Driving through a Successful Weekend

It's been a manic week! Hubby was doing a zoom magic show for a carers group with G (and yes, they did wear thier dandy waistcoats), so that took up the bulk of the evenings of the week with various rehearsals. I'm officially the tech guy of the shows now and do the toggling of the spotlight on zoom, freeing up the magicians to get on with the show.

On top of losing the evenings, work has been very busy for us both. I went into the office Wednesday and got to see a few of my colleagues, and inevitably lost a lot of working time to catching up. As lovely as that was, I did spend the rest of the week trying to catch up as, fate be darned, everything decided it wasn't going to work the way it was meant to.

So of course I was completely caught on the wrong foot for the weekend when our friend arrived from Dundee as the start of the birthday get together. Hubby was out an hour late to add to the chaos, but everything worked out and we chatted away and played games for the evening. 

Saturday was National Bowtie day. I had planned on doing her photoshoot during the week, but just didn't find time, so the morning walk turned into a photoshoot. Of course I didn't have to do one, but I adore her "party collar" and wanted to make a fuss of Missy - hubby just let's me get along with it, but I could tell our friend thought I was absolutely barmy. The mission was a success, I'm pleased to say! Since I'd made such a fuss of the day, we decided to keep her in the party collar for the afternoon catch up with our friends with the twins. 

(Spoiler: they loved her collar that much they insisted it be worn the following day too). 

It was a good catch up, we played in the park all together and then I got beaten by two 7 year olds on the computer games. We swapped pressies once dad was up from his nap (that long covid is going nowhere soon) and spent the rest of the day playing with the laser tag set we'd gotten them. A good day! Safe in the knowledge they were seeing us the next day, bedtime went off without a hitch and we grown ups hung out for a bit. 

As promised, Missy was looking her best for the Vintage Car Show at Newhailes Estate and Gardens. It was a great day. One can never be sure on how family friendly a car show is going to be, but this was perfect. From the volunteer fire brigade letting the kids try on helmets and sit in the truck to a motorcycle gang helping to pick the kids up to sit on the bikes and rev the engines. There was something for everyone. Dundee friend loved the bmx stunt show, the kids couldn't decide between the fire truck or the tractors whilst hubby and I loved the number of dogs also in attendance. And of course I got Missy to pose with the soft hearted bad boys:

My brother even managed to pop by for a bit so the kids finally got to meet Maisie. They fawned over the little fluffball who was keen for cuddles, which isn't much like Maisie at all. We quickly realised that the noise was upsetting her, so my brother did a wee tour de force of the show and took her a walk before heading off. A pity, but now we know to think about that for future invites. 

And then it was home time. We said cheerio to the kids and drove home before saying goodbye to our Dundee friend. And then it was the tidy up. It's amazing how much more mess just one extra person produces! 

Missy is sound asleep and all is well. A good weekend all round, although, could I have another to try and recover from this one? 

Sailing for Adventure

Yesterday was agood day - not only was I spoiled for my birthday, it was the Pirates event at Duncarron Medieval Village (well, for this weekend it was renamed Port Carron!). As you can see, we went all out in the costume department. Whilst hubby and I were dressed up (more on that later) Missy was quite rightly the absolute centre of attention with cries of "pirate dog!" following us through the day. 

We arrived for opening. There was no plundering and pillaging as we were escorted up to the village but we were immediately greeted by two Jack Sparrows, in full character, sashaying over to us, stealing hats and posing for photos when we were able to stand up straight from all the laughter. They decided hubby, in his royal blue coat, looked like a young Gibbs, and he was henceforth called as such. 

I wanted to get Missys photoshoot done quickly (those little white sleeves didn't stay white for very long) which meant a quick tour de force around the Port where we were corralled by a dozen people desperate to say hello to her. Honestly, it was like handling a celebrity. 

I'm still shocked that she was the only dog dressed up - Missy has a store bought pirate dress and a pirate jumper that have been used for Halloweens past, so I expected to see a few of those! 

