Back Update

Went to Zumba today without any back pain. Going to try walking in the treadmill on Wednesday. Definitely going to add on yoga before and after jogging when I add that back in. 

Media Literacy

 Starting my last unit of the year today. We'll be evaluating media bias and fake news. We're starting by looking at media coverage of the Black Lives Matter Movement.  

Muscle Spasms

While the chiropractor didn't actually make me feel any better, he did give me some helpful information faster and at a lower cost than a doctor visit. My daily jogging over the past 2 months has slowly caused a pinched nerve/run out of alignment. That's causing muscle spasms and lots of tension as the rest of my core tires to compensate and protect the injury. Nothing much can be done except rest, ice it, take Tylenol, and stretch. He suggested a $60 a month chiropractic plan but I think I'll stick with yoga. 

And since all that can be done anywhere, we're still planning on going to the cabin. 

Back Pain

I hurt my back while jogging in the treadmill this morning. I have no idea what I did but it's sharp and bad. I made it to school with much cussing and teeth clenching. Then I started to cry when I tried to get the laptops out for testing so they sent me home. I'm going to a chiropractor when they open in an hour. 

Drawing Videos

We're doing drawing tutorial videos this afternoon (after testing). The attitudes towards drawing are so similar to their attitudes towards classwork. Some kids blame their tools. Some kids trash talk other's work. Some kids give up if it seems hard. I wish I could teach work ethic better. 

Outlines!

Today was our first day of standardized testing.  I've be prepping my students for the timed essay with one essay a week for the last 4 weeks.  I know this might seem like a little thing to non-teachers, but they all created outlines on their scratch paper before typing their essay!  And no one fell asleep!  Seriously, it's a miracle.

Guilt Trip

Korra's dance studio has a recital next week at a big theater downtown. Korra has been adamant for weeks that she does not what to participate, so I told her she doesn't have to. One of the reasons we picked this studio was because it's low key (no costumes, no dance shoes, less focus on performance). But today the director gave me a guilt trip about not encouraging Korra enough to perform. And then convinced Korra to at least do the dress rehearsal before deciding. I did not want this to be a last minute decision that will now eat up 2 evenings next week (5:30-8 on Wednesday AND Thursday). And she still might refuse to go. 

Reading

It's supposed to rain all day tomorrow. And we start state standardized testing on Wednesday. As a language arts teacher, we can totally just read for the whole block, right?

On a side note, we have been doing silent reading almost daily to build stamina. We've topped out at 30 min so I think my 2 hour long block might be pushing it. 

Yeah, about that

Me: Korra, please wash yourself and get it if the tub. 

Korra: Yeah, about that... I don't really want to right now. 

Auburn

We spent most of the day in Auburn, Alabama hanging out with friends who are about to move to Savannah.

Thank you, second block

My first block were whiney and argumentative and ungrateful and generally unpleasant. My second block must have known I needed a break because they have been respectful and hard-working and generally fun. I'm rewarding them with a game of Spoons in the sunshine. 

Hot dogs and bananas

Today's cafeteria menu is causing more giggling then usual in the cafeteria. Middle schoolers. 

Overstuffed

My mind is overstuffed with thoughts and feelings, many that are too big and complicated to be sorted through easily. I'm too tired and busy to unravel them now.  So they sit like 3 weeks worth of unsorted dirty laundry in the middle of the living room.  I can't bring myself to tackle that mountainous mess just yet. Maybe next week. 

No Planning

The Swahili teacher isn't hear today so I've got to babysit during my planning.  It doesn't happen very often but really sucks when it does.  

Zumba

I really enjoy the Zumba class at my Y. It makes my brain work in a while different way than it usually does. I smile like an idiot while I struggle through the moves every week. 

Korra's Friend's Mom

Korra had a play date today with a friend from school. For the second day in a row, I found myself making small talk with someone I don't know while our kids played. Today was less awkward than yesterday. This mom was easy to talk to and I really liked her. Like maybe we could be friends. 

Locked Out

I locked myself and Korra out of the house as we were going to pick up Nate across town. Had to sit on the porch for 30 minutes while he took a Lyft home. Thankful it was so pretty outside and we weren't running late for something. 

