Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Rainy Day

The rain poured and poured here this morning, with the whole city woken up at 4amish  by a big old downpour.  Luckily we live up a bit of a side of hi, so our place does not get flooded, and the garden will be grateful for a big old soaking.

Mum dug around in the freezer this evening to make a pork/veg stir fry with some rice for her and dished up a feast for me.  She was thinking about this article she read on line this weekend about a family that only eats steak (zero carb).  Could you do it?  I know the pussy cats could - but what about your mums and dads?

Anyway have a nice day everybuddy!

Monday, April 27, 2015

Just Us Girls

We all woke up to a bit of a wild morning.  The tail end of the storm that struck Sydney last week has crept across the Tasman and brought us rain and wind, not unusual for this time of year.  The saving grace is that it is not too cold, no need for blasting the heat pump.  The teenage nephew had to head home this afternoon, so mum let him sleep in til 11am.  That gave mum time to watch a couple of her programmes and finish a book.

After lunch at home there was a break in the clouds so they headed into town for some afternoon tea and a bit of a wander before heading for the train station for the nephew to catch the bus.  Mum had made him some rolls to take with him, as well as a couple of treats.

I have taken it easy today and am back on the bed.  I was busy showing Bud (the nephew) my favourite things, my scratcher and my mousie.  He was impressed by my toys.  So it is all quiet in the house tonight, me and mum are taking it easy.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Teenage Entertainer


Pictures of the New Zealand Troops in France in 1917 - from the WWI Display at the Dominion Museum, Wellington, NZ

Our teenage guest is very well behaved and I am not so scared of him.  I was in and out while he was in the lounge, and like to sit on my scratcher and stare at him.  Big boys need to sleep.  Mum got to sleep at 2.30am and was up at 9am (middle aged lady sleeping) and he went to bed at midnight and was up at 10:30am.

Mum made some more toasted bagels for breakfast and then made him go for a walk with her.  They went back to the war memorial park, this time to see the First World War Display at the Dominion Museum.  Using lots of things from Sir Peter Jacksons private collections, it was an interesting and moving exhibition. With many uniforms, weapons and personal items that have been collected over the years.  We imagine that the Jackson garage is very large, and we wonder where he stores the 10 tonne gun that had to be craned into the museum.   In 1915, New Zealand had a population of one million, and of those 100,000 or 10% of the population went away to war.  So for us, there is hardly a family in the country who was not affected.

Mum and Bud met up with Miss Belle at a hipster hippie cafe,  Laundry for a quick lunch together which was fun.  A couple of shops were browsed and mum popped off to the library to get some more reading material, as the seven books at home might not be enough reading.  Then miss Belle took her brother up the university to show her the Belle palace, no easy task as it is a steep hill walk up to campus.  So steep that the nephew came home with sore legs and needed to rest on the couch.

The mumster went and got some groceries and cooked up some steak and broccoli and corn so that they could stock up on vegetables, as not many greens have been consumed over the weekend.  Feet were put up, and relaxing was done.

It has been fun having a teenage visitor - we hope he comes back to see us soon.


Saturday, April 25, 2015

ANZAC Day

Mum did make it to dawn service for ANZAC Day.  The alarm went off at 4am and it only took 2 call outs to get Mr Bud out of bed, and they  left the house at 4:30am.  They did get a good spot, but there was no view for mum to took photos, as she is a shortie, but she could see this screen as everything was televised. Bud is tall, so he could see over the crowd in front of them.  40,000 people turned up, so space was at a premium.   It was very moving.

They got home after 8am, and mum made toasted bagels with pastrami and tomatoes.  A little nap was had and then mum took the nephew out for an easy dinner and a movie X and Y, then they walked home back via the memorial park.  It was packed as tonight was the last night of the visual show.  It is a pity that it can't be shown every night, but we are sure that there is a huge cost with having it playing.

So tonight we are thinking about all those that have served, and who are buried far from home.




