Linhouse Glen

The first adventure of 2024 is done! That's not to say I haven't been busy - yesterday was a non-dog-friendly trip to the Irn Bru Carnival which was a blast, but left me both exhausted and too full of sugar.

So what to do when you have a day to yourself, you're tired but restlessly full of sugar and low key anxiety? Go for a two hour walk to see what you can find. 

Which is how I ended up at Linhouse Glen with Missy. We have previously explored this Scottish Nature Reserve, but it was a fleeting visit against the oncoming dark, so it was nice to have the morning to freely roam with the only threat bimeing the potential loss of a welly in the mud. 

Missy enjoyed herself too - between busy working schedules, the ongoing battle of the early nights and general life ad nauseum, she's been getting the park walk twice a day every day. It's a good walk, and most consider us very lucky to have it on our doorstep, but even I was getting bored of the same circle (hubby and I go in different directions, so one walk is clockwise and the other anti clockwise, to try and bring some variety to the day for Missy). 

Despite the cold, it was a pleasant walk. No sensible creature is awake from hibernation yet, so Missy trotted from tree to tree and sniffed to her hearts content. I also had a moment of childhood joy as a train passed us at the crossing point - it carried freight, and there's something thrilling about such a machine blasting past you in close proximity. 

If course we were very safe, and Missy was securely on her lead as we crossed. Although there was a moment of hilarity when, instead of going under the style to get to the path, Missy nimbly hopped onto the step, turned and sat down primly. 

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Guys. It's finally happened. The dog is now asking for her photo to be taken! I'm sure no one would belive me, but I managed to catch it on film as I was gathering footage for a tiktok. 

I am proud to say though that she has a good eye! :

A Very Quiet Start

Missy has the right plan I feel, hiding under the covers and letting winter pass over. As implied in my last post, my Big Sisters MIL made it home, and sadly passed away on the first of January. She's the last of that generation on my side, which I think has added more profoundly to the loss. I've been doing my best to support my sister, mostly just lending an ear and some kind words.

We did our usual and stayed with friends for the Bells, and had my Manchester sister up for First Footing. We coordinated a play date for all the kids, which in hindsight, was a great idea as we adults weren't our best when we got the news. 

I like to think my somewhat subdued energy was forgiven when my neice and nephew received thier viking outfits - they can now join thier mum in the living village at the reenactments. My neice,rather coincidentally had viking homework and had to film a little video about viking Home Life. My sister had been honest in that my niece deliberately dragged those little heels in order to to film in her outfit, which she knew was on its way. I had to speed up my deadline, but I think it paid off. I even had time to make my sister a cloak in green wool during thier stay. 

There was less a mini Xmas and more a gathering of the clan during thier visit and then they were off. I took my eldest neice and nephew out rollerskating on the Saturday, mostly to get them out the house and also to let my neice know that it's OK to have fun even if you are mourning. 

And that's been it. Work has been a hit the ground running sort of week and I can't complain, it's been good to get back in the swing of things. Talking about the swing of things, I'm wanting to get into a good routine this year with adventures and get Missys tiktok going a it more, but I've decided resolutions can start in February this year.

Until whenever I next post, stay safe and give those you love a wee hug. 

And That's the End of the 2023 Season

Well, it all sort of fell apart at the end there - this year certainly wasn't going to go easy on me!

Since the last post we went to the Beecraigs Festival of lights, hosted Friendmas, then we had our liverpudlian friends stay with us, complete with Ren:

After that was the home run to Christmas. Well, it should have been, I was drafted last minute to sew curtains for the eldest sister. Her MIL (which, seeing as I was 10 when she turned up in my life is really a bonus grandparent at this point) is very unwell so is moving in with my sisters family until she's ready to move on to whatever the next adventure is. This meant a very last minute, very urgent refit of the conservatory and a lot of hemming needing done. A lot. 

Of course, muggins showed up trying to save the day armed with the sewing machine and presents.... And promptly face planted as soon as I was out the car. Downplaying my new war wounds, the curtains were fixed and I hoped that karma was gonna be on my side for a little bit. 

Did I mention that was the Thursday and we were flying the Saturday? 

We finally ticked Christmas at Disneyland Paris off the bucket list. My good dead paid off as, despite my knee looking like a bruised grapefruit, everything went smoothly. Flights on time. Taxis on time. Got booked into the hotel no problem. It went perfectly.

We followed the American tradition and gave out gifts to all the staff on Christmas day... Which totally isn't a thing in Paris. St Nick was looking down in us though as our merry gift giving was met with absolute shock and delight from the cast. So much so that we were gifted with some complimentary fast passes from the lovely crew at the train station - we absolutely did not expect any kind of reciprocation to the key chains we gave out, so we were absolutely dumbstruck to be pulled aside and handed them.

