17 January 2013

Open up your skull, I'll be there

Dealt with some annoying people today. Industrial accident, so lots of people desperate to pass the buck, and certain people who seem to think I fell off the top of the Christmas tree, instead of getting more than my share of grey hairs becoming DI the traditional way.

Anyway, got home, leant against the worktop having a rant at John about it (he told me to!) and Sherlock, as he occasionally does, decided to climb me.

It was only about halfway through that I realised how completely...normal it all is :) Made me smile.

He starts standing on my foot, then grabs my arms because I usually have them crossed, and pulls up, then either I cross my legs so he can jam his foot in at knee-height, or he uses the top of the stitched padding in my knees (biking trousers.) to get to the next point, then he tries to grab around my neck and I automatically cup a hand for his other foot to go in, then today, he used the worktop for the final ascent onto my shoulders... And all this is now done without a word! He knows I'll stand there, I know he'll climb me, I attempt to keep up the conversation with John, as I peer around arms and hands and knees that obscure the view.

This sort of thing just makes me so happy. From the little boy who ran away and hid from us, to a little mountaineer...

I also made a rash promise to Sherlock about what we'll do if John does go on this course. I will be held accountable, clearly. He's not going to let me forget! (Neither is John...)


We're waiting to see what tomorrow brings, now...snow is forecast. Not that much, but Sherlock has begged to go out in it, and I'm sure we will. He said parts of the pond at school have frozen, so he's keeping an eye on it all.

127 comments:

Small Hobbit said...

I can well imagine the difficulties with an industrial accident. We covered all that stuff on the course I was on last week.

I like the description of Sherlock climbing you, although I was slightly confused that your knees had stitched padding until I used my brain (hard going because it's Thursday and I've had Brownies.)

Sherlock said...

THERE HAS TO BE SNOW

Greg Lestrade said...

SH - maybe I should edit!

Sherlock - I'm sure there will be, but maybe not as much as you want. Well, definitely not as much as you want, because you want a few feet, and we'll be getting a few cms, max.

John H. D. Watson said...

I feel sorry for Mrs N tomorrow.

And you make a very good climbing structure. :)

Greg Lestrade said...

Me too. At the first flake the entire class of children will be glued to the window...

You certainly seem to enjoy climbing all over me! ;)

John H. D. Watson said...

Always.

At least it'll keep them...well, not quiet. But occupied.

pandabob said...

its those moment when you realise that happy is normal that make life so special :-)

Anonymous said...

I think you're both so much happier now than you were when you first met (probably all 4 of you really). It's lovely to see. And nice to notice it on a day when other things were adding to the annoyance factor of life.

Greg Lestrade said...

AnonyBob, Kholly - I really am incredibly happy, and yeah, it's just...sometimes sneaks up and gets you and I just can't stop smiling when it does.

Greg Lestrade said...

...I'm also ready for bed - why am I so completely exhausted? But Sherlock gave me such a look when I said I might go to bed before him that I darent!

pandabob said...

I'd have thought he'd have seen it as a great idea not to have to be the first one to bed.

Sherlock said...

You can go to bed if I can watch you do your teeth and tuck you in then John will know if he goes away I can look after you if anything goes wrong or you get sick. You should shave too you're spiky and brush your hair.

John H. D. Watson said...

Also ready for bed. I overdid the running a little today.

John H. D. Watson said...

That is very sweet, Sherlock. I'm sure you can look after him very well.

Sherlock said...

If I tuck you both in do I get to stay up late like you usually do?

John H. D. Watson said...

No, I can manage to remain upright long enough to tuck you in, I'm afraid.

Sherlock said...

Can I wake you up if it snows?

Greg Lestrade said...

I'm sure John knows you can take very good care of anything you set your mind to, Sherlock. But you can't stay up late, you'll be too tired to play in the snow tomorrow if you do.

REReader said...

It sounds like you're quite prepared to take care of Lestrade properly, Sherlock.

(I hope you get your inches of snow in good time to play in it tomorrow!)

John H. D. Watson said...

