Hello 2014.
Today is the last day of the holidays.
I have paperwork to do, and one meeting to go to tomorrow, because...God, it makes me feel horribly, horribly guilty...but I don't want to go to work. I want to be at home with them. It always feels like the time goes so fast. So yeah, staying at home, mainly.
It's 2 years since I made a resolution to get a better work/life balance... not sure I've done it, but...well, I'm not unmotivated.
The boys have made a few million biscuits, some for us, some for Mycroft to take with him. And Mycroft has begun to sort out his things. Mainly lots and lots of text books for school.
My ankle is getting better - I can get about the flat okay, I just have to be careful.
I'm not generally particularly careful. And when I swear Sherlock's bat ears always hear.
Our calendar informs us that Sherlock will be having his school photos taken this week. He is pondering having his hair cut. I'm not sure he will - I think he should wait until it's warmer! Anyway, don't tell him, but he looks cute when he's glaring out from under his curls. Quite a contrast to Mycroft, who looks very dapper.
What else...well, it's still raining. We're going to start building an ark. Maybe on the allotment, after Reg growled at us for not digging it over yet. Or getting any seeds in the cold frames. And generally being fairweather allotmenteers who have gone into hibernation over winter.
Of course, because it currently looks like the Somme, Sherlock wants to dive headfirst into it and roll about. And so would the dogs. In fact, I might join them, if it's between that or digging it all up...
And now this...
Greg The Florist:
John almost jumped out of his skin when the door of the library opened.
"All right?" Greg frowned, as John held the book tightly against his chest.
"Yes, yes, you made me jump, that's all."
"What've you got there?" Greg flopped onto a nearby seat, causing a huge cloud of dust to almost obscure him. He sneezed violently.
"Um, it's a sort of...diary. Journal. About the estate and...things. How are you? Nice walk?"
Greg grinned and spread his arms. "Didn't get eaten by a tree...unless..." he staggered to his feet, heading for John as if he was going to fall over. "I....am....a.....zombie..treeeeeeeeee," he fell onto John, pretending to try and bite his neck, but doing a fairly reasonable job of just kissing it instead.
"Get off!" John wriggled, dropping the book, trying to defend himself. "Idiot!"
Greg stopped, bending to pick up the book. He spotted something else on the floor. "This from your book?" He picked up the small flower, and lifted it to smell it.
"No!" John jumped up and grabbed Greg's hand. "I mean...yes, it's from the book, but you shouldn't...it could be poisonous or something."
"I wasn't going to eat it! But I do fancy some lunch, don't you?"
John nodded, carefully putting the flower back in the book.
They spent the afternoon looking around the castle, trying every door, while the light was still good enough. Occasionally lifting dust sheets or trying to open windows to air out dusty rooms.
But before night fell they made sure to return to each room, securing it. More than once it struck John that he should probably be more worried about what was inside the castle than outside...
In bed the sounds of the forest outside and the creaky castle itself didn't give them a moment of silence. John jumped more than once.
Greg's hand found his under the covers, squeezing tightly.
"It's just...nature and stuff," he tried to reassure.
"I know," John whispered back.
Then there was what sounded like the most mournful wailing sound.
Greg sat up in bed, eyes wide.
"What was that?" John whispered.
"I don't know!" Greg whispered back.
John looked up at Greg, then shrank back slightly. "You...you...your..."
Greg frowned, realising John was looking above him. He turned, at first, then, seeing nothing, he raised his hand.
And encountered two soft, furry ears, pricked up on top of his head.
"Fucking hell...." he groaned.
John just sobbed out a laugh, not believing this was his life...
142 comments:
THAT'S where you're going to end your chapter?!? THERE?
(At least Greg seems like a friendly werewolf.)
Did you all go swimming today in the end?
