It seems like forever since I posted last. I suppose five days is forever in internet terms...and that wasn't even me posting. Christmas was perfect, but busy. And logistically difficult, what with having to get the degus and their cage and all and then smuggle them into Mrs Hudson's flat and then keep Sherlock out of there until Christmas morning.
He's in and out of there two or three times a day normally, so it wasn't easy, but worth it in the end. His eyes got so wide, and he actually couldn't make a sound for almost a minute, just jumped up and down with glee.
L picked out the guitar for Mycroft of course. I know nothing about them, but it looks like a nice one, and he's clearly a lot happier with it than he was with piano. I didn't make him keep up the piano at Harrow, but I assume they have some sort of music programme there so he can keep learning when he goes back to school. He was showing Carla what he'd learned so far earlier. She looked impressed, as was I.
Nicky and her family arrived today. We met them for lunch and then Nicky and Carla hit the sales, and the rest of us went back to the flat for a while to meet the degus and pick up the dogs for a run in the park. It's wonderful seeing everyone again. No idea what we're doing tomorrow, but I suspect it will involve either museums or ice skating or both. I think Mycroft and Carla have a schedule.
He's in and out of there two or three times a day normally, so it wasn't easy, but worth it in the end. His eyes got so wide, and he actually couldn't make a sound for almost a minute, just jumped up and down with glee.
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| This is Argon. Mercury hasn't held still long enough to be photographed yet. |
Nicky and her family arrived today. We met them for lunch and then Nicky and Carla hit the sales, and the rest of us went back to the flat for a while to meet the degus and pick up the dogs for a run in the park. It's wonderful seeing everyone again. No idea what we're doing tomorrow, but I suspect it will involve either museums or ice skating or both. I think Mycroft and Carla have a schedule.
163 comments:
I cannot express how happy it makes me that you all get on so well, honestly. Looking around the room, seeing everyone together and happy just...makes my heart feel like it'll burst out of my chest. (yes, Sherlock, you can have it if it ever actually does.)
Nicky, well not just her of course, all of them really, everyone's been so kind and accepting, and it's just...amazing to me. You have a wonderful family. I'm really happy to know them.
Doesn't seem to be a noun established. A group of mice is a mischief. Maybe a group of degus can be a generosity?
I think Mycroft and Carla have a schedule.
And will keep you all to it. :D
The image of a speechlessly thrilled Sherlock is one I will treasure.
And a guitar will be a lot easier for Mycroft to practice...well, anywhere, really...than a piano. (And it's lovely to feel the vibrations go through you when you play.)
Oh, Argon is adorable! I love her pointy ears!
My son's hamster was at a friends for the week, then smuggled in a good 36 hours ahead of time. She sat in her cage, sans wheel, in the room next to his with him being none the wiser until Xmas morning. I still can't believe we pulled it off. But his "oh, AWESOME!" when he saw her was worth every hassle.
Have fun these next days! It is always wonderful when you have family that isn't just family, but friends too.
Well, the ones we see are amazing, yes.
I was almost scared to tell them about you this time last year, in case it all went wrong... and, yeah, this year's been fantastic.
Did you tell them about me last Christmas? That seems like years ago. And yes, it has been fantastic.
Which makes me wonder...What are you doing for New Year's Eve this year?
Told Nicky I was seeing someone, no details. Like I said, I was too scared.
And a year later you've moved in. Not bad. :)
RR - no idea. I'm sure it'll be good though.
Ha, yeah. Fell for your charms :)
I'm sure it'll be good though.
If I understand correctly, the key is to spend it with whomever you want to spend the coming year.... :)
Fairly quiet, I think, RR. I've got to work the next morning.
Quiet is nice. Quiet is personal.
I imagine Mrs Hudson will join us, if she doesn't have a mad party to attend elsewhere.
Not to mention two (possibly sleeping) dogs, two (probably sleeping) degus, and two (trying not to fall asleep) boys. :)
Dogs and degus might outlast the boys... Ought to outlast me, except I refuse to let Mrs H be John's first kiss of 2012!
Dogs and degus might outlast the boys...
