Aggie's Place

Merry Christmas 2010

2010-12-11T15:19:00.004+13:00

Hey All,
Long time no bloggie!
It has been a hugely busy year for me and I had no time left to blog.
The highlight for me was my trip to London town in September. It was simply fantastic.
I hope you have all had a great year and kept well and happy. It was a sad farewell during the year for me to fellow blogger Quasar 9 (Jon) who passed away tragically during the year. I had been going to meet him on my trip to London but it was not to be. R.I.P. my friend.
So, I am just popping back to wish you all a very Merry Christmas for 2010 and wishing you all a fantastic and Happy New Year for 2011.
Take care out there.
Love and best wishes for the season,
Aggs.

Mad March Here

2010-03-06T10:49:00.004+13:00

Hi All,
It's that time of year again when I transform into the Mad March Hare being a birthday month for me.
And speaking of which ... Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland is on here now and I'm planning on going and seeing it this weekend.
I hope you are all doing well?
I have been too busy to blog ... again ... and sorry I haven't had much time for visiting either.
It is going to be one of those "full on" years I think.
I'm planning a trip to London in September too.
Enjoy the March Madness folks and catch up with you all again soon.
Love, Aggs.
P.S. I've had to turn on comment moderation, etc due to large numbers of gobble-de-gook spam comments coming through.

Beachin

2010-01-09T09:24:00.003+13:00

Hey All,
I'm making the most of my last couple of weeks holiday and I'm off to stay at the beach. Hope you are all having a grand start to the New Year.
Catch you later when reality bites.
Love, Aggs.

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T11:28:00.001+13:00

Hi All,
I wish you all a very Happy New Year and a truly blessed 2010.
Love, Aggs.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T09:37:00.003+13:00

Merry Christmas to one and All,
Have a blessed day with family and friends and I wish you all a very Happy New Year for 2010.
It is a lovely hot, clear, sunny day here and it is going to be a truly Kiwi Summer Christmas.
Take care and Happy Holidays.
Love, Aggs.

December Chaos

2009-12-05T09:56:00.002+13:00

Hi All,
The Christmas Tree is up and the decorations on ... so ... whatcha want for your Chrissie pressie this year???
It is one week and 3 days (I'm counting down the days) until my summer holiday begins. The weather here is garbage, so I'm not expecting long hot summer days until January/February. Sigh.
It has been busy and hectic (as December always is) but I'm hoping for a calm end to the year. I was a Judge in the Talent Quest the other day and that was fun.
I hope you are all doing well and having a great end to the year.
Take care.
Love, Aggs.

November

2009-11-01T10:33:00.003+13:00

Hi All,
A pinch and a punch for the first of the month ...
Here is a photo of Mission Bay beach not far from where I live ... over a little footbridge. It is a popular place for strolling down a wide expanse of waterfront sand with lovely views out to sea. There are lots of shops, cafes and restaurants along a strip of Road opposite.
Ideal in this nice weather we are having. I'm off out for a stroll, a coffee and a sit and watch the world go by.
Have a great week.
Love, Aggs.

Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T16:33:00.003+13:00

Happy Halloween to all you ghosty ghoulies and generally 'orrible creatures out there. It's not a biggie celebration here ... but I know for alot of you out there, it is, so enjoy.
I'm not around blogging much these days, apologies, but life goes on as usual.
Busy at work and busy at home ... three family birthdays celebrated over the long weekend last weekend. Expensive, but fun.
The months are racing by and in 6 weeks I'll be on my long summer holidays. That came around quick. Christmas here in a blink.
Meantime, I hope you are all well and enjoy your fright night tonight. Take care out there trick and treating.
Love, Aggs.

Back to the Fray.

2009-10-11T16:58:00.003+13:00

Hi all.
My two weeks holiday just flew by ... and tomorrow it's back to the fray for me.
I did do a half day catch up, thank goodness - so hopefully the work won't have piled up too much meantime.
I didn't go away, but pottered around home and had a spring clean and generally got the place all ready for up coming summer. The weather was not the best over the holidays which made staying home easy ... now the last day dawns and it is gorgeous and sunny. Typical.
Anyway, I'm just saying Hi before getting back into the sway ... no doubt it will be chaos up until Christmas ... I'll try and catch up with you'all when I can.
Love, Aggs.

