The weekend with the last boot camp and the last AFL before the Grand Final and our wedding anniversary and work party

 Hi,

The weekend was a blur of activity.  We had our work Christmas party on Friday night.  It was good fun - and Callan won an award (he featured in the blog a few months back when we came to work dressed as twins!).  Well done to him!

Mike was feeling the effect of many nights out so we went home at 9pm and we were both asleep in seconds when we crawled into bed.

But during the day on Friday, I went with Juliet and Chris to find a Santa hat for the party.  I found one at Farmers, then we went into David Jones (I got separated from them both as I bumped into Carrie on Lambton Quay first).  As I wandered around David Jones, peering at my phone to see if Chris would answer so I could track them down, I heard a voice saying:  Are you one of my elves?

Are you my elf?  Why, yes, I am, Santa.

I saw Santa!  Hahah.  And asked for a selfie.

:-)

Then off to lunch with Juliet and Chris.  And an iced latte.

Ugly Bagel iced latte

I try to stab Chris with my straw

And, as I said, work party afterwards in Shed 6.  Mike and I ubered home after it.  And up early for the last boot camp of 2020.

Saturday boot camp

Done for 2020

Boot camp santas

I am going to miss boot camp.  Next one is Jan 30th.  That is so far away!

We went back home to shower and my intention was to collect the wee white car from Sally and Andrew and have date day for our wedding anniversary.  But the weather was a bit yuck. And... I kinda fell asleep with my head in Mike's lap on the couch.

Anyway - after 2 hours nap I was ready!   Hahahah.  Off to Eastbourne in our own car for a late lunch.

Eastbourne date lunch

Too late in the day for an iced latte.  Vanilla milkshake time

Angie's place for gin on her deck.  Well - ginger beer for me

Then Angie's house for some drinks with her family and friends.  Brent from work was there too.  That was lovely - but too short.

Because we had wedding anniversary dinner booked in town at the Malaysian Long Bar.

Date night - wedding anniversary

Mike looks so handsome!

Back home and into bed.  Up to a surprisingly gorgeous day.  Scrambled eggs on the deck.

Sunday morning scrambled eggs on the deck

Taped finger for the game

Then I got ready for my AFL game.  Taped my finger and rubbed Voltaren into my calf.  Yeah - not sure this was going to work.

Socks ready

We got there and Mike spoke to his mother on his phone before the game.  I started but had to call out my dodgy calf as a liability.  They left me as a forward so save me running around.  We only had 7 a side so it was hard work for the others.

But as Mike ran around the field during the game, I scored 2 goals!  My team lost by 5 points though.  My goal at the start of the last quarter put us 1 point in front and we stayed there until they scored a goal in the last minute.  Gah!

Mike ran a PB distance.  11.44 km.  Wow!  And he was fairly comfortable too.  We met Elly at the Sprig and Fern for a drink afterwards before heading to meet Janine and Allyson at the Khandallah pub to plan for the NY tramp.

Back home and a quick dinner before we went to bed and watch a BBC documentary before falling asleep.

Monday morning - not going outside in that weather!

Pears and avocados

Woke to dire weather - rain and really windy.  Weird weather.  Seriously.

PT was not in a good place for our session so when I woke up and saw his message about his poor sleep and need to stay in bed, I could relate.  Went back to bed myself.  Hahah.

Will try to go to Spin after work and pop in to see Roz who is down for work.  Let's see how that pans out.

Have a good week.

Love,

Angela

The Thursday with not a lot

 Hi,

Happy birthday to Tyler today.  17.  Wow.  I hope her day is perfect.

I did get out to meet Zaheer for a coffee and chat about his work.  It was good to hear his news - he does have an awesome plan for the Christmas break.  He wants to hire a campervan and explore the South Island.  I will email him a list of ideas for him to check out.

Iced latte @ Mojo with Zaheer

Senara builds my ideal workspace

I had a workshop in the afternoon around human centred design and a colleague built the perfect workspace for me.  I could ride my bike to work and have an iced latte.  There was also a gym and an indoor cricket pitch.  I could chat to colleagues over the iced latte.

Sounded pretty good to me.

Got home after a great trip on the bus chatting to Ange.  Cooked steak and mash for Toby and Tessa and fell into bed.

Up for a bus in and a busy day ahead of our Christmas party.

