Bringing in 2022

It's the start of a new year and with that, the promise of new adventures to come whilst firmly closing aside 2021. 

Whilst not a bad year, as there were plenty of highlights to be had (a sneaky Disney trip, lots of visits to friends and family, Missy coming 2nd in Golden Oldie and finally having her medication sorted so itchy paws are a thing of the past, to name a few), there was a fair share of lows. Hubby was made redundant from a job he truly loved and, whilst happy doing what he's doing now, it will never replace the gap in his life. We've lost acquaintances, and almost lost close family. Good friends are struggling with the burdens of covid and burnout, and there is little I can do to help them but offer a cup of tea and an open ear. And yes, the plague we had hoped to have banished is still here making life difficult and interrupting our most simple plans. 

Yes. Whilst 2020 was a dumpster fire, the heights of 2021 have really made me feel the lows of the year much harder. 

So, that chapter is being closed and I am opening the next warily, but with optimism. 

Final comments on 2021:

Christmas this year went very well. We had decided on a low key event with my mother coming over and that being all the guests. A quick walk around the estate in the morning made me feel like the ghost of Christmas present; the streets were dark and all the curtains were open and lit, displaying families opening thier presents and running around throwing wrapping paper and glitter. 

It certainly got me in the right mood for the day. My mum turned up at 11 and we had okonomiyaki for dinner (with a Christmas twist, it being of the turkey and crispy bacon variety) which went down a treat. She humoured us in a gnome painting activity and very quickly took the whole affair very seriously. It was just the right thing to idley pass the time as we got caught up on the goings on in life and then it was time for her to head off.

A good Christmas. 

And then, as I mentioned previously, it's been redecorating. I normally deep clean the house for the bells, so I've baan anxious that it was an impossible task this year. We spent the passing of the year painting skirting together, which I suppose in its own way is what we want for the year to come, to enjoy each others company and continue to work well as a team. 

Now onto 2022.

We started out today as we meant to go on with our first #leadtheway walk, which was a Loony Dook inspired affair at Portobello. It was also our best turn out yet with half a dozen people. After Missys last walk being all girls, this time it was all boys, and she was in her element flirting with them (particularly with an Irish Terrier called Red). 

For those unaware, the Loony Dook is the practice of going swimming in the sea on the first of January. Even at an almost tropical 14C, its always been one step too far from me. Looking at the bright red cold-sore skin on show, and hearing the humorous shrieks of shock and laughter made me quite glad for my wellies as I waded in a little. Missy had to be bribed in order to try the water, and she took the biscuit and went back to her flirting on dry land. 

Some of the dogs on our walk did brave the water, and it was lovely to watch them. 

Then back home to putting up wallpaper, there truly is no rest for the wicked! 

In other news, we finally got our Wilderness Wolf badge with Dog Furiendly - the first in the pack to do so, and quite an achievement! 

Missy is wondering where the girl scout cookies are to be found...

Normally this is where I put in my hopes and plans for year to come, but I'm not going to do that this year. Yes, I have grand plans in my ever evolving wartime garden, but I'm not making elaborate plans. Or resolutions. I'm just gonna focus on making this year count, and bringing in as much good to it as I can.

And so, with great sincerity, I raise a mug of tea and, truly, wish you all a Happy New Year. 

Levelling up in the Festive Season

It's been a busy week. Between the pre-Christmas rush at work to get projects closed, getting jobs done about the house, and trying to see friends and family before the big day, we haven't really stopped.

The week started well with Missy receiving her secret santa gift (organised by Dog Furiendly), and she got a really cute collar. Over the Xmas/new year period we're planning on doing a big move about with the rooms of the house working from home is now a default status these days, and sharing my space with the guest room is proving problematic. The few times we've had guests recently result in me working in the living room and the budgies getting relocated to the media room. (The budgies are slowly getting there, Fry will join me at my desk on occasion!) 

So it's time for a change and a reshuffle, and when you do one big job, you may as well do it all, so we're levelling up on life skills by teaching hubby to lay carpets and trying a new way to hang wall paper.

Oh how exciting life is! 

We also installed a fence this weekend, which was the last garden job of the year. It's cheap and cheerful and the intention is to use it to grow a hedge on in the spring, so it's all we need! 

We managed to get the mini family Xmas organised Saturday night, and also saw old friends Sunday night, so we're well and truly worn out from the festivities! A good weekend, but I am looking forward to a quiet few days to recharge the batteries for the main event next weekend! 

A New Christmas Jumper

This weekend has been a long overdue quiet one. We got the house tidied and all the odd jobs out the way. It's a low key set up this Christmas - we're planning on using the time between Christmas and New year to get some long overdue DIY done, so it's jusg the window and a few festive ornaments. 

Which, really, is how Missy prefers it - our little Scrooge is quite happy to let the nonsense pass us all by. 