Why do you want to wake me up if it snows?

Sherlock said...

So we can go and play before anyone else touches it!

John H. D. Watson said...

I thought it might be something like that. No, sorry, we're not going out in the middle of the night to play in the snow. We can go to the park after school.

Greg Lestrade said...

As if you didn't see that coming...

Come on, Shortstuff, John and I can both tuck you in, then tuck each other in.

Sherlock said...

After school everyone will have trodden on it and messed it up and all the best bits will be gone! You should write a note that if it snows you have to get me straight away and tell Mrs N it's because you can't be out on your bike if it's snowy so you have to get me right then!

Greg Lestrade said...

Won't work, Sherlock. a. Mrs N is brighter than that. b. John's note would be completely illegible.

John H. D. Watson said...

Nope. Bed, Sherlock. If it snows, you'll have it right there at school to play with when you go out after lunch.

Greg Lestrade said...

Right, one Sherlock in bed, still muttering about other people touching his snow... Danger, make a note to warn Mrs N about territorial snow ownership tomorrow....

Do I need to shave? Obviously his Lordship thinks so, but you're the one who has to live with me nuzzling you...

John H. D. Watson said...

You're fine, love. Only mildly prickly.

Greg Lestrade said...

good. don't trust myself to shave this tired.

John H. D. Watson said...

Come on, I'll tuck you in.

Greg Lestrade said...

you're the best, Doc.

(Originaly typed 'don't trust myself to shave this friend' up there...just..what??)

REReader said...

According to the weather forecasts for London, it's not predicted to start snowing until afternoon, and should continue through the evening, so Sherlock should have fresh, clean snow to play in after school. It's like it was planned for the school-going population!

John H. D. Watson said...

Don't shave any of your friends either...

Greg Lestrade said...

Promise not to.

RR - weather here is showing light flurries overnight, properly setting in mid morning. We'll get plenty of warning as it advances across the country. If Sherlock can will it to arrive sooner, he will.

REReader said...

Maybe he can get out and push. :D

Anon Without A Name said...

We've had light snow all evening, but we're expecting a fair bit overnight and early morning. Not looking forward to trying to get to work tomorrow - but I've got the afternoon off to enjoy it :-)

Anonymous said...

I wish it would snow again here! It tends to snow then melt in a day or two. It's certainly cold enough!

I hope Sherlock gets his snow tomorrow, and that you all get some good rest tonight.

Desert Wanderer said...

seem to think I fell off the top of the Christmas tree

....they think you're an angel? Because I'm not sure that's a description that would be disagreed with in some parts...

pandabob said...

Do you have snow?

Sherlock have a good day at school :-)

I hope people are less annoying today Greg

Have a nice day John and good luck with dealing with Sherlock's reaction to whatever today's weather brings :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

No snow yet, but the clouds are dark, the ground is dry and it's cold...

Hope you all have a good day, snow or not.

Greg Lestrade said...

It is now snowing, and settling.

Good luck, John, Mrs N...

Anon Without A Name said...

It's been snowing here for about 15 hours, and so far, that's meant about an inch or so of snow of the ground. I am trying very hard not to be disappointed.

Hope everyone has a good day :-)

Small Hobbit said...

We have snow and I'm not going to work. I've got a project to work on anyway, but it still feels good.

Greg Lestrade said...

We've had...two ish hours now? I reckon about an inch has settled.

Desert Wanderer said...

Lestrade, does cold weather reduce the crime rate?

Nicky said...

Well we have six inches!

Greg Lestrade said...

DW - some crimes, yes. Burglary particularly, rain and snow both help with that. Phone snatches and pickpocketing rises though, because people fumble about with gloves on, with wallets in pockets easier to grab from, that sort of thing.

Murders...maybe slightly fewer? But deaths go up, and we have to initially treat them as suspicioius, so our workload goes up...

Nicky, it's rude to brag about such things.

Anonymous said...

Nicky, you should send some of that snow Sherlock's way. Either that or expect a small visitor this weekend!

rsf

Greg Lestrade said...

