Mom Turns 80

Today is Mom's 80th birthday.  Because it is a significant milestone, I have decided that I have to celebrate it with her in person.  We've both been vaccinated, and we haven't seen each other for just about a year, when I had to help her out with some stuff.  The unfortunate thing is that it's going to be a whirlwind visit because I've been on a seven-day work week lately due to a co-worker's sick leave.  My other coworker will be working a double shift, from 5PM to 7AM tomorrow so I have time to make the trip without missing any work.

The plan is to hit the road as soon as I leave work this morning (7AM) and to drive directly back to work tomorrow in time to make the 5PM shift.  It sounds rough, but if I need a refresher, I can always pull into a rest stop for a fifteen minute catnap.  I plan on taking a nap when I get to Mom's place, at any rate.  The important thing is to celebrate in person with her.  At any rate, I got plenty of sleep before going to work last night.  

Last year, the trip down was bizarre- none of the rest stops were open, and the fast food restaurants were open for takeout only... when I had to answer a call of nature, I merely pulled over into an inactive construction site and peed 'discreetly' behind a concrete barrier.  I'm hoping not to have to repeat that, though I am planning on keeping pit stops to a minimum.