I've been right down in the dumps recently. I don't know how John manages to go from dealing with me to dealing with Sherlock without it sending him around the twist.
Canoeing was great, the kids got really stuck in, no one was too scared/didn't want to do it etc. and they all enjoyed every minute of it. Lots of them wanted to go again, soon. Even thought it was on the river, the current was very gentle, but you could tell we were coming back faster than we paddled out! Only a few people needed rescuing when they got caught up on river bank weeds or went the wrong way around and panicked.
In other news that ought to have me happier than it seems to have managed, the guy from the other week went down for fifteen years. So...well, it never seems enough, frankly. But there we go.
So... apparently the kids are planning a holiday for us - our kids and Nicky's. Emails have been sent back and forth, text messages have been buzzing. At some point I imagine we'll be told what to pay for... it will doubtless be the craziest holiday ever. We old folk will just be along for the ride.
I'm off for the next two days, which will ben nice, and very welcome. John and I need to get going on some running, if we're going to manage this half marathon.
84 comments:
I'm sorry you're feeling down at the minute, its weird how these things happen but at least experience tells you you'll feel better again eventually :-)
good luck surviving the planning of your holiday never mind actually going on it ;-)
At least Carla and Mycroft are old enough to keep the planning relatively sane. Hopefully.
I'm sorry you're not having a good time, love.
The laws of physics and possibilities within the known universe are the main planning constraints as far as I can tell!
I'm just sorry I'm being rubbish, especially when you're tired out from spending all day with the lads.
You're not being rubbish, you're just fine. Don't worry about that.
I'll just hope the next 2 days get me out of it.
Sherlock wants to make some crazy ice creams.
Like what?
You name it, he's thought of it.
Topping the list when he went to bed was curry, tomato and basil. (All one flavour) And buttered toast with marmalade, which we might actually try...
I will await news of how one gets toast flavor into ice cream. I've actually had a curry-chile-mango ice cream, which was very good. Surprisingly.
If nothing else, I imagine this vacation will be a bonding experience.
Hope you feel better soon, L. The good you do matters, even if it never seems like enough. People have done so much more for me than they probably ever knew, or believed if I tried to tell them, with small things. And a lot of what you accomplish isn't small, though it may seem so.
As for the really big stuff, well, sometimes I think denial plays a bigger part in my coping than it ought - but if it helps me appreciate the good I encounter and keeps me functioning fairly capably, then I'll own it.
(I am serious that I want to know how "toast" works as an ice cream flavor if you give it a shot.)
fA
Buttered toast with marmalade ice cream actually sounds pretty good. Tomato and basil might be okay… I'm not sure about the curry.
It does. It was a surprising change from cod and banana and other suggestions...
I think certain curries might be quite nice. But we'll start with ... more edible suggestions.
Sherlock, in the morning, before thinking about leaping on us, look up Marble Berries and be ready to tell us all about them over breakfast. And remember the rest of us might not know how colour and light works as well as you do, so include a beginner's guide to that, ok?
(lie in mode: activated)
(lie in mode: activated)
That did make me laugh out loud.
Sherlock, you might also like to have a look at this, so you can tell Maf all about it. July 30 is Museum Cats Day, and it's looking at some of the cat-related things in the Museum of London.
On other things cat-related, a Cat Cafe has opened yesterday a block down from my work. I've booked in to spend my lunch hour on Monday visiting the kitties :)
Lestrade, sorry you're feeling a bit pooey. Hope a couple of days off with your husband & the boys makes things a bit brighter. Glad to hear the result on that ... is 'scrote' an inappropriate word to use on a blog that children read??
I'm very excited to hear what gets planned for your holidays. And about any possible ice cream experiments.
Pip, you have my sympathies - I'm making the most of having winter at the moment, because I know summer and its 40 degree days are just a blink away. May you all have the weather you wish for tomorrow.
(lie in mode: activated)
My husband is actually a genius.
You could go train spotting. If you can see anything of a steam train on the underground
http://www.ianvisits.co.uk/blog/2014/07/28/steam-trains-return-to-the-london-underground-this-weekend/
Add me to the list of curious about toast flavor ice-cream. And I'm thinking maybe garam masala would be interesting.
Hope a couple days off help reset your mental state.
Buttered-toast-and-marmalade ice cream does sound yummy, but like the others, I've no idea how you're going to get the toast flavor in! Tomato and basil sounds a bit like pizza ice cream, if you leave out the curry--that could be nice. I await reports of the results with considerable interest!
Sherlock did manage to leave us be until nearly 7!
7!! that's impressive, I hope his plans for the rest of the day are as relaxing ;-)
I think Mycroft also had a heavy hand in it, but there was calm and peace, no bickering, and we had an informative lecture over brekky. So all good! Very proud and thankful to both of them.
I have to say that I'd definitely prefer to hear about what makes those berries so gorgeous than hear the news...
They're impressive young men are Mycroft and Sherlock :-)
Did you manage ice cream today it was something else arranged for you?
Ice cream is freezing... We shall see!