Ha! Very possibly. :)
And I'm sure John would wake you up before the clock strikes twelve. :D
That degu is ridiculously cute.
I'm so glad that you're all having a good time together, and enjoying being an extended family.
Lestrade - I'm pretty sure that John's saving his New Year's Eve midnight snog for you :-)
They're both completely adorable, Nameless. Partly because they seem so intelligent, they're really entertaining. Sounds like some other things around here...
I'm saving all my midnight snogs for him.
Oh, and look at the time...
I do have excellent timing, it's true.
Just one of the many excellent things about you.
Want to lay a bet on how long it'll be before we're woken by one 6yr old and two rodents in our bed? I'm thinking it won't be long. I know currently he's entertained by them enough not to leap on us, but soon the two will surely combine to mean I'm waking up to a bright-eyed whiskery face which isn't yours...
If he does, it will only be once. There will be a strict no rodents in my bed policy.
I shall sleep soundly in my bed tonight, knowing you'll protect me...
(someone called me 'rat faced' once... Luckily I think some rats are quite handsome creatures. Don't think that's how he meant it, though...)
Anyway, sleep, lovely. Museums and skating and shopping and eating and fun to do tomorrow. Today.
Well...the degus are adorable and so are you, so it sort of works. You're not as whiskery though. Not after you shave, at least.
Sleep, yes. Sounds wonderful.
Oh, Mazarin - what's your hamster's name?
Night night, gentlemen!
No name yet - the boy is at grandma's for the week, and we promised faithfully to watch over her until he gets home to name her. He only had about 6 hours with her until we had to leave to go up there.
It's...eerily quiet in the house. I'm sort of confused with what to do with all of this time I suddenly have on my hands.
I get the feeling I say this incredibly often on your blogs, but it's wonderful seeing how much of a family you all are. Also, Argon is so cute!
I went ice skating today. I probably don't need to tell you that it was a lot of fun and I am somewhat black, blue, and red. Still, well worth spending time with my friend.
I hope you both have a good night's rest, and wake up rodent - free in the morning.
-A from NW
We're going to take to the ice shortly. I hope Danger is going to kiss any of my bruises better!
The bed was indeed rodent free this morning, glad to say. And we met Nicky and the gang for breakfast.
It sounds like it'll be a lovely day (no sarcasm intended). :)
I hope Danger is going to kiss any of my bruises better!
Why do I now have visions of you landing on your backside over and over again? ;-p
Have a lovely day, all :-)
It's like you're here with us...
Are you skating, John? Or just enjoying the view? :D
Bit of both, though I think I'm done now until we leave, which will probably be soon. Everyone's getting hungry.
Mmmm food
Where do you want to go?
Mmmm food
You SAY "food", but you're thinking "coffee", aren't you. :)
John likes it when I eat 3 meals a day. Coffee gets me a low grade look.
Don't you pick on John for trying to make you live a healthier life, Orio Lestrade!
Do the two cancel out? So that if you drink coffee with a meal you're safe?
(It's a lovely thing to have someone who cares enough to not give up at trying to improve your health, isn't it? Good luck with the caffeine reduction plan, John!)
He's the one who brought it up! I'm just being supportive.
he just picks the moments to show maximum support when I most need a coffee... heh.
No, he's brilliant. And it's very helpful having someone to remind me, given it is a habit as much as an addiction.
And I don't think they cancel out, no, RR. But it'll take a lot to make me give up after-dinner coffee. Or espresso in the morning.
Cutting down is not the same as cutting out!
Have you tried alternating regular and decaf? That'd cut the caffeine by half immediately. (It's always easier to replace a habit than eliminate it.)
One of my bosses told me that when he was a general's aide, he made every pot for a week three quarters regular and a quarter decaf. The next week, he made it half and half, and the next week thee quarters decaf and a quarter regular. The last week it was all decaf.
Then he made a pot of 100% regular. He said it was most productive day the office ever had.
DW, that practically qualifies your boss as an evil genius... :D
I'm just trying to find some decent decaff beans. I need to taste some. Otherwise I just drink the crap at the yard.
I've been trying to drink decaff if we're out and it's not a bad brew. But I'd rather drink tea than bad coffee.
