Bookish (and not so Bookish) Thoughts

Link up below! And thank you for linking back!

1. We've been on a crazy testing schedule that has led to my first period class being with me for 3.5 hours both yesterday and today. They're a nice group of kids, but by the end of today we were all just over it. How did I ever teach the same group of kids ALL day? Not to mention the fact that they were like eleven-year-olds. 

2. I'm reaching the end of Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout and am really enjoying it. I honestly didn't know it was short stories going into it, not that I mind. I love the way they're all linked- it doesn't really read like short stories at all.

3. As long as there's nothing shady behind the new Harper Lee book, I'm quite excited. In fact, I pre-ordered it yesterday, just in case there's any craziness like the Laura Ingalls Wilder autogiography.

4. Being the planner that I am, I'm starting to think about Sawyer's first birthday in April. People really don't like going to these things, right? Like people that are childless and have a million better things to do than sit around and watch someone's kid smash their face into cake? They could be doing exciting things, like... skydiving while taking shots in like Brazil, right? Most of our friends are either childless or expecting, but then what if we invite the few couples that have babies? Will the non-child friends feel snubbed? So for this reason I think we're sticking to close family.

5. Behind the Music should be on Netflix. Not that I would realistically watch it, since I watch so little, but I'd like the option.

6. Sawyer wants this shirt from Ro Sham Bo Baby:

[source]

7. The roofer saga is over, I think. We had the original contractor who didn't show the first time come out last weekend, finally, and he gave us the best-case and worst-case scenarios. My husband and I assumed worst, which sucked, because it was like $4,000. Not exactly what I want to spend that kind of cash on... Anyway, they came back today (on time!) and it ended up being the best-case scenario, which was quite a bit less expensive. I was nervous because he could have totally screwed us over if he wanted- we were undoubtedly clueless when we met with him over the weekend. Plus, he did an excellent job coordinating the paint-matching on the stucco (so basically he picked a good place)- you can't even tell there was a leak! Now we move on to more fun home matters... like picking out a new dishwasher.

8. My personal writing project has totally come to a standstill the last few months (hence the lack of "Diary of an Unmotivated Writer Posts"). I'm pretty sure I'm half-assing most of the things on my plate right now (because there are just too many), and I don't want to screw it up.

9. We have next week off- I cannot wait. I have a million things, moth fun and practical, planned, of course, but I still can't wait. Yes, we did just have winter break. No, I don't care.

10. I'm considering taking a break from ARCs. It makes me nervous, since I don't accept many, that if I stop I'll never get any offered again, but I just have too many of my own books right now. Plus, the whole obligatory reading thing (says the English teacher).