It wasn't all work and no play though - I got us all matching jumpers and, with a bit of upcycling wizardry, had a kids one adjusted for Missy. 

Next years Christmas card is going to be epic. 

Missy got to debut her new glad rags on our second shot at a Lead the Way walk, this time a Christmas themed one around Arthur's Seat. 

Despite very good ticket sales, it wasn't a very big turnout. I suspect anxiety on the new Covid strain is to blame, but nonetheless, we still had a good time with those who did come along. Missy made some new friends and we had an all girl pack hanging out together. 

Our hour walk turned into an hour and a half and Missy is worn out from all the attention. Not a bad way to finish a quiet weekend. 

Until next time! 

A Festive Weekend

This weekend was the annual visit from the in-laws to do all the Christmassy bits unique to the capital. It was a funny one this year, it was the first time Hubby could commit to joining in everything, so when we booked I was super excited for it. Then the omicron strain appeared and I was quite hesitant about crowds again. And then Storm Arwen hit which, whilst it only destroyed one fence for us, meant the In laws had no power for four days, it only coming back on on the Tuesday before they arrived the Thursday. 

Honestly, I was shocked that they didn't cancel. But on Thursday they arrived, the campervan laden down with gifts like Santa's sleigh. The gifts joined the ones in my office, which now looks more like a grotto than any sensible place to work! 

Talking of work, I had Ruby join me on Friday and she was pleasantly well behaved, at least, until her mum and dad came back when she went off like a rocket.

Ruby and Maisie have a lot in common! 

Friday evening was the Castle of Light at Edinburgh Castle. We had previously tried to attend this back in 2019, but it had been cancelled due to bad weather, so we were pleased to actually attend this year.

It was very pretty, and very quiet in terms of people. We mooched about and watched the projections and really took our time with it, which was lovely. 

Our plans of dinner in the market were scrapped as we walked past the heaving cabins and food trucks. Not only was there no limit on numbers, there was no masks or checks for tests/passports. Another time, perhaps. 

We went to the Teasses Estate Christmas Market on the Saturday. This was to be our doggy day and there were plans to enjoy the market and then walk the dogs on the grounds. 

Then the snow came. 

We made an executive decision to bail once it started to lie and, by the time we were home, I noticed on thier Instagram that they had had to close for the snow. 

We finished the evening cuddled on the sofa with the dogs and watched the new Aardman short, "Robin Robin". 

The perfect way to get back into the Christmas spirit. 

Lastly was the Christmas lights at Edinburgh Zoo. I was a bit worried about this one as I adored the lanterns of previous years. Whilst it fell short of the craftsmanship and artestry you can only achieve with physical objects, it was whimsical and quaint enough that I fell in love with it anyway.

I did have a small world moment when my brother in law rang me (normally a sign that there's an emergency) :

BIL: It's not a bad time, is it? 

Me: I'm at the zoo, doing the lights-

BIL: NO WAY!? 

Me: Where are you?! 

BIL: We're at the zoo too! 

Me: NO WAY!

So we did a dash over, said hi, got a selfie and then legged it back to the In Laws. A really fun moment to add icing to the Christmas cake, as such. 

Then it was Monday. Back to work and away went the in laws. Too quick a weekend! Missy is absolutely beat from all the excitement:

On a final Christmas note, the llamageddon is continuing:

I gave my no-prob-llama counterpart a sneak peak and she absolutely fell in love with it. After my initial, no, it's mine, Mwhahaha moment, I decided that actually, yes, it does deserve to be loved all year round in a himalayan themed craft room. 

So after it graces my window this year, it's going to make its way south to my sisters to retire in splendid glory, surrounded by crates of bright wool and fleeces. A fitting place for it! 

A Crazy Fortnight

So... Last weekend we went on an impulse trip to Disneyland Paris. Hubby used to work for the company and it was a last hurrah for a bunch of our Disney friends - with 2 weeks notice it was a lot of planning but we pulled it off and had a great time.

Missy was boarded with our dog walker and we appreciated the daily photos - no matter how much fun your having, you'll always miss them!

So that was a 6am flight the Saturday, and got home 11pm Monday, up 6am for work Tuesday. Needless to say, we've been knackered this week! Missy has very much enjoyed being home and having us back, lots of cuddles, which I'll never complain about! 

This weekend brought snow, and marked the festive turn over in the house. The window is still a work in progress, I decided last minute I wanted a new wreath, and we got the presents down and wrapped, so my office looks like Santa's grotto! 

Today was a get together with a good friend. It was one of those catch ups where you walk and talk and, realise your suddenly hungry, so stop to eat and talk and then you end up back at the car wondering how on earth its 3pm and its now getting dark. 