Honestly, L, just how much are you drinking? I hate to sound like an enabler here, but unless you're swilling coffee from morning till night (are you?) I don't see how it's so bad, unless you're feeling badly, of course.
I've tried to cut some caffeine because I don't think I was sleeping well, but I don't see any reason to cut down my morning coffee. I honestly don't think my 3 cups in the AM and my tea in the afternoon is hurting me any.
If I mention decaf tea will you throw things at me, John?
(Tea has roughly half the caffeine as regular coffee, cup for cup, without being decaffeinated.)
Maz - That sounds like a good amount to me. If I could get down to 3-5 cups a day, with the rest as tea or decaff I'd think I'd done pretty well.
As for swilling it morning 'til night...well, obviously it depends what I'm doing, but yeah, I sort of chain-drink it. I can easily do ten mugs a day, if not more. It's just a bit much.
It's not a big thing though, just trying to find simple ways to cut it out - like having tea when I'm at home, seeing as John drinks it anyway - instead of coffee, in the evening. Getting some decaff in, so I can drink that after dinner. Just little changes.
Sounds like a sensible plan.
What are you all doing now?
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Four mugs of coffee
Three cups of decaff
Two body piercings
And a degu in a Christmas tree
SH - I'm dreading what you'll come up with for 'maids a milking' ;)
Speaking of body piercings, however... maybe before the 12 days are up...
Eep! I cringe just a little bit every time you bring it up but yet I'm oddly fascinated. Let us know if you go through with it! :D If there were a way to do it where I don't feel it, I'd have it done, but as it is...NO WAY. You're a braver man than I. Well, of course you are, being a man, but you know what I mean!
SH--I LOVE this!
Really, Lestrade? That should be interesting.... :)
(I say "interesting" because I had this image of the whole lot of you trooping off right now to get it done...)
SH - ha, brilliant. I hope you're planning to continue...though I am mildly concerned what you'll come up with!
RR - decaf tea is... I don't know. Maybe if you used three or four bags, it might be all right. It doesn't taste bad, as such, it just doesn't taste like anything.
I mostly drink green tea, which doesn't taste like much either way. :)
Doc - I shall try to continue, although what I come up with really depends on the contents of your blogs ;)
Mazarin - I'm a bit the same. I think I'll be fine, I mean... I'm not really worried about pain or anything. But if Danger reports back that I've only got one done, you'll know that I reconsidered after finding out what it's actually like!!
I just want to get it done when there's still a good few months I can get away with wearing a t-shirt under my shirts at work, not in the summer!
Yes, I can see why! Ladies have it a bit easier than the gents in the camouflage department, although you wear a suit most of the time, correct? The jacket should help.
And I'm sure you'll be fine. Just...start with whatever side you'd prefer if you end up with just one, I suppose! :D My understanding is guys don't usually get it right through the nipple, but a little to the side/behind it.
*wincing*
I can't think it'd be hugely worse than getting your ears pierced.
I think just one looks a bit...silly? I say, ignoring the fact that a 47 yr old with nipple piercings will probably look silly anyway. I do wear a suit jacket when I'm out, just a shirt in the office though.
I'll see how John's bearing up after I've squeezed his hand so tight the bones have creaked...
I guess it depends on the difference in sensitivity between ones earlobes and ones nipples. (I understand that the latter varies quite widely from person to person, right?)
Maybe they can do them simultaneously...
Really though, I'm sure you'll be fine. It can't possibly be that bad.
Perhaps they use a topical anesthetic?
Want yours done at the same time?
That was to John, obviously, RR. Although, y'know...
Heh. No thank you.
That was to John, obviously, RR. Although, y'know...
*politely* No, I don't think so, thank you all the same.
*runs screaming*
But you wont blame me when i crush your hand and cry on your shoulder?
I'm sure it'll be fine. Just have to be careful afterward!
Not at all, crush away. I take it you're leaning toward getting it done then?
Yes. Sort of.
It might be the wine talking...
If we don't like it, they'll just heal over, so...sort of nothing to lose? Except my dignity?
I'm pretty sure your dignity will remain intact no matter what.
