Silent Sunday

It was a quiet old Sunday here, as the mumster headed off to work again today.  She has her rituals the night before.  She picks her underwear and tights for the day and has them ready to throw on in the morning.  Something warm is picked out, as she likes to get changed at work into real clothes, and not wear her uniform home.  Mum has a vast array of cardis and tops, with some warm jeans and boots are her usual home uniform.  Mum hates her work uniform and is usually super pleased to discard it on days off and holidays.

Sunday night is for easy dinners - tonight was home made fish and chips with some fresh mango for pudding.  Family phone calls are made, a load of washing is out on the rack ready to be dried by the heaters and I have tucked myself off onto mums bed at 7pm.  The heater and electric blanket were turned on at 8.30pm and mum will potter round til 10pm, giving me room to stretch.  Us girls have to share the big bed now it has turned cool.  Last night of autumn.  Tomorrow is winter.

Caturday Cat in Charge

Actually not many sunbeams here in the city today.  It was kind of cloudy and ready to rain, but mum liked this photo from this week of me chillaxing in the living room.  We are entering the last few days of autumn, with the start of winter on Monday so we are noticing the drops in temp.  The good thing is that rain and clouds mean the temperature is a little warmer.

I sent the mumster off to work this morning, and she said it was quite busy, she didn't get to sit round at all, and even though she started at 8am, she only got her lunch at 2pm, but it made the afternoon go quick.  Home just before the rain started.  Mum then fixed my feast - most important role of the day.  Then she made herself some wontons for dinner.  Not truly made them - masterchef way.  More like coat them in a little canola spray and put them in the airfryer.

Now a bit of relaxing for us ladies, and mum is keen to head to bed as she has a new book to start!!  Middle aged lady fun for a Caturday night!

Hope you are all having a fun Caturday - found something fun to do?  Eating something nice, doing some relaxing, meeting up with friends, out for a walk?  Whatever you do we hope you enjoy yourselves.

Middle Aged Mumster Friday Nite

We have talked all week about couch wars.  This is how it usually works.  Mum gets home and zooms straight into the kitchen to fix my feast, cos I have trained her this way.  Then she puts the groceries/work stuff away.  She usually fixes her dinner or a snack and sits down on my couch - in my spot.  So after dinner, I pace and sit by her feet and howl and cry for about 5 hours until she abandons my spot.  She then usually departs to her bedroom to post or read.  So I sit on the couch for 5 minutes then follow her.

So yippeee Friday night.  Mum filled herself up with chicken and salad, then followed it with pringles, diet coke and ice cream.  So now she feels a bit gross.  Back to the fruit and the salad tomorrow .  She has to work over the weekend, so will be busy busy.  Roll on Tuesday!!  (it is a long weekend here for Queenies birthday).  Hope you have had a lovely Friday too!

Scent of a Cat

So today mum started work at 7am early, which meant a 5am alarm clock call.  Last night was the first night all year that I have marched into the bedroom to sit on her all night.  So she slept well.

So she finished her work at 3pm, and to loosen up her hips and knees, that she says were all kinked up after sleeping in one position all night, mum went for a little old walk.  She wishes she had taken her camera, as the twilight light was just lovely, and the waves were high and the water full of surfers rugged up in thick winter wetsuits.

Mum went looking for slippers that she did not find in her size, so bought a hot water bottle for me she says (say what???), and a tshirt.  Then she got some groceries.  A little peri peri chicken for her with some potato salad for her and a feast was fixed for me.

While walking back along the beach a lovely little airdale terrier came running up to mum.  Mum gave him a pat and told him to go back to his mum.  His mum called out and said that he never goes to anyone - did mum know him.  Turns out mum knew his aunty who was there, but had never met him.  Then she asked if mum had a cat.  The thing is that he can sniff cat smells out from anywhere.  Mum thought she was the dog whisperer.  Turns out, I have imparted my scent on mum.  As soon as she got home, the jeans were going in the wash.  (all that hard work rubbing up against her, and I am just going to have to start all over again).

