16 December 2011

Can't make it all alone, I've built my dreams around you

Sherlock finished school for the holidays today - and this evening had a show. I got there just in time, after being stuck at a crime scene all afternoon, watching the clock tick down... There was singing, dancing, and some truly amazing violin playing from him. Everyone really enjoyed it. He looked positively angelic in his sparkly wings.

He'd played us the pieces he was going to play while everyone was singing already, but he hadn't played us one piece - another boy sang, really beautifully (he's a choir boy), and Sherlock played. It was just astounding. Sherlock said it would be okay because he "knew he wouldn't get it wrong"...it's good to know he trusts other people sometimes! Although he can't understand why you'd want to be good at something that you can grow out of...

Today is also something of an anniversary. On this day last year, Sherlock had his first brush with the law, and turned up at Scotland Yard with a PC having been accused of shoplifting from Harrods. Outing me in the process...Happily that was all sorted out... and led to me becoming err...rather better acquainted with John('s sofa), than I had been previously.

I also arrived home to an envelope telling me I'm officially a free man. Dissolution done. Finally. I am a divorcee. Dissolutionee? Very happy man.

A weekend of celebrations and festivities await.

68 comments:

Piplover said...

I'm so glad the show turned out well, and it sounds like Sherlock did an amazing job, as we all knew he would. I bet he looked positively amazing in his wings! You guys are amazing.

Also, congratulations on the dissolution! *Throws confetti*

Anonymous said...

Greg - *celebratory hug* It sounds like you had a wonderful night, even exhausted (from sewing) and overworked (from work). I'm glad that your team was very determined to "get you to the church on time," so to speak, and that you did manage to make it.

So much can change in a year, and I'm grateful to hear that it's for the better in your life (and John's and the boys'). I suppose you're all out to bit of celebration since everyone is there, so I'll leave you to it.

To me, the dissolution is wonderful news, but please don't be upset if you are upset about the end of your marriage. Every end is both happy and sad. Most of us, because we think your ex is a right git who needs to be punted off a bridge, are happy that you're completely free of him. Of course, you may have a much more complicated reaction, and I hope that Sherlockopus (and Co.) sticks around to cheer you up.

Sherlock - Congratulations to what sounds like a lovely, wonderful performance! Now, don't forget to thank John and Greg and Mrs. H for all their hard work in making your DRAMATIC wings. *hugs*

John, Mycroft - I hope you had a fantastic night. *hugs*

~A from NW

Greg Lestrade said...

A - All those times I've let some of them off to plays/parent's evenings/birthday parties is being repaid, I think! My team are fantastic.

The dissolution...I'm sad for what could have been. But this is very much for the best.

Small Hobbit said...

L - Congratulations on the dissolution.

Sherlock - delighted to hear how well your performance went.

All of you - have a great weekend.

Anon Without A Name said...

Sherlock - well done on what sounds like a wonderful performance.

Lestrade - congratulations on the divorce (blimey, I just realised that I'm old enough for that to sound odd). I'm so glad you completely free of that relationship. And happy anniversary on your getting better acquainted with both John and his soft furnishings :-p

I hope you all have a lovely weekend :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

Thank you, Nameless. Christmas-tree-buying is top of our (Sherlock's) list. And some decorations, too, I think.

And I need to work out what to feed everyone. I have some idea, but need to work out the detail!

John H. D. Watson said...

I had no idea it was our couchiversary until you mentioned it. Too busy thinking about sequins and herding small children. Good day for it though. A happy day all around.

Greg Lestrade said...

You were, by Mrs T's account, a Godsend in the children-herding department.

I won't ask which sequins you were thinking of...

It certainly is a happy day. God, Sherlock was just brilliant. And the weekend is looking good, too.

John H. D. Watson said...

He really was amazingly good, better than when he played for us at home even. I don't know how he does it.

I'm very very excited for the tree, too. Ridiculously so, probably.

Greg Lestrade said...

I'm excited that you're excited :)

Sherlock did glare at me earlier and say 'no kissing with John until we've found the BEST tree. It's important.'

