Winter has Arrived...

...and I'm quite happy that I got my shift covered today so that I don't have to go out and drive in that icy mess! All night long we could hear ice pellets raining against the window in our bedroom. A few times I thought it was Mao eating a plastic bag, which is one his favourite pastimes. Every night before we head to bed we have to make sure that there are no visible plastic bags for him to gnaw on. And, it's not just ANY plastic bag. He favours those ultra-cheap crinkly plastic ones. Then, after a feast of plastic, he pukes Cat Yak usually in a place where we are most likely to step in it in the middle of the night. Nice cat, eh? We've been told by the vet that he has Pica, which comes from the Latin word for Magpie, a bird that is known for it's large and indiscriminate appetite. In people, one of the causes is thought to be from an iron-deficient diet. Apparently, Pica is common in Siamese cats.
"While pica is common in many breeds, the intelligent and sensitive Siamese, Burmese, and Himalayan breeds all inherit common genes which seem to carry the urge to wool-suck or chew." As well as El-cheapo plastic bags, I have to be careful with the dryer lint, because Mr. Mao thinks that is quite tasty too. I don't think it is a diet-related issue with him, rather, he does it when he is bored and is not getting enough attention. Like, when we are asleep. Sometimes, when he can't find bags, he will suck on the tip of his tail, and then drag his soaking wet tail across our faces. He is a cute, but very weird cat.
Anyway, how did I get on to this? Oh...the weather! And I get to stay home today. Big plans for me include putting the flannel sheets on the bed. Winter is here, and I am freezing at night! I also plan to salt the driveway. It is slippery when wet at the best of times, but right now there is about an inch of ice on it. Maybe I'll salt the neighbour's driveway too. I'd hate for her to slip and fall. There are 11 loads of laundry waiting to be done and a pile of clothes to be folded and put away. Somewhere a long the way, I have to figure out how I am going to lose 2 lbs by tomorrow's weigh-in day. If I could get my period today that might help. My boobs are so heavy and sore I had to sleep in my bra last night (which I've never done before.) Another good reason to be home. It would be highly inappropriate if I were caught walking around at work cupping a boob in each hand for additional support like I am today. TMI, I know.
All right, stay warm.