Five years ago today, I met Greg - and the boys and Anthea shortly before that, Mrs H shortly before that. It seems simultaneously like I've known them all forever and like it can't possibly have been that long.
Time is a strange thing.
It passes more quickly when you're happy, but when I look back on happy times, most of them seem oddly protracted, taking up a larger portion of my memory than they factually ought to, while most of the worst ones seem jammed up together as if they happened in the space of seconds. They don't have any less weight than the happy ones do (more sometimes, depending on the day), but they don't seem to take up as much room as they used to.
A lot of that is because of Greg and his love and patience. And the quiet times spent browsing the internet on the sofa together looking for terrible Christmas socks for Mycroft. Or riding the bikes somewhere. Or just eating dinner together. There's a peace to my life with him now that I not only never had before but could not even imagine until...probably two or three years after I met him.
Thank you, Greg. I love you.
Time is a strange thing.
It passes more quickly when you're happy, but when I look back on happy times, most of them seem oddly protracted, taking up a larger portion of my memory than they factually ought to, while most of the worst ones seem jammed up together as if they happened in the space of seconds. They don't have any less weight than the happy ones do (more sometimes, depending on the day), but they don't seem to take up as much room as they used to.
A lot of that is because of Greg and his love and patience. And the quiet times spent browsing the internet on the sofa together looking for terrible Christmas socks for Mycroft. Or riding the bikes somewhere. Or just eating dinner together. There's a peace to my life with him now that I not only never had before but could not even imagine until...probably two or three years after I met him.
Thank you, Greg. I love you.
185 comments:
Happy anniversary, gents :-) And thank you, for letting us into your journey together.
Happy anniversary. Hope you feel better soon, John.
Happy anniversary-sort-of!
Happy anniversary gentlemen, time flies when you're having fun 😀
I hope today treats you all as well as possible 😊
Please tell me you found some suitable socks for Mycroft. And that you got some for yourselves too.
We found some possibles, SH.
John - I have never had anyone in my life who I trust like I trust you. And no, it didn't happen quickly, but I know it's true. And it means the world to me. Love you too. Might have to take you out for a slap up West End dinner ;)
Dinner would be lovely.
See, loads braver asking you out now ;) tonight? Can Mrs H guard the goblin king?
She says she'd be happy and also denies any matchmaking intentions on her part. Claims to be 'not actually psychic'.
Hang on, which Mrs H are we talking about? Actually, makes little difference. They are both psychic. I do believe Mrs Holmes would match make more subtly...well... It involved the SAS and helicopters, so not very subtle... Anyway, Mrs Hudson would just have engineered us being locked in a cupboard with no trousers or something... That sort of ' not subtle '.
I think I'm rambling...
Their mum volunteered. And you're right, I'm actually surprised in retrospect that Mrs Hudson didn't lock us in a cupboard...
Now I have visions of her trying to tap us repeatedly and us just avoiding it every time, completely unawares.
Do we just live in some sort of romantic drama? Like the Trueman show, but... The HWL show??
It would honestly not surprise me...
Right, booked a place. I'll pick you up at 8 ;)
Perfect :)
I can just imagine the soppy grin on your face, boss.
Have a nice time, John. The difference you've made to the boss is great to see. He's like a different person. (a more annoying, less grumpy person )
Congratulations guys. 5 years, wow - as you say, seems like ages and no time at all. :)
The question you have to ask, Sally, is does the less grumpy part more than make up for the more annoying part - I'm going to guess the answer has to be Yes judging by how great these two are together.
Hope you have a wonderful evening celebrating. Congratulations and have fun. :)
Got my husband on my arm, a bottle on ice and a fantastic menu in front of me! I'm the luckiest guy alive.
I hope you had a perfectly lovely evening. (Sherlock, too!)
We had a fantastic evening. I love my husband so much.
Sherlock had a great evening because just down the road from our flat got evacuated for a bomb scare. Nothing like the threat of explosive mayhem to brighten his day... (it all ended peacefully -false alarm)
Congratulations on the anniversary! Couldn't have happened to two nicer blokes!
Youre all very kind.
It does seem amazing that neither of us have put our for in it so badly the other did a runner ;)
And who made it so cold?? I'm not dressed for this!