Nonetheless, my mother was insistent that there be photos of me and hubby on my birthday, so she had us pose too and I got nice photos of her as well. Being away from the bulk of the visitors, and more than happy to chat, our photos were quickly filled with other pirates and we were given basically a private tour of a weapons armament and a ships surgeons table. 

We were photobombed by LARPers (one pretended to be about to strike my mother's head off with a sword) and we started the next lap of the port, looking at stalls and chatting to anyone who would listen. Hubby had decided that he wanted to try some walk about magic and, after cheekily dashing up to offer the pirate band some sweets following a joke they made, decided to take the plunge and give it a go. He never comes across nervous, but I can always tell. He preformed for stall holders and LARPers, for the mermaids and for Jack Sparrow 1 (who took a shine to us after we hid from the rain in the LARP weapon store together. 

Boy did it rain. 

Once the squall passed my eldest sister arrived with eldest neice and nephew and on went the shenanigans. 

Hubby was approached by Jack 1 as we were leaving. 

"Have you been commissioned for here? The tricks and whatnot?" 

Hubby - "No, it's all voluntarily." 

"Well you've got everyone very excited and talking about it - that's really cool, appreciate it." 

And just like that, he was back in character. 

"Gibbs! You me throw me hat." 

We had an absolute blast. Missy was fawned over by everyone (she even had a song dedicated to her by the band: Dogs and Freaks by Golden Apple for those on Spotify). The Mermaids (in human form sneaking off for tea) joining in on a magic trick and seeing the look of absolute astoundment on thier faces was a highlight. Having a go at throwing knives. Joining in on a sea shanty; honestly, it was the best way to spend a birthday following three lockdowns. 

I feel a need to take a moment in the sewing part of the blog. My pirate costume is a well established costume - my long koi coat, a captain Hook hat and other embellishments and I'm ready to theatrically sail the seven seas. Hubby I've been chasing for months about a pirate costume, suggesting fabrics and cuts and he kept declining, saying he'd just wear a Jacobite shirt and be done with it. Fine. I'd focus on Missys instead. 

As you can see, her little coat is designed to look like a waistcoat and, whilst I knew those sleeves wouldn't stay white, I honestly couldn't resist (spoiler, they were black by the end of the day, but bonus, once it was off Missy, she was spotless).

I just finished up, pleased to have it done with a week to spare when hubby shuffles in. 

"So, you know how I said I didn't want a coat?..." 

He got into a conversation about Monkey Island at work, and was told he should cosplay as Guybrush. His argument was that he didn't want me to go through the effort to make something he would wear once. This he could cosplay in, go to fancy dress party's in (party? What's that?!). 

I looked at him. There's always one important thing to ask a magician. 

"How many pockets?" 

"... How many can you add?" 

I gleefully took the challenge and, after 5 days, finished the coat. Its both piratey and yet he could dress it up as an admirals coat. A pair of stockings and he could even be a Prince. Detailed photos will go on insta next week, I didn't have time to get any before the event! 

I shall leave on a rare note in this blog, a family portrait:

Slumber Party

I will warn you now that this post is going to get confusing with names, Maisie and Missy are far too similar! 

So, my brother is going to go away for a few days somewhere that isn't dog friendly, so we decided to meet up at Newhailes (now that we are National Trust members after last weeks visit) and visit the site when there isn't an event on. With a vintage car show at the end of the month that my brother really fancies, I expect you'll be seeing a lot of this place in future. With a run of busy weekends ahead, we'd earmarked this one as a quiet one to get on top of jobs and take at a more sedentary pace. 

Maisie is a character. That wide cheeky grin tells you all you need to know: selective hearing to the max, insists that everyone is her best friend and obedient only just enough that she knows when to stop toeing the line and get forgiven. A daddy's girl and a princess. At least, she is for my brother. Take him out the equation and the springs come off her paws and she just chills out with Missy. A completely different dog.

