Realtor Anxiety

I had to fire our realtor today and hire a new one. It was very stressful. I let our current realtor know we were not renewing her contract via email. I called 2 new realtors. I picked one. I think he'll do a good job even though he talked way too long on the phone (30 minutes!)  I don't want to return the calls of the other realtor to tell him we've chosen someone else. I hate this. Someone please just buy my house just so I won't have to talk to any of them anymore. 

I also met with a realtor here in Atlanta (she goes to our church) yesterday. That was not stressful. It made me feel hopeful and ready to move forward. 

Green Snot

I would feel completely better if I could just stop the thick green snot from clumping up my sinus cavities. 

I did manage to go on a 20 minute walk this afternoon but it was at the pace of Korra's scootering. 

Still Screwing With Me

Even after being gone from my old school for 4 months, it's chaos is still haunting me.  It's tax season and this s***show of a school can't get our W2s together (I know, this shouldn't be a surprise).  Most of the former employees can't log in to get their W2s because the school deleted their email accounts.  The few of us who can, have discovered that our W2s are incorrect (mine is off by about $12K).  So much for filing our taxes this weekend...

Stupid House

I spent my day wearing a face mask. It was very uncomfortable- people looked at me like I was a weirdo, treated me like a leper, it was hard to breathe, and when the bottom slid down to touch neck, it made me feel like I was choking. But at least I'm not spreading the flu. 

I also spent my day texting our realtor. We got a low offer yesterday. We countered and they countered again. We agreed to their counter offer. It would net us a profit of $103 but heck, we could finally move on!  And then we found out the buyers aren't even approved for their offer price. So disappointed. Our realtor's contract is up next week. We'll be looking for someone new. 

Coughing

Fever and body aches are gone. Only fatigue, headaches, and a wracking cough are left (for all 3 of us). I just want to not cough. My throat feels shredded, my abs are sore, and every coughing fits threatens leaves my head pounding. 

Nate went into work today because the director wasn't "feeling 100%" and decided to stay home. While he was out he picked up face masks that I'll wear tomorrow if I feel well enough to go back (which I think I will). I don't want to risk spreading this. 

Flu

We're all home sick today. With 3 different types of drugs, I can move off the couch to go to the bathroom without crying. I called the doctor this morning and learned we probably have the flu and there's nothing we can do about it except stay home and try not to infect anyone else. 

My face hurts so bad. I have a fever and a splotchy rash all over my face and neck. My throat hurts. My whole body aches. My nose is both stuffy and congested. I'm coughing and sneezing and tired. 

Just listing my symptoms made me ready for my nap. 

Sick

Nate and Korra stayed home. Korra has had a headache and fever since the middle of the night. I have so much sinus pressure and my tonsils are so swollen and sore but I made it through the day. Tea, a hot shower, and an early bedtime and fingers crossed we all feel better tomorrow. 

Soaking up the sun

Nate spent the day in bed. Korra and I went to church and then spent the afternoon outside soaking up as much sun as possible. There were so many people at the park doing the same thing. My head and throat are hurting pretty bad but I'm refusing to succumb to illness on such a beautiful day. I also refuse to be sick when we go back to school tomorrow. We've only had 5 days of school in the last month. I cannot be sick. 

Super Sad Nate

I spent my day at a "retreat" (day long meeting) of the church board. It was wonderful to reflect on the values of our church and spend time with some of my favorite people. 

After the retreat, Nate and I were supposed to go to a concert (Five Iron Frenzy) that he has been looking forward to for weeks. But then Nate started feeling really weak and achey and we had to miss out. Poor Nate. Fingers crossed it's not the flu. 

Babysitting

Since school is cancelled AGAIN, Nate and I are helping out friends who have 2 elementary aged kids and just got twin 2 year olds as a foster placement in the last week. They both have important work meetings today and with while and daycare closed... well, were just glad we can help. Currently wiping snotty noses and watching Trolls. 

So very cold

Korra played school most of the day- asking us for classwork. We had a dance party. I did a little school work and house work. We read and watched TV. We only went outside for about 5 min because it was so cold. In fact, it's so cold that we've had the heat set at 66 degrees during the day and 62 at night and our electric bill was still double what it was last winter (over $300 this month).

I tried to take a nap but my phone buzzed nonstop. I'm still on the parent call list for Troup County so they called when they cancelled school again for tomorrow. Then I got the call for Atlanta Public School teachers. Then for APS parents. Then for Georgia State because I'm my brother's emergency contact. 

Another snow day tomorrow. It's supposed to get above freezing after lunch so maybe the roads will be clear enough for us to get out. 

Snow Day

School is cancelled. 2 inches of snow on the ground. 

