#johnhenrywatson

[anintricateanalysis]

How's everyone today? Are your poor girls' ears feeling any better?

They seem to be, yes.  She isn’t hitting the side of her head and crying anymore.  And the slight fever she has is gone.  She and Ada have been dashing about the house wreaking havoc all morning.  

I finally sat her down after her afternoon nap and broke out some kinetic sand to occupy her until supper is served.  She's quite keen on that.  Tomorrow I believe she and I will both be well enough to continue on with her play program.

John is also mostly feeling better.  He’s very busy coming up with Christmas plans.  He’s quite focussed and it’s nice to see.  

His sister called him this morning.  I believe the conversation went well.  She is still in a relationship with the woman we hired as her carer when she broke her ankle earlier this year.  She is still managing to control the drinking.  John told her he was happy for her, proud of her.  I’ve never heard him say things like that to her before, so I’m glad things are working out well.

Mrs. Hudson texted me.  She says that though she’s grateful for Connie and India (Connie’s girlfriend who is now living with her), or ‘her girls’ as she’s now decided to deem them, she misses John and I terribly and may come here next week for a little visit, if that is alright with us. I told her that of course it was, but that she needs to bring us food and a London Paper.  I believe she intends to arrive Thursday of next week and stay over the weekend.

[anintricateanalysis]

Sounds like you had a lovely night ;) I hope you’re not feeling it today. What time is the playgroup date? John said he was nervous about it, what about you?

Ugh!  Drinking so much when we had to be up and out by 10:00 was not a wise choice.  If we had fun I don’t remember much of it, though the blogs seem to bear that out.  I still have a headache.

The playgroup went well, I felt.  There was a couple with a son 4 months older than Watson.  His name was Charlie.  The man is an artist, and the wife works at the village library.  They were both introverted, and quiet, but friendly.  There was a lesbian couple and their two children, a girl and a boy.  The girl was near Watson’s age, and was named Tamsin, and the boy was three, and was named Oscar.  Their mothers were polite, but not overly gregarious.  They both work from home, one is a writer, and the other runs an online shop and manages their small farm.  There was one other parent, a single father, with a four year old daughter named Alice.  He is recently widowed, and I saw he and John talking for a long time.  They seemed to get on very well.  I’m not sure what he does for a living.  John talked to him more than I did.

We’re home now, and Watson is just waking up from her nap.  She seemed to have a grand time with all the children.  There were a few instances where she had to be reminded to share, and that she can’t have everything she wants exactly when she wants it, but in general she was on her best behaviour.  I was very proud of her.  I felt she demonstrated excellent social skills, which can be a challenge in a group that large, and with children of such varying ages.  

Olivia had a bit of a difficult time, half way through, and Watson noticed and went and sat in the quiet with her, which I thought was also very kind.  This was unprompted.  She seems to be very empathetic, especially towards Olivia, which is a wonderful thing.  I believe she’s decided that Olivia is her best friend.

I think we are going to get Thai takeaway for supper tonight.  Neither of us feel like cooking.  John will go pick it up in a couple of hours, because they only deliver Friday and the weekends.

[anintricateanalysis]

What are you up to today? Is Ada still utilising her puppy eyes to get what she wants? ;) I encountered some sheep today, and got to pet them :) it was a really good walk. I was relaxed. Then I went to do a little shopping and now I'm tense from all the noise and restless people. I guess it's been a good and bad day so far. I just re-read your reply to my last ask, though, and that helped a bit, so thank you :)

John engaged my services in helping him prep the garden for autumn, so we have been very busy with that.  We were both sore, sweaty and exhausted when we were finished, but the beds are cleared of weeds, and some autumn things have been planted, and the grass has been mowed.  

Watson and Ada dug about in the dirt and played together while we worked.  They are, fortunately, becoming fast friends already.  It seems that Watson has forgotten her unfortunate experience with the puppy stampede a few weeks ago, and has decided that dogs are quite wonderful creatures.

