All by myself

Korra is spending the whole day with her buddy so I have the day totally alone. 

I vacuumed, mopped, dusted, changed the sheets, brought returns to Amazon and UPS, returned the rental car, and picked up the Prius from the shop- all before lunch!

PT

I went to Nate's physical therapy office this morning as a patient. The PT there was able to give me some good exercises to try out to help with my hip bursitis (including some for back strengthening). Hopefully it will help with my hip pain, but I know the thing that will help the most is if I finally train myself not to sleep on my side. 

Bad Genes

Korra had her yearly eye exam today. Both her eyes have gotten significantly worse, but her right one so much so that the doctor wants to undercorrect for now because the change might cause Korra to feel dizzy. We'll go back in a few months to check again and get an updated prescription. The doctor wasn't very surprised by this after looking at my and Nate's charts- we didn't exactly give her the best genes when it comes to eyesight. 

In better news, our insurance covers new frames (Korra was excited to pick out some blue ones) AND transition lenses- which should really help with Korra's light sensitivity. 

Groceries for Grandpa

I was able to order groceries online to be delivered to my grandpa now that he's back at home (but still isn't well enough to drive). Feeling really thankful for technology that allows me to help him even though we're so far apart. 

Book Update: Katie Edition

I've read 63 books since the pandemic started (I go by the last day of school- March 13).  I've read 81 books in 2020 (most of them novels, though a few memoirs).  Clearly a love of reading runs in the family.

Thirty-Three

Korra has finished reading 33 Warrior books (the ones about cats) since April.  Each book is over 300 pages.  She's also read lots of other books. This kid is a reading machine.

There are 22 more books in the series (not including the graphic novels, novellas, and field guides) and Korra intends to read them all.

Vaccinated!

Nate got the first dose of the COVID vaccine today!

I'll Accept My Award Now

I'm killing it at adulting today.  I dropped the car off at the shop for repair (Nate was in a fender bender a few weeks ago).  I fixed an insurance hiccup so that I was able to pick up the rental car.  I made a doctor's appointment for myself. 

I'm an adulting champion.

Merry Christmas!

Rainy Christmas Eve

 It rained all day, so today we watched lots of Christmas movies, did manicures, and played board games. 

Korra's Voting PSA Cameo

https://mobile.twitter.com/staceyabrams/status/1341895158724521984?s=20

Korra's Girl Scout troop helped Stacey Abrams make this voting PSA!

Butternut Squash Bread Recipe

I had a butternut squash that needed to be used so I made this bread and it's FANTASTIC. 

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/roasted-butternut-squash-bread/

I highly recommend you try it. 

Puppy Chow and Christmas Lights

Today I taught the kids to make Puppy Chow and we drove around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights. We even got to see Santa drive by in a fire engine. 

I also remembered that I always eat way too much Puppy Chow and that it gives me a really bad stomach ache. 

Minecraft

These cousins are enjoying a very long game of Minecraft this morning. (They "slept in" until 6:15). 

No sleep for Cousins

It was after 10pm before we got all the cousins to sleep (Korra was the last hold out) and they were all up and giggling at 5am this morning. Even if THEY don't take a nap, I'm going to need one. 

This Nugget

Sibling Visit, Round 3

I'm 20 minutes away from seeing Laura!  That means I'll have seen all 3 of my siblings (in reverse age order) in 24 hours!

Sibling Visit, Round 2!

Stopped in Charlotte on the way to Chapel Hill to see Brian and Anna!  Another brief garage visit but so wonderful!

Sibling Visits, Round 1!

Today we had a little "garage living room" visit with Todd and Sarah. It was so good to see them. It made this weird, hard holiday season feel a little more joyful and normal to be together. 

Which is Worse?

I've been listening to a lot of Christmas music and I'm having trouble deciding which Christmas song I hate more: Christmas Shoes or Mary Did You Know.

Thoughts?

39/48

I've hand written personalized holiday cards for 39 students so far. 9 more to go. I really do love these kids. I hope they know that. 

Sweater and earrings

Mirror selfie of my Christmas sweater and earrings. 

Text Messages

I've texted 28+ people this morning (some of those were group messages and some I texted more than once).  I remember when cell phone plans used to have a limited number of texts you could send per month.  