It hasnt stopped here yet. Getting heavier if anything.

Sherlock said...

It's the best but we had to come in for afternoon school but it's still falling so we can go to the park after and I hope Lestrade comes home before dark because we can all make a snowman and it will be the best ever and then it should snow all weekend too.

REReader said...

The best part of snow that keeps falling, I think, is that there keeps being new clean snow on top! I hope you get lots and have a wonderful time, Sherlock.

Small Hobbit said...

Have fun building your snowman, Sherlock. I have built a little one in my back garden.

Anonymous said...

We had a little snow on Wednesday and between classes I tried to convince my classmates that we should build a snowman on the quad in front of our building. Sadly they are both of the age where it's really important to appear grown up so they didn't want to. I am well past that age and would have been happy to have a little "childish" fun. But it's not so much fun alone so I didn't. And now the snow has melted.

Next time I think I'll just start doing it anyway and see who spontaneously joins me. I doubt it will be the last snow of the season.

Greg Lestrade said...

I think the only way to see if my hands and feet have warmed up yet is to do the 'Danger Test' - scientifically proven to 100% accurately let you know if you're still cold...

Just apply the body part in question to Danger's torso, under his jumper, record decibel level and pitch of resulting squeal.

REReader said...

....And? :D

What did Mercury and Argon make of the snow?

Greg Lestrade said...

They were, apparently, still cold.

Mercury and Argon explored the snow. Argon sat on it for a bit, they both walked over it and sniffed it a lot and dug into it a little, then pretty much ignored it.

John H. D. Watson said...

They weren't cold. They were freezingggggg.

Greg Lestrade said...

But you, my handsome, warm and very fit because-you-go-running-without-me-and-are-very-toned-right-now, helped warm them up. Don't you feel accomplished??

The goos got me back with cold little paws.

John H. D. Watson said...

Terribly. Want to put your large, warm paws on my shoulder and rub it a bit?

Greg Lestrade said...

I would love to. I'll get some oil.

John H. D. Watson said...

You are a wonderful person, thank you.

Greg Lestrade said...

You're pretty special yourself.

I'll tell you about my dancing thoughts while we do this...

John H. D. Watson said...

Mmmmm. Okay.

John H. D. Watson said...

You know, when you were talking about it earlier, I thought you were going to suggest the tango or something...

Greg Lestrade said...

Hah, we can tango if you want...just thought this would be...fun? We can give it a go, and if we hate it, then we'll learn to tango instead. Or salsa ;)

John H. D. Watson said...

Ha. I may have to draw the line at salsa.

Yeah, all right. We can try it. You have to tell me if I look too ridiculous though.

Greg Lestrade said...

riiiight, because my judgement on what's 'too ridiculous' is trustworthy??

John H. D. Watson said...

In this case, as long as you're not actively embarrassed by me, it's close enough.

Greg Lestrade said...

the only way you could embarrass me on the big day is if you suddenly announced you'd made a horrible mistake and left me standing at the....desk? Whatever altar equivalent we have.

John H. D. Watson said...

That you don't need to worry about. Just me tripping and falling on my face.

Greg Lestrade said...

Well we'll make sure your veil and gown aren't so long you'll trip on them, don't worry :)

Small Hobbit said...

Don't forget that heels can be a problem too.

Greg Lestrade said...

Maybe I should walk down the aisle, and he should wobble at the front?

KHolly said...

When my sister got married my dad walked them both across the grass, one on each arm, in their complimenting white pant suits that neither has worn since.

The moral of that: do whatever makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Greg Lestrade said...

That sounds nice, Kholly.

Not sure how Danger's dad would feel about giving us both away ;)

I feel like a master of technology! I can comment! Thanks for helping, Sal.

zeph said...

Well, there is always the boys who could walk you down the aisle if John's father isn't too happy with it ;)

Greg Lestrade said...

Hah, true! I can just imagine that - they'd look like they were marching me off somewhere!

Sherlock said...

But I don't want to give you away I want to keep you both.

Greg Lestrade said...