Friday, April 24, 2015

Middle Aged Mumsters Big Day Out - Pre ANZAC Day

 Today was a glorious day in the capital city.  The sun was shining and it was warm for late autumn.  Lovely!  There was an ANZAC day parade through the centre of town.  Traffic was stopped and the streets were crowded with people.  There were horses with riders.
 A big collection of world war one vechiles owned by Peter Jackson, bought into town specially.
 One broke down near us and had to be pushed to the side, but got started later.
 There were a variety of marching bands and soldiers marching, cheered on by the crowd.
 There were even double decker trucks filled with soldiers in replica uniforms.
 Peter Jackson marched at the back and got big cheers from the crowd.  This is is home town, and from what the mumster can gather, has put a lot of his own money into supporting the ANZAC celebrations.  Mum then went down to the other end of town to meet her lovely nephew Bud, who has travelled down for a little holiday with his aunty.
 We saw the Weta Workshop designed show The Scale of Our War at Te Papa which was amazing.  It was an hours wait in a long long line to get in, and while we were waiting we had a rather large 6.2 earthquake, which was a bit scary.  The Te Papa museum is one of the safest buildings to be in, as it is quite new with good technology built in that make the building absorb the shakes.  The displays were amazing, each depicting a real New Zealander and 2.4 times actual size, with incredible detail.
 This one, particularly moving was of war nurse Lottie, on a hospital boat, who finds out that her brother had been killed four months previously at Gallipoli, and only finds out when his letters are returned to her.  Each envelope is marked that it is returned as he is dead.  So sad.
 Tomorrow is ANZAC day in New Zealand and Australia and marks the 100 year anniversary since our troops landed in that small bay in Turkey.  Boys and men who travelled around the world to invade a country they knew little about.  The above pictures illustrates that 93% of New Zealand boys who went were either wounded or killed, more than any other force in that 8 months.  Another note at the display said in one of the battles 850 of our men were killed.  Only 8 of those were ever identified, the rest never found or in unmarked graves.  2 of those 8 were the youngest - just 17.  The age of my nephew.
 We then went for a light sushi train dinner which was nice, and wandered up to the National War Memorial which is on the way home.  They are practising for some displays tomorrow and there is a light show on the Cenotaph, which was moving.  We think of Great great uncle Pat, who served in France in WWI, Uncle Frank and Uncle Jack who served in WWII.  Our Uncles and cousins who served in the Army and cousins in the Navy.  We thank you.
So tonight, we are off to bed early.  We are up at 4am to go to dawn parade.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Great Shakes

Today was a lovely day, all the better cos mum got to spend it with me.  She also realised that she got a solid 7 hours sleep, possibly the first time she has slept that long in about two months.  Also she had a good hair day - every little thing helps she says.

She was about to unload the washing machine this morning, when she felt a bit of a rumble and a roll as a 5.1 earthquake shook us about.  Luckily it was not very strong and was quiet short.  Turns out there was one a few minutes earlier but mum never felt it.  It was good too that there was no reported damage or any injuries.  Miss Belle said that the Auckland students at Uni all shrieked and had to call their parents as apparently they were a bit freaked out.  Miss Belle is sensible and felt earthquakes before so she was fine.  Mum has also talked to her about what to do if there is a really big one - she is to try to come to our house or to meet mum at the hospital.

We were lucky as sister in law is in town, so mum took her and Miss Belle to dinner and she enjoyed catching up with them.  Apparently we are to get a visitor tomorrow - I wonder who that would be?


Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Relaxed

Mum got to have another day off today which was awesome.  Days off during the normal work week make chores like going to the post office or bank a bit easier, but mum did neither of those things and instead went for an afternoon walk in the fresh air.  Although it was grey and cloudy it was warm and she loved to walk beside the sea.  Me - I relaxicated at home and caught up on some zzzs while mum was active.

She also managed to find a shop that had pillows half price - and don't worry they weren't the $300 ones she saw last week.  These ones were only $20.  She is still on a mission to find a more comfortable pillow and is beginning to feel a bit like the princess and the pea, as she now has 6 pillows on her bed, in an endless rotation.  She has tried the memory foam, the firm pillow, the medium pillow and now has a feather/down one to try and one with latex chips.  Wish her luck!!!

Monday, April 20, 2015

Mumster Monday

Mum got to have the whole day off today which was good as the sun was shining.   Us girls got outside to have a potter in the garden, and mum put some bread out for the birdies, so I had to go and inspect it.  She actually got some washing done and out on the line, and a big photo session with me.  It was bliss to not wake up to an alarm clock and take a long shower.

Then she went out and visited with her niece Miss Belle and her sister in law.  They had an early dinner out and the girls ate lots of yummy asian summer rolls, chicken satay, chicken dumplings and beef satay - delish!!  There tummies were rather full so they went for a walk around the city as it was a mild autumn night.  Mum then said goodbye to the ladies, as they both had to go off and study and mum walked home, stopping to see the light display for the Anzac day celebrations at the war memorial not far from home.

So home in time to put the fresh clean linen back on the bed and do a bit of relaxing.  It is now close to midnight and I am on my blankie on her bed, and she it ready to join me.  Night night friends.


Sunday, April 19, 2015

Love It!!!