She's so cute

Korra's teacher took these photos of her this week:

Another Negative COVID Test

We're one step closer to being able to see my sister for Christmas!

This is a radish

Our CSA said we were getting radishes. Instead we got this:

One enormous radish. The side of my forearm. WTF am I supposed to do with this?

Garden Lights

I saw that someone on Nextdoor was looking to sell their tickets to the Botanical Garden's Christmas lights event tonight. I made an offer and she accepted!  I ended up with "premium" tickets (easier entry and drink tickets) for what we would have paid for regular tickets. It was still an expensive evening, but it really was magical. It wasn't crazy crowded and masks were expected everywhere so it felt safe. I'm glad we went and celebrated Christmas together!  

Thank You Letter

This morning we did one of my favorite writing prompts:

Write a thank you note to your best friend, who gave you garlic and onion flavored gum as a gift.

The kids are truly hilarious in their responses.  

I got a very different Thank You note this afternoon via email:

Dear Ms B- thank you for telling my grandma that i'm failing your class and haven't done my work.  you've made my life a lot harder now because I got my phone taken and i'm gonna get my butt beat if I slip up anymore.  I'm gonna get all the work done dont text my grandma anymore pls PLS

Korra's first piano recital

Over Zoom, obviously.

She wasn't nervous at all- only impatient for her turn. She did really well!

Home Study, Round 1

Today a lady came to our house to interview Nate and I (separately) for our DFCS home study. It was actually really nice to talk with someone in person and she was very nice. She'll come back in a few weeks for a follow up and to interview Korra. 

Family Health Updates

Yesterday my grandma was released from the hospital to a nursing home for rehab. Though this seems like really good news (and in some ways it is!), her labs are still really concerning and we suspect the hospital is moving people out as soon as they are no longer contagious or needing a high amount is oxygen. She's still so weak. Please keep praying. No change in my grandpa but my Dad said he sounded more positive and in less pain. 

Yesterday was also the day of my mom's rotator cuff surgery. It went well and she's home. The recovery is supposed to be long (5-6 weeks before she can move her arm at all!) so please keep her in your prayers, too. 

9 months

People who got pregnant at the beginning of quarantine have infants now. 

We've been doing this for the length of human gestation. 

Former Foster Kids

Thinking about my former foster kids extra today. It's AL's 27th birthday and Danny has his court hearing today.  

Budding Vegan?

So Korra is sobbing because one of her teachers told get that milk cows have their babies taken away and they never see them again. Today is going to be rough. 

Christmas Earrings

On today's episode of Crafting to Keep Depression At Bay...

Stacey Abrams!

Stacey Abrams met with Korra's Girl Scout troop right before the pandemic. She's meeting with them again today over Zoom!

Guest Speaker!

My brother was a great guest speaker for my class today! 

They might have also enjoyed this picture of us from when I was in 7th grade. 

Perfect Distraction Novels

I just finished the second book in the Brown Sisters trilogy (by Talia Hibbert) and it was delightful. The best romantic comedy books I've read and exactly what I needed right now to take my mind off... everything. Bummed the third book won't be out until March but I know what I want for my birthday. :)

Christmas Bunting

I sewed this Christmas bunting today to hang on our mantel!

Snowflakes

During today's professional development, I cut out paper snowflakes and then taped them to my bookshelf so I have a more festive background. 

Difficult to Pronounce Last Name

One of the perks of having a difficult to pronounce last name: I rarely get called on in our Zoom meetings.  The presenters don't want to accidentally say it wrong so they just call on all the Smiths and Joneses.

Crafty Cards

I've been drawing and coloring and writing a few Christmas cards. Here's my favorite:

Ernest Saves Christmas

Yesterday we watched Elf. Today I introduced Korra to Ernest Saves Christmas.  She loved it. 

Pray for my Grandparents

Both my dad's parents are in the hospital with COVID. 

Recurring dream theme

In almost every dream for months now, there is a point when I realized, "oh no! I forgot my mask!" I can't even escape the reality of the pandemic in my dreams. 

Bookmarks

I made these bookmarks!  First I cut up some old jeans, then I did some freestyle embroidery, and finally I sewed on some backing.

