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.

Wordless Wednesday

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

Wordless Wednesday

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!!!

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.

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!

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

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 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.

Wordless Wednesday - Mousie

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!!

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.

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.

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 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!!

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!!

Wordless Wednesday

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.

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!!