Awww my pretty kitty friends - you know me so well.  I love my new scratcher/seat that the mumster got for me.  It is great to perch on especially in the morning sun, and mum is kind enough to put some catnip on it every other day - bliss!!!

Hope you all had a lovely Sunday!

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Love it or Ignore It - What Do You Think?





The mumster bought me this bit of kitty enrichment. We had spied one on our friends Rumblebum blog.  It was meant to arrive for Easter but thanks to NZ postage it turned up days later.  So mum unwrapped it next to me.

What do you think Caturday kitties.  Did I love it or did I ignore it?  Please let us know in the comments.  We will let you know which way it went tomorrow.

Also the lighting makes you think that it is pink leopard - but it is Kardashian leopard baby - we are keeping it classy!!

Have a great Caturday everybuddy!!

Friday, April 17, 2015

Friday

We  sure are glad that Friday has rolled around, although mum is on call and is working over the weekend.  So we have had a quiet night indeed.  She made sure she went for a walk after work and popped into the library to refresh her reading material, the supermarket for  a few treats and then home to talk to me.  After dinner a nap was in order and now as midnight approaches we are headed off for more sleeps.  Hope you all have some nice plans for your weekend.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Thursday Snuggle Time

We are glad we have made it through til Thursday, and it is almost the weekend, even though the mumster is working.  Mum was busy at work and had not slept well, but she did enjoy her time after work, as she went and met her niece Miss Belle. Her and miss belle enjoyed some tasty foods together and caught up on all the goss, before heading home to snuggle with me.

Hope you all get some snuggle time tonight too.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Chilled

So the news told us tonight it has been the coldest day of the year so far.Just as many of you are welcoming spring, we are heading towards southern hemisphere winter, and a lot of our country has had their first lot of snow in ages.

  Mum had to get out of bed and go to work at 5am, but luckily the rain had stopped and with a big scarf and winter coat she was ok.  All finished by 7am she could stop off at the supermarket to get some stuff for brunch.  She then didn't have to go back to work til 3.30pm and then only for an hour (she gets a 9 hour break after any call in).  Much as she had big plans, she climbed back into bed with her book and some toast and had a wee lie in.  I really enjoyed the snuggle, I love when mum gets back into bed.

So tonight will be early to bed as it is an early start tomorrow morning.  More sleep - I love that plan!!

Monday, April 13, 2015

Winterising



This weekend I helped the mumster make the bed ready for the winter season - which was good as the temperatures have been dropping and mum has had to turn the bedroom heater and the heat pump on.  Last night I clung to her like a limpet, keeping close and hanging on.  So now on the bed, we have her duvet, two thin quilts and a big fleecy blanket.  Nice and cosy is how we like it.

We have had a quiet night at home which was nice, and mum is trying to bulk out the dinner with lots more veg.  A big serving of broccoli and some peas and corn with some italian sausage which she must say she enjoyed.  There are more leftover veg for tomorrow night, with some Hoki fish.  Then there will be steak and salad for Weds and Thurs night.  Good on you mum - you can eat my share of greens too!!

Hope you are all having a lovely Monday too.

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Slow Sunday



Me and my mousie just hung out with mum at home today.  She opened the doors and windows to let the breeze blow in, and popped pyjamas and dressing gown on the washing line.  Mum relaxed, had a late brunch, and considered heading out, then considered staying home and then chose to stay with me - yippee.

She is in the process of sorting out her winter clothes, time to swap over and dig the boots out and put the shorts and tshirts away for a few months.  It is always good to clean out the wardrobe - I love digging around in there.

So a quiet night for us, mum made some sausages and vegetables and dished out my feast.  The evenings are getting much cooler now and we are happy to head to bed to snuggle together.  I am pretty keen now to sleep right next to mum and keep warm.

Hope you are all having a nice Sunday too.

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Hahaha it's Caturday!!

Hahaha this photo cracks mum up.  Looks like I was having a good laugh too!!!  Caturday is awesome.

Mum says sleeping in and then sitting in her dressing gown eating a bagel with smoked salmon while watching Scandal is a great way to spend the morning.  We even got some sun shine after a week of rain.   Last Saturday it was super hot and sunny, but there is a chill in the air this week, and for the first time in months the washing on the line didn't get dry.

Mum then went for a walk to enjoy the sunshine, which she enjoyed the people watching and the window shopping.

Home for  a dinner of fridge leftovers for her and a feast for me.  A bit of tele again, and now she has to make the bed at 11:45pm, so she can pop into it to read for a short time.

For our friends around the world - if your Caturday is just starting - we hope you have a fabulous day!!

