Hi,
Denial isn't working - my throat is a bit sore and perhaps I am facing my first cold since June last year! Pants! Never mind. I guess it might all amount to nothing. You never know your luck!
Cubs went well last night. The two previous leaders came back for the night to help with camp preparation. We unfolded the tents and pitched two of them. Heheheh. It was okay. The tents have some nightmarish folding that needs to be perfect otherwise there is no way they fit back in their packaging. All canvas. No groundsheet. Old school.
We also met the new leader's husband for the first time. He took one look at Mike and said "I know you, I have worked with you". He then said his name was Glen and as Mike was about to claim complete ignorance, the penny dropped with me and I said "ANZ Direct!". Sure enough - Mike had worked with him over 15 years ago when we were at the bank. I had nothing to do with him. He is coming to the Cub Camp, so I am sure Mike and Glen will catch up and reminisce.
This morning is lovely. But I have a work party to attend tonight, so I took the bus in with Mike. Mike has karate with Toby so they should have a good evening.
Okay - best have a cup of tea and get stuck in.
Have a marvellous day!
Love,
Angela
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
A funny Tuesday morning for Mike and Toby
This morning was great. It went so, so smoothly. I had plenty of time to get ready. Toby got up about 10 min early and was in a great mood, and was dressed and ready to go long before he needed to be. Out the door we went, a couple minutes early, and we collected Alex and Yingjie and I dropped everyone at the library where the school bus leaves from.
You know where this is going, don't you? I don't do smooth easy mornings, and if I do, I certainly don't bother blogging about them.
As they were walking to the bus stop, I noticed that Alex and Toby looked - different to each other. They usually look very cute in their matching uniforms. Toby was - greyer somehow. Oh no! He didn't have his blazer on! I asked him what would happen. He looked pretty worried and said that it was assembly today and he HAD to have his blazer...
So I jumped back in the car, zoomed home, and grabbed the errant blazer. Plenty of time, I thought. We were early, after all... I got to the bus stop - just as the school bus was pulling away! Argh! So I tucked in behind it and chased it to the next bus stop. I flicked the hazard lights on and threw the car to the left of the bus, ready to jump out with the blazer. But oh no! There was just one boy getting on at this stop - the doors were closing just as I got out of the car. But luckily - the bus driver saw me and let me on. "Where's blazer boy?" he called cheerily down the bus. I wandered down and found Toby. Hopefully this was a humourous event for all the other boys on the bus, and not one that Toby will never live down...
You know where this is going, don't you? I don't do smooth easy mornings, and if I do, I certainly don't bother blogging about them.
As they were walking to the bus stop, I noticed that Alex and Toby looked - different to each other. They usually look very cute in their matching uniforms. Toby was - greyer somehow. Oh no! He didn't have his blazer on! I asked him what would happen. He looked pretty worried and said that it was assembly today and he HAD to have his blazer...
So I jumped back in the car, zoomed home, and grabbed the errant blazer. Plenty of time, I thought. We were early, after all... I got to the bus stop - just as the school bus was pulling away! Argh! So I tucked in behind it and chased it to the next bus stop. I flicked the hazard lights on and threw the car to the left of the bus, ready to jump out with the blazer. But oh no! There was just one boy getting on at this stop - the doors were closing just as I got out of the car. But luckily - the bus driver saw me and let me on. "Where's blazer boy?" he called cheerily down the bus. I wandered down and found Toby. Hopefully this was a humourous event for all the other boys on the bus, and not one that Toby will never live down...
The Monday of leisurely activity
Hi,
I rode home at 1600 (part of the new routine) and went to collect Toby nice and early, only to find no one at Alex's house. Suspecting they were at the library (which is where I was a few minutes prior) I went home and cooked up dinner. Then I went back to Alex's house and sure enough - there they were. I have asked Toby to send a signal if he is in the library when I come past. Window wiper up on the car while he is in there. It might work!
Mike got home and we all ate dinner together. Toby worked on his homework afterwards and Mike wandered off to a tramping club person's house to discuss web things. I read to Toby and put him to bed. Somehow we just had so many extra hours in the evening.
