An Unexpectedly Busy Week

Well, despite my promises to have a quiet week, fate had plans otherwise.

I have a terrible compulsion when the weather is nice to work on the garden, so I've been quite physically tired (but it must be done, when else in Scotland will there be two dry days on the bounce?). Then Friday (as I was mowing both lawns, cutting the hedge and getting the weeding done) disaster struck. In an attempt to avoid a car that had pulled out of a junction in front of him, hubby mounted the verge and blew both passenger side tyres. So his early getaway turned into him getting home after 7pm whilst I was having kittens the whole time. 

We had already organised a get together with a friend at Jupiter Artland on the Saturday and, after explaining the situation, she kindly offered to pick us up too. 

Panic one over. Saturday morning rolls round and I'm looking at the poor car (hubby had to drive it with 2 safety tyres before it was abandoned at the closest garage to the house) and the MOT centre. Google said it was open. The opening hours sign said it was open. But the shutters were down and no one was answering the phone. 

Hubby and I were both flustered and cross at the situation. Thankfully I remembered my brother had booked someone to come out and replace his tyre and, after a few tense moments where we tried to figure out what tyres we needed, Halfords were booked in the next morning to fit them.

A sigh of relief. 

A text popped through, our friend asking if we were at the house...

We legged it down and, after some confusion about when we were booked in for, I panic packed the day bag and off we went.

Thankfully the rest of the day went very well from there. We bought lunch as a thank you and wandered about the grounds, enjoying hearing our friends thoughts as she saw the peices for the first time. The amythests were her favorite, we magpies do flock together!

We also braved Mimi again, and this time I stuck through the 8 minute video. We all agreed that we understood the message (and that the trigger warnings were appropriate) but that it was a bit on the nose. 

I was then reminded by my friend of her mannequin phobia, so at least we both had company in our awkward uncomfortable-ness about the place!

This morning was taken over a but by the wheels being replaced on the car. I decided to clear the schedule and focus on some sewing, putting my big project to one side for a little bit to focus on my new monthly treat:

A sewing subscription box! This one is from Oakapple Haberdashery and is thier "Sew Darn Sweet Box"

So this months project was tissue holders, but I thought they'd make excellent poo bag holders when on the dog walk! Because everyone deserves to be fabulous on a walk! 

The Redcoats take on Duncarron

This weekend was hubbys first official weekend off in his new job. The first weekend of many off, the notion of which is a great novelty for us.

So we did what any self respecting person does when they have that first taste of freedom...completely fill in every single moment of it with plans leaving you in need of a weekend to recover from said weekend!

The Saturday was earmarked for a friends belated birthday and we went on a trip to the 5 Sisters Zoo. Its sad that they no longer allow dogs, but we did share a few of our favourite lockdown doggy zoo moments with our friends as we mooched about in the sun. It was really hot Saturday and, despite generous amounts of Factor 50 suncream, we all finished up a little bit pinker than we would have liked (although no actual sunburn to report, thankfully!). We got lucky and saw everything we wanted to see, including the new red panda! 

Missy was appalled when we returned and hosted a vegetarian bbq as, whilst she did try a little bit of the veggie burgers/sausages, they were clearly too seasoned for her liking! We played Finnish Skittles and then retired from the sun and sat up far too late just chatting and catching up.

Sunday was the big day. It was a Jacobite's and Redcoat event at Duncarron Medieval village and, seeing as hubby missed out on the last event, we simply had to go. 
I'm going to admit, I think they're figuring out how to host events as it was completely different to the last one! This one was smaller, partly because of the theme (they only have thematically relevant stalls at the events, so the shoe and the top hat stalls weren't there this time), but also because of the number of people. Talking to the reenactors, the Saturday had been very busy, so I think it was probably down to the day, but I suspect the fact most folk are away on school holidays probably played a big part too.

And they missed out! We arrived a little early as always and were told we were going to be escorted up to the village. After a few minutes making small chat with a pair of South Africans, a troupe of Redcoats arrived. We were ordered to one side, "searched" for weapons, deemed civillians (although hubby being a ginger was deemed a possible threat and a close eye was threatened on him) and then told to follow the band up the hill to the Fort.

For us, it was hilarious. Poor Missy however could not read the room and figure out what was happening. She hates loud and aggressive shouting and hides from raised voices, but there we were laughing away despite the scary shouting. And worse. We were following the people doing all the shouting!

After a lot of reassurance, she followed the troop but the captain was officially marked in her bad book. Every time he started his act, she'd put the tail down and quizzically stare at us. When he walked by us (very noticeable in his outfit) she'd stare daggers at him, clearly telling him off for being mean. There was a staged ruse where, after we were allowed in, the Redcoats attacked and took the village. After that we were free to wonder about. 