Honest thoughts? If you just want to go for the season, go at the start of the month as it was heaving. If you want to be crazy and try and start a new tradition giving out cards, then go for it. That's what made the day actually feel like Christmas to us. 

Missy was not forgotten - she had a midweek break being spoiled at our friends. We had sent her off with a mystery stocking and really did appreciate the photos of her "opening" it. 

Then it was home and here we are. Hubby is back to work (the joys of retail) and I've been catching up on sewing and generally trying to recharge my very much exhausted batteries. 

Talking sewing, hubby was very unimpressed with the Wish merchandise. We had a tremendously wonderful meet and greet with Asha, the main protagonist, and he wanted Star. But the only Stars available were either ginormous, or hard and not very snuggly. So I present to you, my first attempt at designing my own embroidery pattern for the face, Star:

Is he a bit too chubby? Yes. Is he a bit wonky and out of proportion? Absolutely. Does he look like he's wearing a onsie? Yes, although I don't understand how. But am I chuffed to bits with it, and more importantly, is hubby? Yes. So all is well. 

On that note, I hope you all have a lovely festive season. I'd also like to wish you all a happy New Year and most importantly, I wish you all a 2024 that offers you no more than can fit on your plate. I am done hoping for "my year" and so I merely ask that it be one with trials I can cope with with dignity and grace.

As is tradition, I raise my cup of tea to you all. I hope the chapter can be cleanly closed on 2023 with the happy moments at the front of it, and that 2024 offers many more to you. 

Santa Paws is Coming to Town

I mean, we all know which ones on the nice list and which ones on the naughty list!

This weekend we had not one, but two trips to see Father Christmas. The first one my brother insisted we book back in September which was the official Grotto experience at Dobbies. That was tremendous fun as we arrived early enough to bump into the back if the previous slot, so we were in a lovely queue of dogs all in thier Christmas jumpers.

Maisie was clearly keen to impress as she bravely put up with bring in hers whilst Missy got lots of attention as the cutest one in a llama jumper as both hubby and I wore ours. Cringy. Maybe. But dud we make a lot of people smile? Absolutely. Which makes it all worthwhile. 

After a stop at the Dobbies cafe for breakfast (it would have been rude not to! ) we headed over to Jollyes for thier 1 year anniversary party, featuring (you've guessed it) Santa Paws!

He was clearly feeling more energetic after a morning cuddling dogs - we were treated to a sing along and stories before being given chocolates. 

Not a bad wee day! 

Sunday was a sewing day. I had completed the last of the Christmas sewing on Thursday and was pleased to get on with a different project. A pair of bride and groom sloths are slowly coming together (no pun intended) and I'm pleased with how they have turned out so far.

I had Maisie again so my brother could push on with his Xmas shopping and then I picked up hubby from work and we went along to the Beecraigs Festival of Light with my older sister, BIL and nephew. To say it's been a year for my poor sister is an understatement and truth be told, I think she really needed the distraction. Hubby and I were running about with out nephew and generally being upbeat and silly, who resulted in some of the nicest photos of my nephew taken this year! My sister held an owl and hubby got his photo with "Weegie Olaf" at "Freezin" and Anna and Elsa too.

My sister lamented about not being able to bring the dogs, but thats the way it is, the event was far too busy to drag a poor dog about in. 

And I'm sure Missy was pleased for the quiet evening. She was beat after a weekend putting up with her cousin (who we were shocked to learn had made it onto the nice list, she clearly smuggled some cookies in that jumper) and was sound asleep when we eventually got home.

All in all, a fan wee weekend. 

And there's more Christmas fun to come! 

Until next week! 

Swiftly Moving Through December

After a giid year for updates, I've rather fallen at the last hurdle. December has always been a ridiculously busy month and 2023 is no exception. 

Last weekend was spent playing board games and watching anime with my nephew who had come to stay and this week the beds have had the in laws in them.

I really must start charging as a b and b! 

I've been managing to fit in some nice walks, although the weather has definitely changed for the worst. Friday night brought in - 6C and today has been nothing but torrential rain. Fortunately Missy dislikes the rain as much and me, so it was a short afternoon walk! 

And thats the updates. This week is quiet as far as weeks go and the focus is finishing Christmas crafts. But it's not all work and no play - keep an eye out this weekend for a special day planned for Missy! 

Until then! 

In Quiet Remembrance

Been off grid a bit these last few weeks. There's been a lot going on socially, which is something I will never complain about - it's good to have friends who want to see you.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is that after the Halloween shenanigans, things didn't ease up any and so I found myself on the Remembrance day weekend with Maisie in tow just having a quiet one. Hubby has self diagnosed Man-Flu which I have now successfully caught, though of a weaker strain. The work of the flu jab which I got privately through work, or better genetics? I'll let you decide.

Either way, my significant apathy was explained when I woke up with aching kidneys and my voice an octave lower.