Wordless Wednesday

Keeping Cosy

It was a touch chilly in the city last night, with it hitting close to 1 deg C overnight.  For us that is cold, and although mum has kept the living area and bedroom warm, she feels like she is going to the Antarctic when she heads to the bathroom, as it is as cold in there as it is outside.  Tonight mum is on call and so she might sleep with her hoodie and scarf on, just in case she gets called into work.

This is me snuggles at my end of the couch, but as mum is writing this I am pacing the rug in front of her and giving her the evil eye waiting for her to vacate my seat on the couch.

I got the feast for my dinner.  The mumster - well she made a mince/pasta/tomato dish for her dinner.  There are lots of leftovers for her dinner or lunch tomorrow which is fine by her.  She loves leftovers, easy and cheap.  She bought her lunch today - two tiny sandwiches for $6.50 - twice the price of a whole loaf of bread.  There was also a nice morning tea at work to raise some money for Breast Cancer.  Lots of lovely pink cakes, so mum is all sweeted out.  Just a banana for supper tonight.

Couch Wars Continue

I am still trying to steal mums end of the couch.  She has made herself comfy with a warm blankie, and the minute she deserts her post I am on her seat snuggling in.  We are getting a wee blast of winter, but the heat pump is keeping things warm.  Mum was lucky and had the day off to relax today,  a wee sleep in and then she wrapped up warm to go and attend to some errands.  She made sure thought that she got home early, in time to feed me my feast, the most important chore of the day. While the computer looked lively, some bills were paid.  Oh it is the wild life we are living.

Awww

Awww these computer woes are annoying mum.  It locked up again tonight, causing us to post too late.  We missed Sunday - hello Monday!!

It was a fine and sunny Sunday here in the city.  The sky was lovely and blue after an initial shower in the morning.  Mum got more washing done and then hit the streets to meet her lovely niece and her friend, and her friends and their children for yum cha.  It was delicious and filling, and so a wander was in order.  It was also nice to walk about and soak up the sun, as our place doesn't get much afternoon sun at this time of year.

Mum was home by 3pm, and caught up on a few shows.  She cooked a Thai Chicken green curry for her tea, and made phone calls to the family.  I got a feast and played a bit of couch wars, as she has stuck a nice woolly blankie on her end of the couch and I do love it so.

Some cold wintry weather arrived this evening, so mum has been glad to leave the couch and now is about to curl up in her cosy bed.  Nite nite everybuddy.

Caturday Spaz

Mum was wondering if "spaz" was a kiwi term - sort of like throwing a hissy fit, describes it well enough.  It wasn't her spazzing out, and as you can see in the photo I am cool as a cucumber, even if I am lying in the compost patch soaking up the Caturday sunbeams.    Alas our little laptop is sending signals that it is soon for hospice care, going to the great E dump in the sky.  It went all loopy and would not switch on, and mum had to plead with it for thirty minutes before it finally loaded anything.

Caturday at our little Chez was pretty good.  A leisurely sleep in, and then mum got some washing done and sheets out on the line.  It was cloudy and a cool 12 deg C, but enough to get them dry over 7 hours outside.  She then headed out to meet a bestie, so that they could eat a yummy lunch and moan about having to go  to work.  Then she forgot to get a lotto ticket, so I guess she will be working this week anyway.

A wander round the shops window shopping, then mum popped into the library, but had forgotten her card so couldn't take out anything or pay her fines.  So home for tea - a feast for me, and baked beans on toast for her.

The autumn chill is creeping in, as a large Southerly Antarctic chill climbs up our little country, so all the quilts are piled up on the bed.  I am still camping in the lounge, but mum knows that this will soon change as the temperatures are dropping.  So now as it nears midnight, mum has her book at the ready and is enjoying the fresh winter sheets on the bed.

Hope you all had a lovely Caturday with lots of fun!!

Friday Feast Fixing

Mum got home real late tonight, so she was fixing me my feast for dinner at round 8pm.  She has been so tired, that last night she closed her eyes on the couch after dinner, and then woke up with a fright as she was dreaming that she had woken up late in the morning, missing the start of work.  The annoying thing is she is tired between 5pm -7pm and then wide awake til midnight, so sleep for her often occurs between 1am-6am.

