The Monday back at work

 Hi,

Quite a busy, stressful day at work.  It had highlights - which revolved around eating or exercise.  Hahahah.

Ugly bagel with Roanne

Early iced latte date with Roanne - that was a good way to start the day.  Also had lunch with Barb at TJ - I do like the poke bowl with teriyaki tofu.

Work needed a selfie with my licence

After work I wandered to the gym for a quick 30 min spin session.  And then walked back to meet Barb at the cenotaph as she had also just finished a 30 min spin class.  We walked up to Northland together - she showed me the military track up to Northland school.  I must take Mike home that way.

Got home at 1915 and Mike had tea ready to go.  Buddha bowl.  Delicious.

Mmmm - lovely dinner

I was freezing so I jumped into bed pretty fast - with the electric blanket on a nuclear setting.  It was like being grilled.  I'd have to move to avoid getting cooked too much in one spot.  :-p

Slept okay - although when I woke up I had a text from Mike at 3.17am telling me about his dream.  :-o

In for PT session on the bus.  And made it to work ahead of a freezing cold downpour.  It is 2C this morning here.  Brrrr.

Have an awesome day.

Love,

Angela

The weekend with Mike surviving Battle Hill

 Hi,

Friday night saw me going to indoor cricket with Celia.  We got to the venue and the team looked at me expectantly and asked:  Have you played before?  

The disappointment on their faces was obvious when I said I had never played and only learned the rules as Celia drove me here.  

But - indoor cricket - where have you been all my life?  Loved it.  Okay - I cannot bowl.  Like - seriously cannot.  One of my balls whizzed past the head of one of my fielders.  And she wasn't even close to the line of the wicket.  She turned to look at me.  I apologised - a  lot.  To everyone.  Constantly.  But I guess the random nature of my bowling meant the batters had no clue - and I think I got 3 wickets.  I know I got two for sure.  

The whole match went by in a blur.  I batted with Celia.  We were chasing a big score.  I didn't do a lot to make a dent in the chase.  Our partnership scored 3 runs.  Each time you are out you lose 5 runs.  Guess we were in the black by the end.  Home late - 10pm.  Oohhh.  Slept well.

Mike and I went to boot camp on Saturday morning.  Mike's legs hadn't quite recovered from his 1 hour PT session on Thursday morning.  Boot camp tried to loosen him up.  Hahah.  Good fun.

From there we bought a few groceries at the Willis St New World before heading home.  Mike got packed and headed off in the van for his Survivor Weekend at Battle Hill.

Birthday party pic from the previous weekend

I stayed home in the warmth.  It was certainly freezing outside.  But not too bad, really.  Pretty sure Mike was going to survive.

Up Sunday morning to the smell of break wafting through the house.  Mmmm.  Nice brekkie - fresh bread.

Mike got home mid morning with a lot of wet things as it had rained overnight where he was.  We cleaned up and dried things out.  

Made vegetable pie for tea at Sally and Andrew's and then jumped out to get some kitty litter and kibble.  The checkout woman chatted to me as I bought the stuff.

Her:  "So, you have a cat?"

Me:  "We have 2 cats"

Her:  "What sort of cats?"

Me:  "A black cat and a calico cat"

Her:   ...

Me:  "They are very cute"

As I wandered away, I figured I should have known enough to say what type of cats we had.  Like...  Persian.  Or Siamese.  Or domestic shorthair.

I don't think she was expecting me to say the colour of the cats.  Anyhow - the cats have their essential supplies.

Home to dump the cat provisions and collect the uncooked pie and head to Lighthouse Petone to meet Sally and Andrew to see Black Widow.  Woot!

Mike is thrilled to be at the latest Marvel movie

It was good

Excellent movie.  One of the best of the series.  Nothing so far can match the first Guardians of the Galaxy.  But this came close.  Superb.

Back to Sally and Andrew's place to cook the pie and recap some of the pivotal Marvel movies that was part of the back story of Black Widow for Mike (and Sally and Andrew).

Google throwing up pics.  This is Toby's first day at Wellington High School

Had dinner and enjoyed all the news - especially Marion and Malcolm.  They went unconditional on a house in Blenheim and they move there very soon.  Malcolm has work starting Aug 2 there.

Back home and Mike was asleep in seconds of getting home.  I turned around and he was gone.  Went downstairs and he was in bed - with most of his clothes still on.  By the time I got to bed he was well asleep.

Up for PT session in 3C morning.  Brrr.  Deadlifts.  50kg.  Trying to avoid the football as it is too nerve-wracking.  1-all now with 15 mins to go.  Gah!  After England were up 1 nil for ages.