And here I was thinking that it was rather warm today. In the low teens (celcius) and I was walking around with my coat open. Though my furnace is broken, so it was actually warmer outside.
It's getting down to freezing tonight, but it's more the windchill! I wasn't prepared for that on the bike - hadn't got my thermals on! Or my winter gloves.
Still, been ages since I got to come home and shove freezing hands up John's jumper, and it's important to keep traditions alive! ;)
I'm sure he was delighted to maintain the tradition ;)
Traditions are all!
Congrats a bit late. It's been a privilege, this view into your lives, and the boys'.
-fA
Congratulations! as I wrote on Greg's blog, you made each others' lives better, and a lot of other peoples' as well.
I had a warmish sunny day today and took advantage of the opportunity to tidy up the garden bed by the front door, so we'll be able to shovel the walk when it snows, for which I am not yet ready (mentally)...
S
Sherlock was beside himself with excitement because it was sleeting earlier, and snowed a few flakes in north London. But now it's a glorious - freezing - day. No clouds, so no snow.
fA - it's definitely been an experience - generally a good one - to share things with you guys.
I find it pretty funny that whenever I hear that it has snowed in London, my immediate thought is that Sherlock must be flipping out.
And oh my god is it actually five years?! Kudos, guys, you remain amazing and adorable. <3
It is actually 5 years. We had some quail, shared some 7hr lamb, an excellent bottle of wine and some quince and meringue pudding with a very cheeky ice wine to finish :)
John, are you following the tennis in London? You must be pleased with the final set for tomorrow.
Well...I'll be pleased if the right man wins ;) But yeah, should be a good match!
Well, we picked a freezing, but dry, day to put most of the allotment to sleep... last courgettes picked, tomato plants pulled up, general tidying. Next year we've agreed to try aubergine as well as cucamelons.
Glad you got everything out to bed & if definitely like to see your crop of cucamelons when they appear, they were so cute.
Gorgeously frosty morning, even had to scrape the car for the first time this winter. It seems only right with everything being white over that the Pogues & Slade provided the music for my drive in to work. ;)
Have a great day everyone. :)
We've nt got christmas music here yet. Just absolutely freezing cold. Although I was better prepard this morning! But my office is too cold.
We have Christmas lights up all over the city already. (They call them "holiday lights", but there are no turkeys or menorahs; they are Christmas lights!) START SHOPPING!
We have those here too, though at least the town only puts up snowflakes. I am not too busy looking forward to Thanksgiving to avoid being cranky and insisting that the Christmas season only begins once Santa comes down the road in the Macy's parade.
START shopping? I'm almost DONE shopping. Just a couple stocking fillers left to sort out.
Doesn't feel right though, it's been so unseasonably warm here. I can't believe that Thanksgiving is this week.
yeah, warning: dates on calendar are closer than they appear!
I must be sure to buy the pears for my pie tomorrow so they will ripen up a bit before I slice into them on Thursday. And the orange for the cranberry relish. Looks like we are getting away with not having snow before TG this year, which.... is ok, cos I don't want to have to drive in it!
S
Chanukah starts in two weeks (less one day), but I am Thankful (see what I did there?) that my family does not do Chanukah gifts, so no shopping for me. In fact, now is when I start giving all retail establishments a very wide berth...
Our lights don't have any sort of particular imagery. There's some spheres, some feathers, I don't know what else, in central london.
By the way, you should all google 'a long time ago in a galaxy far far away' today.
I fear people will fall back on the advice 'if Lestrade says it, don't Google it.'
It is actually safe, readers, although the advice still stands in general.
Thank you, Mycroft--I was indeed suspended between "STAR WARS!" and "if Lestrade says it..."
That is so cool. :) Really looking forward to seeing it. Hope it's as good as 4,5,6 which are, of course, far superior to 1,2,3.
Thanks for convincing us of the safety of that search, Mycroft, I have to admit I've been caught out before. ;)
Can't believe you guys don't just trust me! I'm an upstanding officer of the law. Married to a doctor! You don't get more trustworthy.
And you're not helping, Mycroft!