I didn't forget about Missy in all the gossip, she feels the cold these days so was wrapped up warm, and I brought her little dressing gown to dry off and warm up in whilst in the cafe. I've long embraced being the crazy dog parent, so my friends laughter at Missys 3 outfit changes (coat, dressing gown and harness au natural in the car) was water off a ducks back.

A short post today, hopefully we'll get to enjoy the festive weather a little longer now we're all a bit more rested for it!

Babies in Birkenhead

Its been another busy little week for us! We've started to venture out of our comfort zones a little and managed to get out and see a live music gig on Wednesday. At first I was pretty uncomfortable about the number of people, not in a "not covid safe way", just in a "I'm indoors and why is there people standing by me" kinda way, but I quickly eased into it and, whilst Hayseed Dixie is not to everyones taste, we had an excellent time.

Then came the mad dash weekend. 

Although, yes, covid tests first thing in the morning before setting off, just in case. All negative, so good to go. 

My Wirral based friend had her baby boy in August, and we wanted to go and see "Bear" (I love official nicknames, they make my life so much easier when writing about adventures!) before he was out of the newborn phase. After booking the weekend with them, we held off until the last moment to organise specific plans - I have 6 neices and nephews (some by genetics, others through the deepest friendships) so I knew there was no point in making grand plans as Bears nap schedule could change at any moment.

And yes, for those wondering, Bear is neice/nephew no 7. I didn't ask or hint, he was handed to us with the grand introduction of Aunty and Uncle. We're both very happy to have been bestowed the honour of the title.

Friday evening was the meet and greet and Saturday we went out for lunch at the Woodside Ferry Village. There was a bit of a squeeze getting us all in the car (thiers was down with engine trouble), but we arrived safe and sound and, being the one holding Ren, absolutely covered in dog hair. The hug was worth every single strand! We arrived to find a Christmas Market and excitedly ordered some very nice Japanese food. Missy and Ren are thick as thieves - they paired up on the sad eyes and Missy conducted lessons on her Hard Stare(tm). 

I bought a reflective poppy for Missys collar from the market (as if she needs more poppies, but I'm always happy to help the Poppy Legion) and the new parents bought a little fox baby grow. Bear was too little to meet Father Christmas, so Ren and Missy got to meet him instead.

Then it was back to theirs for boardgames and dinner and the most delightful homemade Biscoff slices I've ever had. A great wee day, and whilst (for us) very chill, it was nice to take things down a notch or two and just catch up.

This morning we hit the road early. But not after properly exploring Birkenhead Park. This Disneyland for dogs was less than 5 minutes from our Airbnb and, whilst we did walk it Saturday, we used Sunday to give it a proper explore. But why Doggy Disneyland? The squirrels. The sheer volume of squirrels.

Missy completely disregarded her days training on how to not chase them, and spent a solid hour stalking, sneaking on, dashing after and full on chasing the things. We instantly realised these squirrels had it sussed as Missy failed to get anywhere near them. I'm sure every dog in the Wirral must chase them as they executed perfectly planned escapes at great leisure. And not just the squirrels, the ducks and pigeons too:

An excellent way to burn beans before the big drive home. 

And that was it! Although, of course there was a sewing gift:

I couldn't find a small enough waistcoat pattern, so got some baby grows and just went for it. I'm sure these will be much easier than buttoning up a real one!

That's all for now, time for some well deserved tea and a biscoff slice... 

Seven Lochs Wetland Park

Another busy little weekend! We hosted a long overdue Murder Mystery on Saturday which, between last minute charity shop hunting for a tweed jacket and giving the whole house a deep clean, took over the whole day. It was well worth the effort though and we now have 2 more friends converted.

After much humming and hawing, I studied the COP26 site and determined that there would be no demonstrations and a trip to Glasgow would be safe to pick up our wonderful pottery from a few weeks back. I then had a look at walks near to the area of Glasgow I had to visit and spotted the Seven Lochs Wetland Park.

My mum arrived at mine early with a collar my older sister had bought for Missy. It's not as random as it sounds, it being a poppy collar for Remembrance Day. 

It's unusual to see Missy out of the trademark pink, but she does rather suit the blue. The Seven Lochs Wetland provided a beautiful backdrop for some lovely photos of Missy!

The park itself was easy to find, parking was a bit tight but we found a space and the place was huge. My mother loved the paved paths best though as we spent an hour mooching about and exploring the little side paths. With all the recent rain I had been worried we'd need wellies, but the paths and weather held out for us as we strolled in the Autumnal scenery.

This week I've been busier than one of Father Christmas' elfs sewing and stitching, but I've been enjoying the challenge! I have quite a list to still work through, but I think I'm more than halfway through it! 

However, for now I'm going to take a moment and admire by lovely plate alongside my mums. She did try very hard to sneak off with both, but I held firm to Missys!