After an hour or so, my mum, my brother and his friend came to join us. They were gutted to miss out on the opening, but there was plenty to see and do still with hourly events. Maisie though, we've discovered, doesn't like musket fire. Despite Missys calm, she would not be persuaded that there was nothing to be afraid of, so my brother took her for a walk to get away from the musket demonstration for a bit. In future, I'll stick to inviting them to pre-gunpowder themed days... 

The weather was ideal for the day. Dry, warm but not hot, and a cool breeze to keep the dogs happy. We filled the day watching demos, axe throwing, weaving bracelets, chatting to the reenactment team, chatting to the dog owners and all the kids who shyly asked to pet Missy. It flew by. 

Missy even decided to put her grudge to one side and sat with the Horrible-Shouty-Captain. Granted, she waited until after we had stood chatting with him for 10 minutes about the event before shyly stepping forward to greet him (I never force her to say hello). It seemed a perfect end to the day. 

Between doing both dog walks as hubby's knee continues to heal, and a lot of reactive work in the day job, I haven't had much time to sew and push on with my ever expanding to make list. I did however find time to upcycle (well, I suppose it comes under visible mending) a much loved pair of shorts:

Pop over to my sewing insta @missdaisysewing to see the before!

Right, I'm making a promise to myself now, next weekend is to be a quiet one! Until then, keep safe. 

Accidents in Aberdeen

Well, plans have rather gone awry this weekend. We'd decided to have a wee trip up to Aberdeen to see the in-laws before hubby started his new job on Monday, there was talk on playing with resin (MIL is very into crafts like myself), walks at some nice castles and generally eating far too much food and drinking more tea than is really good for you. Well, that last part is just a natural state of being for me these days! 

*sips tea*

So we arrived Thursday, a bit later than usual as I was working during the day, and we decided that, after a quick cup of tea, we'd take the dogs to the playing field and let Ruby burn off some steam.

That was fine. She was charging after her Frisbee, having fun, Missy was just chilling out and watching and all was going well. Then hubby decided to play piggy in the middle with Ruby, his dad threw the Frisbee, hubby (miraculously, I won't lie) caught it a microsecond before he was ploughed into by Ruby.

And he went down like a sack of potatoes.

There was beat of laughter and then a beat of silence before we realised he wasn't getting up again. Less than an hour into our mini break and my hubby had managed to break himself.

Got him to limp back, elevated it, got the ice out and the painkillers. Fingers crossed he'd wake up bruised but fine in the morning. 

Nope. Still sore. Hobbling badly. Got him to stay in bed whilst I did the dog walk and then played with the resin. After lunch, still no improvement.

He insisted it was fine. 

After dinner, he conceded defeat and let me ring NHS24. After a phone consultation there was a video consultation. Then he was booked into the minor injuries clinic for an in person appointment the next day.

In the end it was an overstretched ligament. So he's to rest it for 3 days and should be fine for a work (which is going to be all induction stuff and paperwork).

We decided just to head back home and take today as an easy day about the house, you heal better in your own space. Hubby already feels much better, so thankfully he's on the mend. 

So much for our quiet weekend away! 

New Chapters

It's been a very strange week. Firstly we had Wee Ben and, whilst his sleeping did improve, I will confess I was very pleased to have the bedroom dog free again on Thursday night! For the most part though, his stay went very well. Sunshine and sleepy doggies, a very good combination.

One small win, we had to swap Ben onto a strict feeding schedule to match Missy (he was left to basically free graze at home, which, when you own a dog who will eat until she's sick, is a straight no-no) and his appetite was so improved that my sister has decided to keep him on it. Whilst all dogs are individuals, I do think they benefit from a routine.

The main event of the week was hubby leaving his job. After being made redundant, his retail days have now passed and he's set to move onto new pastures closer to his technical background. It's all for the better, but it is difficult when the choice to move wasn't really his.

The staff closed shop to the public on Friday and then had Saturday to empty and strip the store. Seeing the photos of the empty unit really hit home that this was the end of his retail family, of 8 years since he opened the store to the public to now closing the shutters fof the last time. 

With covid, trying to organise a night out was impossible, so we offered to host a garden party and do take out pizza. Missy was in top form being cute and getting all the cuddles and it went well.

Until the heavens opened. So we all had to go inside and the ground floor of my house was basically taken over! Everyone had a great time and, with promises of a proper garden party later in the summer, the house felt oddly empty. I do miss my social get togethers, even when I barely know anyone there!

The poor weather continued into the the Sunday which was my nephews birthday. We tried for a nice walk but failed when the umbrellas gave out to the onslaught! 

Nonetheless, he was happy with his pressies and we dog sat wee Ben again so he could go do something fun indoors at the centre. 

A quiet day, but needed.

I think the next week or so is going to be a bit strange until we settle into a new routine and hubby gets into his new job.

I did manage to find time this weekend to finish the baby sampler for my friend. Name is still to be added, but that can't be done until baby arrives. My to do list is getting slowly shorter.