(And I hope you're all blasting a bit of Queen out and having a dance - the anniversary of Freddie's death today. Sherlock and I have been having a singalong)
I'm not blasting Queen (or anything else, I am being veryveryquiet out of respect for my head), but I finally had a chance to check out the Google search--it did nothing on my iPod. Awesome! Thanks for the heads up. :)
I shall think quietly of queen, I have a vestibular migraine, which is a very weird type of migraine that has the weird neurological effects without the headache. Hey, at least my vertigo got diagnosed, right?
Feel better, Becca--I guess it's better to know what's causing it, but I can't think it's any less unpleasant.
Mycroft, Sherlock, I hope you know you can always talk to me, John or any other adult in your life about anything at all. We all love you so much.
(...Is everything okay, L? I mean, did something happen to prompt that?)
I spend my days seeing more terrible things than you can think of. And recent studies suggests only 1in 8 cases of abuse are reported. I never want the boys to think there aren't people they can turn to.
:(
You're a good man, Lestrade.
The biggest problem is that often when kids do tell a parent the 'professionals' don't do anything anyway which makes it harder for the kids to trust anyone at all!
It's a system - or lack of system - completely fraught with flaws and problems, Anonymous. I wouldn't even know where to start to put it right, if I'm honest. I am very sorry if you speak from personal experience, though. Sometimes decisions are made which not even other professionals can understand, let alone the kids.
And as I make my frantic last minute shopping list (I guess maybe we ought to have vegetables tomorrow), I am reminded of the people who work on all of our behalf, on days the rest of us expect to have with our families. Doctors, Nurses, Cops, Fire Fighters, EMTs, Emergency Call Center Dispatchers, Soldiers...even TV and Radio Hosts...
Thanks
Happy thanksgiving to all of you celebrating.
Thanks, L! Hope you're all having a good day, even without a holiday. :)
You can buy pills to take that make your poo glittery.
Ah, the perfect stocking stuffer...
I refuse to get them for anyone other than the dogs - not that I want to look at their poo, but at least it's something I inevitably have to do. I am not being yelled at to go and view anyone else's!
Oh dear....
We've had an adventure here, dropped raw pumpkin pie all over the oven door. Which my father then had to take a shower with to get all clean. That oven door has never been cleaner!
About bloody time!
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/26/review-rules-banning-gay-men-from-giving-blood?CMP=twt_a-politics_b-gdnukpolitics
I will be first in the queue to roll up my sleeve and give a pint when my monogamous marriage to John is no longer seen as 'riskier' than a heterosexual who has drunken one-night stands every day of the week! (Not that there's anything wrong with doing that, if it's what floats your boat - but in terms of risk, it's ridiculous that a chromosome belonging to a partner makes the difference.)
[LIKE]
Of course, the US only just (this past May) got around to recommending the 1-year ban that's now being reviewed in the UK, so I don't suppose we'll get sensible regulations any time soon.
Any of you Americans want to come and pick up your space trash? ;)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-34941462
Alas, my boat's in the shop...
Late holiday greetings to my American compadres. If you're shopping today, may it be productive, at least.
Becca - late, but may I vote a BIG yay for knowing *why* you get the vertigo? A friend got the same diagnosis for a different but equally scary symptom.
I'm taking a deep breath after a weekend trip to early Thanksgiving with family, an entire day of you-wouldn't-believe-it-in-fiction coincidences taking various friends to emergency rooms/urgent care docs (everyone on the mend without hospitalization), and regular Thanksgiving day. Today is a peaceful half day at work.
And now to the important thing: glitter poo??!!!
What a glorious time to be alive!!
-fA
p.s. Given the various regressive policies being seriously considered or implemented in the U.S. right now, I will greet with relief anything that smacks of rational thought in our public policies but I am not generally hopeful.
-fA
Thanks fA. It's actually helped with treating it too, now I take a tylenol or advil as soon as I feel dizzy and it's reducing the length of time I feel bad.
Glad you all survived Thanksgiving - and I hope you all survived Black Friday. I'm incredibly happy to report Black Friday here seems to be a fad which has gone away a bit. I think people were so embarrassed by last year's show they stayed away this year. All to the good, I think!
I have treated the day or two after TG as "buy nothing days" for years now, and I delete unread all email about "special deals".
I'm also thankful that in my family there is no longer the expectation of "piles of presents", and the important thing is to be together.