So today was up at 6am.  A full and busy day at work finishing late and then off to have some drinks for a girl that was leaving.  Mum was exhausted and the bar was busy, so standing up for another two hours just about did her in.  She only drinks a lemon/lime/bitters drink, so she didn't feel tipsy, but was glad to come home to eat some dumplings and give me a pat.  Now time to post and off to bed, and luckily she doesn't have to get up until 8am tomorrow morning.

Hope you all had a fabulous Friday and are ready for the weekend.

Campbell Live Fangirl

Mum is sad tonight.  One of her favourite shows on New Zealand TV is Campbell Live a current affairs news programme on channel 3 that has played for 17 years and tonight they have announced that it is to come to an end.  It has been good at showing good average kiwi stories about real people, and done with a great sense of humour and honesty.  They have been the champion of the underdog and chased good causes, including putting food in schools for hungry kids and fighting for those who are still suffering in Christchurch after the earthquakes of a few years ago.

One of mums most fave stories was the one where they showed these fabulous dogs from the SPCA.  It was part of their campaign to teach people that shelter dogs were smart.   A NZ dog trainer took 3 shelter dogs and trained them all to drive a mini car.  Awesome.

Such a shame to lose a quality programme with a great team.

Wordless Wednesday

Fresh Green

Our little upstairs neighbour has the green fingers - something my mum definitely doesn't have.  There are lots of fresh green things growing, the fennel is particularly spectacular.  All the rain and sunshine we have had lately has made everything grow like crazy lately.

Mum worked another busy shift tonight - so she is trying a little relaxing before heading to bed.  She fixed my feast and talked to me, so I sat on her knee and purred for ten minutes.  Lovely.

Spot

This is my guard spot on the couch - down this end.  My day begins and ends here, although I did venture in to snuggle with mum for 5 minutes last night, I still returned to sleep on my nest here at the end of the couch.

I am sending mum off to work this evening - so I am in charge of the house til she gets home again.  Luckily we have had the morning together, which has been warm and breezy, and she even got some clothes out on the line blowing around, with windows and doors open.  Lovely.

Slow Sunday

Mum was so pleased to be able to have two days over the weekend.  She did wake up at 8am, and as the clouds were shifting about she decided to head off for a walk and then go and see an early morning movie.  Two in a weekend - what a luxury.  She went and saw Testament of Youth which she thought was lovely, although sad, as most WWI movies are.  She was surprised to see another 5 people there, all with the same idea.

After more window shopping, a quick return home, reading her book, having a nap, ring the family,  watch some tele, wash some clothes, do some tidying and relax before bed again.  Me - I have snoozed slowly all day barely leaving my end of the couch.

Hope you all got plenty of relaxing done too.

Autumnal Caturday

It's the end of Caturday here kitties and peoples.  Our day had a bit of autumn chill to it, but the breeze was blowing and some blue skies peeked between the clouds teasing us.  I rolled around on the rug and then went and explored in the garden for a while.

Mum got up at a leisurely pace, had a shower and got herself dressed before wandering into town.  One of her besties had a friend visiting, so the three girls went and had lunch at a cafe with a brunch menu.  Mum had ribs, which were delicious and served with fresh slaw and chutney - yummmmm!!  She then went and watched an awesome band who were busking.  They were four young fellows, 3 playing brass instruments including a fabulous tuba, and another on drums.  They played Royals and Fireworks, and amused all the shoppers in town.

After some window shopping, mum caught a bus to Petone to catch up with another Bestie.  They went for  a walk and then popped into the local pub for a lemon lime and bitters drink and a chat.  Then off to the cinema to see A Royal Night Out, which the girls thought was rather sweet.  Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret get to escape the palace for one night on VE night for a little bit of fun incognito.

After the movies it was time for a bit of Asian spicy noodles and a catch up, before mum headed back into town.  She stopped off at the supermarket on the way home (she has been every day for six days in a row), for a Saturday paper and toilet paper.  Home to fix the feast for me, then she caught up on this weeks Big Bang Theory and Grand Designs - oh Kevin we love to watch you mix concrete in your jaunty scarf.