We’ve all bathed now, and Watson’s just gotten up from her nap, so we may go into the shops in Eastbourne to get things for our supper.  Though I’m afraid that, like you, that might somewhat take the shine off my pleasant mood.  Needs must, though, I suppose.

John offered to go alone, but I want to see what sort of biscuits they have for myself, and I find it anxiety provoking to let him out of my sight lately for some reason.  I would rather go with him, despite the crowds.

I hope your night is a relaxing one.

[anintricateanalysis]

I just wanted to thank you (both) again for your blogs. It was a relief to come read about your evening... There was a mass stabbing in Turku yesterday, about 17 km from where I live, and I had just been almost at the exact location only hours earlier. It has just been confirmed as terrorism. I desperately needed something else to think about, and you gave me that for a moment, so thank you. I hope you're recovering from your dip in the Thames, and I hope your day has started well.

Oh yes, John was telling me about what happened in your country over breakfast this morning. My deepest sympathies to your countrymen, and please know that I am grateful that you and your loved ones are safe.

I have recovered from my unanticipated bathe, and we were busy all day today with the case.  We still haven’t found our suspect after their get away last night. I do hope they haven’t fled the city, or worse yet the country.

John’s sister has agreed to keep Watson until Sunday night, which is very generous of her, so we don’t need to concern ourselves with that, and we find ourselves having a quiet evening in, as there is nothing else we can do until some lab results and surveillance footage is available to us tomorrow morning.

It has been pleasant.  A little like old times.

[anintricateanalysis]

I really have to thank you both for sharing some of your struggles and whatnot with us. A lot of people pretend relationships are all light happy and fun but you're really showing us how you need to work for it if you love someone and I think that's really important for young people like me to see so thank you

Oh.  

Well, we do it for ourselves, obviously.  But if that benefits others as well, then I suppose that’s--nice.  

Relationships are work, but they are also wonderful.  Anything wonderful is worth working for in my opinion.  John will always be worth the effort.

[anintricateanalysis]

Hello :) Have your parents left already? I hope the day has been good so far. I've continued drawing, but not much else. Feels like a flashback to 2003-2007, but only the good parts. How's the weather for you? Have you worked with the bees today?

Yes, my parents have left.  John asked them to leave, because I had therapy this morning, and it was hard to come out and see them still sitting in the lounge.  I have a headache and don’t feel well, so I’m resting and John is making me some tea.

It’s raining today, and tomorrow.  So I suppose we will be stuck inside with all the noise and dust.  Perhaps we will take the car tomorrow, after John’s therapy (if he feels up to it), and go to Brighton for the day.  It is about an hour’s drive from here.  We will see how we feel.

I’m happy you have started to dabble in your drawing again.  It is clearly something that is bringing you pleasure.

[anintricateanalysis]

That's good news about Harry, and Mrs. Cartwright :) and I'm also glad that John is having a better day today. His yesterday seemed to be so miserable. Do you have individual therapy tomorrow, or am I mistaken?

Yes, I do.  And yes, I’m glad to be seeing John’s smile again today.  Transitions are always challenging.  At least they are for me.  I think it was mostly that--leaving such a relaxed holiday atmosphere, and returning to the bustle of the city. And of course we had started the morning we came back with a shell collection related tantrum from Watson.  I think that John was tired, and sad to be leaving the cottage.

[anintricateanalysis]

John is starting a new blog

His new URL is: @johnhenrywatsonholmes

He’s keeping his old blog intact, because he doesn’t want to lose all the memories there.

He wanted a fresh start, for a variety of reasons.  I’m sure that he will write some more about his motivations on his new blog tomorrow (he’s sleeping now).  But, I just thought I would let you all know.

I’ve spent the evening helping him set up his new blog, and he seems satisfied with it for now.  So, please follow him at the new URL.  He’s also kept the same profile photo/icon, so it shouldn’t look too different on your dashes.