Spring has Sprung

2009-10-01T08:20:00.004+13:00

Hey All,
Happy 1st October to you. I'm nearly halfway through my 2 week school holiday break. It is going too fast ... as usual.
We are getting four seasons in one day here - including rain, lightening and thunderstorms - along with the tsunami ripple effects of the Samoan earthquake yesterday.
Meantime, I'm still mainly on Facebook to chat with all my (scattered across the universe) friends and rellies and to play a few (oddly) addictive games they have over there. Lol!
It doesn't leave much time to blog as well ... sorry if I haven't visited in awhile. I hope you are all well and having a great year.
Take care.
Love, Aggs.

Dull Day Saturday

2009-09-12T08:46:00.005+12:00

Hey All,
Dull and overcast Saturday here and looking like rain.
This is just a quick update to say I've been way too busy to blog of late.
You may hear from me once a month at the moment ... although I do have 2 weeks holiday coming up in about 2 weeks time ... so I may get a chance to catch up with you all then.
Where is this year going? It's on "speed dial" for sure.
Hope you are all well and doing great.
Love, Aggs.

Birthday Girl

2009-08-16T10:17:00.003+12:00

Hi All,
Sorry but I have been too busy to post anything of late.
It is my niece Anna's (pictured) Sweet Sixteenth birthday today and we are off to the local Mall for a shopping spree. Woo Hoo!
Happy Birthday Anna ...
I hope the rest of you are keeping well ... especially those that I can't catch up with on Facebook?
Work is busy and life is busy ... but good here.
Have a great week all.
Love,
Aggs.

Puppy Mail

2009-07-31T21:53:00.002+12:00

Hey All,
Happy weekend to you.
I've had a really busy week but I got through it.
I hope you are all doing well out there in Blogland? Isn't this year flying past!
My boss gave me an Apple I-Phone, which is pretty cool, so this weekend I will be spending a little time learning to drive it.
Take care.
Love, Aggs.

Currently Reading ...

2009-07-26T15:16:00.005+12:00

Hi all,
I'm currently reading my fellow blogger Leigh Russell's first "whodunnit" Cut Short.
It is a cracking good read and I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who likes the Crime genre - as I do.
My first week back at work was bedlam, so this weekend I just wanted to put my feet up and relax and Leigh's book arrival could not have been timed better.
Looking forward to the next one Leigh ... the link to her Crime Fiction blog is in my blog roll.
Still not feeling much like in depth blogging ... so will pop in and catch up with you all when the mood inspires me. I hope all is well in your world.
Take care and have a great week.
Love, Aggs.

Slight Pause

2009-07-18T19:55:00.003+12:00

Hey All,
I can't believe my holiday is nearly at an end. It's only been 5 minutes ... I swear. I've had a great relaxing time.
For those in the know I've become a farmer extraordinaire over on Facebook.
I'll have to take a step back from Green Acres once I'm back at my busy work.
It feels ages since I've blogged ... I nearly forgot how to do it. Lol!
I'm still not in the mood for it, so I'm only going to post every now and then.
I'll try to call in and catch up on your blogs as I can.
Have a great week ahead.
Love, Aggs.

Happy Holiday Time

2009-07-04T09:44:00.003+12:00

Hey All,
My holiday starts today ... so I'll catch you up in a week or two.
Have fun out there.
Love, Aggs.

On a Misty Morning

2009-06-27T09:54:00.002+12:00

Happy Saturday All.
I am sitting upstairs in my study having a lovely hot morning coffee. It is a foggy, misty morning outside and I think, as I look out the window, that I am living in the clouds today.
It is not particularly cold, just ethereal.
It is one week to go until my half-year break of 2 weeks from school. The boss is away at a conference overseas and it has been busy.
Next week will be chaos, no doubt.
So, I sit here above the clouds enjoying my peace and quiet while I may.
Enjoy your weekend.
Love, Aggs.