S
Isn't it just (not that some of our younger readers don't rather enjoy the pile of presents too - but even they...he...would survive if he didn't get any, really.) It's just so lovely to spend time together.
If I get to hang out in my current role until Christmas then I'll be off on the big day again!
We'll hope you do have off on Christmas then! I've done time-shifted celebrations for years now, but that works because my inner circle is small. You sound like you have a ton of extended family & friends to juggle this year. I hope you have a surprisingly warm and enjoyable time. Or times.
The house is properly cool for baking. I think I'm going to get started!
-fA
Well....John...shall I get you some magic....gel! It's magic gel, honest. Not anything else....nope.....just a nice safe kid's toy, nothing to see here, no sireeee. Harmless fun. Harmless, magic....fun.
http://www.johnlewis.com/3d-magic-3d-gel-pack-of-3/p2302109
The things you find at perfectly respectable retailers! You have some kind of magical shopping talent, that's for sure, L.
Or perhaps the rest of us just don't have your open minded eye for the . . . possibilities. Or unintended conequences. Or . . . something.
Just so long as any leaky . . . gel isn't exposed to ultraviolet light I guess there's no risk.
-fA
These things find me, fA, I swear!
Mmmhmm. It's a talent.
-fA
That's a pretty amazing find Greg ;-)
I love the family time at Christmas, the boxing day party is more important to my kids than any presents which I think is pretty amazing for a 1, 5 and 8 year old :-)
That's lovely, AnonyBob. I think Sherlock will enjoy the social whirl this Christmas - and we'll have to make sure Mycroft has space to escape to when it all gets a bit too full on.
Just found John's Christmas pressie - http://www.unihabitat.jp/products/udn33/
Things I love about cold weather - snuggling up close to my husband in bed for warmth. Things I don't love about cold weather - snuggling up to my husband in bed for warmth, opening my eyes and being an inch away from Maf's bumhole.... she needs to learn to point the other way!!
Oh dear...
Maftet would be so happy if she never had to be parted from you. I'll get you two, obviously, so one can be in the wash at any time...
Anyone else think that Andy Murray sounds like some weird Scottish/Dalek hybrid in his interviews after the Davis Cup?
I, too, survive Black Friday by avoiding all stores (as much as possible!) from Thanksgiving through the week after Christmas--it's dangerous out there!
(It would have been so wonderful if my parents had made sure to provide me with a quiet space to retreat to during large gatherings! Mycroft's a lucky one to have you thinking of it. :))
Well, He's asked us if no one can share his room, for that reason, RR. This place isn't exactly peaceful at the best of times, and with only being home every so often he deserves his own space. I don't know many family gatherings that have space for everyone to escape each other generally!
Mostly it's enough if no one draws attention to it when someone slips away for a little bit. In my family someone was always bound to make a big issue of it, which really defeated the whole purpose.
See, Mycroft escapes for his own sanity... We have to remove Sherlock for everyone else's sanity (only kidding, kiddo)
Heh.
Some people find a crowd makes everything electric and exciting, and some people fine a crowd sucks all the air out of a room (that's me)--most fall somewhere in between. It's good to have options!
I was going to say 'you're not alone'...but no one would think that was as amusing as I do, I expect!
HA!
So, if anyone wants a glimpse of what I get up to every day, the mini-series on C4 about a murder squad is basically it - it's a documentary. I should have said last night, when it started. Called 'The Murder Detectives'. It doesn't pull any punches. Sherlock was desperate to watch it, and slowly edged from the floor to end up inbetween John and I, under a blanket on the sofa last night. He's full of questions tonight.
I'll be seeing if I can find a way to watch it here--but since I don't have someone to sit between on the couch, I may end up trying to watch it through my fingers...
Y'all are good parents.
I imagine you know that, but it bears saying.
-fA
It's not that bad, RR. Sometimes he just forgets he's only a kid, and real life includes all the bits he doesn't want to see as well as the bits he does.
What fA said--you two are good parents.
(I haven't found a legal way to watch it here...yet!)
Watching the last episode now. Sherlock is desperate to know who did it.
Has he drawn a conclusion of his own?