So...yeah, watch that. (I said 'even if there's mistletoe?' He didn't dignify that with an answer.)

John H. D. Watson said...

It doesn't count if he doesn't see us. Ornaments tomorrow too?

Greg Lestrade said...

You know it's going to be completely manic in town, don't you??

But yes, we need to. So if it doesn't take Sherlock and Mycroft 8 hours to pick the perfect tree, then we should. Or do it the other way around. Or...anyway, yes. The next two days should be given over to decorations and decorating and filling the flat with festive cheer.

Right now...might have to celebrate the Couchiversary :)

John H. D. Watson said...

You know it's going to be completely manic in town, don't you??

Because it's Christmas!

Excellent, but maybe with a change of venue.

Greg Lestrade said...

hah, a change of venue would be good. I mean, I've been sleeping on your couch for a year now... ;)

Yeah...right. Manic Christmas crowds...can I handcuff Sherlock to me before we go? Or to you.

C'mon, or it will be a teenage fumble on the couch.

John H. D. Watson said...

He'll stick with us. He hasn't got enough money for a tree on his own this year.

Coming, dear.

Greg Lestrade said...

Ha, I'd double check your wallet in the morning.

Already? This is like a teenage fumble...I haven't touched you yet! Hope you've got the recovery time of a teenager too....

Greg Lestrade said...

Sherlock + a department full of sparkly decorations...he's in heaven.

Greg Lestrade said...

Mycroft now despairing at how tacky it all is.

I'm on his side.

Sherlock still in heaven and not bored. Will tempt him away from decorations with promise of coffee and cake shortly I hope.

John wavering between excitement and agreeing a lot of it is tacky.

John H. D. Watson said...

It's Christmas, it's supposed to be tacky!

Tell him we can't get the tree until we're done here. That should do it.

Anon Without A Name said...

I think the crucial thing with sparkly stuff, is to have a little bit of it, in a slightly minimalist setting, so that the sparkle stands out more.

Like Sherlock's wings. If everyone had been wearing sparkly wings, his wouldn't have looked so DRAMATIC.

So maybe a little bit of ultra-sparkle, with everything else being a little more tasteful. Um, I mean, less sparkly.

And you're going to tempt Sherlock with coffee? 0_0 I am trying to imagine a caffeinated Sherlock. I'm scared.

Greg Lestrade said...

Nameless - God, no. Coffee for me, cake and juice for him. Hot chocolate if he's lucky.

Is it unseemly for a mid-forties DI to threaten to lie on the floor and have a tantrum if he doesn't get coffee soon?

Sherlock, seriously, all the good trees will be gone if we don't buy one VERY soon. And then there'll be nothing to hang our new baubles/decorations on.

Of course, they won't be gone if we at least stop for take away coffee on the way...

John H. D. Watson said...

Uh oh, meltdown approaching... (I won't say whose.)

I'll bring him back some time in the week so he can stare at everything to his heart's content.

Greg Lestrade said...

Git :) mine isn't meltdown, it's cold turkey.

Come down one day in the week and kidnap me for lunch? All the joys of seeing the three of you, but I don't have to trudge through the crowds.

John H. D. Watson said...

Absolutely. We can come after we've been here and ride in on a wave of glitter.

Come on, let's get you caffeinated.

Small Hobbit said...

Doc - I now have visions of you marching through the shop with a six-year-old in one hand and a mid-forties DI in the other and saying that if they don't behave you will take them both straight home. And Mycroft giving a good impression of never having met any of you before.

John H. D. Watson said...

Are you psychic? That is eerily accurate!

Greg Lestrade said...

it's kind of sad that I'm this addicted, right? But...a happy sort of sad, because coffee really is so tasty and lovely.

Ride in on sparkly unicorns, Danger?

SH - Are you stalking us? That's an uncannily accurate portrayal of this scene.

John H. D. Watson said...

Ride in on sparkly unicorns

Obviously.

You could try to cut down a bit in the new year. Say from X cups to X - 1...although if, as I suspect, X = infinity...

Greg Lestrade said...

