It’s been a crazy week. I’ve had tons of paperwork to do, several meetings to attend, I’ve been trying to prepare for my daughter’s 10th birthday party and I’ve been thinking of trying to prepare for a vacation.

I’m writing this column Thursday, and right now I’m also thinking about lunch.

But I digress.

The party was set for Friday, and we are set to leave for vacation next weekend. I have to go shopping for something springy to wear between now and then

Back to the paperwork. I do it for two newspapers, and this week as nearly every week I see financial statements in my sleep, maybe do them then, too. At work, at home, no matter where, my computer seems to be open with a spreadsheet taking up the screen.

And the birthday party. We invited eight classmates to a sleepover Friday night. Now I’m thinking an RSVP is a really good idea in this situation since I’ve got to either pick kids up at school or at their homes.

But have you ever noticed people just don’t RSVP anymore? I get the usual phone calls, but as I write this, there are still three girls unaccounted for. But I still have to buy them a party favor and plan to feed them, as they will likely be attending. And if they don’t, well, I had to be ready just in case they did.

Two years ago I let my daughter have a slumber party. I thought it would be a piece of cake. I thought we’d play games and do activities and everyone would get along. I had no doubt I could handle nine 8-year-old girls (with a little help, of course). After all, I went to bunches of slumber parties when I was young. I knew just what to do.

Boy, was I wrong!

There was shrieking, running, door slamming, whispering and crying. And that was just the first five minutes. Well, maybe the first hour, but you get my drift.

I said then I’d never do it again. I heard my daughter’s friends’ parents say the same thing. But then, just like me, they’ve continued to host sleepover parties.

We are all gluttons for punishment.

And finally, the vacation. I’ve been looking forward to this week-long trip for several months. But I haven’t even tried on the few spring/summer clothes I have, and I’m going to the Caribbean.

So now that the party is over, I guess it’s time to get serious.

Even so, I’ll still be shopping on Friday and I’ll likely pack Friday night about midnight.

But one thing about vacation I like: If I forget to pack it, chances are really good it won’t matter. I’m sure I can buy it there.

Sandy Cunningham is publisher of L’Observateur. She can be reached at sandy.cunningham@wickcommunications.com