Oh yeah, he thought the guy they had did it, but I've explained to him about juries before, and he was as worried as the team on the documentary.
I hope justice was in fact served...
It was. Minimum23 year sentence for the boy who did it. Which still isn't much, considering. His parents were both jailed too, for aiding him after the fact. A moment of anger ruining so many lives.
Better than him going free. (But, yeah, it's still so sad.)
Well, I really wasn't sure they'd overturn the Pistorius case, but I'm glad they did. Could never see how that was the right verdict before.
It is very good news that sense has finally prevailed with that case, I hope now the world will stop focusing on him and what he's up to and remember that a wonderful young woman named Reeva Steenkamp lost her life at his hands.
Spot on, Anonybob.
In a happier moment, I have just been attacked by tinsel and decorations so we have a cheerful office.
Only three weeks to Christmas!
And less than three days to Chanukah--it starts Sunday night. Have something fried! :)
We put our tree up yesterday. The baby of the family, who really isn't a baby now, is obsessed with the tinsel :-)
Awww! (It's sparkly and rustle-y, what's not to like? :))
That seems to be her feeling RR :-)
Last year she was really too little to help with the tree decorating but this year she's loving it :-)
Yay for her multiplying the joy! :)
Pandabob, my (grown) children will tell you that I'M obsessed with tinsel! Or, technically what is called here icicles - the skinny strips that hang over the branches individually. More time intensive than tinsel garlands. Hence the charge that I'm obsessed.
RR- I hope you enjoy your family's celebration of Chanukah! I know not everyone makes it a big extravaganza, but the older I get the the more I favor taking any excuse to celebrate.
Yeah, we don't make a big thing of it, but it's still a holiday to celebrate. I'm all in favor of celebrating, especially with lights and fried food!
I think I'd rather have a small child obsessed with tinsel than Maf!
Why is it Sherlock pours scorn on believing in Father Christmas, but is completely rooting for Krampus to be real? Tells you a lot about our youngest!
Watching how Sherlock's mind work must make him even more endlessly fascinating than it already is watching any kid grow up. Probably also contributes to a certain fatigue . . .
-fA
I keep saying we should stop feeding him ;)
Today's discussion - when is the right time to get a Christmas Tree?
You can definitely do it too soon, especially with Maf and then the hounds around the place, I'd go for getting it when Mycroft comes home (sorry Mycroft), a sort of Christmas starts here thing!
That's a whole week away
Which I agree is a long time and also not fair because I bet you break up the week after like my school does, but it gives you plenty of planning and making time, which could be useful
Sherlock years are the opposite to dog and cat years. One lasts about 3 human years. Paper chains are a remarkable hit though.
How about popcorn chains? Or is that a bad idea, what with all the critters in the flat?
I think the dogs would try to eat them. Is not a thing here, popcorn chains. I don't think I've ever even seen one.
Christmas shopping....... Along with everyone else in London
I've seen photos only, where popcorn chains look charmingly old fashioned, but I'd worry about the smell making me hungry 24/7!
Good luck on your shopping safari...
we've survived....I think Maf will get more presents than anyone else. Except perhaps the dogs and degus...although they have to share.
I'm sure Maf will accept that as being only right and proper.
Besides, she's the youngest!
Terrible scenes from all the flooded areas up North - I hope all of you lot are okay.
Very sad to see an old gent was killed on his way to the Arsenal match yesterday, too, by the high winds.
I know we don't get it as bad as other countries but somehow it makes it all the more shocking when things like this happen over here from the weather. Hope everyone here is ok.
Braving the London shopping crowds today & going to Winter Wonderland too. Did you go & see that when you were in town at the weekend - I'm sure Sherlock would enjoy the food even if he wasn't interested in Santa.
I really miss murders.
Not something you hear every day...hard day, L?
It's just a very different way of investigating crimes. I miss the way I'm used to.
That surprises me--I would have thought investigative methods would be more or less the same no matter what the crime. Interesting!
In the current job about 90% of our work is files on computers. A few percent of historical allegations, a few where you can actual get out and wear out some shoe leather.
With murder you've almost always got a crime scene, or a body, or something like that to go on. Completely different ways of running an investigation.
It's also incredibly frustrating because all the hard drives we send away are on a huge backlog so we end up having to bail offenders, usually for at least 6 months, if not longer.