Winter Sun

2009-06-20T16:09:00.002+12:00

Hey All,
Happy Saturday ... even though its late afternoon here.
It's been a gorgeous sunny day and not too cold. I don't mind winters like this - long may it continue.
I've been out and about enjoying the sunshine and bargain hunting/shopping and generally had a good day.
And of course, the ever important, cat cuddles on a winter morn.
Now it's time for afternoon tea, sitting in a comfy chair with the late afternoon sun streaming in the window - would you care to join me?
Love, Aggs.

Star Turn

2009-06-13T08:30:00.003+12:00

Hi All,
Here is my niece Katey who took out the title "Cheerleader of the Year" last weekend.
Way to go Katey. We are proud of you.
Fine day here (Saturday) even though rain was predicted, so I'm out for my walk shortly.
I'm still fighting my cough, but feeling much better generally.
Also, I'm still not much in the mood to blog and I've been mainly posting little blurbs over on Facebook under my real name.
If anyone from here would like to link to me over there, send me an email with your FB I.D. and I'll send a friend request.
Not that it is riveting information, but there you go.
Have a great weekend all.
Cheers.
Aggs.

Saturday in the Park

2009-06-06T08:30:00.003+12:00

Hey All,
I'm alive and feeling better - if not exactly kicking. I do feel much on the mend though. Thanks so much to you all for the get well wishes - much appreciated.
Fine, cold and sunny here so I may get to go for my first stroll in the Park for awhile today. I shall wrap up warm though.
I'm really not into blogging at the moment, so I'll only be popping on now and again to say hi.
Have a great weekend.
Love, Aggs.

In the White Room

2009-05-30T09:12:00.004+12:00

Hi all,
Not much to post here. I've spent the week getting over my nasty cough.
I'm on the mend ... I think.
It is a long weekend here thanks to the Queen who marks her official birthday with a public holiday on Monday.
The portrait is by Annie Leibovitz (2007) and the Queen is in the White Drawing room ...
(Her birthday is really April, but we don't mind if it means a day off for those of us who dwell in the Commonwealth.)
I think I've been in a bit of a White Room myself this last week ... but hey, I'll catch up with your blogs sometime soon.
Have a great weekend all.
Love, Aggs.

Down and Out

2009-05-23T10:25:00.005+12:00

Hey All,
I've been a bit down to it with a horrid headcold this week and a terrible cough. Winter has arrived earlier than expected. I had a couple of days off work, but I think I went back too early as I seemed to get worse as the week went on.
I haven't been visiting blogs, commenting or posting as I've just not felt up to it.
Sorry.
I'll catch up with you all soon, when I'm feeling better.
Sophie-cat bought me a large mouse yesterday (left it on the front doormat as she knows I don't like them inside) - I think it must be a very good secret cat remedy for a nasty bout of winter ills. It was very nice of her to think of me. I did explain to her that my very loud "Yuk" was just a normal human reaction to medicine.
In case you think I live in a vermin infested hovel, I should mention than my place backs onto the huge Auckland Domain which teems with assorted birds and wildlife.
In other words, Sophie lives in cat heaven.
I'm off to chew my meds, (not the mouse) and drink vast quantities of liquid, soup and generally rest up in the warm.
Have a great weekend all.
Love, Aggs.

Peek-a-boo

2009-05-15T21:55:00.006+12:00

Hey All,
It's Friday here ... yay for the weekend.
I still have some unpacked boxes from my house move (over a year ago now) sitting in the study and Sophie-cat has decided she likes hiding in them.
Every now and then a little head appears as if to ask "are you still looking for me?"

Other times, it's flop on the carpet for a rest ... especially if the gas heater is on.

Was that a mouse?

You got food? No? Oh well, it's nap time then - off you go and have a great weekend.
Love, Aggs.