A vacation planned by Mycroft and Carla sounds pretty awesome, actually. I'm also curious about the ice cream... garam masala is one of my favorite flavoring ingredients, I'm always slipping it into soups and things... seems like it would make great ice cream. then maybe some mango chutney, possibly added to mango ice cream or sorbet... might have to try that myself!
"it's harder to be sad when you're eating ice cream" was an ad jingle when I was a teenager.
S
The ice cream is rather nice. It might become a regular feature. Not amazingly toasty, but a bit.
How'd you manage the toasty at all? (It sounds a very comforting flavor--cozy. :))
Made some rough breadcrumbs, cooked them off a little under the grill with butter, threw them in. Added a bit of honey and a generous amount of marmalade and that was it.
Oh, clever! I was thinking that if you put in bits of toast they'd get soggy, but if you toast them already in bits, that solves that!
it was good we definitely need to make more ice cream. John said we had to take turns though in picking the flavour. Can we go swimming tomorrow?
been a nice day today. Definitely what I needed. Although packing Sherlock off to bed during the holidays is twice the task it is in term time.
the not wanting to sleep thing is about the only downside of the holidays I think! I'm glad he went in the end (assuming he did)
He has been confined to his room...sleep may be a way off.
I live in fear of the day he decides he should be allowed to stay up later - given he's already staying up so much later than most kids his age.
I suspect that there comes a point where you just have to give in and go to bed before your kids but they should probably be a bit older that Sherlock is right now ;-)
I don't know how he keeps going with so little sleep!!
We'd make a fortune if any of us knew that!
All I can tell you is that it isn't anything in the water. Must be genetic. I've never seen his mum asleep. Mind you, never seen her in the same room as Batman, either...
I remember when I started staying up doing homework past when my parents went to sleep. These days, I go to bed earlier than them. Heck, I go to bed earlier than my grandparents. I'm not sure how I used to get by on so little sleep.
Lovely to hear that you all had a good day! I looked up the berries as well, they are lovely.
I also appreciate the ice cream makers' report. I will have to try the broiled buttered breadcrumbs approach some time,
I spent the day traveling, visiting family and assisting with a great deal of housework. Was a satisfying day.
Good sleep, all.
fA
Glad you had a nice day yesterday, hope today is just as good.
Taking turns to experiment with many different ice cream flavours sounds like a good idea. More uses for all your allotment produce. ;)
Did you deploy more lie-in tactics today or has the anticipation of possibly going swimming worked against you. ;)
Have a great day everyone. :)
Not as much of a lie in today. But not too early either!
In between being woken up the first time and actually waking up and getting up I had a dream that John and I had a blazing row.
It's left me feeling all out of sorts and very apologetic to him. Except he doesn't know what for... Brains are odd, eh?
Brains are very funny things! I hope you can get yourself back on an even keel quickly and that great fun is had by all :-)
Well, now you're owed a pretty wonderful John-related dream. Inform your subconscious of that fact, sternly. Maybe it'll deliver.
It is very, very odd to be somewhere that it rains. All day long. In the summer. It's almost like being dropped somewhere that the language is different and having to re-orient the brain. (I know that for some of you it's not odd at all.)
fA
I hope you're having fun despite the rain, fA.
Sherlock, I was listening to a SciShow YouTube about animals that change color, and they mentioned this: the Golden Tortoise beetle, which made me think of those marble berries--and of course, that made me think of you. Isn't it amazing-looking?
We're going our for curry... Wish me luck...
Here's hoping you remain unscorched... ;)
I survived, just about.
John (or possibly Lestrade), I found a shirt for you. The sizing of the little one may need to be altered depending on whether you put it on Sherlock or your husband...
http://i.imgur.com/a3JGHYQ.jpg
Ella
Perfect.
Ella, those t-shirts are FANTASTIC.
I wish I'd had a set when my kids were young.
fA
Thanks, RR. So far, quite pleasant.
But it's early days. I'm not sure we've ever accomplished everyone acting like a mature adult for more than 3 days in a row. It's only day two. But I'm way more optimistic than I was when I left home. (I should note that everyone does mean well. It's just that history is long and good intentions falter.)
fA
Glad to say Uganda's anti-gay law has been declared void by their constitutional court. Great news, but I do fear for a huge anti gay backlash. Still, a step in the right direction.
That is great news, but...yeah. Still glad I'm not an LGBTQ person in Uganda.
Ella
such a difference between that and Brighton Pride today - seen a few pictures on the news. Still, hope it gives other people hope. This country has come a long way in a short (ish) time.
Wish I was out and about, not at work! Mary is showing John and Sherlock a place to go blackberry picking today. I don't know if I'll get home to a huge pile of blackberries which need using, or a very full Sherlock...
Could be both. There are a lot of blackberries.
If you save some for me, I will not only make you a delicious blackberry dessert, of a type of your choosing, but also make you Venison glazed with blackberries and gin...
I will save you some. Many, even. Piles of blackberries.
we seem to have struck a deal.
I love blackberries. Love you, too. Don't have too much fun without me.
