next 9 days on the forecast. Woot!
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Mondays. Ohhh -they can be so hard, eh? And that muscle I pulled during my deadlifts? Ouch!
 |
| Anticipation |
 |
| I want some! |
Met Mike (and two tramping friends - Adam and Preeti) at Higher Taste and had a yummy dinner ahead of the grocery expedition. Where I saw two yellow cars and took a pic for Toby. Hahahah.
 |
| Double spotto. I feel like I am playing snooker. See that white car? |
Home for a hot bath to try and relax my back. Into bed with the electric blanket on the nuclear setting to also heat up my back. But it acted like a lure to Moxley and she completely stretched out on the bed and enjoyed the heat rising from beneath the duvet.
 |
| Joed out on the bed last night |
Went to Spin this morning. Back still sore though. Mike says it is normal and just my back growing stronger through the pain.
Whatever.
Sigh. At least the weather is nice today - and looks good for the next 9 days on the forecast. Woot!
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Monday, May 13, 2019
The weekend with mothers day
Hi,
What a great weekend - and my mother is recovering well at home now. Spoke to her a couple of times - it is hard from a distance to know exactly how it is all going. But she assures me that if I was needed, they would ask me to come over.
Dad has another week off to look after her - and at the rate she is recovering, maybe it will be enough. Yay. She has a doctor's appointment on Tuesday which should be a good assessment point.
The weekend was great (as you can see above, the only good thing about my Friday was the iced coffee dates - hahahahah!). Saturday saw Toby away early for filming stuff and Mike and I off to Quentin's group session.
Peaches - or - how to get awesome glutes. It was hard work. Good to have Chloe there - we had some fun doing the crab walk together.
Off to the Hutt after that to pick up the DRZ. Mike ended up thinking my jacket was his and when he got to the bike shop, he had to wriggle into the jacket. It looked a little like a crop top. Hahah. Did the job. He rode it back to Sally and Andrew's place - as they came back from their bike ride up the Remutaka incline - and we had some lunch.
Back to my work to pick up my bicycle and dirty gym gear and then Mike got home with the DRZ and we put it away. Its battery needs replacing. :-( Next job for it. But it is running well.
Sunday saw me getting the best scrambled eggs in bed - all from Toby. With an iced coffee in a tea cup. That was an unexpected surprise. Thought it was Rooibos when I saw it.
Toby left to join Tessa for more filming work, and Mike had beds to deliver and kiwi aversion training to attend. Bad Mike - drop that kiwi!!! (Ok - it was Zoey getting the training - and she was amazing!).
Mike was then off to train others in lodge bookings. And Tessa and Toby came home and stayed downstairs. I read on the couch with Moxley deciding my legs were the warmest place to snooze.
And so the weekend passed us by - in all its glory. The wind and rain hit around 4pm Sunday and stayed through to this morning. Not pleasant. I did drive in. Oops. Best remember that for my homeward journey.
Enjoy your week ahead.
Love,
Angela
What a great weekend - and my mother is recovering well at home now. Spoke to her a couple of times - it is hard from a distance to know exactly how it is all going. But she assures me that if I was needed, they would ask me to come over.
Dad has another week off to look after her - and at the rate she is recovering, maybe it will be enough. Yay. She has a doctor's appointment on Tuesday which should be a good assessment point.
 |
| Friday. Delicious anticipation... |
 |
| Sip.... |
 |
| Friday - The Lab iced goodness with Celia |
The weekend was great (as you can see above, the only good thing about my Friday was the iced coffee dates - hahahahah!). Saturday saw Toby away early for filming stuff and Mike and I off to Quentin's group session.
Peaches - or - how to get awesome glutes. It was hard work. Good to have Chloe there - we had some fun doing the crab walk together.
Off to the Hutt after that to pick up the DRZ. Mike ended up thinking my jacket was his and when he got to the bike shop, he had to wriggle into the jacket. It looked a little like a crop top. Hahah. Did the job. He rode it back to Sally and Andrew's place - as they came back from their bike ride up the Remutaka incline - and we had some lunch.