So friends - hope you all have had some fun today!!  Caught some mice or lazed in the sunbeams!  Have a fun Caturday wherever you are!!

Middle Aged Mumster Friday Night In

It is wild and woolly outside - southerly breezes are blowing and buffeting the house, but we are tucked up inside.  Mum made her dinner, and fixed me a feast.  She is then chilling on the couch contemplating doing some washing before putting the electric blanket on and crawling into the bed with her book.  It might even be time to put the last layer of the winter bed on, by spreading out the large fleece blanket to keep us warm and toasty.

She has plans for her Caturday so is glad to be just relaxing with me at home tonight.  She thinks couch wars are over, as I seem quite happy down my end on my blankie.

Hope you all have a relaxing Friday night planned.

Wet

After a long dry summer, the end of autumn has been rather wet.  We had a day last week, where the rain was so thick and hard, mum hadn't seen it pour like that in years.  Then this week, there was thunder and lightening and it had not stopped raining for three days.  Wearing her jacket this morning, the wind held off enough that mum could take her umbrella, so she quite enjoyed her little stroll in.  The persistent rain though was causing problems in our city with lots of flooding and roads being closed by slips, with many of her colleagues faced with long commutes home or having to stay in town.  We also have a lot of rain forecast for the weekend.  Luckily where we are we are not affected, as we are on the side of a rather secure hill, and do not get flooded in.

I had spent the week fighting with mum.  You see I wanted her spot on the couch.  Each time she left, I jumped up and then growled at her when she made me move.  She made sure the other end of the couch was clear - but I did not want that end.  I wanted her spot.  She put a nice fleecy blankie at that end.  I did not want that end.  Til last night.  Then I moved to the other end of the couch.  And I stayed all evening.  Then I stayed all night, and all tonight.  So mum is happy.

Wordless Wednesday

Double Scratcher

Mum found my other scratcher while she was digging through the winter clothes.  So now I have two to choose from, and I do love to sit on them, and usually when mum arrives home she finds me perched here.

We had a crazy thunder/lightening/rain storm from midnight last night to midday today, so the garden won't need watering for a long long time.  Just what the farmrers may have needed.  Instead of staying inside last night when it started I ran outside, and it was a good half an hour before I ran back inside.  I was glad to be able to sleep up on mums bed for the rest of the night.  She has glad that she washed the merino jumpers at the weekend, as it has a touch of winter starting as the evenings are getting cooler.

Prince Harry had been charming them down in Christchurch, and stopping to visit with lots of the public.  Tomorrow he visits our army base to meet and greet some of our forces.  They are also going to teach him a haka - so I am sure that will be all over the news (a haka is a Maori war dance).

Poor Nepal - we heard that there was another large earthquake tonight.  Poor people.

Middle Aged Mumster Monday

Mum says it was so nice to have a day off after a long stretch at work.  Us too had a little lie in this morning which was good, as the rain was coming down.  So a leisurely brunch on the couch for her and then mum went off for a walk to get some supplies.  She was having Miss Belle for dinner.  This is her as a wee lass, with her fab outfit, as her and mum were off to the movies.  Mum and Miss Belle had butter chicken with rice and veg for dinner and some fresh pineapple.  They sat on the couch and shared some old family photos, that made the girls smile.

Today our news was filled with some good news stories.

• Prince Harry went to Stewart Island yesterday, the most Southern part of New Zealand.  Population 381.  Most of the island go to the pub on Sunday night, so his team the Ginger Ninjas played and they came second!  He also went to the primary school (24 students), where the kids got to ask him some awesome questions.  We all like Prince Harry - sadly Miss Belle didn't line up to meet him (or kiss him), so he won't be joining the family anytime soon.
• After a fun run through the bush yesterday, a young mum of two was missing and search parties were out last night and this morning.  She was found this morning, and spent the night with earth piled up on her and drunk her own breast milk!!
• Thames is now the most famous dog in New Zealand.  A police dog, he was out with his handler on a search and rescue practice in the heavy bush, when they got separated and they were unable to find him.  Constable Mike spent two more nights in the bush searching for him, and  lots of people volunteered to search without any luck.   Over the weekend, more people joined in for the final searches when one of the police came across some large paw prints, and they found him.  After a week lost he was a bit skinny but managed the four hour walk out.
  