Well, you used to work a minimum 60-hour week, and now you're doing about 48 hours as standard, so that's an improvement. I mean, 48 hours is still a long week - I've been doing about that in the last month or two and I was knackered coming up to Christmas - but it's a lot better than it was :-)
I should probably feel more worried for John-the-trainee-florist finding himself in bed with a werewolf, but mostly I'm finding the idea of Greg-the-florist with two soft furry ears amusingly adorable. Possibly strokable :-p
"It's 2 years since I made a resolution to get a better work/life balance... not sure I've done it, . . . "
Having read the blogs from the beginning within the last 6 or 7 months, you definitely in the past year or so post far less often about bringing work home, working 15, 17, 19 or 24+ hour days, and far more often about taking time off. How posting tracks with what you're doing and how what you're doing tracks with what you & the family are feeling isn't for the Internet to say, but that's the tale the two blogs tell. :-)
formerlyAnon
formerlyAnon - when you put it like that, yes, I definitely am doing better. I think I still feel like I miss out on a lot - but that's because Sherlock can have thoroughly covered about 20 different topics with John between school and when I get home... And we don't see enough of Mycroft anyway, so any time when he's at home seems precious.
Nameless - I don't imagine you become very good at controlling your were-side straight away. I don't feel like I would be, anyway! And he's definitely a nice wolf as far as John is concerned.
RR - no, no time today. I think we'll take Sherlock in the week.
P.s. Today's song lyric title made me read the whole post through a haze of warm fuzzy feeling. Thanks for reminding those of us lucky enough to share a tried and true love, whether it's with friends, partners or other kinds of family.
formerlyAnon
Makes me feel very warm too, that song. For obvious reasons ;) Although I'm afraid I was just thinking about the rain when I decided to use it in this instance. But did then listen to it on repeat a few times, with the happiest of memories in my head. :)
Taking Sherlock during the week should help with his transition from home-with-Mycroft to school-and-no-Mycroft.
About the work/life balance--I'd think it feels worse to you than it looks from the outside because of the bad luck with the holidays, but I agree with formerlyA, you certainly seem to be making a lot of progress in your balancing act. It's hard for anyone, really, and the more you're used to make work your whole world, the harder it is to shift, but you're doing fine from where I sit.
Work definitely was my world for a while there.
It's also...well, I suppose not a lot of people actually get to claim their job is 'life and death'. And mine is. But it's also too easy to get caught up in that thought and let it take over.
yay, Greg the Florist! :)
I wonder if John will have occasion to be grateful for the protection of a friendly werewolf.
I agree with Anon above, and ReRe, you've come a long way from a few years ago, and it's really inspiring. I'm sure the job would like to have as much of you as you're willing to give it, you have a lot of experience and skills and savvy by now that make you very valuable. But you have a life at home now too, and that's just as important. I think you'll know it by how good it feels, when you get to the "sweet spot" between work time and home time.
S
John almost jumped out of his skin
Oh dear. Did he get it back on again?
Ella
Oh, hey, I'm a great-aunt--my nephew and niece-in-law just had a baby boy!
(Does that make me really, really old, Sherlock? ;))
Congratulations RR! New babies are just so very (irrationally, even) joy-making.
I'll put in another vote for keeping the hair long on photo day... we have a mop-headed child in this house as well, and when I can persuade him to run a brush through it, the curls are glorious.
-Olli
Congratulations to them, RR.
S - I don't actually believe there is a sweet spot, if I'm honest. I hope to be proven wrong.
Congrats to them RR new born babies are just the cutest thing :-) (they don't sleep enough though!)
The happy balance between home life and work life is a difficult thing to achieve Greg especially because in order to make the change to spending more time at home you've first got to really believe how important you are to your family.
I hope you all have good days :-)
Thank you, all, I'll pass your good wishes along! There'll be a Bris (circumcision ceremony) next Monday morning, so I'll see all three of them then if not before,
(At which thought all the male type persons crossed their legs... ;))
Im not a penis owner and I'm certainly wincing too.
Oh goody for more GTF - sounds like a lovely, cuddly wereGreg, lucky John.
I think you're definitely doing better with working less, Greg. You're just too good at your job.
I'm voting for longer hair too, it always looks gorgeous, it was sad when my son cut his & he's stayed short ever since.
Enjoy your day. :)
Congratulations to RR & AB too (hope you get through the sleepless bit quickly)
...Anony? Did I miss giving you a timely mazel tov?
I am now a sleepless mother of three rather than a tired mother of two if that's what you mean RR :-D
I am also unconvinced that there's a sweet spot of work/life balance for most of us. It's always seemed that if one likes/loves/is satisfied by both, there's a constant push-pull, unless there's an overwhelming reason to focus on one - and that doesn't work long term.