Back to my work to pick up my bicycle and dirty gym gear and then Mike got home with the DRZ and we put it away. Its battery needs replacing. :-( Next job for it. But it is running well.
Sunday saw me getting the best scrambled eggs in bed - all from Toby. With an iced coffee in a tea cup. That was an unexpected surprise. Thought it was Rooibos when I saw it.
 |
| Best scrambled eggs in bed! |
 |
| Lazy Sundays |
Toby left to join Tessa for more filming work, and Mike had beds to deliver and kiwi aversion training to attend. Bad Mike - drop that kiwi!!! (Ok - it was Zoey getting the training - and she was amazing!).
Mike was then off to train others in lodge bookings. And Tessa and Toby came home and stayed downstairs. I read on the couch with Moxley deciding my legs were the warmest place to snooze.
And so the weekend passed us by - in all its glory. The wind and rain hit around 4pm Sunday and stayed through to this morning. Not pleasant. I did drive in. Oops. Best remember that for my homeward journey.
Enjoy your week ahead.
Love,
Angela
Friday, May 10, 2019
The Thursday with date night
Hi,
What a day! I did get away to meet Mike and Andrew for lunch. As midday approached, I was in a dark meeting room after a meeting finished, frantically trying to wrestle my inbox under control. Victor came in and said Mike was here and he was going to send him into see me in this dark room.
Victor is rather funny!
But anyway - when I got out, it turned out that Mike was sitting exactly opposite my desk. I could play footsie if I stretched out.
And - he was in a perfect place to have lunch with me and Andrew at Qillin's Tea House. Woot!
Mike and I had the breakfast bowl. It was really tasty. Andrew had some little burger-type thing and swapped out something from another item. He liked his too. But maybe it wasn't quite enough to get him through his afternoon.
After work, I met Mike and with Toby out for dinner with Tessa, we decided on a spontaneous date night. Mike took me to Aunty Mena's in Cuba. I had potato curry with soya slice (yum!) with roti. Mike had Tom Yum.
Headed home - Toby was there already. And starving. Hahahah.
The wind picked up while Mike and I got ready for bed. I thought the house was going to shake a bit. But this morning it wasn't too bad for my ride in. Bit of wind - and it had rained during the night.
Mum is back home! Yay! She recovered faster than anticipated and they sent her home a day early. I hope this weekend sees her progress fast on the road to complete recovery. I can't wait to see her.
This weekend is Mothers Day. Happy thoughts to the mums I know.
Love,
Angela
What a day! I did get away to meet Mike and Andrew for lunch. As midday approached, I was in a dark meeting room after a meeting finished, frantically trying to wrestle my inbox under control. Victor came in and said Mike was here and he was going to send him into see me in this dark room.
Victor is rather funny!
But anyway - when I got out, it turned out that Mike was sitting exactly opposite my desk. I could play footsie if I stretched out.
And - he was in a perfect place to have lunch with me and Andrew at Qillin's Tea House. Woot!
 |
| Anton and I do our twin thing! |
 |
| At Qillin Tea House with Mike and Andrew - I was inside, under a spotlight |
Mike and I had the breakfast bowl. It was really tasty. Andrew had some little burger-type thing and swapped out something from another item. He liked his too. But maybe it wasn't quite enough to get him through his afternoon.
After work, I met Mike and with Toby out for dinner with Tessa, we decided on a spontaneous date night. Mike took me to Aunty Mena's in Cuba. I had potato curry with soya slice (yum!) with roti. Mike had Tom Yum.
 |
| Machete this morning |
 |
| Gimme, gimme! |
Headed home - Toby was there already. And starving. Hahahah.
The wind picked up while Mike and I got ready for bed. I thought the house was going to shake a bit. But this morning it wasn't too bad for my ride in. Bit of wind - and it had rained during the night.
Mum is back home! Yay! She recovered faster than anticipated and they sent her home a day early. I hope this weekend sees her progress fast on the road to complete recovery. I can't wait to see her.
This weekend is Mothers Day. Happy thoughts to the mums I know.
Love,
Angela
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