First time I saw this I panicked thinking she was in some depressive state but no, she's got a hearty appetite, plays if I engage with her and no pining or whining. It's the strangest thing!

I have seen a similar thing with my eldest neice and nephew, all those cheeky traits vanish and I'm left wondering who is getting the performance: the parents, or me. They want to come back (the neice and nephew, I mean) so clearly they do enjoy thier time with me!

But I digress. Everyone else in the family thought I was mad to offer to take Maisie, but I know she'll be just fine with us! (and the budgies, that was the only thing I was worried about, and she couldn't care less about them). 

Newhailes provided a lovely walk. After meeting up in the car park, we all went all round the fields and then ended up at the cafe for a slice of cake, good conversation and a pot of tea. If only all our walks finished so splendidly.

From there, Maisie came with us. She had a mad 10 minutes where every corner and toy was thoroughly sniffed before she climbed up on the sofa and fell asleep with Missy.

The true test will be the next two days (and nights) as its only a short holiday, but here's hoping. My brother does deserve a nice holiday, and I would like to be able to offer him a chance to go away properly.

I haven't forgotten the sewing, although I will confess that this project took far too long owing to a loss of my Sew-Jo. I liked the colours, I liked the pattern, it was the usual level of simple with an intermediate garnish that I like best, and yet I struggled with this.

I have a few reasons for that. Firstly, this project (its one of two matching waistcoats) was commissioned when my hubby's magic partner found out he had prostate cancer. Hubby had joked for a long time they should be wearing matching outfits, and decided that was the time to make the joke a reality. 

G, as I will refer to him, is that older generation which hides everything beneath a witty remark so whilst the banter was there, I had no idea if his joke of "if I never perform in it, I'll make sure they bury me in it" was because his prognosis was worse than he let on, or because he was genuinely so confident about getting through it.

So I stalled. I didn't like the lining fabric and bought another one (the backs antique gold, like the pockets). My findings were silver and I wanted gold. Unusually for a sewing pattern, it turned out small for the size. Every excuse to delay, I found, every problem that could happen, did.

Gs operation was a success. He struggled with the intensive chemo and needs some corrective surgery, and a double check in six months, but he's doing well. We're booked in to all see a magic show together ("time for the wives to meet", as such). They (G and his wife) love the waistcoats and he and hubby are discussing the next gig, so life seems to be carrying on.

I'm pleased with the waistcoats, but more happy they have been done and the chapter they represent is off my sewing table. Just like that, I'm one project down and blitzing through a second. Funny how these worries manifest themselves.

And I am rather looking forward to seeing hubby and G in thier matching waistcoats for the next show!

Doghailes at Newhailes Estate

After far too long, dog shows are back! To kick of the first (of hopefully many more) of the year, was Doghailes at Newhailes Estate and Gardens. This was the first time we had visited Newhailes and, admiring it's strangely wide and yet very narrow shape, I think we'll need to go back and check out the site on a quiet day. As it was, its only 10 minutes from our good friends and our favourite honorary twin neice and nephew (both about to turn 7). 

The wee ones are at that age where they like the idea of a dog, but with the exception of Missy, don't actually know any dogs. Thier mum (who came with us) also really wants a dog, but is trying to convince dad. He didn't join us, long covid means a choice between seeing us during the day, or sleeping and enjoying our company over a family dinner, and then the evening once kids have gone to bed. He's been quite frustrated with it, but used the playful excuse of getting to avoid his wife trying to convince him to get a dog. 

(spoiler, tactic didn't work, the 3 of them went back wanting different dogs!) 

And there was a lot of dogs to choose from! Whilst browsing markets and stalls, watching the shows (and trying to pick the winner) we established mum wants an old time bulldog, neice wants an akita and nephew the "really small and fluffy Missy", a black and tan long haired teacup chihuahua who had on a bow tie bigger than itself.