Unlike tonight's rush for Cubs. Oh well. Heheheh. We're having a session on Cub Camp preparation tonight involving gear lists, knots for tent pitching and tent folding. Sigh. The poor weather forecast probably means we have to hang the tents up in the scout hall on Sunday afternoon to dry. Bit of a pain.
What else? Not a lot. The ride in this morning was nice - any forecast rain hadn't arrived yet. The roads were dry and the harbour quite still. It is dark now when I ride in.
Better get stuck in and grab a nice cup of tea.
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
I rode home at 1600 (part of the new routine) and went to collect Toby nice and early, only to find no one at Alex's house. Suspecting they were at the library (which is where I was a few minutes prior) I went home and cooked up dinner. Then I went back to Alex's house and sure enough - there they were. I have asked Toby to send a signal if he is in the library when I come past. Window wiper up on the car while he is in there. It might work!
Mike got home and we all ate dinner together. Toby worked on his homework afterwards and Mike wandered off to a tramping club person's house to discuss web things. I read to Toby and put him to bed. Somehow we just had so many extra hours in the evening.
Unlike tonight's rush for Cubs. Oh well. Heheheh. We're having a session on Cub Camp preparation tonight involving gear lists, knots for tent pitching and tent folding. Sigh. The poor weather forecast probably means we have to hang the tents up in the scout hall on Sunday afternoon to dry. Bit of a pain.
What else? Not a lot. The ride in this morning was nice - any forecast rain hadn't arrived yet. The roads were dry and the harbour quite still. It is dark now when I ride in.
Better get stuck in and grab a nice cup of tea.
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Monday, February 27, 2012
The weekend with a lovely tramp to Paua Hut
Hi,
What an amazing stroke of luck - the fine weather happened to coincide with a weekend. We had a great time tramping into Paua Hut. It was so good to see Vivienne there with us. Her gear was old and stylish. She may start a new trend in the bush if she gets out and about like that more often! Retro is back!
On Friday afternoon, Jack's Dad, John, gave me a ride to Scots to see Toby come back from camp. They had got in earlier than expected but we didn't know that (especially as John said they were awfully late last year) so we sat in the car park (me reading). Once a teacher came and got us, we went to the classroom to collect the boys. I could tell Toby had had a wonderful time! When we got back to the car, it wouldn't start. Battery woes. Eventually we found jumper cables and a willing battery and got away.
Friday evening was vaguely relaxing at the Gilbert household. My arms were tired after carrying groceries from the supermarket to where I had the car parked. But we needed the provisions for the weekend.
Saturday morning we got up and packed. Went to collect Vivienne and away (early) to Catchpool. We were walking by 10.15am and it was lovely. There was some rain at one point, but it didn't amount to much and we stayed dry.
The hut was lovely. We got there by 12.45pm and had lunch. The kids played with the rope swing and Rex made another one (although the first one broke under his weight and he has a sore hip now - ouch!). We went down to the river to try and dam the Orongorongo. I read, Vivienne read and Mike read. Mike read until his eyes closed and he lay down right where he was (perched on a log and beside rocky ground) and fell asleep. We know he was sleeping because he was snoring. He must have been so uncomfortable!
Back up to the hut to cook dinner, where I think we had enough food to feed the original twenty punters that were going to come on this trip, but we ended up with a nice number of nine! With lots of food to eat. Then outside to toast marshmallows and back to the hut to sleep. And I slept well, apart from twenty minutes where something (possum!) was dropping stones onto the hut roof. This only ended when what sounded like a huge thump hit the hut (the possum fell??).
Sunday was lovely again and we had breakfast (ate leftovers - yummy!) and tidied and left at about 9.30. We came up from a different point (probably about 400m south of the bridge) to an old hut on the top of the ridge. Worth knowing about. We were back at the car by midday!
Home to get some work and washing done. Choice!
The week starts with a wee and a roar! Lovely morning for a ride in. Very nice. Time for a cup of tea.
Have a wonderful week.