I'm glad if it's not like that for everyone and would love it if someone would teach me how to get my head into that balanced, contented spot. I'm just happy if I can compartmentalize enough to be centered in the side of the 'balance' I'm in when I'm there.
formerlyAnon
Oooh, mazel tov, that's wonderful! Boy or girl? Are you all healthy (in addition to being sleepless?
I hope Sherlock got off to school without too much angst--and I wish you a smooth trip back to school, Mycroft. (I imagine it's easier to pack with the flat slightly less occupied at the moment.)
Congratulations, AnonyBob. Hope you're all well.
Danger, on way home. On the bike. Ankle will be fine I'm sure. I'll be home by the time you and Sherlock are.
We're all as healthy as can be expected I would say RR ;-)
Thanks Greg :-) I hope your ankle really is ok and you get home to your boys safely and in time for some fun :-)
Ankle is fine, but wet.
John and Sherlock are probably drenched. I'm wet through to my boxers! Mycroft laughed when I got in the door! I shook over him as punishment.
We've barely left the school, and we are, indeed, soaked.
Congrats, PandaBob. I remember those sleepless days/nights well.
Yay for being at home to dry off, warm up, and have a last bit of time together.
I'm sending the dogs out with life jackets and snorkels for you.
well yeah, the sweet spot may be more of a seesaw... :D
congrats on new babies, and bravely done! :)
I'm now looking out at my flooded driveway and feeling somewhat akin to you guys with all the rain you've had... we had some proper snow and very cold temps here for a few days and now all of a sudden it's in the 40s and raining... ugh, I just hope it stops raining before it cools down again, enough to drain away and not just make a skating rink.
oh, and if random-inernet-people get votes, I vote for long hair too!
S
Home, marginally drier... L has made me tea. :)
Congrats, RR and Anonybob!
Anthea threatened me with horrible consequences if I got the dogs wet before they had to get in her car.
I suspect Mycroft wouldn't have been completely delighted if wet dogs shook themselves dry over his packing, either...
How much time do you have? Enough for dinner?
Thank you, Joolz and John (and everyone)!
Enough time for some food. I have no doubt Sherlock will be hungry again before bed, eating this early.
Now got a quiet little Sherlock and an empty vehicle to go home in. :(
I don't know how you all cope with Mycroft being away, I know its necessary but I am always impressed by how you handle the transitions for yourselves and for Sherlock :-)
Yeah, doesn't feel much like the Epifania. La Befana did leave both the boys and John some sweets last night though, as they all seem to have been good enough to deserve it.
I text Mycroft a lot. And hope he's sensible enough not to get caught texting back in class...
Aww, Greg, does that mean you weren't a good boy too, I'm sure John would disagree. ;)
Have you got to go back full time tomorrow or are you still on short duties.
Ha means no one else is soft enough in the head to creep about at night sweeping the floor and hiding sweets in socks!
When I got back into bed and John asked what I was doing I said 'Being a nice witch'. And he mumbled 'can't be a witch and a werewolf' and went back to sleep....
I prefer you as a werewolf, even without sweets. Nice furry ears.
Good. When I'm old(er) I'm sure my ears will be very hairy :)
Joolz - I am back tomorrow, but just in the office. I left my crutches there today, just in case I need them.
Now got a quiet little Sherlock and an empty vehicle to go home in. :(
Saddd. Is Mycroft back for a weekend soon-ish?
Yeah, not too long. And, very conveniently, half term starts on Valentine's day, so there's good chance of a tag team of babysitters - childminders, even, for Sherlock. If Anth, Mrs H and Mycroft don't all get better offers!!
Very convenient indeed...probably. :)
Of course, Sherlock will protest you couldn't possibly have a better offer than spending the night in with him.
How do you say "werewolf" in italian?
Ella
Lupo mannaro, or licantroppo.
Lupo mannaro sounds like a food. Or perhaps a singer.
I like licantroppo. Which sounds (not unsurprisingly) like lycanthrope.
Unfortunately, I've now forgotten why I wanted to know that. But I'm glad to know anyway. :)
Goodnight, gents, if you're not there already. Pleasant sleeps.