I think I'm going to make a bunch more!

Chair Thief

Even when I practically sit on her, she won't move. 

Christmas Tree

We decorated the tree tonight. 

New Keyboard

After only a few months of practice, Korra has outgrown the beginner keyboard. She needed more keys, a sustain pedal, and touch sensitive keys (keys that play louder and softer depending on how hard you press them). 

Korra is so excited. 

This keyboard is way bigger than I anticipated. 

Normal Thanksgiving

Once I shoved down the intense guilt over recklessly ignoring CDC guidelines, we were able to have an enjoyable and totally normal feeling Thanksgiving. 

Movies, games, Legos, crafts, dance parties, walks, reading, fires in the fireplace, too much dessert. 

Off the Grid

Don't expect to hear from me for the rest of the week. Headed to the cabin. Really nervous that we're making the wrong choice to spend Thanksgiving with family (you know, the whole ignoring CDC recommendations thing) but praying everything will be ok. 

Fast Food for Three

Nate wanted Popeyes. Korra wanted McDonald's. I wanted a salad from Zaxby's. I went to all 3 places. 

Reading Bowl

We're doing Reading Bowl again this year, even though it's virtual. Today we met (masked and distant) in a park to hand out the books. The kids had so much fun chasing each other (and the ducks) in the park. There were 4 younger siblings (including Korra) who will be in Reading Bowl next year!

This face

Just in case you need a picture or two of Korra today. 

Negative Test

 Nate and both tested negative for COVID.  Plans to head to the cabin on Monday night can move forward!

Another Plus

Another positive aspect of working virtually: I have enough time to do all the parent contact and documentation. 

Gene-yuh Pig

There aren't many times that Korra (at 8) mispronounces a word so I find it especially endearing when she does. She repeatedly says, "gene-yuh pig" instead of guinea pig and I love it. 

Prizes

I stuffed envelopes with candy, scratch and sniff stickers, oragami paper and instructions, crossword puzzles, and emoji erasers to mail out as prizes to my students. I hope it makes their day. 

Well that's embarrassing

I just accidentally tried to FaceTime all the of my siblings and my mom while I was sitting down to pee. 

It's Scary

2 of my students are out this week because they had COVID deaths in their families.  2 more students tested positive this week.  

COVID tests

Nate and I walked to the health center this afternoon to get COVID tests. We're hoping the results will help us feel more comfortable about visiting family for Thanksgiving next week. No one wants a repeat of last year when Korra gave everyone the flu (and this would be way worse than the flu). 

I'm not thankful for COVID

 Trying to figure out what's the "right" thing to do for the holidays is really hard.  I just want everything to be normal.

Perfect Sunday

 Cook pancakes for breakfast.  Read in a bubble bath.  Leisurely walk with the family.  Lunch on the porch.  Watch a few episodes of a TV show.  Eat a delicious dinner (made by Nate).  Play a new board game.  Talk on the phone with my parents.  A really good day.

Digging for Worms

Korra and a friend spent 3 hours yesterday and another 3 hours today digging for worms in the yard. 

5K

One of my students lost his dad to pancreatic cancer a few years ago. Every year their family does the PanCan 5K (I ran it with them last year) and my student asked me to run it with him again this year. Even though the 5K was "virtual" this year, his family and a few friends meet to do the 5K (masked and spread out) in their neighborhood this afternoon. 

The student told me we were going to run, but he slowed to a walk after less than a minute. Walking really encourages kids to talk. He talked for a solid 20 minutes. It was great to spend some in person time with a student. 

Creative Joy

Today I had TWO conversations with people who are not in my family. Outside in the beautiful weather! It was lovely.  

During these two chats, I realized that I don't mind online teaching so much because of the absolute joy and satisfaction I feel over how creative I get to be every day. I am really enjoying the freedom I have to teach what I want and what I think my students both need and will enjoy.  I miss my students and I don't love teaching online but this creative freedom balances it out. 

That's One Way...

One way to get out of a professional development Zoom meeting: if your kid barfs her lunch all over the bathroom (because you asked her to put what she didn't eat in the compost bin and it "smelled gross") they will let you leave the meeting early.