That does not sound like the best possible fit of job to person. Do you know how much longer you're going to be there?
We all have to be flexible. Nature of the job. And no, I don't yet.
It's very quiet without you here, boss. No one belting out Christmas songs. Everyone just working quietly.
Miss you too. No one complaining about my singing, or hating The Darkness with me...
My teabag had sprung a leak. See, coffee doesn't let you down like this...
I hope you saw it before you got a mouthful of tea leaves. (Clearly, I often do not see it...)
I just drank around them...
Sherlock has announced he doesn't like gorgonzola. Sherlock. Cheese monster. Can inhale a full wedge in under 2 seconds. Now doesn't like it.
He's going to have boring pasta.
Someone tell Real Madrid to stop - it's just cruel now!
I've had coffee let me down like that, when the filter collapses. And then it's more than just a cup that's ruined, it's the whole pot.
My kids used to ask for 'naked noodles' when they were having boring pasta.
So if any of you guys over the pond see Donald Trump, can you ask him which bits of London I'm supposed to be scared to go to? No one's given me a map yet ;)
Trump: Single-handedly repealing Godwin's Law.
He does make a handy litmus test of who to unfriend on social media (and stay far away from in person)...
Everything today has been designed to annoy me. From traffic to broken tube trains and cold coffee.
Some days are sent simply to remind you of how good all the other days are :-D
But L, don't you know that you're required to be festive?!? Everyone keeps ordering each other to be happy and merry!
I'm going to be very happy with the result (time with friends & family, starting the New Year with a couple of open projects finally finished, or at least palmed off on someone else, & a week off) but this sustained burst of productivity I'm working on is killing me.
*insert prolonged entitled whining/whinging*
Do not be fooled, my life is good. I hope the vast majority of you, Internet stranger-friends, can say the same. (But I haven't even had time to dig up all my favorite holiday music with which to torture my friends, she whines . . .)
-fA
fA, can you set up Pandora with some holiday stations? Given that my kids have taken to throwing elbows as they race to either thumbs up or thumbs down particular selections, that should be torturous enough...
I'm just relying on the radio for the christmas songs
Well, Hozier's 'Take Me To Church' has won song of the year on the beeb - an excellent choice! Have a listen if you haven't already. And recorded in his attic...gives you food for thought, eh? ;)
In the meantime I gave John a nice rendition of 'Christmas is all around me' instead ;)
I fear one of these baffling Christmas Cards features a long-ago relative of Mycroft's hounds....
http://www.digitiser2000.com/main-page/19-baffling-vintage-christmas-cards
They are completely bizarre, why on earth did people consider any of those to be Christmassy. The picture of the two dogs about to bite that boy's head off at the top is pretty creepy too.
O_O
Well thanks for those cards! (What in the name of all that's holy does the frog stabbing have to do with . . . anything?)
Not only did I laugh, but I no longer feel like I have to be quite so careful who I send my Edward Gorey Christmas cards to. They seem quite tame and mainstream now.
-fA
Kestrel, the mental image I have of your young people competing to mete out judgement on Christmas music is quite amusing! I'm envisioning a sneaky one in sock feet triumphantly sliding past two siblings each trying to block the other! Possibly the real live version is less dramatic and more annoying than the imaginary one, though.
Hope you guys are enjoying the run up to the holidays.
-fA
John, husband, drinks with the new team next weds, they're all very excited to meet you, if you want to come? Drinks with the old team on Tues though....could be a messy few days!
Yeah, happy to. I'd love to meet them. I'll stock up on coffee for the mornings after...
Are you and Molly and the other bodysnatchers arranging something?
Just spoke to Molly...she says next Thursday...
....I may well discover on Friday that I am too old for that sort of thing.
I feel too old for this sort of thing just thinking about it. Perhaps you could abruptly retire on Friday and we could go and lie on a beach somewhere.
That's a lot of festivity.
(And as Sherlock will undoubtedly point out, that stuff doesn't even taste nice!)
I'll pencil in retirement.
Sherlock is more adventurous with his tasting sometimes. He didn't hate amaretto last time he tried it, but still doesn't like beer or scotch. I think he'll grow to appreciate it.