The news has been doom and gloom for so long, we all welcome some good news stories with happy endings for everyone.  Hope you all have a nice Monday too.

Fix the Feast

Mum went out early this morning to work, and got home about 9.30pm.  There were two biscuits left in my bowl and I was hungry!!!  So the first thing mum does when she gets in the door, is drop the bags and then fix the feast.  A girls got to eat you know.

So now - to bed to get more rest.

Royal Caturday

Twas quite the royal Caturday here in the capital city.  The sun was shining, and it was quite warm when Prince Harry arrived.  Alas mum was unable to pick him up at the airport or take him round for a day out as she was stuck working all day and evening.  We hear he got a big old greeting, shook some hands, did a hongi (a Maori greeting done by pressing noses ), cuddled a puppy, talked to some kids, laid some ferns at the tomb of the Unknown warrior, shook some hands, got in lots of selfies, talked to more kids and went to the Rugby.  Phew we bet he is tired tonight, and he is staying at the end of our street at the Governer Generals Place.  We bet he is annoyed with all the student parties happening tonight - if we can hear them, he can hear them.  Also the hospital helicopter has buzzed overnight.  Bet that wakes him up too!!

Mum did manage to finish reading her book on her break today, and pop over to the fruit and veg market.  She got lemons, pumpkin, leek, onions, carrots, swede, parsnips, sweet potatoes, corriander and some peppers.  We think it might be vege delight for mum all this week!!!

So my day was spend relaxing in the sun in the morning, and snoozing on our bed for the rest of the time.

Hope you all had a great Caturday too!!!

Middle Aged Mumster Friday

Ohhhhhhhhhh don't get to excited.  Mum got home and put her pyjama pants and sweatshirt on at 5pm - woop woop!!  Chicken nibbles were cooked up for her tea with a big old drink of Diet Coke and a fancy feast was dished up for me. Classy dining for us girls.

Loads of washing was done, some winter clothes were dug out of the closet ready for washing and washing was folded and put away.  Mum says it feels like having new clothes pulling out last seasons merino jumpers and tshirts.  While the chores were being done, mum listened to some comedy shows on the tv.

So now - to bed as mum has to work over the weekend.

Hope you all have had a Fabulous Friday Night too!!!

Napping Weather

An old storm has been blowing about our town for the past few days.   It dumped a pile of rain on Sydney Australia, and then blew across the Tasman and tried to drown us.  The rain and wind was crazy last night, I am sure that not much of the town slept.  Mum pulled out her most waterproof coat this morning, but still got drenched.  It took all day for her pants to dry out, and when she changed from her uniform to her casual clothes when work finished - she found them damp as well.  The lucky thing was it is crazy warm, with the temperature a balmy 17 deg C.  In fact last night mum was a bit too warm in bed.

So this afternoon, the rain has died down and the winds are moving away from our city.  Mum had to go to the library and drop off some books, and pick up her new stack.  It made her happy that they are renovating the library, and so instead of the normal 3 week return period, they have let her have them for 10 weeks.  So she has a huge pile to see her through.

She then stopped off at the local kebab shop - run by a small Turkish mum and dad and daughter.  Their kebabs are light and fresh and piled with fresh vegetables.   She dished up my feast and ate her dinner while watching the UKs got Talent show.  The dishes were done, and lunch was organised for tomorrow.  She boiled up some eggs, and mashed them ready to be made into sandwiches tomorrow morning.  An egg sandwich, yoghurt and banana make a quick and easy lunch.

Wordless Wednesday

Tucked up Tuesday

The clouds have gathered across the city tonight, and the promise of rain is in the air.  The good thing with that is that it is warm and once tucked up inside we are nice and cosy.  These days and nights are all quite similar at the moment.  Mum went to the supermarket again after work - this time for broccoli and courgettes/zuccini to add to the stir fry she made for her dinner. She chopped me up a fancy feast so I was happy.