Have a great day.

Love,

Angela

The Wednesday that really should have been a Friday by now

Hi,

It feels so good to be over hump day now that I am in Thursday looking back.  But it was a huge hump of a day.  And it already felt like it was the end of the week.  So goodness knows what Thursday is going to feel like.  Saturday?

I did meet Arthur at Ugly Bagels on Wednesday morning - so the day started well.  

Inordinately happy at getting an iced latte with Arthur at Ugly Bagels

Evidence I wasn't by myself

Also evidence.  I sat at the desk Selena usually sits in.  So I showed her.

Mike went for a run after his PT session and ended up at the gym where I was about to start Spin.  But he went home, having already done bench and a 4 km run.  And what's more - he drove back to pick me up at the end of my Spin class.  Oosshh!

We got Maccas for Toby on our way home and Mike made the best dinner for us.  Like a Buddha bowl I guess.  Then I was asleep in seconds when we went to bed.

I woke at 5.29am this morning.  It's so disappointing to wake up one minute before your alarm and look at the clock, hoping it says 2.30am.  And you see one minute left.

Up for PT session with Quentin.  Inclined bench.  That is hard!

At work now.  When I got on the bus at 6.16am this morning it had only just stopped raining and I was shrouded in misty cloud.  Coming out of the gym an hour later, it was brilliant sunshine.

Weird weather.

Have an awesome day!

Love,

Angela

Spotify 2020 wrapped

Top artists of 2020

The Tuesday with AFL training

 Hi,

After a long day at work, I was off to AFL training.  Took my balls in case they needed them because the coaches weren't there with the gear.  But we had enough with everyone bringing their own gear.

Tuesday tea time

As I was playing in the training, I took a long mark.  Fumbled it as it smashed into my ring finger and regathered it.  But now I do have a sore finger.  Good bruising.

I also pulled my right calf - so I sat out the last 5 mins and stretched out.

Ring finger damage - but I took the mark!

Mike was out at a fundraiser for the Nepali orphanage Bharat supports.  But he got home and told me all about it.

Up early for a bus ride in and iced latte with Arthur.

Masked up on the bus

Now at work

Hope your day is a good one.

Love,

Angela

Thee Monday that felt so much like a Tuesday

 Hi,

Well, I am almost positive I have been at work for 2 days already this week and really, late Monday left awfully like a Tuesday.  But no.  It's only just turned Tuesday here.

Home made iced latte on Monday.

Quentin gave us a present

It's a drink bottle.  You can't lose this one, Mike, or Quentin will be sad

The weather has turned crazy for today - the first day of summer.  Dec 1st.  And wet, wet, wet.  With some wind - to really drive that rain.

Things are already soggy from the Sunday deluge.  I reckon there will be slips and branches all over the place.

Last night in bed I was scrolling through Twitter and found this account on animals being jerks.  But this one made me dissolve into giggles.

Twitter sent me over the edge.  We got caught!  Just act normal, Brian.

Two racoons that trigger the security light.  The camera then shows one that freezes as it was walking along, like a typical racoon.  And as the camera pans to the other racoon, it has decided to freeze standing up like a wee human.  And the tag was "We got caught!  Just act normal, Brian." and it was too much for me.

Tears!  I had tears.  And couldn't breath.

Hahahah.

Had a good sleep despite the wind and rain outside.  And up early for gym with Quentin.  Knee day.  My right knee (and right ankle) are so inflexible compared to the other knee and ankle.

Anyway - it was a good session.  Yay!

Back to work from home and avoid road chaos (if there is any).  Loads of meetings anyway.

Love,

Angela

The weekend in Wellington

 Hi,

It is Monday morning and Toby is about to sit his last ever exam at high school.  Sociology.  Good luck, my son.  Hope you nail it.

I asked him what his plans were for after it.  He said:  sleeping.

Friday Football Ferns day

I am the dork, dabbing.  Boot camp.

Boot camp Saturday morning.  It was a tough one - lots of cardio followed by core work.  It included sprints.  And running.  :-)  We only have one more left for 2020.  Oh - I will miss boot camp.

Mike collected the DRZ from its WoF and service after boot camp and rode it home.  Woot.