You're only giving us to each other, Sherlock - nothing more!

zeph said...

Oh love, you will keep them both. The "giving away" part simply means that their old family (eg. their parents, siblings etc.) give them away so they can build their own together. And since you already are a family and that isn't going to change, it is nothing more than a figure of speech.

Lestrade, as long as they are marching you off to become Mr. John Watson I don't see anything wrong with that :P

Anon Without A Name said...

Aww, Sherlock, I think you're safe, I don't think either of them are planning on going anywhere.

In this context "giving [a person] away" is a throwback to the days when women were considered almost to be their fathers' property, and so the father of the bride would "give the bride" to her husband on her wedding day. These days it's used to refer to the person who walks the bride down the aisle in a church wedding (there's actually a question during a church service, "who gives this woman to be married", at which point the person answers "I do"). It's much easier to avoid that sort of thing during a civil ceremony of you prefer to avoid any implications of ownership :-)

Sherlock said...

Yes because if Lestrade was already given to Bryan then he can't be there to give him away and anyway he's stupid and Lestrade is ours already.

Greg Lestrade said...

I am, kiddo, all yours.

Will you hold one of the rings for us, though? You can have one, and Mycroft the other, maybe?

Sherlock said...

Yes I can do that and flowers.

Greg Lestrade said...

Definitely!

And, when I'm playing my guitar at Lisa and Jo's wedding, will you dance with John? And if any bridesmaids or best men try to cut in, tell them where to go ;)

Sherlock said...

Yes but I promised to dance with Jo too.

Greg Lestrade said...

So you did. And, of course, Jo and Lisa are allowed to dance with John ;)

And you should be tucked up in bed! It's supposed to snow more tomorrow afternoon....shall we see if Mycroft's free in the morning?

Sherlock said...

Yes! And get lunch and cake!

Anon Without A Name said...

Ha - feeling just a little possessive there, Lestrade?

Sherlock, are you going to dance with Lisa as well? And then with Lestrade as well (wouldn't want him to feel left out).

Greg Lestrade said...

Nameless - yeah, possessive, paranoid, scared...delete as applicable!

Greg Lestrade said...

right..new phone says I can silence it for everything but people I choose. This is perfect, right? Everything quiet, unless there's a call out... But does it work?? (means 'can I make it work?')

pandabob said...

Good luck with that Greg, I'm the most technologically inept person in the world so the idea I could accidently silence the wrong people would put me off even trying.

Greg Lestrade said...

it seems to be simple enough. But that's what lulls you into the false idea you've done it right, right?

Shouldn't get any calls tonight anyway. Unless something very serious happens.... (famous last words.)

I'll try that sleeping thing. See if that works tonight.

pandabob said...

Hopefully you've sussed it then.

good luck with the sleep thing :-)

John H. D. Watson said...

You can always wake me up, if you want to. I mean...I know you know that. I just wanted to say it again.

Anonymous said...

Sleep well, both of you.

REReader said...

Here's hoping the silence means everyone is having a lovely, restful night's sleep, and that you have fun with Mycroft in the morning. :)

Tina said...

Hope you've had a good sleep! It's snowing here, again - and we're just about one hour away by plane, so it has to snow in London,too, right?
The radio just had a story about a (small?) town in northern England banning the throwing of snowballs as a potential hazard. On the one hand- yes, potentially dangerous, on the other hand - hello? spoil sports anyone? - and on the third hand - could the story be a hoax?
Have fun meeting Mycroft today!

Greg Lestrade said...

Thanks all. I slept in the end. Took quite a few hours to drop off though.

Now off to see Mycroft - very carefully, because it's snowing again.

Sherlock said...

It's great there's more snow and it's settling but it's very fine and we're having hot drinks now.

Greg Lestrade said...

read: Sherlock has once again managed to charm some poor defenceless cafe owner into giving him a hot chocolate with a week's supply of cream, marshmallows etc. on top of it, which must surely be bigger than the capacity of his body.

