5 January 2013

It's not perfect but it's getting closer

Had a fairly good day today.

Did the long ride to Bristol with the boys - Sherlock was so determined he'd be fine on the back that John and I decided we'd just stop along the way anyway, because we were fairly sure he'd refuse to ask if he did want to stop because he was getting tired.

So it was a slow, but very enjoyable, ride down.

Sherlock is now the owner of a harness, which goes around him, then around my waist - just in case he did slip, lose concentration or fall asleep.

It was great to see Nicky, and then John and I headed off to see Mum.

She's doing a lot better. Can walk with a frame, for short distances. Sits up most of the day, her speech is a bit clearer and she just seems more...alert. More aware of what's going on.

Nicky's being an angel - not only visiting Mum, but also checking on her house, taking her clothes and things, washing. She's just...being brilliant.

Anyway, tomorrow is all the chaos that getting two boys back to school can bring...

53 comments:

John H. D. Watson said...

And for now, sleep?

Greg Lestrade said...

...yeah. I'm not really...I dunno. I'm a bit restless.

pandabob said...

I'm glad you got a strap for Sherlock because it must help you concentrate on the bike rather than worrying about him which can only be safer for both of you :-)

You are really very sweet about Nicky, shes lucky to have a brother who appreciates her like you do.

Good luck with school prep, its been nice having Mycroft around for a while.

John H. D. Watson said...

L - I can make tea? I'm afraid I may be dozing on you shortly though.

Greg Lestrade said...

Tea's good. And you can go to bed if you want. Or doze on me - although bed will, I imagine, be better for you.

John H. D. Watson said...

I like dozing on you though.

Greg Lestrade said...

Don't want to have to wake you up when I do go to bed.

But I like you dozing on me too.

Greg Lestrade said...

(He is dozing on me. And muttering. And snuffling.)

pandabob said...

How cute :-) I hope it works like holding a sleeping baby and you're soon drifting off yourself :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

Well...I am going to shift him to the bedroom.

What do you think the chances are that I could carry him? in my arms, not over my shoulder!

REReader said...

The real question is whether you can lift/carry him without throwing out your back.... :)

I'm glad to hear your mother's doing better, and as much or more that your visit went better. And I love the image of the four of you zooming along on the bikes!

REReader said...

Also, much applause for Nicky, that's a much harder job than most people realize, and it's lovely that you DO realize!

Anonymous said...

The real question is whether you can lift/carry him without throwing out your back.... :)

Just lift with your legs, Lestrade. ;)

(But seriously, and not that I want Lestrade to hurt himself, but wouldn't that just be the rebuttal that John needs for every short joke ever?)

Greg Lestrade said...

He woke up and wriggled free of my attempt to carry him. He doesn't like being carried.

REReader said...

(Heh heh, Ella!)

I guess the experimental subject should get a say. :) Good night, gentlemen!

Greg Lestrade said...

Going late to bed means I think I just spotted La Befana on her broomstick. Wonder if she's left any presents for the boys here? Wonder if the three of them have been good enough?

REReader said...

:)

(I vaguely remember you discussing that last year, but I had to look it up.)

Anonymous said...

We don't get visits from La Befana, but Epiphany means people in New Orleans can start buying King Cake! Carnival Season is here, y'all!

Anonymous said...

Glad the visit with your mum went ok - and your sister is doing a great job! Just tell her to relax once in a while, ok?
Have fun on the bikes when you travel to Harrow! And I'm sure if there are presents, everyone will have earned one :-)
Tina

Sherlock said...

I got sweets and some coal, but it's coal you can eat and we're going to have a big lunch because Mycroft's going back to school.

REReader said...

Candy coal? What fun!

Greg Lestrade said...

Amazingly hard to find here, too. Despite most kids surely deserving it!

REReader said...

It's a beautifully subversive idea! (And very sweet of you to go to all that trouble. :))

John H. D. Watson said...

I got coal too... What are you trying to imply, mister? Hmm?

Greg Lestrade said...

RR - subversive?

Danger - it's tradition! La Befana knows that no-one is good all the time, so she gives out coal (but sweet coal - so it's still a treat!) to remind us that none of us is perfect, and then the normal sweets to reward us. Anyway, if you've got a problem, you need to take it up with her.

