WNBP: Have I Mentioned...

Maine schools have two vacations after the holiday season.  The first comes in February, right around President's Day.  This year, it is a week later than usual and I actually managed to forget that this event was rolling around.  It doesn't feel like the week before school vacation.  In fact, we've had so many snow days over the past two months I hardly feel as though I deserve one.

I guess that's why I didn't mention it earlier...

Why don't we take a look at some random events and musings from this week?  Now that I've realized how close I am to a week off, a Wednesday Night Bullet Post will help to distract me and keep me from going utterly mad with anticipation.

*Week before vacation.  I'm not the only one who forgot.


*When I told My Favorite School Librarian that it didn't feel like the week before vacation, she gasped and almost fell off her Official Librarian Stool.


*Then she told me that I'd made her day.


*Then I blew the whole thing by showing her pictures of my cats and it all got awkward because who knows how to react to sudden outbursts of Crazy Cat Lady?


*The 8th graders had yet another course of state mandated testing today.


*None of my 8th graders came to school.


*I was not surprised.  Since this is not one that needs to be made up, I was also not disappointed.


*I am still working on my socks.  I think my toe-up toes look quite nice.


*Dreading the heel because that is where I suddenly look like an idiot.


*Which makes no sense because the toe and the heel are essentially the same thing...


*I recently decided to start supplementing the cats edibles.


*They've been on a strict diet, but I'm getting the idea that it might not be enough for a certain Absurdly Gi-normous Kitty.


*He's been snacking.  On anything he can find.


*Foraging.  


*I've found him sampling chili right out of the pot while it simmers on the stove.


*That wouldn't bother me so much except for the fact that he uses his paw and I know where that's been.


*Don't even ask me about the time he stole some of the toppings from my very spicy pizza.


*The brown dashed line around the living room carpet the next morning might have looked like a treasure map.


*But it didn't lead to anything I wanted to find...


*Both of Da Boyz have slimmed down remarkably well so I think boosting the calorie count is OK.


*But it isn't that simple.  One cat has a tendency towards weight gain.


*And the other is just a dietary mess.  A Very Complicated Kitty, that one.


*Long story.
,
*It ends with me finding a grain free, high protein, low magnesium dry food that they both seem to like.


*Low carb, too.


*Don't tell The Cat Whisperer.  As their vet of record, she hasn't approved it.  At least not officially.


*But it seems to meet the high standards she set for them and still puts their portion of the grocery bill above mine.


*Have I ever mentioned the filtered water they enjoy?


*I'm pretty sure I already told you about the monthly canned food delivery and the prescription medication.


*And I know I've explained how I never envisioned this as my life's work...


*My craving for oatmeal cookies with butterscotch chips has become overwhelming.  It's like an obsession.


*Maybe I'll bake some over vacation.


*Or maybe the craving will just go away...


*I finished Behemoth (Leviathan).  


*Devoured it.  Digested it and gave a nice mental, literary burp of satisfaction.


*Then I was sad because it was over and the next book in the trilogy isn't out yet.


*This is one of the best series I've read in a long time.  Crazy, insanely, awesome!!!


*Lots of Steam Punk goodness and a little history thrown in for good measure.


*I like WWI fiction.  I like it even better when it's "tweaked" just a bit...


*So there I was, all sad and stuff, then I discovered something!


*A Hard Day's Knight (Nightside) is out!!!!!


*I love The Nightside novels.  


*Simon R Green's other stuff is good, but it doesn't make me as happy as that series.


*I wasn't wild about the ending of this one, though.  It sort of changes everything...


*BTW, if you are thinking of reading these, it kind of helps to also read The Secret Histories books as well.  (The Man with the Golden Torc (Secret Histories, Book 1).


*Not necessary, but it ties things together.  


*And explains who The Droods are.


*Now I'm reading something that is sort of a got-it-cheap-and-it's-a-guilty-pleasure book.


*Divine Misdemeanors: A Novel


*Please don't tell anyone.  It's not the first book I've read from the series, but I don't want everyone knowing about it.  


*Just tell them I'm reading something with a fine leather cover whilst listening to Mozart.


*Please...


*Almost time to feed the cats.  Complicated thing and requires some concentration.


*Is it time for meds?  Is it OK to add a little dry food?  Are we maintaining our grain-free status or am I failing my charges utterly?  Did I remember to check the water filtration unit so that everyone is adequately hydrated?


*I had beef and potatoes for dinner.  Stirring was required.


*And did I mention that the AGK was found licking the spoon?


And that is what the week before school vacation looks like, at least if you live in my world.  I'm sure that I've forgotten to mention any number of other things, but that should keep you going for now.  I'm assuming that the next time I post I will have survived this week and that I'll be eagerly anticipating my week off.

If I missed any mentionables, I'll fill you in then!

SA