Afternoon Cancelled

This afternoon I was supposed to walk with a coworker, take Korra to dance class, and meet with a realtor. Instead we sat in terrible traffic and went straight home.  It was 50 degrees at 4:00 but the forecast predicted it would be 35 degrees and snowing by 6pm, so everything was cancelled. It's 8 now and still no snow.  

Art Hub for Kids

Korra and Clark really enjoyed drawing along with Art Hub for Kids this morning. 

Selfies

Took a few selfies with my mom and sister. I enjoyed this long weekend with family so much- talking, laughing, playing Speed Scrabble. 

Cousins in Matching Outfits

Rain and Traffic

It took Korra and I about an hour and a half to drive the first 30 miles of our drive to my parents'house. The drive usually takes 3 hours. Today, with a stop for gas and fast food (that we ate in the car), it took us 4 and a half hours. It was dark and rainy for the last 3 hours, which was super stressful. I am so tired but so happy to be with my parents, sister, brother in law, niece, and nephew. 

Postponed

We had to postpone the walking field trip to them public library today due to rain. I am really excited about this trip and was bummed to not be able to go today, especially since my coteacher was out sick and the kids were crazy. 

PAX

Nate's in Texas for good annual game convention. Korra and I are watching Disney shorts, eating popcorn, (missing Nate), and packing for our long weekend visiting my parents and sister. 

In just 10 days...

Student Surveys

Even though some friends think I'm "nice, nice, nice" according to a survey my students to at the beginning of last month, my students do not think that. All of the results point to a negative classroom culture and a general belief that their teacher (just me, not my coteacher), doesn't care about them. It's a tough blow but I'm trying to use this information to change how I interact with my kids. 

Duolingo

Today was busy. First day back after the break then Korra had dance class and then I went directly to a 2.5 hour long church board meeting. 

But I still made a little time to complete my Duolingo lessons. I'm on an 8 day streak (I downloaded the app 8 days ago...) and thanks to lots of "testing out" I'm now 38% fluent according to the app. Muchos gracias a mi profesores de Espanol!  I can't believe what I've managed to retain from high school and my freshman year of college, though I suppose I should give some credit to my Spanish speaking neighbors and friends in LaGrange and, of course, Danny. 

Nice

This evening, a friend described me to someone as "nice, nice, nice." While I definitely take this as a compliment (especially from this very genuine friend) it's got me wondering, what do I do that make other people describe me as nice? 

Too Cold

We were supposed to have our family pictures taken after church yesterday (Nate's Christmas present to me) but we decided it was too cold for an outdoor photo session. The photographer is a friend from college who lives here in Atlanta. We had a wonderful lunch catching up with her and her husband (also a friend from college) and she suggested we reschedule so she doesn't have to Photoshop out red noses.

The cold weather also has contributed to school being cancelled for today. It was supposed to be a work day for me (though every other Atlanta school was going back with students) but the cold weather plus a little rain plus a big football championship game in the stadium plus the fact that Trump is supposed to come to that game and they justin decided to cancel. So we all have one more day of Christmas break. 

LaGrange Lunch

We went to LaGrange today to have brunch with 2 families who used to live on Jefferson St with us (one family is visiting from Hawaii). The kids put on a show (that was an interpretive dance/reenactment of Moana) while we caught up, drank mimosas and ate cinnamon rolls. 

Jury Duty Cancelled

The big UGA/Alabama game (which will be here in Atlanta) has caused the courts to be closed Monday and my jury duty to be excused!

Cuphead

Korra's been watching Nate play the video game Cuphead (and trying her hand at 2 player from time to time). She even drew a picture of the characters. 

Breakfast Date

Met up with a friend/former coworker this morning for breakfast and a little craft store shopping. So wonderful to catch up with a good friend!

Christmas is over but it's still really cold

We took down the tree. 

Then I did a bunch of other stuff because it is too cold to sit still. I sewed a drawstring laundry bag. I changed the sheets on the beds. I cooked dinner (roasted broccoli, potatoes, and chicken- mostly as an excuse to keep the oven on for a long time).  This house is so poorly insulated. I need it to warm up because I'm running out of chores. 

Coffee Date

Korra and I met some friends from Chatt Hills for coffee this morning. The 4 adults talked about school, the 2 kindergartners played lots of My Little Pony. 

Sleepy Korra

Korra fell asleep before we even left the parking lot after the movie. She stayed asleep as we carried her into the house. She slept for 2 hours on the couch. She stayed asleep when I carried her to her bed. I'm hoping she'll stay asleep until the morning so I can go to bed soon too- not sure if it's from staying up late or a cold coming on, but I feel pretty rough. 

New Year's Eve

Started off the evening at friends' house with chicken and dumplings and a couple of loud and fun rounds of Camel Up. At about 11, we went to a second friend's house to ring in the New Year, while the kids ran around shooting each other with Nerf guns. Korra stayed up until 1am- and just woke me up at 7:45. We are all going to need to start 2018 with a nap.