Friday, April 10, 2015

Friday Middle Aged Lady Party Night

Yeah it's middle aged lady party night here!!!  That means throw some pork wontons in the air fryer, mix up some chilli sauce and watch the news on tv!!!  Go you wild thing!  Then if you are really feeling crazy, get some dishes soaking in the sink, feed the cat,  get a load of washing on and watch the real housewifes of New Jersey at the same time - in your pyjamas.  OMG the craziness!!

Then for a wind down wash your face and exfoliate, but a face mask on and watch Hugh Jackman and David Beckham on the Graham Norton Show while eating a single serve cheesecake.

Then if you can stand it - hang the washing out, finish putting the groceries away, tidy up the living room and then pick out some undies and a bra to wear tomorrow.  Switch the lights out and snuggle up to the cat on the bed while reading your book, before lights out at midnight.

Wow - she sure knows how to rock a Friday night.  Hope you are all having as much fun as us!!

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Naughty Neighbours

Yesterday after a busy work day mum was walking along the street and ran into the neighbours that had had the big shouty match a week or so ago.  She got introduced to the neighbours partner, and mum said hi and was tempted to tell them to have a good night but to try not to fight, but thought that she would be polite and not mention anything.

So she was yawning and finished her book around 11pm last night and was looking forward to a big sleep.  Guess who got home around then?  Guess who locked someone out of the house and spent the next hour or two knocking on the door?  Guess who finally got let in at 1:30 am when they threatened to scream?

You wouldn't guess they were in their sixties - not warring teenagers but actual grownups.  Next time mum sees them she will say something.

On a nice note, mum made herself a big fried rice with bacon and chicken and lots of veg with fridge and freezer bits and pieces last night and has enjoyed that for the past few meals.  Yum.  Me - I enjoyed my feast!!

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Pillow Problem

There are 9 pillows in the house, and mum is busy trying them all in a bid to stop her restless sleeping. She does think the sleeping issues are probably middle aged lady related, but she would like more than a few hours at a time.  She did see a lovely pillow in town but it was $300 for a pillow!!!!  She did  buy a memory foam one to try, but it doesn't seem to help.

She did stop into the supermarket tonight, just to get some feast for me, and some bread for her sandwiches for work during the week.  Tonight, she used some pasta in the fridge with a tomato/parmesan/pine nut sauce that was lovely.  She is on a bid to use some of the food in the fridge/pantry/freezer instead of shopping more at the supermarket.

Monday, April 6, 2015

Work Eve

Hahaha mum found this old photo of me caught surprised relaxing on her bed.  I do like to sleep in her spot on the bed - smells nice.

It was cloudy and a bit so so here today, and as mum has been out for a walk the past three days decided it would be best to spend the day relaxing at home, as her legs have been a bit sore.  She also knew that if she went out, she would feel the need to spend some money.  Instead she should eat up the leftovers in the fridge and not spend any money until payday next week.  Good budget advice mum.

So us girls took it easy - the book was finished, the dishes done, and the uniform got all ready for her to wear tomorrow morning.  At least it will be a short week.

Hope you all got some relaxing done too!!

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter everybuddy - please forgive the recycled photo, but hey we still like it!!

Last night was a lunar eclipse, well really it was this morning at 1am so mum kept us awake to see it.  We wish we had a better camera, as ours doesn't do sky photos well at all.  Then our clocks 'sprung back' as daylights saving ended here in little New Zealand.

We had a blissful sleep in, then mum went for  a bit of a hilly walk and went to the cinema to see The Woman in Gold, with Ryan Reynolds and Helen Mirren.  She enjoyed it a lot, worthy of a 5/5.  She even had a couple of tears in her eyes and her lips were doing the old wobbly thing, but luckily no sobs and the mascara didn't run.  She thinks the trick with cinema crying is not to rub her eyes, if she rubs them they look all red and horrid, but if the tears just roll down the makeup can still look normal.

So then home to keep me company, a little book reading, a little tele and some home cooking and off to bed.  What a relaxing Easter weekend it has been for us girls.  Hope you are all enjoying your break too!!!

Do you get some time off work for Easter?  Our mum gets a 4 day break which is awesome.

xxx

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Easter Caturday - Leather Lover






Happy Caturday kitty friends.  Hope you are all relaxing and enjoying your day.  I have been spending the day lazing in bed with my new love - my mums handbag.  I loves it.  I spent all last night clutching it and am asleep on top of it now as mum types this out.  Don't judge.

Hope you all get to spend the weekend with somebuddy you love too - even if it is just a handbag!!!

Loving the leather,
Poppy Q