(And when time comes that Sherlock agrees with you about the taste of alcohol, I will still be pointing out to your hangovers that that stuff doesn't even taste nice... ;) )
I have just spent 45 minutes on hold with my state's health exchange only to find someone who was both knowledgeable and helpful. So yay?
Now to call two insurance companies to see if I can strongarm them into covering my expensive medication. Remind me why we don't have the NHS again?
L - you want Sherlock to not grow to appreciate such things until he's old enough to be buying them for you ;)
Becca--because the insurance and pharmaceutical companies bought themselves the Republican Party (and the Koch brothers believe that only the rich should have health care--social Darwinism in action).
but 99% of the time it both tastes delicious and causes no hangover, RR ;)
Becca - at least you found someone eventually! My entire life is spent looking for helpful people - I know knowledgeable is usually too much to ask, in my line ;)
I think I found Maf's long lost brother...
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1531229020530248&set=a.1394435464209605.1073741830.100009294945823&type=3&theater
Ah yes! My DIL posted a picture of their part-grown cat in the Christmas tree and looking very pleased with herself.
Maf is currently contenting herself with annoying the dogs, but I'm the Christmas tree will also be high on her list when we get it.
We have Mycroft back, obviously :)
I'm sure you'll enjoy the social whirl once you're engaged upon it. (Though I like the image of you sending a few emails and abruptly retiring on Friday, L.)
Congratulations on having everyone united under one roof for the rest of the holiday season. Enjoy!
-fA
Checking myself here: If someone next to you is having an attack of anxiety, do you tell them to suck it up or ask what you can do to make it easier?
Becca--Definitely not tell them to suck it up! Whether or not to ask of you can help depends on the person and the situation.
L--Then I'll only be saying it 1% of the time. ;)
Enjoy the family time!
Becca - Yeah. Generally, ask what you can do gets my vote. The person I know best who has panic attacks can't always talk clearly during them, so I know if I have to ask them a question to make it yes or no. If you actually know the person well, you might know that they prefer you to ignore them if they're in a safe situation. Maybe some people find it helpful to be told to buck up and hold it together, but I've never seen one outside of the movies. And even then, I think it was a panicked reaction (oh shit, what do I do now!?) rather than an actual panic attack.
Which I'm guessing was your take on the whole thing? I hope you didn't have to witness or experience something that made a panic attack more distressing.
-fA
P.s. Becca - good luck with getting your meds covered!
-fA
Becca- I think it's hard to know what to do if it's a person you don't know, especially if you're unsure of the reason behind the panic.
The only time I've ever told someone to pull themselves together is when there's an immediate danger, especially if I needed information from them to check no one else was in danger. Otherwise I'd fall back on slow breathing, if I had no other clues to go on. Just counting breaths in and out, try to get to a location that was calm and not full of people.
...we have a tree. And a Sherlock hyped up on sugar from the huge hot chocolate/marshmallows/cream concoction he drank. Maf is plotting something - she's sitting on the back of the sofa, pretending to completely ignore said tree, so is obviously planning its downfall. Literally.
Which last makes me think of this: http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/why-cats-drink.jpg (Is there a way to put pictures in the comments? I would so have done that!)
And Sherlock's concoction sound delicious, can I have some?
You okay Becca?
Whoops, didn't mean to repost, not sure how that happened.
I am doing better. Had a frustrating miscommunication going on, I felt anxious and cornered, they didn't realize, stuff ensued. Have talked most of it out, at this point.
Glad things are somewhat improved, Becca.
Greg, I don't know what you could possibly be worried about. Having installed the largest, shiniest, most exciting cat toy/climbing tower the flat's had since last Christmas, surely you secured it properly so it'd be safe for Maf to play in?
-fA
I'm glad talking has helped some, Becca.
fA - Maf is systematically stripping all the decorations from the bottom of the tree - although what she doesn't get the dog's tails do a fair job on.
Well, those decorations are SHINY! (But I can't help wondering--what does she do with them once she has them down?)
She kills them. Well, she bats them around the floor for a while, then they usually end up under the sofa. Sometimes she stares at them for a while, to check they're not tricking her, then she goes and gets another one off the tree.
Best cat toy EVAH!
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