Who else in this world gets all that, eats all the marshmallows, then gets away with going back and telling the poor lady he 'ran out of marshmallows' and gets a second load??

pandabob said...

being charmed by such a polite little boy will probably be the highlight of the lady's day :-)

Enjoy the snow.

Greg Lestrade said...

Charmed out of her stock, yeah :)

We are enjoying, but it's ridiculously cold.

Throwing snowballs for the dogs to catch is hilarious though - they look so surprised when their jaws snap shut on nothing but a puff of powdery snow.

Sherlock said...

we have to go home because we have to go before it's dark and before the snow gets worse and Lestrade says we can bake if we get home early enough even though I want to stay really.

pandabob said...

Have you been out in the snow all day Sherlock? I'm glad you've enjoyed your day so much you don't want to go home but baking will warm you all up well when you get there :-)

safe trip

Sherlock said...

ALMOST all day. We had tea where Anthea and the dogs live too and Mycroft showed me a thing in his room that he's making but I'm not saying what because it's a secret.

pandabob said...

You do right keeping Mycroft's secret Sherlock brothers should stick together ;-)

I'm glad you got snow Sherlock, you've waited so long for it and you've been so good about having to do the normal things and not just play in it all the time :-)

REReader said...

I think I would find having tea and being shown secrets almost as good as being out in the snow. :) It's good to hear you had such a nice day, and you haven't even done the baking yet!

Have a fun and safe trip home!

Greg Lestrade said...

in the end, even Sherlock got cold, I think.

REReader said...

I hope you're all home and warming up, then. :)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you all had a great day. I'm properly jealous, because we haven't had any snow that was worth playing in yet. Was any of Mycroft's snow solar system still available for viewing? And are you baking something yummy tonight?

rsf

Sherlock said...

We're making scones and we didn't go and see Mycroft's stuff because dogs aren't allowed on the playing field we went to the park.

Anonymous said...

I'll bet the dogs really had a good time.

When you say "Scones" what does it rhyme with, Sherlock? Tones or tons? (or something else?)

rsf

Sherlock said...

it rhymes with gone

Anon Without A Name said...

Quite right too, Sherlock.

It sounds like you've all had a good day :-)

Sherlock said...

We made them with cheese and herbs and they smell nice and it's gone in my John recipe bit of my book.

Greg Lestrade said...

Have to wait and see what they taste like first, kiddo.

REReader said...

That sounds yummy! (I take it John likes them a lot? And of course it also all rhymes. ;))

Sherlock said...

I don't know yet we haven't eaten any yet but I want to.

REReader said...

Wellll...I know it's close to dinner, but maybe--if John and Lestrade say it's okay--you could all three split one, just for quality control purposes?

Anon Without A Name said...

Do you classify recipes by who makes them Sherlock, or did I misunderstand what you meant?

Cheese scones are my favourite - so tasty, and they're very quick and easy to make as well.

Sherlock said...

it's by who has to help me so these were easy and I can make them with John and if it's a bit harder I need Mycroft or Mrs Hudson and if it's really hard I need Lestrade or Mrs Hudson sometimes depending what it is.

REReader said...

A very useful way to organize them, I think.

Jaws said...

Glad you all had a fun day in the snow, the scones sound delicious! I made two cakes for my birthday which were both enjoyed very much by my friends, lime-yoghurt with blackberry and chocolate raspberry meringue. And then my friend bought me a baking book, so treacle tart is on the horizon!

Good birthday but difficult, in equal measures I think

REReader said...

Happy Birthday, Jaws! I hope the difficult bits prove fleeting and the good bits long-lasting.

Unknown said...

L, happiness is all the sweeter for having been down so long before. :)
I love that it's just normal for you now, that's quite as it should be.
Sherlock's recipe book is a great idea, it's something he'll be able to take with him when he grows up, and there will be all the favorite things with all the good memories attached. I have a blank book I hastily copied a few of my favorites into when I was about to leave home as a young adult, but I would have got more if I had started it sooner. Well, I suppose I've survived!
S

Greg Lestrade said...

it is, yeah. I'm incredibly lucky to have them all. :)

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