I love you too. Next time we'll go when you don't have to work.
Sounds like fun, hope you're enjoying filling your bags and your stomachs. I think I sense blackberry ice cream in your future. ;) Plus only a couple of hours left for those who are working so you'll soon be home and free.
Have any plans been finalised for the hols yet or are they still being arranged?
Enjoy the rest of your evening. :)
Well, now you know the secret blackberry location, yeah, be nice to go together.
What does Mary do? Is it something Sherlock can quiz her non-stop on, or is she actually getting a nice peaceful day out with you two?
Is there anything he wouldn't be able to quiz her nonstop about?
...yeah, okay, you're 100% right.
Hopefully his mouth is so full of blackberries she gets some peace anyway.
Jo sent me some more pics of Tadhg. I'd share them with everyone... but there is rather a large amount of breast on show! Can't believe he seems bigger already... but she says she can, the amount he eats...well, drinks, I guess.
Can't wait to see them :) are you going to offer to babysit in a while, give them a few hours of peace?
I would...but can babies actually y'know...do that? Spend a few hours away? I know my little brothers and sisters were bottle-fed, so I guess that's different...or maybe not? C'mon, guys, help out a clueless bloke here!
I found all three of mine fed all the time until 6 weeks and then suddenly they went a few hours between and I could finally get someone to look after them :-) I never thought the time would come in the first few weeks though ;-)
I'm glad you've had a fun day John :-)
Yeah, she said he was basically a small loud machine for converting milk to poo... but he's cute enough to get away with it ;)
We picked LOADS of blackberries and we ate loads and Lestrade made us blackberry fool and it's yummy.
I am definitely a fool.
What sort of fool?
Ella
Oh I just saw Sherlock's typo, nevermind.
Ella
typo? I might just be tired, but I can't see one?
I'm an old fool, who should be asleep! But isn't...
I guess "fool" is one of those things we don't have in the States... *goes to check google*
Ella
U.K. style fool is delicious. Blackberries are delicious.
Hope you get to start spending time with Tadhg soon. It's so much more fun when you see them frequently, that way you can see the subtle changes happening. It's pretty fascinating. (You know that, of course, having seen Sherlock & Mycroft through the last few years, but god forbid I have an unuttered thought.)
Well wishes all around.
oh my, just thinking about a nursing baby takes me right back, though it was nearly 29 years ago already. :) yeah, it might be a few more weeks before there's enough time between feedings to do any actual babysitting, but it's awesome that you are up for it. And for parental sanity, it's good to go out together without the baby from time to time.
I'm feeling satisfyingly tired from lots of yard work today, finally a free Saturday when the weather was perfect (the whole summer has been great, but I haven't had time to be out in it).
S
I'm definitely up for it.
I have spent this morning establishing a perimeter and beginning an investigation into what turned out to be part of a beef carcass.
Find one body in a recycling plant and suddenly everyone is seeing bodies in their own plant...
He certainly needs some men in his life, and I can't think of any better than you four. He's being quite angelic today. Must mean we're in for it tonight.
When can babies do things like crawl and hold things and be interesting? And when can they say you can experiment on them because John says it's bad to do that if you can't ask even though I know Facebook and some website where you find friends just did that exactly on the internet because the news said so
You can't do anything to him without asking Jo, Lisa and John. And possibly me. But those three have qualifications ;)
I bet Mycroft did things to me because I just bet he did.
My brother was taking a developmental psychology when my sister's youngest was a baby, and my sister let him do a few experiments on her--like seeing how old she was before she could track a finger, and a little later, could she tell that a little helium balloon tied to her ankle would move if she kicked her feet, things like that. (But he let my sister tie the balloon on, of course.)
You mean because you'd have done things to him!
Sometimes I think raising kids is one of the longest running experiments. Granted that it has a fairly small sample, and no control group.
Kestrel, I'm with you. Especially on the no control group. God knows I thought and overthought so many things, and fucked up so many more. And yet, I"m blessed through some miracle with kids that seem to have turned out o.k. Because of me, or despite me?
One of my babysitters was a child development major and used my kids in an experiment to see how/if one could train a toddler to cross the street safely.
Let us just say that the susceptible child was trainable by candy. The stubborn child ate the candy and refused to take any training on board.
fA
Sherlock, a lot of those developmental milestones are things you can look up. there is a range of what's considered normal, so maybe you could track when the baby reaches them (you might need to enlist Jo and Lisa to help, since you won't see him every day). Certainly when you do see him, you can make observations about what he's doing, what he responds to, and then next time, see what's different. When my daughter was a baby, I noticed new/different things about her every day. If you see him once a month, there will be big changes you'll notice. I realize you're an energetic kid who likes to be active doing things, but one of the best things I remember about a tiny baby, is having her (or him, in this case) sleep on you, for which you have to be pretty still, or just rocking gently. There's really nothing else quite like it. :)
S
There's actually a book called "Experimenting With Babies" out there. Lots of fun!
http://www.experimentingwithbabies.com/
ha, what a great book, I might have to get hold of a copy to share with friends! :)
S
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