She'll never see this, but...

[prosodic]

HAPPY 83RD BIRTHDAY, GRANDMA!

I really wish I could be there today.  Our gift arrived a few days ago, and she's been saving it to open today.  My parents and my Aunt Sue will be there.  They decided to cook dinner for Grandma rather than going out.  So they're having spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread and salad.

I guess being there in spirit will have to suffice, as it must with most everything.  And of course, I'll call later.

***

I'm going to have a busy morning.  I work half a day today, but 2 of those hours will be spent in a meeting.  In the remaining 2 hours, I have 12 payroll calls to make, and Lord knows how many people calling me.  So getting out at noon is going to be a challenge, but I need to do it.

It's just hard to take *any* time off at all.  Even going to lunch...it's amazing how many people call during lunch.  And I come back to umpteen voicemails and get behind again.  I mean, you can get behind just sitting at your desk, because you'll be on one call, and during that time, you'll get 3 other calls, which will all go to voicemail.  Happens all the time.  It's exhausting.

Monday's going to be busy.  But I know I'll have some catching up to do from the half day I won't be there today.  Much as I love taking time off work, I also dread it, since I know that trying to get caught up will be a hassle.

Anyway, I just need to be home and standing by the phone at 1.

I'm spending this afternoon with Kathy.  Looking forward to that.  I haven't seen her in awhile.

Getting my hair cut tonight.  Time to get it chopped again.  It's getting long, but it's layered, so I can't really pull it back or anything.  But my hair needs to be cleaned up a bit.  It's rather shaggy looking.