Just Gorgeous

Everyone in Atlanta is spending the day outside because it's the first pretty weekend we had in a long time. We went to look at some condos this morning with our realtor (both were good but at the top of our price range). After walking around that neighborhood a bit, Nate joined a friend to walk to different breweries in the Belt Line and Korra and I went to a park for a birthday party. Now we're "flying" a kite in the backyard (it only says up while Korra is running). It's supposed to rain all day tomorrow. 

7 hours

I was so tired I feel asleep at 8:30. But then I woke up at 4:30am. Ugh. 

Pollen

The pollen count is astronomical. I am so thankful for those 6 years of allergy shots or I would be dying. Enjoying the beautiful weather even though it's practically raining pollen. 

Outdoor Classroom!

Spring means teaching theme outside!

Summer Trip Booked

Booked our flight for a week in Denver in June!  Going for a wedding, but staying a little longer to sight-see and visit family and friends.

Test Prep

This week and next are lots of prep for the big standardized test. Definitely not my favorite time of year. I'm tired. The kids are tired. 30 more school days. 

Clock out

I was in the copy room this afternoon when my phone alarm went off to remind me to clock out. Korra had my phone. She saw the reminder, went to my computer, clicked on the bookmarked icon, logged me in, and then clicked "clock out." Damn this kid is useful!

Hamilton!!!

We got tickets for Hamilton at the Fox!  June 1st!  So excited!

Legos

Kitchen Time

Today I made a batch of granola, a dozen banana muffins and a pan of enchiladas, plus ham, cheesy hashbrown casserole, and roasted brussel sprouts for dinner tonight (we didn't have a traditional Easter dinner so I decided to cook it anyway). 

Besides cooking, I also went to Zumba, read, and played Legos with Korra. A good Saturday. 

Last 24+ hours

Yesterday we decided to rest in Seattle instead of exploring. We camped out on our friends' couch and only ventured out into the dreary cold, wind, and rain for bagels and later for our flight. We flew out at 9:30pm Pacific time. Right before we boarded my sister called to say she was in labor. I didn't sleep at all. We arrived in Atlanta at 5:30am Eastern Time. Got news about my new neice and slept from 6:30 until 8:30. I woke up hungry but there was no food in the house so I went grocery shopping. Then I drove 45 minutes to meet my dad and pick up Korra. Now we just need to start up until a reasonable bedtime to try to get back onto a normal schedule. 

Goodbye

Today we said goodbye to Jordan. Seeing her cry was one of the hardest moments of my life. 

We're spending tonight and most of tomorrow with other friends in Seattle and we'll fly home over night. 

Timberline Lodge

We accompanied Jordan for music therapy this morning (singing along to show tunes and hymns). Jordan suggested lunch at Timberline Lodge and we all happily agreed. It's such a cool place with beautiful views. 

Breakfast with a View

Nate and I are currently staying with friends of friends. This morning I am enjoying homemade granola and this view. 

Mt Hood

Bad Moms Christmas

It snowed this morning so it seemed fitting to watch Bad Moms Christmas with Jordan and Monica. It was also fitting since yesterday last time we were all together in LaGrange we went to see the first Bad Moms movie (where Jordan fittingly smuggled a stolen bottle of wine in her water bottle for us to share). 

Not ok

4 adults, 3 kids in car seats and a dog got into a minivan this Easter morning and drove from Seattle to Portland. 

We arrived in Hood River and checked into our hotel. After lunch we all drove over to our friends' house. I don't know exactly what I was expecting but this was worse. Her body is so weak. My amazing, hilarious, full-of-life friend that was fine 10 months ago is bed-ridden and almost too weak to speak. I feel so angry and sad and still grateful I'm here. But I'm definitely not ok. 

Easter

We are with our dear friends this morning. And we will travel with them today to see more dear friends in a few hours. We have celebrated several Easters with these two families in LaGrange. It feels so right and good to spend this Easter with them even though the location is new (Seattle and Hood River) and we won't be attending a service of any type. Being together. Knowing death is not the end. Trying to hold on to that as enough.