TEN DAYS TO GO!

Well, I didn't find a notary yesterday. Thank you for all the suggestions. I did find out there are notaries at my bank, but there were none in yesterday (I guess the two feet of snow made it difficult for some people to get to work - bunch of wusses!) So today I will try again, and if there aren't any at the bank, at least I have several other options. I also managed to find out that I can bring my notarized application, along with my altered birth certificate and my check for $10 to the state office of Vital Records on January 2nd, and I SHOULD be handed a copy of my original birth certificate. It sounds so simple, but it is so NOT, as you all know.

One week from Friday is the day. Ten days from now. I can hardly even get my head around that idea. It's hard to believe that one part of this journey is almost over, yet, when it is, the next part is likely to be even more crazy and emotional. I hope I'm prepared for it all. Sometimes I think I can't stand to wait even one more minute.

Luckily, I have lots to do between now and then. And Jesus' birthday to celebrate. And I have some terrific people to help distract me. One of the best distractors I know is my oldest son, who's 21 and currently on break from college, so he's around a bit more than usual. He's got such a quirky sense of humor that you can't help laugh when you're around him. I don't know if I've ever known someone better at finding humor in every little thing than he does. Witness this conversation we had a couple of days ago:

ME: You know, with me being unemployed, Christmas presents are not going to be what they have been in other years.
B: (mock horrified tone, clutching chest) We're not getting Christmas presents?? Then what are all these things under the tree??
ME: They ARE presents, but they may not be as extravagant as you might expect.
B: We don't expect extravagant presents. We don't even LIKE extravagant presents. Wait - what does extravagant mean, anyway?
ME: Very funny, but I'm serious.
B: I'm serious too, but don't call me Shirley. (If you need this one explained, rent Airplane!)
ME: You can joke, but I don't want you to be disappointed if you open a gift and it's really really small.
B: Give me an example. We'll practice!
ME: Okay. Let's say you open a package and it has one sock in it. What would you say?
B: Whoo-Hoo! A new sock! Let me try it on!
ME: What if the next one has the other sock?
B: Phew! Now I don't have to let my feet take turns.
ME: What if it is just a pair of boxer shorts?
B: Whoo-Hoo! Underpants! (Shouting and gesturing that he is putting the underpants on his head like a hat). How do I look? (posing)
ME: Freak.

With a guy like that around, how can you be anything but happy? And don't worry - he's getting stuff much better than socks and underwear (although I am seriously considering wrapping up some socks, one per package, and putting them in his stocking.)