Love,
Angela
What an amazing stroke of luck - the fine weather happened to coincide with a weekend. We had a great time tramping into Paua Hut. It was so good to see Vivienne there with us. Her gear was old and stylish. She may start a new trend in the bush if she gets out and about like that more often! Retro is back!
On Friday afternoon, Jack's Dad, John, gave me a ride to Scots to see Toby come back from camp. They had got in earlier than expected but we didn't know that (especially as John said they were awfully late last year) so we sat in the car park (me reading). Once a teacher came and got us, we went to the classroom to collect the boys. I could tell Toby had had a wonderful time! When we got back to the car, it wouldn't start. Battery woes. Eventually we found jumper cables and a willing battery and got away.
Friday evening was vaguely relaxing at the Gilbert household. My arms were tired after carrying groceries from the supermarket to where I had the car parked. But we needed the provisions for the weekend.
Saturday morning we got up and packed. Went to collect Vivienne and away (early) to Catchpool. We were walking by 10.15am and it was lovely. There was some rain at one point, but it didn't amount to much and we stayed dry.
The hut was lovely. We got there by 12.45pm and had lunch. The kids played with the rope swing and Rex made another one (although the first one broke under his weight and he has a sore hip now - ouch!). We went down to the river to try and dam the Orongorongo. I read, Vivienne read and Mike read. Mike read until his eyes closed and he lay down right where he was (perched on a log and beside rocky ground) and fell asleep. We know he was sleeping because he was snoring. He must have been so uncomfortable!
Back up to the hut to cook dinner, where I think we had enough food to feed the original twenty punters that were going to come on this trip, but we ended up with a nice number of nine! With lots of food to eat. Then outside to toast marshmallows and back to the hut to sleep. And I slept well, apart from twenty minutes where something (possum!) was dropping stones onto the hut roof. This only ended when what sounded like a huge thump hit the hut (the possum fell??).
Sunday was lovely again and we had breakfast (ate leftovers - yummy!) and tidied and left at about 9.30. We came up from a different point (probably about 400m south of the bridge) to an old hut on the top of the ridge. Worth knowing about. We were back at the car by midday!
Home to get some work and washing done. Choice!
The week starts with a wee and a roar! Lovely morning for a ride in. Very nice. Time for a cup of tea.
Have a wonderful week.
Love,
Angela
Friday, February 24, 2012
The Thursday with no Toby
Hi,
My movie date night didn't pan out at all. Christine has come down sick and took herself off to bed instead of being sneezy and snotty at a movie with me. My backup plan of having Mike take me to a movie also failed with the one he wanted to see starting late. So we went home instead.
Mike did end up commissioning our new media PC for our viewing pleasure, so all was not lost.
This morning we drove in and the wee green car is now officially warranted and registered after its muffler was fixed yesterday. Hooray! We had breakfast near my work.
Toby is coming home from school camp this afternoon. They have had some miserable weather to contend with, but I hope he has had a lot of fun too. I can't wait to see him.
And we're off to a tramp this weekend (Mike will check with DoC about the state of the river we have to cross - if all this rain has made it dangerous we might cancel). I am looking forward to it.
My wee sister is in a competition to try and open an ATM with a pin number this morning. If she succeeds, there is a million dollars in there. So, here's hoping, eh?
Have a wonderful weekend.
Love,
Angela
My movie date night didn't pan out at all. Christine has come down sick and took herself off to bed instead of being sneezy and snotty at a movie with me. My backup plan of having Mike take me to a movie also failed with the one he wanted to see starting late. So we went home instead.
Mike did end up commissioning our new media PC for our viewing pleasure, so all was not lost.
This morning we drove in and the wee green car is now officially warranted and registered after its muffler was fixed yesterday. Hooray! We had breakfast near my work.
Toby is coming home from school camp this afternoon. They have had some miserable weather to contend with, but I hope he has had a lot of fun too. I can't wait to see him.
And we're off to a tramp this weekend (Mike will check with DoC about the state of the river we have to cross - if all this rain has made it dangerous we might cancel). I am looking forward to it.
My wee sister is in a competition to try and open an ATM with a pin number this morning. If she succeeds, there is a million dollars in there. So, here's hoping, eh?
Have a wonderful weekend.