At least I was happy with Ash Barty winning Wimbledon.  Oosshh!

Have an awesome week.

Love,

Angela

The Thursday with Chris leaving work

Hi,

As I type at my desk at home on Friday, it is very chilly.  4C my phone says it is out there.  Glad I have the heater on under my desk.

Yesterday was the England v Denmark semi final in Euro2020 and yes, it is 2021.  But covid stopped it last year.  So here we are.  And England got through to their first big final since I was born.  Yes.  That is a long time.

Work iced latte and watching a bit of the football

It was fairly busy at work - and it was also the last day at work for my buddy, Chris.  So we actually ended up at the pub relatively early (before 5pm!) and I didn't get home until 9.30pm.  That is a lot of pub time for me.

But yes.  Chris has moved on.  We all enjoy his company and his personality at work, so it was a sad day.  Callan even came direct from the airport to make sure he got a beer in with him.  How is that for commitment to your colleagues?  Go Callan!

We also went out to eat with Chris' family afterwards.  Turns out Emma was born the exact day after me.  Feb 18.  Here in Wellington.  That was a fun fact to find out.

Mike and I ubered home and settled into bed.  The cats must have been freezing as they both snuggled on the bed, very close to each other.

Cold enough that the cats are close to each other

Up Friday to work from home for me.  Nice clear day here.  Weekend has Mike off to Survivor Night.  In his car again.  :-o

I have boot camp and then not much else planned.  But tonight I am meeting Celia in Upper Hutt to play indoor cricket.  Oohhh - yep - no idea what that really means.

Have a lovely weekend.

Love,

Angela
 

The Wednesday with Toby leaving

 Hi,

As I sit here on Thursday morning, contemplating what my Wednesday was like, I am trying to keep an eye on the England v Denmark semi final in Euro2020 (although it is 2021).  Covid.

1-1 at halftime.  Come on England!

Busy day at work.  Did catch up with Maureen for a long overdue iced latte.  We've both been busy (well - that is what she tells me!).  But I told her all about the dirt duathlon - finally.

Iced latte with Maureen

I also got out with Barb and Juliet for a good download session.  We went to Collective Cafe, inside the popup library near work.  It was so good.  Kimchi-and-cheese scones, yum.  And good iced latte, pre-made in wee bottles with oatmilk.  It was delicious.  Go there! But, on the other hand avoid the rocket scones as they were floury and a bit yuck. One miss amongst all the goodness.

Oat milk iced latte with Barb and Juliet

Apparently I had light beams coming out my head

Now it is a light sabre

Mike took Toby to the airport at 7am. He is back in Christchurch again and ready for the next Uni semester. Missing him already. 

Bye Toby :'(

Mike worked from home afterwards. It wasn't part of the plan but he was stuck in traffic coming back, and took a whole hour to cover the 1km of The Terrace. By the time he got to the CBD car park it was full. So he drove home and stayed there.

But, Mike did come in for after work drinks with some former work colleagues of his.  He drove in, he jumped out of the car, I jumped in and drove home! What a well oiled plan that was.

Ate leftovers (when will they end???) and soon Mike was home again - with some much needed groceries in hand.  Woot!

Watched some TV (the On Demand TV is an easy way for me to watch some television).  And bed.  And Zzzzzz.

Up for gym.  Deadlifts with Quentin.  And off to work.  And watching the score in the football.

Busy day today.  But I do have hot yoga pencilled in for lunch time with Juliet and Theresa.  Yes.

Have a good one.

Love,

Angela

The Tuesday with Toby's last full day in Wellington

 Hi,

Big day at work - but I did get an iced latte at work before the bulk of my meetings.  Mike was also in the queue for the barista at the same time so he took the pics of me and Theresa.

Mike in selfie mode

Taking an iced latte pic - with no feet

You missed my feet?  Here!

You missed Theresa's feet?  Here!

Anyway - busy at work.  I took an Uber home with Ange and found Toby there.  He was chilling in his (our) room.  He asked for spag bol - so I made that for him.  He said it tasted like the spag bol I usually make.  Which was good because there were no onions (well, I used a red onion) and no tomato paste.  He scoffed the lot down.

Mike now has Bolognese sauce to eat over the next few nights.  :-)

We packed snow chains into a carton and added his clothes to it.  He now has a checked box and carry on.  Woot!

Went to bed and had a slightly restless sleep.  Up for a ride in and a goodbye outside work as Mike continued to the airport with Toby.  He'll meet Tessa there and they'll be in Chc by 10.00am.

