Em is adorable, as always, and Cash's pup is a cutiehead.

{{GC & L}} Um, yay for having time to prepare?

I skipped because I am too far behind. Blah. And I suck at work. I played with the phone system at work last night setting up extensions to ring to people's cell and stuff like that. Upgraded the software and firmware for the system, and today we had no phones all day. And I wasn't in the office to get it fixed. I'll deal with it in the morning. And I suck at home. My next door neighbor died early Sunday morning and I didn't even know. I'd been thinking about him all week and thinking I should visit, and didn't. It's probably been a year since I saw him. I have to go see his wife and kids tomorrow and haven't a clue what to bring or say.

Again I say blah.

Beej, I sent you one too.

Oh, Laura. I am so sorry. That's just a sucky day. But, you do NOT suck. Not one little bit.

Oh, Laura, that's an awful day. Also very sad news about your neighbor. Bad days and a busy life does not, however, have anything to do with how much you do or do not suck.

Also, you do not suck. But I'll totally agree with your blah.

I find it strange that five people at work decided that today was Invite People To Your Holiday Party day. Three Christmas parties and two New Year's Eve parties. Much of the day was spent replying to co-worker emails asking which parties I was going to. Strange day. Blah.

LAURA DOES NOT SUCK!!! even if her day did. Sorry about the sucky day.

All of my holiday party invites have come from vendors or work so far.

Laura is decidedly UNSUCKY. The day however is on notice.

DH's work doesn't do holiday parties--they do one Christmas event for kids--but you have to be age 4 to participate. I don't think we're going to get any invites for other parties.

It could be because we're pretty hermit-like and don't entertain ourselves.

Thanks guys. I think the best plan is to go to bed early and end this day. And there is that thing where I need to get to the office early and figure out how I trashed the phone system. I hope there is some hard reset or something.

Poor Sam next door. He was 83. Lived all his life here. Champion water skier, taught tennis, went to Hawaii every year for a surfing vacation. He was an architect of note locally. His dad was a concert pianist and Sam had 2 pianos at home, a baby grand and his "practice" piano. The practice piano was in a room right next to my laundry room so I often heard him play while I folded clothes. In recent years he was a person trainer for seniors at a local gym.

He was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma of the brain last year the week we got hit with Hurricane Wilma. I feel very bad that I didn't spend more time with him while I had the opportunity. His grandson is over to my house all the time playing with my boys. Anyway, RIP Sam, you were a very cool old guy. And my loved ones, use sunscreen.

Hugs, Laura. What a crap day.

Oh, Laura, he sounds wonderful! What a great, full life he must have had. I hope his family and friends are able to remember him with joy.