Love,
Angela
Thursday, February 23, 2012
The Wednesday with no Toby
Hi,
Mike came over to my work and we ate dinner at Joe's Garage. I went there because I had a dire need for an iced coffee. The late afternoon/evening shift does it slightly different to the sublime iced coffee I have had in the earlier part of the afternoon. But it was still pretty good. We ate dinner where I ordered Joe's Caesar Salad (with anchovies - because I like them). I couldn't finish it because it was full of vegetables. Well, salady vegetables anyway. Heheheh. You'd never know that I was a vegetarian for at least six months when we lived in London. Sort of, a reluctant vegetarian. One that doesn't like vegetables. I jest (a little) - because there are plenty of vegetables I like. It's just that I like them on my own terms!
Anyhow, we ate a lovely dinner and then wandered around to the tramping club. It was New Member's Night, and Mike and I stand behind a desk trying to promote family tramping. It is actually a lot of fun talking to strangers about tramping. Perhaps I am not as shy as I once thought? We have some new takers to add to the email distribution list.
Home to fell into a coma and wake to a terrific rainy, windy morning. But it is all okay as we had to drive in to take the wee green car in to get its muffler fixed (so no one will suffocate if they decide to sleep in our boot - while the car is running, and with the lid shut). I'd best remember I have to pick up the car at the other end of the day!
Anyhow, have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Mike came over to my work and we ate dinner at Joe's Garage. I went there because I had a dire need for an iced coffee. The late afternoon/evening shift does it slightly different to the sublime iced coffee I have had in the earlier part of the afternoon. But it was still pretty good. We ate dinner where I ordered Joe's Caesar Salad (with anchovies - because I like them). I couldn't finish it because it was full of vegetables. Well, salady vegetables anyway. Heheheh. You'd never know that I was a vegetarian for at least six months when we lived in London. Sort of, a reluctant vegetarian. One that doesn't like vegetables. I jest (a little) - because there are plenty of vegetables I like. It's just that I like them on my own terms!
Anyhow, we ate a lovely dinner and then wandered around to the tramping club. It was New Member's Night, and Mike and I stand behind a desk trying to promote family tramping. It is actually a lot of fun talking to strangers about tramping. Perhaps I am not as shy as I once thought? We have some new takers to add to the email distribution list.
Home to fell into a coma and wake to a terrific rainy, windy morning. But it is all okay as we had to drive in to take the wee green car in to get its muffler fixed (so no one will suffocate if they decide to sleep in our boot - while the car is running, and with the lid shut). I'd best remember I have to pick up the car at the other end of the day!
Anyhow, have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The Tuesday with Cubs and no Toby
Hi,
Mike and I bolted down some Khymer Satay near my work before we had to rush off to Cubs. The restaurant has changed a bit and my favourite dish is no longer on their menu. I had to eat beans! Lots of green beans. Not pleasant at all.
Cubs was athletics night and we all ran around having a lot of fun. The rain stayed away and everything went well. It was windy, but a warm wind.
Home to do Cubs homework (badge work) and tramping club homework. Then to sleep. And I slept very well. Mike woke up at 5.30am though - the normal time. But of course, with Toby away at school camp we don't need to wake up that early.
Tonight is tramping club new members night. So come on down to the clubroom if you want to chat to people about tramping. Mike and I will be manning the family tramping table to answer all your questions.
Stay dry!
Love,
Angela
Mike and I bolted down some Khymer Satay near my work before we had to rush off to Cubs. The restaurant has changed a bit and my favourite dish is no longer on their menu. I had to eat beans! Lots of green beans. Not pleasant at all.
Cubs was athletics night and we all ran around having a lot of fun. The rain stayed away and everything went well. It was windy, but a warm wind.
Home to do Cubs homework (badge work) and tramping club homework. Then to sleep. And I slept very well. Mike woke up at 5.30am though - the normal time. But of course, with Toby away at school camp we don't need to wake up that early.
Tonight is tramping club new members night. So come on down to the clubroom if you want to chat to people about tramping. Mike and I will be manning the family tramping table to answer all your questions.
Stay dry!
Love,
Angela
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