Ella
happy to be of service.
Sherlock likes to ask me completely random 'how do you say......... in Italian' questions too. Always completely unrelated to what we're doing at the time, which is an insight to the multi-layers his mind works on.
I know Sherlock's fluent in French from when John first met him, does he now speak Italian too from what you've taught him. Can Mycroft speak many languages too?
Congratulations to the new aunts and moms and all. I've been getting the DVD from http://www.happiestbaby.com/ for all the new parents I know. (The book is good, but the DVD can be watched while you're desperately trying to get the kid to calm down.)
I'm a little alarmed at the thought of Greg-the-Werewolf-Florist, but I'm sure John will figure out what to do.
I hope your ankle feels better. Do you all need to plan what to put in the allotment for next year now, while you're digging over and cold framing things? Will you be growing anything fun like purple carrots?
Of course, Sherlock will protest you couldn't possibly have a better offer than spending the night in with him.
I'm sure any number of us would be happy to take him up on such an offer, were it possible! ;)
That's a good gift idea, rsf, thanks!
Off Topic Thought of the Night: I'm watching a British television, and there's an Englishman in a cowboy hat. This is confusing me way more than it should. I suppose if we can steal scally caps y'all can steal cowboy hats, I just don't know why you'd WANT to...
Ella
Oy! I like cowboy hats! I wear one every day when it's warm enough. It's a very practical kind of hat.
I'm fascinated Ella - what are you watching?
And L, are these strokeable furry ears all the better to hear you with? And does this make John Little Red Riding Hood?
Licantroppo sounds like something musical but I can't work out why. Not surprising at this hour I guess. I wish I had some of your cozy socks, or a werewolf to keep me warm.
Ella - rest assured it doesn't happen often. If you don't count hen parties, where glittery pink cowboy hats often make an appearance, it seems.
Kestrel you might be remembering "Allegro Non Troppo" which was a hilarious Italian parody of the Disney film "Fantasia".
SH--I was watching old Top Gear. They were sending local politicians around the track and one was dressed like Col. Sanders only with flair. I think him being a politician contributed, as there's only very specific circumstances under which an American politician will wear a cowboy hat. Also being half asleep.
RSF, you are welcome to our practical hat :)
Ella
Theres only specific circumstances wheree a politician here would wear a cowboy hat - I'm guessing he was probably from one of our comedy political parties?
I think I'm drowning in coffee from the inside out.
I think he was a Conservative but I'd have to watch the episode again. He definitely wasn't from the cannabis party (that one was wearing a lot of green).
Mmm, coffee.
Ella
That sounds like you had a restless night, L--how's the ankle doing?
You don't see a lot of cowboy hats in New York, but they are practical for anyone who has to spend many long hours in hot sun, with those brims. Otherwise they look heavy to me. (And like you want to live in Montana or Wyoming. ;))
I grew up in Colorado, hence the hat. I have a black felt one, with a low crown, that I can fold and put into my bag when I want to without wrecking it.
Why so much coffee, Lestrade? It must be an awful lot for you to feel like it's a surfeit.
Oh, well, if you grew up in the West, a cowboy hat is your birthright! (And those are by far the prettiest--the ones with low crowns. :))
Ahh, apologies, RSF, I had you in my head as a Brit for some reason. I grew up in colorado too (and still live here), so I'm in one of the places where cowboy hats make cultural sense. :)
Ella
Just busy. Always drink more coffee at work, so am now overdosed compared to the past few days.
Was woken in the night by John telling me that Bravo had stolen Deimos' banana, and by Sherlock demanding the special breakfast I had promised him.
Never a dull moment!
I remember that episode, he was from the Monster Raving Loony party :)
Yes, so much for a quiet day in the office, Greg!
He's been in here twice today.
Oh, and happy 2014 everyone!
Thank you, Molly, and a happy 2014 to you, too!
Happy 2014 to you Molly :-)
It sounds like you've had an interesting day after an odd night Greg ;-) I hope you're heading home soon :-)
I just pity Bravo, whoever/whatever that is. You don't want to get between those dogs and a banana. They love them.
Molly - you're a grass. I was ready to swear blind I'd been in the office with my foot up all day!
