I'm back!

... and surprisingly on time at 8:30 AM! 

Between good weather, a quick drop off with James ("Have-fun-I-love-you-kiss-kiss-goodbye!), I was at the bus stop at 7:51 AM.  Can I do it again (and again, and again...)?

The view on the commute.

I was overwhelmed by the warm welcome.  Figured since people didn't email me or respond to my photo updates that maybe they've forgotten about me... nope.  There were hugs and so many questions.  I didn't know what to say.  Most of my co-workers are moms so I figured they knew (the tough early months, the lack of sleep, the sad feeling of leaving him, being scared about coming back and knowing nothing, the peace of the commute [finally no demands]...). For the non-moms, how to compress it all into an interesting, thoughtful, sound bite that's not scary or ridiculous?  I end up going generic: "We're fine."

Olivia kept my plants happy.

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.— ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

Anyway, just so many things. 

Things I've forgotten:
- I wear glasses (for the computer).
- It's cold in the room (need more sweaters / more layers)
- Snacks!  (Need them to keep going)
- What it's like to have to share a bathroom and kitchen with co-workers

So clean and tidy - because everything is packed in storage.

New things:
- So many new people
- There's now a protocol for using the water coolers
- The Social Committee has completely disbanded and started anew 


Lorena's kind and starts me off easy.  My current tasks:
- Go through emails and read the Finance meeting minutes
- Go through the boxes of my boxed work stuff -- but they're currently in storage TBU (to be unearthed)

Paul picked up James, and both were waiting for me when I make it home (about 5:30 PM).  James whines a bit, but then we're all hugging on the couch and it's a great feeling... and then we're back to rushing.  James: bath, food, put to bed.  Then me: food, make lunches, pack... eventually, bed.