Armaments, Munitions and Pancakes

This weekend marks 8 years since Missy decided that she was going to come and live with us. I'm officially at that strange point with her were it feels like she's always been a part of my little family, but at the same time, how can it be 8 years?

Things are not as bad as last year with the plague (whilst there are still restrictions on mask wearing, we aren't in a lockdown again), but we decided against a big party for her. The main reason for this was that my sister was making a sneaky trip up north to come play nerf against some zombies in Foam Dart Thunders Terminal Infection. Owing to a covid outbreak, BIL couldn't make it, but I was still glad to see my sister and her friend.

It was a rapid fire weekend. I had taken the Friday off and spent it sewing and playing in the greenhouse tidying up the house in preparation for our guests. Once they arrived, we managed a quick dog walk before the worst of the snow and spent the evening catching up and nibbling on tea and cake.

Saturday did not go to plan. Well, Missy getting her presents went well, but it was the main part of the day that we were stumped with. We had discussed dog walk ideas. A sneaky dash to the zoo to see the sloths and pandas and...it was trying to snow. And the wind was howling. Even Missy looked affronted at the thought of a walk. Then I remembered, the Military Museum Scotland. I had messaged these guys back in the summer last year to confirm they allowed dogs and, other events, seasonal closures and general forgetfulness meant that it was still on our to-do list. 

With night time plans of battle and a war against the rising tide of the undead, it seemed very appropriate and we decided to pop along. Very much a hidden gem.

Its not a museum in the most common sense, more an eclectic collection of all things military in a space that, even after three laps of the room, we kept spotting new things. Missy was welcome to look anywhere she pleased and, whilst she wasn't keen on the mini trench, she very much enjoyed sniffing every corner and nook and cranny. We had a quick look outside at the much larger trench mock up and military vehicles before deciding that a stout cup of tea was calling and heading home.

I suspect we'll be back a few times. I saw a lot of things my dad would be interested in, and the in laws love these odd little museums too. The fact that Missy was welcome, even though she was not inclined to listen to the special exhibition on the Royal Observer Corps, is a bonus as it makes these little days out much easier.

Then it was home, dinner, relaxing and...zombies. This was our first Terminal Infection as players (last time we were volunteer zombies) and it was an absolute scream. It was really nice to be back at a nerf event and just run about and play games with people again. It was als our debut as Nerfys Law, and we got so many comments on the matching gear. My sister was certainly happy to hear well deserved praise on the knitting - we looked ridiculous, we knew it and we rocked it and it was tremendous fun. 

Definitely good for the soul. 

Despite much stretching when we got home, I still woke up stiff and sore, but a brisk walk with Missy saw that off. Sister is determined that she wants to be a zombie next time, so fingers crossed! We did have a chat with the event organisers about it and they were happy with the idea, so hopefully it does happen. I have grand plans for costumes, so fingers crossed!

Then it was off out to Stack and Still for a birthday brunch for Missy. The plan was for my sister and her friend to have brunch and set off back south before the weather got too gnarly. We got the usual surprised remarks from the other patrons on arrival (they really need to advertise that they allow dogs more) and a passing remark from the adjacent table had us laughing;

"Oh, look at the dog! Its so cute!"

"Is that a ribbon on her collar?"

Half beat.

"Its her birthday!"

Yes, I'd put a Birthday Girl ribbon on her. Because I officially dont care about being seen as a crazy dog mum any more. The staff were great as always, and we got Missy got a pancake all for herself - she was clearly delighted with such a rare treat!

Then it was home. Sister headed off. We tidied up. A bath is running and all is well in the world. Its funny what things make us feel like all is well again; getting out to a museum with Missy, shooting zombies with my friends and family and the mutual joy of indulgent food.

It was a slow start, but it feels like the year is getting on the right track.

February is set to be a busy month, so lets hope there's plenty more adventures to share!

A Scary Halloween

It's been a good Halloween this year! Last week the weather cheered up long enough for Missy to have her Halloween photoshoot (I was glad I did it early, we've mostly been out for a swim this week, awful weather!). Her Houndour costume hasn't had a proper photoshoot since it debuted in 2017 and, with Nintendo running a pokemon themed pet contest, I figured that you had to be in it to win it. 

Not that I expect to win, I just like joining in the fun! 

It's the same reason I joined in the pumpkin contest with the family! Some good entries this year from the family, and mine was this rather last minute ghostie. 

At least he looks pleased to see the trick or treaters. 

The main event on the calander this week was helping out as volunteer zombies for Foam Dart Thunders Terminal Infection event. We've done a few of the events before with them as players and, after seeing a call for zombie helpers, I couldn't resist. I did have a panic moment just before the event that perhaps my hubby would rather have played than volunteered (the running joke being that we have tried and failed for years to do the event - we could never secure tickets and, when we finally did, covid came along!). My fears were put aside after our zombie training when he was enthusiastically trying to come up with a costume idea.

On the day itself, we arrived early, got suited and booted, had some very nice prosthetic wounds put on and anxiously awaited. I was concerned I was going to be a rubbish zombie - I felt my lurching pace looked more comedic than frightening and I just couldn't make an undead groan more sinister than a wheeze.

To warm up, a "volunteer" took a zombie put to show everyone and, at the last moment before they returned them to our little room, they attacked and we all dragged them into our room. We were officially zombies.

I quickly found my niche. Watching the other, more experienced, zombies, I realised that they were very much thier own kind of zombie. From one pacing in circles like a cat to one contorting on the floor like an extra from the ring, we could do more than the basic shuffle and grown. I spied my first victim, too engrossed in shooting someone to spot me, lumbered over (drag, thud, drag, thud) then a quick lunge and a hiss.

I have never been more pleased with myself at scaring a child. Then a couple of the adults. And then we started ganging up on our victims. Tremendous good fun. Between games we discussed tactics and how to be the most bothersome that we could and genuinely had an amazing time. 

The clocks kindly went back for us this morning. It was a late night and, being absolutely fueled on sugar and caffeine, we didn't get to sleep until even later. Hubby had lost his voice and was very sore and stiff. 

I dont drink, but I'm fairly certain despite 4 bottles of water and 3 cans of coke, I was hungover this morning. We decided that we all deserved celebratory pancakes from Stack and Still - Halloween style. 

I asked hubby what he thought of the event and was pleasantly surprised when, unprompted, he said he wanted to be a zombie again for the next one. His reasoning being that we play the same games in the other venues, so he wasn't really missing out being a zombie. I'm rather pleased to hear that as that was my thinking too! 

We were booked on for a #leadtheway walk at Cramond (being hosted by the person who attended ours) and, after watching hubby lose his train of thought for the sixth time over pancakes, I told him to sit it out and I'd go myself. 

Missy was pleased for the excursion and, despite the fading light, we made it to the island and back. 

I am feeling it now. My zombie lurch has caught up to me and so a well deserved bath is being run! 

An excellent way to finish a horrifyingly fabulous weekend!