Winter Blast

2009-05-12T17:19:00.002+12:00

Hi all,
I hope you are enjoying the start to your week.
We are experiencing a little pre-winter icy blast here at the moment.
I've put all my winter clothes into the main closet and packed away my summer ones ... sigh. It was a lovely, long summer.
There is an winter weight duvet on the bed and an extra warm rug for Sophie-cat and the gas heaters are going full bore.
To anyone going into summer out there ... can Sophie-cat and I come and stay? Pretty please?
Love, Aggs.

Sunday Star

2009-05-10T09:36:00.002+12:00

Happy Sunday All.
Here is a photo of Katey on high at the Champs in the U.S.A.
They are back home now and had a fabulous time and have been sleeping it all off the last 24 hours.
We are all getting together for afternoon tea today to catch up and hear all about the highlights.
It is also my brother's birthday - so a family day today.
Happy Mother's Day to all you Mum's out there as well.
The sun is shining here, in spite of all the storm predictions, so it's going to be a great day.
Enjoy yours.
Love, Aggs.

Weekend Wet

2009-05-09T08:04:00.003+12:00

Hi All,
The weekend is predicted to be wet and stormy here. The temperature has certainly dropped a few degrees, though it is still not deep winter cold.
However, for the moment, the sun has peeped out and there is a lovely rainbow streaking across the sky that I can see out my study window.
Sophie-cat is tucked up warm under the duvet in my bedroom and I'm starting to brew my morning coffee.
We are very comfortable and cosy here in my town house and I managed to plant all my garden centre purchases from last week before the wet arrived. I've been too busy to blog, but I do try to pop on to read and keep up with your blogs.
It will be a quiet (cosy and contented) winter for me, so I'm not planning on blogging over much.
The nieces are home from USA and sleeping off the jet lag this weekend.
I hope you all enjoy a fantastic weekend.
Love, Aggs.

Sunshine Sunday

2009-05-03T10:03:00.002+12:00

Happy Sunday to you all.
In complete contrast to yesterday, today is fine and sunny with not one cloud in the sky. It is slightly chilly, but only if you are not out in the sun.
So, it is off to the garden centre for me and then for a long walk.
I wish you all a great week ahead.
Love, Aggs.

Jolly Brolly Day

2009-05-02T08:59:00.003+12:00

Happy weekend all.
It is pouring with rain here and very dismal looking outside, though it is not cold. So it is going to be a hunker-down reading day for me, as well as pottering around the house.
Sophie-cat is on her chair in the study well wrapped up from the world under her woollen blanket with not even a nose poking out.
If a mouse dared to scurry by, it wouldn't shift her. Mind you, if I said the word food that might work ... a little black velvet nose might twitch out from undercover.
My first week back at work was busy, but it was a good week.
I hope you all have a great weekend.
Love, Aggs.

Cheers

2009-04-28T17:52:00.003+12:00

Happy Tuesday All.
It's Three Cheers to Katey and the Junior Team who took out 2nd place overall in the World Cheerleading champs. The Senior team got 6th overall.
Well done you guys ... the USA had over 450 teams competing.
They have done so well as the sport here in N.Z. is only a couple of years old.
We are very proud of them. I can't wait to get some photos to post.
The one I've posted here is from their champion performance in the Australian competitions (first) last year, which won them their place at the World Champs in Orlando this year. Katey is the dark haired girl, pink ribboned, leaning backwards.
As for me, work is back to normal. Hope you are all enjoying your week.
Love, Aggs.

Sunday Slumber

2009-04-26T09:03:00.005+12:00

Happy Sunday All.
It is raining here today and it is the last day of my hols, so I'm taking it easy. Sophie-cat is asleep on a bean bag in front of my gas heater (it is not cold, but she likes to be cooked to warm and toasty.)
I'll probably drop my posts to one per week once I'm back at the grind as it will be a very busy time.
The nieces have done fabulously in the Cheerleading Champs - Team New Zealand taking out Bronze/3rd place - which for a team that has only been going a short time is really great. Well done to them. Teams from over 50 Countries participated with over 450 teams entered from the US alone.
Katey still has one more performance left with the Junior Team today, so good luck to her. I'll try and post some photos after they get back from their well deserved holiday in New York.
Meantime, have a good week.
Love, Aggs.