You would've told me anyway, really. Or done that face you do.
That's because lying to you makes me feel terrible.
I hope you know it's not necessary. You could always tell me to mind my own business if worse comes to worst.
ha, well, today I was full of good intentions... until an odd stabbing turned up in the mortuary, and then an even odder scene of crime... and by then I'd already been walking about more than I probably should, and definitely more than I'd intended.
And I don't make a habit of it. My business is, generally speaking, your business, these days.
How odd was it?
err...well, odd enough!
For a start, the body has been...well, to give you Molly's opinion 'murdered two or three times'. And then the scene scotched some of our theories about why that might be, and opened out a whole new load of oddness. Some of which may be useful, some might have been planted or something, it's all..well..odd.
Two or three times does seem like...overkill (sorry).
that sort of joke has been going around today...
Yeah, well, three ways so far! Stabbed, shot, signs of poisoning. But Molly says when she gets tox back she wouldn't be surprised if we got some more.
You ever done online dating?
No, why? Do you think your victim did?
Of a sort, we think he may have.
But then I was searching things online in the office and found a BBC news article about it - things not to say on your profile. It included lots of lines of the sort Mycroft detests. Those sort of vacuous things people say. "I like going out and staying in".... as the article puts it "you like existing, then?" :)
Ha. Well, to be fair, most people do like existing... Though I admit, it's not helpful in choosing anyone in particular. Have you done it?
No. I really thought about it - loads of people told me I should give it a go. But I was never brave enough.
So you opted for serial killers and demon dogs on the moor instead...
I wasn't exactly expecting to find love there!
You never know!
Obviously :)
But I was wanting a murderer and a nice wrapped up case.
Everything else was a bonus.
Yeah, well, three ways so far! Stabbed, shot, signs of poisoning. But Molly says when she gets tox back she wouldn't be surprised if we got some more.
... Whoa! What've you got--a Rasputin who just wouldn't be killed, someone with a lot of enemies who all decided to act on the same day, or one really angry killer?
tat was my first thought, RR: Rasputin! Except there was drowning in there, too, wasn't there?
I would guess at one - or a group - of angry killers. But... I'm keeping an open mind.
Sounds like Murder on the Orient Express. Isn't that the one where they all did it?
Err.. one of you lot with millions of books would have to tell me. I don't know.
I dunno, Kestrel--I don't remember Russian history that well! ;)
That is indeed the one where they all did it, John! (Or at least, all but one. :))
Jesus, how did it get so late??
I'm 90% coffee. Tomorrow I will turn 99.99% coffee. The rest WereGreg.
Werecoffee. Percolating under the full moon.
G'night, L--hopefully without stolen bananas or midnight breakfasts. ;)
G'night to you, too, John! :)
If I'm a werecoffee I think that means I'm an espresso most of the time and sometimes turn into a big fluffy cappuccino ...
night all
I hope all this quiet means everyone is having a pleasantly busy day!
I saw on the news video of people surfin 60-foot waves off the coast of Europe. I mean, people flew there just to do that. (Who do they think is going to help them if they get in trouble, the Surfing Fairy?)
Just busy.
And here the good old RNLI will try to find them... Probably. Not sure about the rest of Europe.
Right--real people will put their lives in real danger if any of these thrill-seekers wipe out. Idiots.
Any new information on your many-times murdered victim?
Well... They're all real people, even if they are seeking a thrill. I don't know if Europe has similar rescue services.
The RNLI won't launch if the crew deem it too dangerous, which they have quite a bit recently.
Yes to new information, but nothing that's a breakthrough yet.
I wasn't meaning these surfers aren't real people, just that they're enormously thoughtless ones.
Good luck with it!
Not knowing the circumstances I'll reserve judgement.
... I have exactly zero problem with people who want to risk their necks for fun; there's nothing wrong with wanting to challenge oneself and it's exciting, and why ever shouldn't people do what's fun and exciting and challenging if they only risk themselves? (If they have others depending on them--that's on them to figure out.) But to put other people's lives at risk for their fun, "enormously thoughtless" is the best possible construction to put on that.
