#168: The Bestest Birthday Present EVAR

 So it's Thursday morning. I grab the gift card I'd got for Christmas for an early morning birthday treat.  I grabbed a cherry danish and a coke. I plant myself at a small table and nod at various townies coming through, some of whom I'm even friends with. I'm munching away and decide it's a good time to check email. 

You've got a message from [name] says the subject line, from a genealogy website I hadn't visited in a while. This particular site had photographs of various gravesites, for those tracking family trees and whatnot. 

"That's odd", I thought. The name sounded familiar.  I logged in, after having to reset the password (again) and read the message.

"Hi! I'm your cousin! [random cousin relation who I didn't know I had til a few months ago] says you're looking for us! We were looking for you too....."

HOLY SHIT.

Yes. I'd been looking for Mom's side of the family for at LEAST 5 years. It's been damn near impossible since I don't have FB. There's always the white pages, but most of those you have to pay for the information and there's no guarantee it's accurate. 

I sat in the car and almost cried. I replied to the message. Replied to several, actually, as they were still logged into their account and was monitoring it. So now we've reconnected. BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVAR. Tearing up a little even typing this. So much catching up to do. 

In other news,  someone donated their entire clown collection to St. Vincent's. 

My guess is that Grandma died, and the kids and grandkids, who may or may not have clownaphobia, said GET THIS SHIT OUT OF THE HOUSE. NOW. 

So the poor little darlings were all dumped out on a shelf. 

No, I didn't bring any home. I don't collect clowns. 

But I'm sure some of these little beauties went home with some folks. 

I mean come on, how can you not?

I mean, look at that sweet sweet face. 

He's just begging to go home with you. 

Someone, somewhere, someone is saying to themselves, "gee, I wish I had a homicidal looking clown doll with messy hair and a crap-eating grin." 

Or this little guy. I nicknamed him "George" in the short hour or so I spent at the store. 

See? He's grinning. Wouldn't you like this little devil--I mean clown hanging out with you?

At the very least he can join your Halloween decor. 

At any rate, no clowning around here....  ;)

Hoping your new year has got off to a great start, and you're staying warm, dry and safe!

Aye,

Kraneia

PS, a friendly lil reminder: