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!