You say the sweetest things.
So...yeah. I'll have to go and make an appointment and pick a place and everything but...
Probably will redeem your lovely voucher soon. Before I lose my nerve and have to wait for next winter.
A few years ago, I was designated moral support when my friend went to get her *euphemism for downstairs lady-part* pierced.
I had a wee drink beforehand (she wanted me in the room with her, it was necessary!) but she didn't and was absolutely fine. She bit her lip and grimaced a bit but that was it.
So by my reckoning nipples should be a walk in the park! ;-)
Lovely. Just let me know when, I'm sure Mrs H will be happy to watching the boys. She may be more enthusiastic about this than you are.
If we don't like it, they'll just heal over, so...sort of nothing to lose?
Right. It's tattoos that are forever. ;)
And I agree with John about your dignity.
I've read everything from 'won't hurt a bit' to 'one of the most painful piercings a man can have' so...i'm prepared for anything.
My nipples aren't especially sensitive though. I like it when Danger's a bit rough with them ;) so I think that will help?
Mrs H is not getting a look at my chest, so she has nothing to get excited about.
RR, i will also get a huge heart tattooed on, with a banner reading 'Danger' across it...why not?
Right, get all the screaming over at once. :D
(And I would think that less-sensitive nipples would help quite a lot.)
Exactly.
Anyway, now Danger and I must go and examine each other's war wounds from a day involving ice skating. We've already had ice and rest, so now maybe some elevation and even a small amount of compression is in order? But I'm no doctor...he might not want to squeeze the bits of me that are up...
with a banner reading 'Danger' across it
Ha! Lopsided and on your bum?
Lestrade - Maybe if you're lucky John'll use his special skills to kiss it all better ;-)
Going briefly back to the tea discussion, rosehips and parsely make marvelous tea. Very tasty and caffiene free.
One the piercing/tattoo end, at least Greg's not female because then he might have to time his piercing around cyclical tenderness. Though considering the painlessness of my own tattoo, i can't imagine piercing would be unbearable.
Happy degus,
Bronwyn
I have a tattoo, which hurt after they started going over it to fill in the color, but actually wasn't that painful. But I hate needles, so the tattoo is on my back, as will be any future ones.
I have my ears pierced, and that was traumatic enough. My friend, though, has her lip, nose, eyebrow and ears pierced. She said it didn't hurt that much, but I think she's lying, lol.
Danger - how else, dearest, how else?
At least piercing is over very quickly, unlike tattoos. No long sessions, or going back for colours or any of that.
The poor tattoo artist who'd have to do the branding, er.. tattoo. How could they ever hope to follow docs awesomenesw on your flank? How long did your cutie marks take to come off?
Easy there, no branding - that sounds far too painful!
Sorry. I meant metaphorically. Because that would be hella painful. It was very early/late and I should have been clearer. Sorry.
No problem - I don't mind pain, but not that much pain! Tattoo, maybe, if I ever thought of anything I wanted. But that's the limit. :)
I cringe every time you talk about it. Why would you want to hurt yourself like that?
But if it makes you happy. Just don't tell me the gruesome details.
So...short a sudden stop at a piercing/tattoo parlor, what are the big plans for today?
We're in the science museum right now, probably move soon. got to walk the dogs later. And Carla might beg off to the sales again, if she doesn't want to spend time with her favourite uncle...
You could come too, Uncle Orio, I don't mind!
Dunno...what are you going to buy me if I come? Something nice?
Did Sherlock get to go on the stuff-in-jars tour?
(I would choose anything over shoppping, never mind something or someone I enjoy, but I concede it's a minority opinion. :))
Better jeans. And earrings! You could get your ears re-pierced for a trial run and I could get another piercing in mine!
What's wrong with my jeans!
I could get the holes in my ears opened up again. Is this just a way of getting yours done again and me getting in trouble with your mum?
Danger, you prepared for my mid life crisis to deepen?
You won't get in trouble! It'll be like a bonding experience or something, come onnnn.
Sorry, can't answer, trying not to laugh...
Well...what's the point of being an uncle if you can't cause trouble for your sisters, eh?