Yeah, I should. Could start by drinking tea when I'm around you...be easier, right? And would be cutting down the caffeine a bit.

And then...can you buy alarms, like the ones for radioactivity? Or a dog training collar, that shocks me whenever I reach for the coffee pot? It's as much a habit as an addiction.

I've got quite a few resolutions lined up for the new year...

John H. D. Watson said...

Ha. Like a little robotic voice that talks to you? Toxic caffeine levels, warning, warning!

Like what? Or will that ruin the surprise?

Greg Lestrade said...

yeah, like that!

Honestly though...cigarettes last year - well, mostly. Caffeine should be easy, right?

Just...things about the way I live my life. I'll post them all on here, so I'm accountable. Planning my time better, not working so much, things like that.

God, this coffee is good though...

John H. D. Watson said...

I think you do pretty well at those things already, just so you know. I know it's not easy.

Piplover said...

My brother could easily go through 2 or 3 pots before lunch. Before. Lunch. That can't be healthy!

He has steadily worked his way down to one pot before lunch, but still...

I guess I just don't understand it, as coffee makes me physically sick and I cant' stand the taste of it. To me, even the smell can be nauseating.

Greg Lestrade said...

I think there needs to be a re-balance, Danger. And some dedicated time to staying fit. Nothing dramatic, just little changes.

Piplover - I can do that if it's good coffee! Although lunch often comes very late. But I don't. Maybe five or six mugs, on average? About the same in the afternoon.

Piplover said...

0_o Five or six? Before lunch? And then after?

How do you not float away?? After two cups of tea it feels like my teeth are about to start treading!

I don't think I will ever understand coffee drinkers.

John H. D. Watson said...

They are a strange breed, it's true.

Greg Lestrade said...

Oi, you!

No stranger than those who choose to spend time with us, I'm sure!

Is there a tree in the world which has deigned to grow correctly for Sherlock??

John H. D. Watson said...

No, but many are the perfect size for kissing behind. Just saying.

Greg Lestrade said...

You're a bad man.

If Sherlock catches us, I'm blaming you.

Don't Christmas trees smell amazing? Can't believe it's a year since...last year.

The smell of Christmas trees in your sitting room will always remind me of you, me and the sofa. :)

John H. D. Watson said...

Not too much of the sofa, I hope. That could get awkward.

Also, I looked online and there actually is a place where you can go and cut your own trees down, not too far away. Maybe next year?

Greg Lestrade said...

I shall control myself, promise. Well, most of the time.

Sounds good. Can Sherlock visit it all through the year to make it grow as he wishes? Topiary, training, etc.?

I think Sherlock's narrowed it down to about 8 to choose between now.

John H. D. Watson said...

Maybe he can go and pick it out early so he'll have more time. Say, in June.

Greg Lestrade said...

And finally, we have a tree.

John H. D. Watson said...

It's a Christmas miracle.

Greg Lestrade said...

Honestly, tree, decorations, smiley boys, you...hallelujah.

I'm almost expecting a slightly tarnished little halo to appear above Sherlock's curls any moment.

Now I'm going to sit down and plan how to feed 12 people with a loaf of bread and a few fish.

John H. D. Watson said...

Right, let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

Piplover said...

L - are there things you can cook beforehand, maybe a day or two before, so that you aren't trying to do everything the day of? I know my prepares some of the dishes the day before, like the casserole or the dessert. That may reduce some of your stress.

Greg Lestrade said...

Danger, you can be chief of choices.

Piplover - I'll try to plan it that way, but honestly, it's not a stress, I enjoy cooking. And I'll have lots of help.

John H. D. Watson said...

chief of choices

What does this entail, exactly?

Greg Lestrade said...

I say...do you think Seared Tuna, Courgette Tempura and Lemon Aïoli sounds nice for Christmas Eve...and you say 'Yes', or 'Tuna sounds nice but not courgette' or 'I'd rather have Monkfish/trout etc.' or 'but you've forgotten Sherlock's decided he hates lemon at the moment'. That sort of thing. Like when I forgot Sherlock was boycotting green beans that week, for reasons only known to him.