The downside is you have to clean up vomited chicken tacos and oatmeal cookies.

Special Guest

Just realized that I could have my brother- who is a producer at a local news station- come speak to my class about fake news and media bias!  I'm super excited to start planning this!

Book recommendation

I highly recommend this book:

Making them cry

I made TWO boys cry today. During virtual learning. And they had their cameras on. 

They weren't on task during independent work time so (after calling their names and sending them private messages with no response) I group texted each boy and his mom. Within minutes both cameras were on with full participation. 

So really, their moms made them cry. Because I tattled. 

This is why I'm worried

People keep saying that if they get it, they'll probably be ok. Maybe in the short term, but I really believe there are/will be long term complications to COVID. There's just so much we don't know about this disease. 

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/11/05/917317541/clots-strokes-and-rashes-is-covid-19-a-disease-of-the-blood-vessels

https://nypost.com/2020/11/09/many-covid-19-patients-later-develop-mental-illness-study-finds/amp/

We got the call!

3 family members called us on the cabin's landline yesterday to tell us the election news. Time to celebrate!

To clean out the fridge

Heading up to the cabin this weekend- mostly because we need to clean out the refrigerator and freezer. The power was out there for 3 days (it's back on now). Thankfully it wasn't that much but it still needs to be done. 

Baking Cookies

Korra's teachers dropped off a bag containing cookie ingredients and today they made then together over video chat. 

BLUE!

I can't believe it!  Georgia is BLUE!

Less than 2,000!

Georgia is officially less than 2,000 votes away from turning blue. I can't believe it's this close. 

Sad and Confused

No matter who wins the presidential election, I'm feeling so sad and confused.  I cannot understand why so many people are ok with Donald Trump.  I can't understand why they want a leader to represent us and make decisions for us who is unkind and dishonest.  I especially can't understand Christian support for him.  Joe Binden isn't the best.  He's pretty bland and unimpressive if you ask me, but would pick nearly ANYONE over Trump because I cannot support someone who stirs up fear and hate, who is so self-centered and conceited, who does not care about honesty or compassion.  It's so incompatible with everything I believe (and everything I thought MOST people believed).  It's absolutely disheartening.  

This is how she prefers to eat dinner

Insomnia

Having PTSD flashbacks to 2016 when I went to sleep thinking Clinton would win and then woke up in an apocalyptic hellscape. I had the day off but I really need tomorrow off because there is no way I'm going to sleep tonight.

Seemed fitting to order Insomnia Cookies. 

TB Test

Korra got her TB test today at a CVS.  She was really freaked out because she asked me to tell her EXACTLY what they were going to do.  It ended up being totally fine (I also had to bribe her) and now all we have to do is go back on Thursday to have it read.

101 Dalmatians

No school today (sidenote: election day should be a national holiday to make it easier for everyone to vote!), so of course Korra and I were both up at 6:15 am. We're making the most of it: waffles for breakfast and 101 Dalmatians (the old animated one- Korra's never seen it!)

Electoral College Debate

Today I gave my students a list of videos and articles so they could teach themselves about the electoral college and then I had them debate about if we should abolish it. It wasn't much of a debate because every single kid thought the electoral college was stupid and unfair. At least they learned a lot about how our president is elected, even if they didn't practice their debating skills. 

Descendants

On the recommendation of Korra's friend, we watched all 3 Descendants movies this weekend. Korra LOVED them. Nate and I felt it doesn't measure up to High School Musical.

Cat

Naturally, Korra wanted to be a cat for Halloween. Not just any cat, an orange and white cat. This is the best I could do. 

Halloween Party for Two

Korra and her friend had a mini Halloween party today. There was supposed to be pumpkin decorating, but mostly they just ate lots of candy and played pretend like usual. 

7th Percentile!

Korra had her yearly check up today and she's made it up to the 7th percentile for weight and height!  We haven't seen that since she was an infant!

In less exciting news, she was supposed to get a TB test (for DFCS/adoption process) but because of the power outages yesterday, the clinic didn't feel their supply of vaccines was safe.  So now we have to wait a few weeks and go back or see if we can find another place to get a TB test for an 8 year old.  Fun times!