Let's go and bond, favourite niece.
I'm with you RR. I'm still at my folks for the holiday season and my Mom keeps trying to get me to go shopping with her ("think of all the sales!!" ugh, I am) and I keep telling her I've brought work up with me. Which I have done, this is just study break, as it were.
There's lots of things I'll do to have a bonding afternoon with my nieces, but I'm not sure reopening holes in my head is on the list. Good luck with that. On the other hand, there doesn't have to be anything wrong with your jeans to want a new pair.
Oh, why did I ever think you'd be anything but a bad influence?
(But I don't see you saying no, Nicky... :D)
KHolly, it was because she said 'better' jeans. I don't object to new jeans. And she is at the cutting edge of fashion, being a teenager.
And I hate the sales too, but I really don't see them often enough. I can survive... I think.
As for holes in my head...ask the doc if I need any more :)
Dear God, L, I hope Carla's "better jeans" comment doesn't mean you're wearing "dad jeans." I mean, really. Dad jeans and earrings and...other piercings don't go together.
Get him some nice dark wash, straight-leg denim, Carla. You know what I mean.
(Do you have enough badonkadonk to wear a lower-riding jean, L? Or, perhaps I should ask John that question. My man doesn't, bless him and his flat butt.)
Make sure you go somewhere decent if you do decide to get you ears (re)pierced, not just some grotty little Claire's shop with an inexperienced seasonal worker manning the piercing gun.
Carla - I hear he likes nice shirts, too :-)
Oh, why did I ever think you'd be anything but a bad influence?
Nicky - I don't know, why did you? :-p
The fact I don't even know what 'dad jeans' are worries me!
But my current ones are very dark blue, if that helps?
(although I'm sure my mid life crisis means all of those things should go together...)
And don't worry, nothing but the best for her (and me) no piercing with guns - just proper place with proper kit.
On the tea subject, a friend who works in a tea store told me that any tea can be decaffeinated -- just steep it for 20-30 seconds, dump it out, and then re-steep. The caffeine seeps out of the leaves first so the re-steeped tea should be decaffeinated. :)
L, you do realize that we'll want pics of said piercigs. I know it's not likely you'll give them, but we will want.
Really dark blue bodes well. "Dad jeans" are those that sit a bit higher on the waist, that are worn with the back pockets over the top curve of your behind, and are generally cut like you're still in 1989.
Here, a primer, and you don't need designer denim to achieve it, despite what this guy says:
http://www.denimblog.com/2007/10/lose-the-dad-jeans-guys/
The picture is what you're going for. John, back me up on this! Unless you wear dad jeans too, and if so I disavow knowledge of either of you. :D
(You guys know I kid becaue I love.)
I'll have to leave others to judge my fashion sense...I don't think they're too bad. I'm worried now :)
If your jeans aren't high-waisted, boxy, baggy, and faded, they're not dad jeans and you don't have to worry. Anyway, I'm sure Carla has something in mind. ;)
Aw, don't. I was just teasing a bit. You're happy, John's happy, everyone is having a great time. I have a feeling a guy with piercings and the motorcycle jacket you wear has a perfectly good fashion sense.
I'd tell you to have fun, but shoving needles through your ears isn't exactly "fun." (Although I got the Claire's piercing gun, so what do I know?)
(Just FYI--every time I see that picture of Argon, she looks cuter.)
Uncle Orio was very brave, and now he's got a tiny little silver stud in his ear and I've got two gold studs that he bought for me.
Gold studs, hm? He's a very good uncle indeed. :) (And a tiny silver stud is quite work-safe.)
Did you pick him out some cool jeans yet?
He's my favourite uncle, but so's John, too, because he helped pick out my earrings as well. And he laughs at uncle Orio with me when he's being silly.
We found some jeans but he said they were too young for him but then we found some more we all liked, so he got those.
I really want degus now I've seen Sherlock's. They're both so sweet and adorable!
As someone with several nieces and nephews, I can assure you it is absolutely possible to have several favorite of those, so it must be equally possible to have two favorite uncles. And good taste in jewelry is always an excellent trait in a relative. (So is someone who laughs with you.) :)
Pity about the "young" jeans--I bet they'd've looked awesome on!