Anonymous said...

Candy coal is lovely stuff.

Happy Old Christmas, everyone! Time to take the tree down.

rsf

pandabob said...

Thats a far more balanced idea than the all or nothing santa thing :-)

I've never seen edible coal but it sounds really quite interesting.

John H. D. Watson said...

That's actually really lovely. I think I prefer her to Santa.

REReader said...

(Subversive because it makes a scold into a treat. Lovely!)

Sherlock said...

We should definitely keep both I like you pretending there's Father Christmas too but I like the witch as well can we always have both?

REReader said...

What flavor is candy coal?

Greg Lestrade said...

RR - I suppose I don't think of it as being in the least subversive, because it's tradition. Although it did really used to be coal, at one point, although some people gave out onion and garlic to bad kids and sweets to the good ones. And some people are still more rigid about it all.

The candy coal I got hold of is peppermint, but you can get it in aniseed, more often, or sometimes it's sugar or marshmallow coated in licorice. I'd have made it myself if I hadn't been under constant observation. I probably would have made some mint and some cinnamon.

La Befana is also meant to sweep your floor for you... good luck to her around here!

Sherlock - we can keep both, yeah. I'm sure she and St Nick get along just fine.

REReader said...

It's a much better message with the candy--sounds yummy, too, all ways!

(Sweeps floors, does she? Definitely someone you want to invite again! :D)

Piplover said...

I had never heard of her until you mentioned her. It sounds like a lovely tradition! And I like that no one is perfect so you get a bit of both sweet and not so sweet.

Anonymous said...

for someone who had such a difficult upbringing you know of some wonderful traditions Lestrade :)

Greg Lestrade said...

Just rushing out the door to deliver Mycroft back - but yeah, my Nonna and Nonno were very keen on us learning things like this. And very kind. They carried a huge amount of guilt about what my Dad did - even though it wasn't their fault! They were very good to Nicky and I. We were incredibly lucky to have them in our lives growing up.

Anon Without A Name said...

I hope you've had a lovely break, Mycroft, and that you have an interesting and peaceful new term at school.

REReader said...

I'm sure they felt every bit as lucky to have you two, L.

So, Sherlock, did you have a happyl holiday? You're going to have so much to tell Mrs N about!

Greg Lestrade said...

Back to a very quiet flat...

Even Sherlock's subdued. He's got the degus running about in the sitting room.

REReader said...

Cuddling degus does cheer people up...

Greg Lestrade said...

Yeah. Shame I can't borrow them once he's gone to bed.

pandabob said...

Are you not feeling at your best Greg? I'm sure he'd lend them to you if you asked :-)

John H. D. Watson said...

I can offer myself in place of degus, but I won't actually fit in your pocket.

Greg Lestrade said...

...almost though, eh? ;) Thanks. I'll take you up on that.

AnonyBob - no, not really. I'll be fine though. And I know he'd lend them to me, but I don't want to risk waking him when I put them back in their cage! Or keeping them up too late.

Sherlock said...

You can have one for now, you can even choose which one.

John H. D. Watson said...

Sometimes I think boarding schools in general are just a terrible idea.

REReader said...

That's very good of you, Sherlock.

pandabob said...

I know you'll be fine Greg :-) but remember there are people around who'll help any way they can :-)

have a nice evening cuddling your doc :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

Thanks, Sherlock. That's very kind of you. Can I feed her some oats?

Danger - yeah. I really miss him.

John H. D. Watson said...

Yeah. Me too.

Greg Lestrade said...

AnonyBob - cheers. Dunno, was a bit down anyway, and now the place is so quiet...y'know.

On the upside, trying to convince Danger I'm not teasing him about camel rustling, I'm just continuing an Italian tradition!

John H. D. Watson said...

Your camels are much sweeter than real camels.

pandabob said...

I'm sorry you're feeling less than brilliant Greg and I'm also sorry that you've lost your partner in crime for a few weeks, maybe you need to concentrate on training Sherlock as your apprentice ;-)



Mycroft if you get chance to read this, good luck back at school :-)

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