ANZAC Day

2009-04-25T08:01:00.002+12:00

Hey all,
ANZAC Day here in N.Z.
It stands for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps and marks their sacrifice at Gallipoli in World War 1.
It is a mildly wet day today and the Dawn Parade and service is under way up at the War Memorial at the Auckland Museum as I'm typing this.
It has become our sort of Remembrance Day for all soldiers in all wars.
I always remember my Dad for his war service in Crete and the Middle East in WW2.
Poppy Day was yesterday and the Art is by Jettie Rosenboom - Absolute/Beautiful.
After this weekend it will be back to work for me for another busy school term. It has been a lovely break after an enduring summer.
Have a great weekend.
Love, Aggs.

With a Fringe on Top

2009-04-22T09:07:00.004+12:00

Happy Hump Day All.
The photos are of Sophie cat slumbering undercover on the chair in the study. It has become her new favourite spot since the weather turned a little cooler.
My upstairs study gets loads of sun and is a very warm room and she thinks it is the ideal early morning hideaway.
In the afternoon the sunshine streams in my main bedroom windows, so my bed becomes the favourite zone then.

She is looking a little grumpy at being so rudely disturbed.
I've been doing some autumn gardening over the holidays and generally pottering around the house. Very pleasant.
Have a great rest of the week.
Love, Aggs.

Smell the Roses

2009-04-19T17:21:00.003+12:00

Hi all,
Sunday afternoon here and I'm taking time out to smell the roses.
I live not far away from the Parnell Rose Gardens and it is still in full bloom with our late lasting Indian Summer.
It's a very pretty place and it looks out over the blue sparkling waters of the Waitemata Harbour. It is one of my favourite walks.
I attended my Aunt's funeral on Friday and caught up with lots of cousins I hadn't seen for a number of years. Gosh, where does the time go?
The nieces are doing well in their competitions over in Florida and my sister is texting me with the results as they come to hand, so I'll keep it up-dated on my Facebook, Twitter and here.
I have another week of my holidays to go and the weather is about to turn wet and cold, or so the weather people are predicting.
I'm going to hunker down with some good books if so.
Have a great week ahead.
Love, Aggs.

Semi Autumn

2009-04-15T11:09:00.002+12:00

Hi All.
I hope you had a great Easter.
Mine was very quiet with lots of rest and relaxation.
The season is gradually changing here. Some mornings are cool and some are still warm ... it can't quite make up it's mind to fully change to Autumn.
I'm not complaining because I can still wander around the house in bare feet with a light cardigan on.
The nieces left for the World Cheerleading Champs last night and they should have arrived in Florida by now. Go Girls!
I looked over their schedule and it is going to be a very busy time for them with Katey appearing with both the Stormz team and Team New Zealand before the International Olympic Committee.
They sure are going to have earned their New York holiday afterwards.
I'm wantng to take a trip to London a bit later this year so I resisted the tempatation to go with them - seeing as it was largely competition events and not sightseeing.
I also have to represent the family at my Aunt's funeral later this week. Everyone else is away and she is the last of her generation on my Mother's side. Her passing was a kind one going in her sleep for which I am glad.
My laptop is repaired ... several hundred dollars later ... grrr!
So it is on with enjoying my holiday ... not much else to blog about at the moment.
Have a great week.
Love, Aggs.

Happy Easter 2009

2009-04-11T08:32:00.005+12:00

Happy Easter to all of you.
Enjoy your holiday weekend in whatever way you celebrate or mark the occasion.
Don't eat too much chocolate ... a little goes a long way.
I'm glad of the break and our Good Friday here was fine and sunny.
We have been very lucky our Autumn has begun rather kindly for us.
Take care,
Love Aggs.
Artwork - John Fitzgerald - Golgotha