Good luck finding a compromise! 

We entered two competitions, Golden Oldie (which I knew we would never win, but after 4 people were convinced she didn't belong to the category, I realised just how a long a shot it was!). We lost to a very old dog in a buggy, which I was more than happy with.

We also entered Best Rescue, where we didn't place again. Niece and nephew were cross about this, but I explained that we knew she was best, and that was all that mattered. We only entered to give some money to a good cause (the National Trust in this case).

It was a good day. All the dogs were well behaved, we found the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home stall and filled them in on how the ex-convict was doing (they put her picture on insta stories!) and Missy managed to sweet talk (or hard stare) everyone out of biscuits. 

A good day. Long over due. 

And yes, the kids went back demanding dogs, so our friends avoidance tactic failed! Still, we got to hang out for the evening and life feels almost as it should be. 

Fingers crossed to a more normal future. Until the next adventure, I'll leave you with Missy dreaming of days to come. 

Looking for Dinosaurs in Lanark

This weekend was a new experience for us - looking after my eldest neice and nephew (16 and 12 years old)! Long story short, my nephew has recently got into all things geeky (pokemon cards, anime etc) and has decided that hubby and I (who are completely unabashed about how geekey we are with out fortnightly online RPGs and miniatures in addition to the above), are clearly the best grown ups he knows. Not that his parents aren't supportive of his new interests, they just don't help themselves when the call anime "those weird Japanese cartoons" amongst other faux pa's! We'd said that, once covid allowed, we'd take him for a weekend of unashamed geekery and then that evolved to also taking his sister who, being at that age where they want to do all the hobbies, has realised that my house is only short a few balls of wool to become viable to be listed as a craft store... 

Its nice that they've grown back into us being the cool aunt and uncle again! 

So, we had them dropped off on Friday and the games, literally, commenced as we played Mario Party for the evening. 

Saturday was the main day. We decided to check out Jurassic Lanark - a Dino themed treasure hunt where each display gave a letter which formed a word for which you got a badge upon completion. 

We started at the Tolbooth in Lanark town centre and then, after finding all 3 displays, moved onto New Lanark for the final 4. 

We had deliberately chosen that order as we knew there was an open air market at New Lanark that the neice would love it if the dinos were beneath her (she stated that she enjoyed getting photos of them, when I checked how she was finding it). Talking cameras, nephew got to play with mine for the day, which really got him to engage with everything. He took being Missys personally pupperazzi very seriously! 

The market was a success too. Both managed to spend all their pocket money and, I think they were pleasantly surprised that we didn't stop them buying anything, but insisted they looked at everything first, we'd come back for what the wanted. Missy wasn't left out, she got some doggy black pudding for later in the week and the lovely lady selling dried meats shared some sausage with her! 

The evening was spent building pokemon decks, making jewellery and taste testing all the fudge we bought. 

Today we went hunting for UFOs at the Dechmont UFO trail. We wanted a walk that wasn't challenging but still fun and it met both of those criteria. A tree swing proved that no matter how old you are, there is still a 5 year old in all of us, and they were genuinely interested in the history of the walk. We may have broken them a little by insisting we go up the Law itself, but they appreciated the views once there. 

After that was Exploding Kittens before we went to Edinburgh Zoo to meet up with the parents and return the kids. Nephew had great fun running about with my camera again and tried to compete with his sister on the shots. I was soon giving both lessons as neice was surprised at the fact her photos were completely different (colour, focus abilities etc) at points and I explained the pros and cons of the different camera types they had (my DSLR vs her Hybrid camera). I made a point that, whilst mine was superior through glass, hers was better at going through fencing, amongst other things.

And that was the weekend gone! A very different experience to having my younger neice and nephew, but enjoyable all the same. My "completely 120% fun but I'm not gonna let you break rules" attitude has paid off as they were on best behaviour. I suspect another weekend is in the future, but later in the year, I need to recover from this one first!