John H. D. Watson said...

Lovely. That sounds like the sort of cooking job I can handle.

John H. D. Watson said...

Oh, and it does sound good by the way. In case that wasn't a theoretical example.

Greg Lestrade said...

It wasn't, so good.

Anything that's a must-have for you for the Christmas Dinner? Something you had as a kid, or in the Army when exposed to all those American traditions...?

Should ask the boys the same question. It'll probably be caviar or something...

John H. D. Watson said...

It sounds amazing actually.

How do you feel about parsnips?

Greg Lestrade said...

How do you feel about roast parsnips with a touch of maple syrup?

John H. D. Watson said...

Delicious. :)

Greg Lestrade said...

Right...subject to change, but:

Roast goose.
Roast potatoes
Maple roast parsnips
Squash, sage and crème fraîche mash.
Red cabbage, apples and sherry vinegar
Bacon wrapped chipolatas
Shallot, sage and hazelnut stuffing
plus gravy...and stuff.

And pudding.

And probably a starter.

John H. D. Watson said...

Ah, stuff. My favourite.

That sounds completely amazing. I'm impressed already.

Greg Lestrade said...

There might be things as well, if you're good...

Mycroft and Mrs H both want to help, and Sherlock said he'd help you...hah. So it should be okay. And I can prep the goose a bit the day before, and some of the veg. And...yeah. It'll be good. Fun. It's nice just to be able to go all-out and cook lots of things.

I'm doing the night on the 23rd, so have got the day on the 23rd and 24th off, for last minute shopping/prep/enjoying spending time with you three.

Sherlock said...

This is going to be the best Christmas anyone had ever!

Anon Without A Name said...

What, no sprouts? ;-p

Greg Lestrade said...

AH! Nameless - I was going to do a gratin of sprouts, bacon, cream and almonds. Add that to the list, Danger.

John H. D. Watson said...

Added. And I agree with Sherlock.

Small Hobbit said...

Now, am I the only one on here who's rather wishing they could join you?

Kholly said...

Any chance of getting the recipe for the squash, sage, ceme fraiche mash? That sounds fantastic.

And yes Sherlock, the best Christmas ever. I'm slightly jealous though I'm sure mine will be lovely as well. I'm busy today over spending on each of my siblings gifts.

Greg Lestrade said...

Sherlock...I think we might all agree with you there. It'll be really special spending it with you boys and John - and everyone else! I miss big Christmasses. And this one will be really special.

Kholly - sure! I'll do a post with it in sometime.

Rider said...

Sounds good. I have no idea what I'm eating Christmas Day, probably some sandwiches or wraps and a bit of fruit cake.

I might chuck some lamb shanks in the slow cooker before I go so I have a decent dinner.

Wonder what the weather will be like. Christmas Day morning is good for a bit of a fang around the local racer roads because most people are in bed.

Getting on for lunch they are all in their cars visiting relatives so the roads are packed with cars full of screaming kids. Then in the afternoon evening they are going home, kids still screaming and parents either drunk or screaming at the kids or each other.

REReader said...

In case you didn't see it Friday, Sherlock--three cheers and much applause! Both for the wonderful performance and the amazing surprise!

Lestrade, many congratulations on the dissolution! It's a good, solid period to that part of your life. (Emotions aren't so tidy, of course. So some hugs, for all of it.)

Sherlock said...
This is going to be the best Christmas anyone had ever!


Sherlock, I think you have got that exactly right! :)


And guess what? Turns out that I will be having a holiday party on Christmas day, too! One of my sisters always hosts a big family Chanukah on Sunday (since Chanukah runs eight days, there is always at least one Sunday during Chanukah), and of course this year that is also Christmas! There will be latkes (fried potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (fried jelly- or cream-filled donuts); the rest is subject to change, but is likely to include pizza and pasta and fish and salads, so that we can have sour cream on our latkes, mmmmmmmmmm.

(Because we can't have meat and dairy products in the same meal, Sherlock. And because like you, the sister that is hosting this year thinks pizza is good anytime. ... So do I.)

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