We ladies relaxed this evening, books and television for mum.  Lazing on the bed for me - and the odd scratch.

Poppy Kitten Flashback Photo Monday

Mum found this old flashback photo on the computer tonight.  She does not recommend that you play with amps like this - only under people supervision.  Mum has a steady day at work, she did find it hard to get up at 6.30am this morning, but once the day was under way it was fine.  Work finished and she headed out for a walk, and then a visit to the supermarket for a few essentials, and she was pleased to run into an old colleague and have a chat.

Once home it was Our Kitchen Rules (the Aussie version), and leftovers of mashed potatoes, peas and sausages.  She opened a feast for me, and I headed of to bed at 7pm, and she will join me a few hours later.  Ahh that is the life.  So tonight we relax and get ready to do it all over tomorrow.

We are all waiting to see what the royal princess will be called.  Will it be Victoria or Alice or Alexandra or Charlotte.  Maybe Diana?  We think Emma would be nice too

Hope your Monday went well too.

Snoozy Sunday

Mum had a plan A today - get up early and head out for a walk.  Maybe the botanical gardens and take a camera to get pictures of the autumn trees?
Plan B - get up early and go for a walk and see an early showing of a movie.  Maybe see Testatment of Youth?
Plan C - sleep in a bit, finish off reading this book and then go out for a wander.

What do you know - Plan C won out and mum and I got to have a wee snooze in which was nice.  The day was sunny and lovely so mum did go out for a walk in the fresh air.  She is busy listening to podcasts - What you  missed in History class.  Todays talks were on Bela Lugosi - very entertaining!!

Me - I snoozed the day away after a morning dig in the garden.  I kept mum company after she gave me my feast and she made her dinner - sausages, peas and mashed potato and sat next to her on the couch as she called her family for a wee natter.

Hope you are all having a lovely Sunday too.

Middle Aged Mumster May Caturday

Today was a great middle aged mumster May Caturday special.  The things she loved about today were (in no particular order:

• A big long photo session with me, that resulted in this being the bestest one where I am almost looking at her.  Please forgive us if all this weeks photos are similar, it was such a good session.
• The sun shone long enough, and warm enough to get the washing almost dry on the line.  It was a balmy 17 deg C, very good for mid autumn.
• The bakery had custard squares.  So mum bought one and eat it all.  She did make herself walk home up the hill, twice in one day, so got lots of exercise in.
• Yippee for watching season 4 of Game of Thrones.  She thought she might have been over it, but once started was hooked again.
• Finding a new foundation makeup that seems to look ok.  Not too orange like an Oompa Loompa.
• A great book to read at night and during a spare moment during the day.
• Fresh sheets on the bed - mum loves that on Caturday.
• Dinner out for a besties birthday.  Lovely tea - mum had the lamb souvalaki for an entree and then a ragu and pasta or main.  Mmmmmm - meat.
• Surprising her bestie with a chocolate rasberry cake.  All the waiters and the other tables sung happy birthday.  Mum was laughing so hard she couldn't even see.
• A little snuggle with me.  Now it is getting colder I like to sit on her knee for 5 minutes, before jumping off.
• Finding out Kate and William have a little princess, for little prince George to play with - perfect!

Hope you all had a fabulous Caturday and had some fun today too!!

TGIF

Sorry we were M.I,A yesterday, but just as mum was about to sit down and write about our day, she got a phone call to go back into work.  The good thing, was that there was another one earlier this morning too, which meant that she got to have Friday off.  After 3 hours sleep though, she felt a bit of a zombie, but managed to get a load of washing done, and to go and meet Miss Belle.

 They went to a very hipster cafe, but at least mum was not the oldest one there.  The girls had a milkshake and a good old chat, and mum was able to drop off her winter scarf that her brother had delivered for her.  Winter is coming, so scarves and gloves are important.

So now mum is hoping her body clock will let her sleep tonight, as sometimes when she is over tired, it is a bit like jet lag and likes to wake her up at crazy hours.  Me - I have no trouble with the napping.

Hope you all get lots of zzzzzzzzzzzzs and are ready for the weekend.