Zeta

Really strong wind and rain last night from the hurricane left a whole lot of people in the city without power or internet, which means... they cancelled online school!  Best of all, we have power and internet AND my sister-in-law Genevieve is in town for an appointment tomorrow so we get to have a fun girls' day!  Currently painting our nails while watching Addams Family with plans to bake cookies for the new neighbor that's moving in upstairs.

Banned Books

In the midst of my Media Literacy unit (fake news, media bias, etc), we're also talking about author's purpose. Discussing purposes like persuade and inform leads to writing persuasive essays and middle schoolers' favorite: debate. As I was looking through The Hate U Give for debate topics (naturally, it's the novel we're reading for this unit), I realized it's a banned book, which means we can discuss and then debate censorship- which goes perfectly with media literacy!  I feel like I'm really making use of my media specialist skills this year!

Not very engaged

Probably 25% of my students (so, 6 kids) we're totally checked out today. Cameras off. No responses in the chat. Not answering when I called in them. It was really discouraging and frustrating. I know I've had plenty of days like that in the classroom, but it feels extra challenging online. I can't pull them aside for a chat. I can't stand close to keep them focused. I can't send them to go get a drink of water to wake up. 

Overall, I still think I'm doing a really good job of this online teaching thing. And I still think staying online is for the best with cases as high as they are. But dang, I miss normal teaching. 

Even in the rain...

Last night, we had a fun outdoor hang-out on the front porch of some friends while it poured rain. We decided that during the fall and winter, we're just going to need to be prepared and dress appropriately if we want to keep seeing people.  

Korra's Awards

Today was the End of Quarter celebration/presentation for our school.  Korra got SEVEN awards.  Perfect attendance, All As, the Love award, the Leadership award, the Quick Keys Award, the Sunshine award, and the highest kickboard points earner. I'm a little proud. 

SEL applications

We teach a lot of social-emotional skills at our schools.  This virtual school year, I'm using it so much more.  Mindful minutes.  Breathing exercises.  Yoga and stretching breaks.  I'm doing these in every class and several times a day between classes.  I don't know how I'd make it through without these skills.

Wonderkid & Imaginarium

Tonight's dinner was as delightful and enjoyable as you'd expect from a restaurant called Wonderkid and a brewery called The Imaginarium. We enjoyed the best fried chicken I've ever had, corn on the cob roasted with bacon, crispy garlic green beans, creamy macaroni and cheese, a big slice of salted caramel cake, and a sweet potato coconut hand pie- all on an outdoor patio on a gloriously beautiful evening. Such a nice middle-of-the-week mood booster. 

Hankie Embroidery

I bought some hankies and embroidered this in the corner tonight. 

Apple crisp!

Made my first apple crisp of the season!  Yum! My oatmeal is going to be so delicious for the next week. 

Drug test

Nate and I peed in some cups today. Our DARE programs would be proud that we both passed our drug tests. Extra fitting since it's Red Ribbon Week. 

Social Butterflies

Had dinner with friends two nights in a row. It was so wonderful. 

Cabin Recap

 Went for a walk. Roasted marshmallows over the fire. Watched movies. Decorated pumpkins and trick-or-treating bags. Talked. Read. Ate. Napped. It was lovely.

Culvers

 On our way back from the cabin, we stopped at Culvers for frozen custard and fried cheese curds.  YUM!

12 Years

I have blogged continuously (almost daily) for 12 years as of today.  Nearly 9,000 posts.  You're welcome.

Girls Time at Cabin

 Headed to the cabin for a couple of days with my mom, my niece, and Korra!

Calvin and Hobbes/Korra and Tigey

All weekend Korra was either reading Calvin and Hobbes comics or drawing her own comics. 

Migraine

Spent 9 hours of my day in bed because of a migraine. At least it's a rainy day to match how I feel. 

43 lbs

Korra, at 8 years old, finally weighs more than the amount I gained during my pregnancy with her. 

Relief

Even though the public schools in our district are all reopening to in-person learning in some capacity, our school has decided to remain virtual for all of October and November. 92% of staff, 72% of parents, and 67% of students said they felt unsafe returning. This is bound to be unpopular among some families and we might have financial consequences (enrollment) in the future, but I am so thankful. The plan as of right now is to go in-person in shifts (staff and students) in December just for testing. I think I can handle that, especially since I know they have 2 months to make a solid plan for those 2-3 weeks. 

