Bits of Today

It's my day in the office today. I am really glad, because I needed a break from The Boy. That sounds terrible, doesn't it? But caring for a toddler 24/7 is a tougher job than I ever thought possible. Not only am I exhausted in the evenings, but I am emotionally drained, too. The small moments that make it worthwhile-- the little, spontaneous hugs he gives me; the coy smiles to get my attention; the intelligent-sounding jabbering-- these moments are few, lately. I am glad to be in the office interacting with adults. But what I wouldn't GIVE for one day of freedom! A day for me to do whatever I wanted, with no Boy, no work, no church work to worry about. Most people would take such a day and go to the mountains or go shopping or something. What would I do with a day off? Spend it at the Family History Library, spinning through microfilms till I am carsick, pouring through old books, pounding away through on-line databases, all in search of my elusive great-great-great grandfather, Charles. Why am I so driven to find him?

In other news, I have a long-lost uncle. He's not really MY uncle; only by marriage. My step-grandmother placed him for adoption when he was born back in the 50's. When I found out, I talked to her about it, then recruited a searcher friend of mine to help find him. It took five years, but I met him today. He called and said he was going to be downtown, and could he stop by my office and meet me? I was nervous. I'm not super-great at small talk; so I was worried about what I would say to him; and what if there was a lull in the conversation, etc. It was fine, though! He is really a nice man, and I am happy that he will be meeting grandma and making her so happy. I'm glad I could play a role in their reunion. She has had a hole in her heart for so long, and has always wondered if he was safe and happy. Now she knows that he has been! I was planning on setting up a meeting for them at my house (so they'd both be in a neutral territory for their first meeting), but come to find out, Gerry is SUPER allergic to cats! So now I have to see if one of my brothers will play host.

I'm in such a need of a sugary snack that I just polished off a whole roll of breath mints because I have nothing else! How pathetic. Beats the Peanut M&M's that my coworker has on her desk. I HATE Peanut M&M's! Why were they invented? They are vile! Now, the Peanut BUTTER M&M's--that's a different story. But hey, I have Baskin Robbins to look forward to. For Yahoo's 10th anniversary, they are giving away free ice cream cones! Mmmmmmm.... ice cream....