Taking a Pause before we hit February

Well... I did say January was going to be ridiculously busy! Since the last update I've had the in-laws through and staying; in part because we all went to see the Shen Yun dancers (by the far the best professional dancing I've ever seen, absolutely amazing, I can't say any more or I'll be here all day) and then they were sorting out BIL for the rest of thier stay. We'd have been more involved, but the winter lurgy finally caught up to hubby who basically spent 5 days in bed. I volunteered to keep an eye on him and the dogs and that was that.

Then last weekend it was a trio to London to see the ABBA Arena show. It was one of those trips that grew arms and legs with it initially being my mum and eldest neice, and then my aunt and her friend joined in, then my sister and, as a ticket space needed used, I was strong armed into evening out the numbers.

Show was good. Worth making the effort to go and see it, even if, like me, you aren't the biggest fan of ABBA. There was some drama, which I expected and mediated. But the less said the better. 

The highlight of the weekend was getting to catch the Chinese New Year parade at Trafalgar Square. I ran ahead, got an amazing spot in like to watch it and got a "kiss" (well, booped noses) with the big red lion above. My sister informs me that touching thier noses is super lucky, so I have my fingers crossed for the foreseeable.

Then this weekend was where we put the breaks on and shut the door. No friends or family, time for just hubby, Missy and I to recharge and do what we want to do. I wanted to go on a new dog walk that I'd heard about from a friend, and hubby wanted to see the Dr Who exhibition that was on in Edinburgh. 

Saturday was a slow day doing jobs about the house and then today we ticked both those off the list. The walk is the Livingston Standing Stones. They're modern, but that's all that anyone seems to know about them! I had never heard of them before last week, so it only proves that you'll never learn all the local secrets.

We also made it to Dr Who: Worlds of Wonder. There was costumes, monsters, gadgets and more. A great way for a pair of Whovians to spend the morning. We had taken along our sonics (hubby is old school, so had John Pertwees whereas I'm modern and had Matt Smiths) for the photos and we took great delight in lending them out to people when we offered to take thier photos for them. No one declined, and we certainly got a few good laughs.

And that's it. The synopsis of three weeks condensed down. Oh, except for this guy:

My second attempt at a plushie. I sense more dragons in the future, you have all been warned! 

Till next time! 

A Magical Weekend

It was every Hufflepups dream. Missy finally got to attend Hogwarts. Well, the next best thing - she came along for a potions making class at The Lonely Broomstick. 

But let me rewind. 

In some way, time and the laws of physics have betrayed me and my eldest neice has turned 18. Seeing as most days I still pretend to be an adult, how this has quite happened is beyond me! But nonetheless - as the first in the next generation of my family to reach the milestone, of course there had to be a party. Which meant that my Manchester bound sister with my a-dumble-dorible neice and nephew packed up the car and came for a whirlwind weekend.

And honestly, we fit in a siriusly riddikulus amount in this weekend.

(I shall attempt to refrain from puns from now on)

So everyone arrived Friday and, after a quick dash about the shops to accio the ever important 18 balloons. Then after a mini Christmas dinner and a gift swap, the kids went to bed and my sister embarked upon a quest to become a mermaid.

After a nervous few moments, Brad Mondo, God of Hairdressers, smiled upon us as the wolf cut was successful and the three bundles of hair (Gertrude, Gertrude Jr and Gertrude the 3rd) were swept up and safely disposed off. Then came the bleaching. And then the blue. A lot of blue.

With bright blue ends Billy Eilish would be jealous off, and teal locks, we pulled off the unexpected and my sister now looked like she could have taken a post in Hogwarts itself. 

Saturday was an early start to pick up my mum and aunt before we all trudged down the M9 to Falkirk in the silver 7 seater Hogwarts express. 

Naturally we arrived early and, as my neice and nephew oggled through a window front worthy of diagonally, I helped Missy with her wizard robes. Also unexpectedly, my older sister and the rest of the party arrived a little late, but that was fine as we were in the store by then and the kids were having tremendous fun flying Hagrids bike whilst their mother was trapped in the side car. 

I will say, the potions making was very well organised. My older sisters MIL, who now in her 90s, can't stand long, was immediately offered a chair and a smaller table for her cauldren whilst I was discreetly pulled aside and asked about loud noises with Missy. Petards aside, Missy doesn't mind loud noises, so I was confident she would be fine with a mandrake.

There was potions, spell casting and a house quiz. Gryffindor came last, my mermaid sister was the only Ravenclaw and placed third whilst my youngest neice and nephew, or slytherins placed 2nd. Missy and I carried the Hufflepuff team and somehow placed first - mostly, I suspect, because Missy was curled up at her feet trying to look adorable.

Then came the mandrake. I was prepped, just in case this was like the petard, and, poised to capture my eldest nephews reaction who had no idea what was about to happen, and equally poised to catch Missy in case she bolted, I almost fell over in hysterics. Firstly, my nephew was absolutely bemused at the shrieking plant, and secondly, Missy went into kill mode. She was in her feet, head, ears and tail upright as she glanced this way and that for the small animal to murder. 

Perhaps she should avoid care of magical creatures. 

Then we were done. It was a quick stop at a cafe for brunch before we went to set up the party. My eldest neice had a few key things she had to have. The 18 balloons, in silver. A "selfie wall" which we set up with a silver streamer curtain and a combination of silver and purple balloons, and lastly, a cake. 

I am pleased to report, that we delivered. Myself, Mermaid and Hubby blew balloons and set up streamers and assembled cake. It was fun to catch up productively with my neice who was elated at seeing her vision come together. 

Then it was lots of photos and laughter. Once the family had had thier fun catching up, eating and commencing pokemon battles, the herd of teens arrived. There was a crossover at the cutting of the cake before the family left to make way for the teens and, for my eldest neice at least, the party commenced. 

I've received messages of thanks from all this morning for pulling off the party (I've been coordinating it in the background, as the decor and cake etc were gifts). 

My sisters visit ended today with a stop at Missys favourite restaurant, Stack and Still. The kids absolutely insisted that she get her very own pancake! We indulged them this time and they were delighted when hers arrived in a dog bowl.

And that's it. Everyone's back home. It's all gone quiet and we're all getting ready for work tomorrow. 

And I think the cake has obliterated, so a good weekend was had! 

Why 2023 Won't be "Our Year"

So. 

2022.

It's... Been a year.

Missy has gone up and down the length of the UK, from Sussex to Aberdeen and plenty in between. Highlights were most definitely our holiday at the 100 Aker Woods and our Jubilee Jamboree which spanned not one, but two posts!

We've had some real highs with her passing her PAT assessment and visiting carehomes, and some real, quite scary, lows with her going through a cancer scare at Easter time.

This year we have plenty of adventures planned, but I think we're going to be taking the world at a slower pace and try to enjoy each moment. Missy turns 10 this year, so it's not only in her benefit to slow things down, but for the wellbeing of hubby and I too. Last year was a another in a long line of years were we have consistently put others first, and we need to establish some boundaries before we burn out. 

Above: Missy demonstrating the best way to approach 2023. With adequate caution!  

So. I'm not gonna jynx anything by calling out 2023 as "my year", or saying its gonna be the best one yet, the 2020s have taught us to be cautious of such thoughts. So Missy and I are gonna wish everyone happiness and joy for 2023, because, after all, it's all we really need and want.