Town Hall

Just starting the staff "Town Hall" about if we're going back to school and what that will look like.  I'm absolutely freaking out. 

Katy

My principal has spelled my name wrong for 3 years.  Katy.  Every time.  No matter how many times I sign emails with it spelled correctly.  Today, he actually sent me an email where he spelled it Katy at the beginning and Katie at the end.  Then sent an apology for spelling it two ways.  Which tells me he STILL has no idea which way it's spelled.  

Why are people who are trying so hard hurting so badly?

I read these quotes today and they resonate in my soul. 

There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they're falling in. 

-Archbishop Desmond Tutu

When I started looking upstream, I learned that where there is great suffering, there is often great profit. 

-Glennon Doyle

These Kids

A student just called to tell me SHE is disappointed wity ME because I called her mom about missing class for 2 weeks and failing.

In other news, the fake Clickbait assignments they turned in (showing understanding of connotation, author's purpose, and sensationalism) are on point. 

My classroom

I don't remember if l posted it this year, but here's a picture of my "classroom" this year. 

Please, no

We're finding out on Wednesday if we'll be in person in November and December. I don't want to go. The kids really do (in part because they don't realize it's not going to be like "normal"). This morning a teacher said the kids were looking sleepy and one said in the chat "I have a fever" and another said "my throat is sore."  Inside I'm freaking out. I don't want to go back into a classroom with these sick kids. 

Food then Nap

 Today we went to lunch at a local burger place with a big outdoor seating area.  Burger, cheese fries, milkshake... all while sitting outside in this beautiful weather with the sun warming my back.  After eating all that delicious food, I had the best nap.  Really, just about the perfect Sunday afternoon.

2 hours for cookies

Nate and I decided to treat ourselves to a late night Insomnia Cookies delivery. It's been an hours since we ordered so I called. They said it'll be another hour. Super bummed. And hungry. 

Crocheted Hat

A hat I made for Korra a few years ago was a little too small so I took some of it apart and then added a new bottom (and flowers).

Zoom Wedding

Today we are bridesman, bridesmaid, and flower girl at a virtual wedding. 

Kathryn and Rachel have postponed their wedding a couple of times for various reasons but we are SO excited to celebrate with them today!

We're all dressed up, we have a cheese board, popcorn, M&Ms, cake, and a rainbow candle, and we're Zooming in!

Jesus?

A very simple one question quiz at the end of class:

What are 5 things a complete sentence needs?

I even left up the slide with the answer while they took the quiz.  

One student wrote:

5 needs are food, water, Jesus, money ,and clothing. 

Jesus, help me. 

Crockpot Applesauce

Korra's been getting the free bagged breakfasts and lunches from the school each week.  They come with LOTS of apples and plums so today we're using up the extras and making plum applesauce in the crockpot.  It smells AMAZING on this fall morning!

Happy birthday

Today is my sister's AND my father-in-law's birthday. 

I'm so lucky to have them both in my life. 

Reading over FaceTime

Our good friends' daughter who is 5 asked to call Korra and me today so she could read us her first book (she's just learning to read). It took about 10 minutes (for 6-8 simple sentences) but she was so proud and it made me so happy she wanted to share it with us. The only thing that could have made it sweeter was if her 2 year old brother hadn't been screeching the entire time. Kids are endlessly entertaining. 

Surprise

I told the kids all week that today at 3:00, I would replace all "missing" assignments with zeros and then email their parents their grades. About 5 kids complete d assignments (out of 45) before 3:00 I just checked my school email and I have 20+ emails about make up assignments- all sent after 4pm. No one is surprised. 

9 volt batteries

I'm about to purchase a case of 9 volt batteries and mail them to a couple dozen of my coworkers and students because every time they come off mute I can hear their fire alarm chirping. It's annoying and just plain dangerous. 

Lightweight

I had one Truly hard lemonade while I cooked dinner and now I'm pleasantly buzzed. Being a lightweight is pretty sweet. 

Full Library

I have more books than will fit!