Our exciting but expected news of the week is that Matilda was placed at Grattan in the school lottery. So she'll be going to kindergarten next year at the school where she's currently in pre-K.

That's where you and JZ wanted her to be, right? I mean, even though it was expected, that's still great.

Remember when NBC Thursday nights were...NBC Thursdays?

More than once, too. Thursday nights were always TV nights for a long time for me.

That's where you and JZ wanted her to be, right?

Yep. We really lucked out on the changes to the school lottery system. Two years ago we were walking past Grattan and JZ said, "Hey, I didn't know they had a CDC (preschool) there."

Put ourselves on the wait list. Waited. Waited. Gave up. Went to more expensive preschool at her work. And then last fall this spot opened up. So that was a huge financial positive for us (about $800/month cheaper). And then they changed the school assignment process so that (a) if you went to that school's CDC and (b) you were in the school's attendance area then you were given priority over all other applicants except siblings.

So, that's lucky thing number one. Lucky thing number two is that they're rolling back the age eligibility date from December by one month every year, to phase it down to birthday before September 1st. Matilda's birthday is in September so if we didn't hit this little window she would've been held back for a year.

Also, the after care program is affordable, on-site and has a sliding scale so we'll probably pay less than full price. And the after care program for 3rd to 5th grade is FREE.

So instead of having the equivalent of an extra rent payment every month we'll have an excellent free public school paid for and supported by taxes. Which shouldn't feel like such an amazing boon in my opinion, but it does feel like one.

Basically it turns out I'm kind of a Socialist.

Zmayhem WIN! That is terrific, congrats.

That really is wonderful news, Hec. Socialism FTW!*

*At least in this case. I know very little about socialism and therefore hesitate to endorse it completely.

So instead of having the equivalent of an extra rent payment every month we'll have an excellent free public school paid for and supported by taxes. Which shouldn't feel like such an amazing boon in my opinion, but it does feel like one.

And it shouldn't have to be such hard work either. That said Congrats!

That is great news, David.

I just took a look in the garden. There are signs of life, mostly from weeds. I managed to kill my strawberry plants by leaving them in a pot with no drainage all winter. Totally rotted.

Perkins, Chevy Chase works on Community because he's playing someone disgusting and unfunny!

The show is the bomb.

Wow, that is terrific, Hec! (And JZ, and Matilda!)

Sorry to hear about the strawberries, Sue. I loves me some berries, and wish I could grow them on my north-facing balcony, but no can do.

I was just walking back from the cafeteria and passed by someone in the aisle. As she approached me, she glanced me over and then whispered, "You look amazing." Happymaking!

(As of this morning, I'm down exactly 120 pounds.)

Yay Kathy!