I will miss him.  We all just slotted back into a routine - which was kinda nice.

Have a lovely day.  Stay warm in NZ because there is another polar blast coming from the south.  Brrr.  Toby might see snow in Chc.

Love,

Angela

The Monday back at work

 Hi,

It was so cold at work yesterday that I never took an iced latte pic.  Because I had a hot chocolate instead.  That is how cold it was.

So - Monday came and went in a sea of work.  With no pics to show for it.

Sunrise

Panorama of the harbour Tuesday morning

But things did happen.  I got a haircut at midday with Sarah (haven't had a haircut since Jan 2020) and even got a wee undercut at the nape of my neck.  You can't tell.  I used to have it way back in Muswell Hill days with my bob back then.

Work was busy.  And afterwards I went to the dental hygienist.  Got my teeth back into shape with much chipping off of tartar.  Or something.  But - all good.  And now I am smiling everywhere I go.  You need to show off your teeth after you have sacrificed so much for them.

I love the dentist.

I blame my mother. She loves dentists too.

Off home and Mike had cooked tea with Toby.  Chicken schnitzels for them and leftovers for me.  Mmmm.

Fell into bed and I had a great sleep.  But I still feel sleepy.  Not sure why.  Up for PT session - paused bench.  I did one rep of 40kg.  Then back to paused bench at 35kg.

Busy day today at work.  Last day of Toby and Tessa here.  I will miss them.  But it has been busy since they came up.  I hope they enjoyed it.

Have a wonderful day.

Love,

Angela

The weekend with a party

 Hi,

Friday saw Callan and Andrew having birthdays and we ended up at two pubs after work to help celebrate.  Even though the plan was to go home and cook lots for the party.

Lunch with Angie

Went to Bin44 with work mates and stayed for a relatively short time.  Then headed to Thistle and met up with Sally and a load of her friends for Andrew's dinner.  JR and Anita were there - as well as Paul and others.  Andrew was coming a tad later.  By the time Mike and I left we did actually see Andrew briefly.

Home to cook.  Mike was very keen.  We got a full tray of vegetarian lasagne made.  And the rest of the items would be good for Saturday morning.

Mike making party lasagne Friday night

Iona arrived at 1am off the ferry and I was so asleep when she rang my phone.  I woke with a huge fright because I knew she would be late and left my phone off silent.  I never hear my phone ring - so the noise was unusual.  But it did wake me up!  Unlike her text and her knocking.  Oops.

Stumbled around getting her sorted in the spare room and from the distance of Monday morning I apologise that the duvet was probably not warm enough and I should have put the heater on for her.  She is stoic.

Up to collect Col from the airport at 8am and off to Maranui for brekkie.  Then collected the cake from Jo and Rex and had a quick catch up with them.  Jo is leaving TTP!  Ooohhh.  Off to Somerset as a BA.  Good on her.

Saturday turning it on for Mike's party

Maranui iced latte goodness

Col and I had a big explanation of Maori constellation stories.  With actions.

Back home and Mike had most things sorted - Iona and I finished off a few things (luckily Iona makes awesome potato salad with tahini and yoghurt! Because - no mayo!!).  Then Iona and Col left for 40WLW with the first lot of food while Mike shoveled gravel for Maarten for an hour.

Then we were all off.  Tessa arrived just in time for a hand with putting things in the car.  Mike got back and we headed to 40WLW.

Wee Mike!

Party

Party!

Awesome cake

Some confusion collecting Polly (she had left the back door unlocked at her place and the shed wide open, but eventually we understood she had walked to the party and left things like that - so we locked up and also went to join the party).

The party was great fun.  Lovely day for it.  t-shirt weather - if you could stay in the sun.  Shade was still cold.

There was ample food and drink and the nibbles were perfect.  Thank you so much to everyone for coming to celebrate Mike's big milestone.  We chatted to Karen during the cake cutting too.  

We left at 6pm and watched a movie with Toby and Tessa before bed.  We did ring Ma at that point too - to say hi.   Up Sunday to make Toby and Tessa brekkie (leftover sausages!).

Iona and Col came by at 1.30pm and I dropped them both at the airport.  Then back and Toby and Tessa wanted to go to Scopa.  So we did that - and met Sally and Andrew there.  Ate a bit then Toby and Sally went to Fast and Furious 9 while we dropped Tessa home then Andrew home.  Collected Polly and brought her back to our place for tea.

Had leftovers.  And then Mike took her home - and collected Toby.  All perfect logistics.

But what a big weekend.  I need a day to recover.  :-)

Awesome weather.  Lovely company.  Thank you to everyone.

Love,

Angela