And I'm starting to get an urge to get degus myself, and that's just from looking at the photo!
(The 'young' ones looked good on him too.)
Aha! I thought so... :)
They would have looked fantastic on you, too.
Bit too...well, too much stuff going on, back pockets covered in designs. I'm happy with plainer ones.
You know, if you had posted a photo, we'd have been happy to offer our opinions.
:D
Pretty sure they would've looked absurd on me.
Pretty sure they looked absurd on me! But who am I to judge :)
Got to remember about my ear when I shove my helmet on to ride to work in the morning...
It looks good though.
I hope your bike lessons are the start of a slippery slope to a mid life crisis for you, so I don't get lonely... you manage to remain so totally grown up and dignified while I indulge in all my crisises...crisee? Whatever.
Ha. I'm not grown up, I'm just boring. The two are easy to confuse.
Dignified, and I don't find you boring in the slightest. Far from it. Positively exciting.
*ahem*
"Crises." (Which term I am not at all convinced is applicable to either of you. Nor "boring".)
Even without the helicopters and treks across deserted moors?
They have nothing to do with the many reasons I find you exciting.
Mm. Glad to hear it.
Did you ever doubt it?
No, not really. :)
You know, when Carla said "They're both so sweet and adorable! ", I thought she was talking about the degus. now I'm not so sure :-p
Good. Certain parts of my body frequently get very excited by you ;)
Ha, thanks, Nameless. I think Nicky may refuse degus in a cage in Carla's room, let alone two middle aged men
*parenthetically*
See, this is the opposite of a midlife crisis. That's when people are looking for something, not when they've found it.
I suspect Carla wouldn't be interested in two middle aged men in a cage in her room.
There might be other takers though.
Rider - I was just thinking along similar lines. I don't think me husband would let me though...
Mind you, I suspect the degus might well behave with more... decorum :-p
Ha! Probably. Although we were told that two boys would fight, whereas two girls would co exist peacefully.
That all depends on the specific girls and boys, doesn't it...Oh, you meant degus!
:D
I won't describe what a boy and a girl get up to...
I'm sure you can all imagine the result
From what I read, the phrase "early and often" is most appropriate.
(I meant having litters, what else?)
About 170 to 300 grams (6.0 to 11 oz), according to Wikipedia.
about six times that, I think, DW!
And no, I don't know why I'm still awake either...
Because it was a happy day?
Yeah, probably :)
(tomorrow won't be though, at this rate!)
It's a good reason.
Back to work tomorrow?
Yes. Sorry, fell asleep last night (thankfully) and this morning was a bit hectic. New rule - no degus on the breakfast table.
And been non stop since I got here.
That's what I was hoping. ( The falling asleebuoys, not the degus on the table or the busy day at work bits!)
(??? I KNOW that said "falling asleep bit"!!)
hah. Yeah, fighting for my piece of toast with a rodent first thing in the morning isn't my ideal morning routine.
At least they didn't try and get my coffee.
No doubt Sherlock has already trained them to leave the stealing sips of coffee for him. :D
yeah, there's a lot of cream swilling about this flat from Christmas, which obviously means that cream in my morning coffee is a must...bad for the arteries, good for the tastebuds. But it makes Sherlock even more desperate to have some. Especially as Mycroft's allow it.
I made him a very milky/creamy coffee this morning, with half chocolate, small amount of coffee, lots of cream and milk.
Sorry, Danger, if he's totally hyperactive...
Better in the morning than the afternoon! (Caffeine hangs around in the body longer the younger you are.) And I bet it made him very happy. Anyway, it's tomorrow he'll be needing an afternoon rest if he'll be wanting to stay up until midnight, not today...
(Says the woman an ocean away from having to deal with a caffeinated Sherlock :D)
yeah, he never gets coffee in the afternoon. Although i suppose if I get decaff he might be allowed a weak one.
I just feel bad that I hyped him up then left for work! Still, I'm sure they'll all burn off energy charging around the city having fun.
Should do!
(I'm sure you'll hear from John if not. :))
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