Motoring Mike

Scraggly Smudge

Marvellous Mike

Back out to get lagging from Plumbing World in Aro.  Followed by taking lagging to lunch at Fidels.

 

Luscious latte (Fidels)

Lengths of lagging

In the evening we headed to Sreejith and Anjali's house for dinner.  So good to catch up with them.  It's been ages!  Probably March.  They were joined by friends of Matt and Leanne's.  Nic and Chris.  Also from the UK.  Chris drives trains and Nic is an ED nurse.

Home to watch a movie before a good sleep.  Up to get brekkie Sunday morning ahead of my AFL game.  Scrambled eggs is my usual fare.  I had a lot of kitchen cleaning to do though.  As I eventually got ready, about to leave, I got a text saying the match was cancelled.  The ground was too soggy from all the overnight rain.

Oh.

So Mike and I changed plans - to drop Polly's trailer back at Epuni and do some measuring-up for some needed maintenance. 

On the way we met Sally, Andrew, Celia and James @ Hunting and Fishing in Petone where I enjoyed a very good latte. They have a superb little cafe attached to the shop. 

We mentioned that we were towing around an empty trailer (have you tried parking a car and trailer to go to a cafe in Petone?) and both Andrew and James said, oh! we have rubbish that needs to go to the tip. Ha, another job onto the list.

Coffees are Hot & Frappe @ Hunting & Fishing.  So all-over the alliteration.

So then we called in to pick up rubbish from Sally and Andrew's place (wool sacks of it) and some rubbish from Celia and James' place (saying a quick hello to Ange) before taking it all to Seaview.  Then we deposited the trailer back at Epuni.  Measured up the handy work that is needed there.  Dropped Andrew back home. Called into Mitre 10 for yet more stuff for Mike's DIY list. Finally headed home ourselves. Traffic was mad in Lower Hutt all day.

Why is it so sunny when my AFL was cancelled?

Slinking Smudge

How cute do I look?

Tessa eating from the BBQ and Smudge still slinking

Had a BBQ Sunday evening because it doesn't get a lot better than this in Wellington.  To think that Plimmerton had 15 houses flooded this morning was weird.

SH1 PLIMMERTON - FLOODING - 10:20AM
Due to heavy rain, there is flooding at Plimmerton Roundabout. Please take extra care if travelling through this route, avoid the area if possible. ^AP pic.twitter.com/vy4GQvFHun

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Wellington (@WakaKotahiWgtn) November 28, 2020

Meanwhile, this morning...

Right.  The week.  Let's go!

Have a great one.

Love,

Angela

The Thursday with brekkie with mates

 Hi,

It was weird have the bacon butties brekkie with James, Ed and Celia on a Thursday (usually Friday morning).  I spent all day on Thursday thinking it was Friday because of that.  Hahahah.

Good to catch up.  We heard about Ed's trip to Queenstown and James' plans for ultra marathons for his birthday.  Seems like torture to me.  :-p

Selfie @ Little Peckish

These two having a laugh!

Celia got caught up in traffic as it was wet and no one wanted to bus, train, walk or cycle.  So they were all on the road with Celia.  

But she got there with plenty of time to catch up too.

Headed off to get home before my meeting - but I also got stuck in traffic.  Then found the neighbour at the bus stop when I got home, yelling in frustration that she was late and where were those dumb buses when you needed them.

After trying to sort that out (and the other neighbour, Amy, also tried to help) the bus did come (it was wet and busy that morning) and our distraught neighbour got on (telling the driver off as she got on) and I rushed to my meeting.  I did write a grumpy email to Metlink to explain how frustrating it was for commuters, especially vulnerable ones and at exam time, and could they possibly try to be more reliable.

:-|

This is quite close relations for the cats

Tessa came around and I cooked them leftovers up.  Pottered around until bedtime.  I was well asleep by the time Mike got home.  I didn't even wake up.

But I did read things from him when I got up that he had sent at 2330!

Spin legs Friday morning

Headed into Spin class and then back home to see Mike waiting for his bus.

Weekend looms large.  It seems a bit busy.  Mike has survivor night.  We have boot camp tomorrow.  I want to do some shopping.  Sreejith and Anjali have a party Saturday night.  And AFL game on Sunday!

Come and watch!  11am.  Hutt Rec Park.

See ya!  Have an awesome weekend.

Love,

Angela