Which is why I'm reserving judgement. I haven't even seen the pictures, I have no idea if these people have their own safety teams, or if they know that if they get in trouble they're on their own, or if there is indeed some other people who will then risk themselves in a rescue attempt. So not knowing any of that, I can't comment.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/arrival-of-us-storm-hercules-brings-in-worlds-big-wave-surfers-as-uk-adds-up-cost-of-gales-to-coast-9043711.html
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/01/08/giant-waves-lure-surfers-france
http://www.news.com.au/world/europes-waveriders-tackle-mountainous-seas-raised-by-intense-weather-system/story-fndir2ev-1226797302350
http://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/9770-giant-waves-storm-europe-to-ignite-big-wave-riders
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jan/07/surfer-18-metre-waves-black-swell-atlantic-storms
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/portugal/10410818/Surfer-takes-on-biggest-wave-ever-ridden-after-storm.html
(If any of the stories mentioned surfers bringing safety teams, I missed it. I'll check again later, but I'm on my way out.)
I'll be a bit late home, Danger. Need to try and find someone. Can you guys sort out dinner?
Yeah, of course. We'll saber you some.
light saber?
Sherlock, website for you. Don't annoy John so much he stuffs you into a fnug and hangs you out the window.
But enjoy enough to get it out of your system before I'm back.
http://www.ronwinter.tv/drums.html
YESSSSS thank you come home soon.
I hope you get who you're after and make it home quickly, Greg. Of course, you might not want to rush back after inflicting that on John, even with light sabers involved (which sounds kind of exciting), he might not be so forgiving. ;)
Have a fun evening guys.
That is a very, very neat website! You could probably accompany Lestrade on a song with that, Sherlock, don't you think?
John told me I had to wear headphones which is no fun so I'm doing space exploration galaxies from Mycroft now.
I spent a little time playing different people's names, and I thought yours sounded well!
Is that a link Mycroft shared with all of us? Because space exploration galaxies sounds quite interesting.
John or I can put a link up. But I can't til I'm home.
That'd be great, thanks! (And abolutely no rush, I'm back on my ipod now anyway. :))
That was way more fun than I should be able to have with just four keys.
I hope you're home soon Greg and that the late night has been worth it :-)
Just heading home. Sherlock isn't happy with me.
It was... yeah, helpful.
helpful sounds good I guess :-)
I'm glad you're heading home now even if it is to a grumpy boy.
reason for grumpiness is he's had to go to bed. Well, if John's managed that.
I'm doing special breakfast in the morning, I've been told.
He is in bed, yeah. And there's soup and garlic bread for dinner if you haven't eaten.
Do you think kids ever work out that it makes adults grumpy to miss bedtime just as much as it does them?
special breakfast sounds good though :-)
thanks. Just on way up, then I can smell of garlic too ;)
AnonyBob - he's grumpy he's not out with me!
He's getting oaty pancakes and fruit, if I remember to soak the oats...
Sounds very special to me!
(And not because I forgot to have lunch, either. :))
i've got a bloody amazing husband.
He's just saying that because I made him garlic bread (and didn't burn it).
unburnt garlic bread is a tiny part of why you're amazing. Tiny.
Love you. I'm glad you're home.
love you too. And so am I.
might be off Friday, depends on the case.
Sherlock told me you did a painting in art class today. And that it wasn't as good as his, delightfully modest boy that he is...
Ha. Well, it wasn't... I'll show you tomorrow if you want.
mm. bed? i know he'll be all over us in the morning demanding maple syrup with his pancakes, little pancake goblin that he is. it will be my penance for daring to try and solve a crime during evening hours.
Oaty pancakes? *new tab* *googles*
At breakfast I made oaty pancakes and trimmings.
Sherlock showed me a thermal image video of someone farting.
Fair exchange?
Wow. That such wonders even exist in this world.
I'm sure he will delight in showing everyone after school.
That might be the first "typical boy" thing I've heard of Sherlock doing. :)
Ella
I'm sure it was all for science... ;)
At least it wasn't an image of someone lighting their farts.
John will love you for that suggestion... :)
Oh good heavens, one of my former students just posted on social media that she now has NINE DEGUS.
After a few seconds I realized that she meant "at her local zoo," which is the National Zoo in Washington D.C. Still, NINE DEGUS!
AftSO
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