Despite the frosty starts to the morning, the weather was kind for Maisies visit. She was a star pupil as always and ate all her food, including the dreaded lamb. (Backstory, once a month or so my Brother gives me a dozen sachets of lamb dog food. Apparently Maisie will eat the chicken, turkey and beef, but will not eat lamb for him. Financially it's still cheaper for him to buy the multipack, and so Missy gets the lamb). Well, you guessed it. I didn't have anything but the lamb in jelly (she also won't eat gravy) and the madame gobbled it all up and almost beat Missy to be the first to finish.

I'm fairly convinced she has my Brother trained at the point! 

And that was the weekend. There was much crafts (the Xmas deadline is approaching) and the hubby and I powered through Ms Marvel. It was good, but you won't be hooked till episode 4.

And this week has been a misadventure in DIY. The time line was fairly tight to begin with, but throw in us both having colds and getting the hallway skirting painted and a carpet put in has become a true quest. (Spoiler, we did not manage the carpet, however, all the prep has been done, so halfway there).

So. Remembrance. 

I will warn you now that its gonna get soppy.

This weekend we three sisters boarded planes to go see our Dad. As I've said before, he's unwell and we have an indeterminate time left of him being the dad we remember. His big wish was to have all 4 of his daughters together again. Yep. Another sibling. Though really more a cousin at this point - a nine year age gap and only seeing them twice a year until you were 14 kinda stops a relationship forming. There's no menace in it. It is what it is. So I've been orchestrating that behind my dad's back for a while now - let me tell you, whilst sibling 4 had the right idea of wouldn't a surprise be wonderful, I'd been having kittens that someone somewhere else was gonna double book him. So last week, on the eve of Remembrance day when I know my dad was hurting that he couldn't attend the parade, his wife let the cat out the bag. If nothing else, knowing the lift he got from that, it was worth the low key anxiety I've had for literal months.

I am very pleased to say that the visit was perfect. My dad was like a peacock strutting about in absolute delight. There was lots of photos. Lots of food. He had got us all Christmas presents and insisted we open them (I'm not entirely sure he's ever forgiven us for growing up, it ruined Christmas for him) and he grinned like the Cheshire Cat all day. It was lovely to see him so happy. We had all been anxious about the what ifs and the maybes and honestly, everyone out preformed themselves on best behaviour.

Except the dogs - but that's because Missy wasn't there to keep them in their place! (Seriously, Jock, the very grumpy daschund took one look at me and barked the house down. I clearly haven't been forgiven yet for bringing Missy into his home!)

And thats a wrap. It was a whirlwind day yesterday and I for one am knackered. Missy has been most unimpressed with the cold and damp weather of late and has rather enjoyed our quiet day today cuddled on the sofa quietly crafting.

So, as I do each year, I will silently raise my mug of tea in thanks and remembrance. Not just to those we remember each year in November, but also to everyone we hold dear. 

Till next time

Gunpowder, Treason and Plot

So yeah, it's November. Not sure how that happened! 

Well, I do. I spent last week with my head down being very busy with work, having a friend staying over and blitzing through a speed run to build my latest ensemble:

Y'all, I was the wickedest witch. I got to scare the absolute pants off of grown men and women during the special Halloween ghost tours at the House of the Binns. Hearing a legit adult stall and mutter the gloriously Scottish "Aw, Hell naw" was an utter delight. 

Seeing as I'm normally as frightening as a kitten caught short in it's litter box, I was legitimately concerned about being cast as the witch. When I volunteered to help, I thought I was gonna be collecting tickets, or waving folk into parking spaces, not creeping about like an extra from the Ring. 

But where's the hat I hear you cry? I did get to don it at the Steam and Scream event in Bo'ness:

I mean, hubby said it made me look like Granny Weatherwax, but if you know who she is then I take that as a compliment! 

After all that, I was too beat for anything else. Missy doesn't much care for Halloween, after the 5th set of kids guising, shes fed up and goes to bed. So I think she rather enjoyed the series of lie ins that we had, and the early morning cuddles in bed. And that brings us to this weekend.

We continued on the Halloween theme with our good friends coming over with the twins for a late Halloween party yesterday. This was followed by a dash into town to see Aladdin in the theatre (amazing) before getting home far too late. 

So today was a nice calm day. Missy has enjoyed the respite from the storms this weekend and was playing with all the boys this morning before my brother turned up to drop off Maisie for a sleepover. 

Pouty does not like fireworks. To her they are evil. They are sneaky and scary and bad. And she absolutely should not be left alone with them chapping on the window and door - with my brother working nights, it was inevitable and I volunteered to have her over.

Between Missys absolutely apathy of them, Classic Fms curated Pet Classics play list and a steady stream of distractions, she's doing OK. Maisie isn't her usual cheery self, but she hasn't tried to hide under the sofa, or make any use of the nest built for her, so I'm gonna call that a successful endeavour. 

Until next week!