Stekoa Creek Park

Today we meet my parents halfway between us at a park for a visit. I haven't seen my dad since July and my mom since October. It was so good to see them for little bit. The weather and the park were nice. 

The vaccine gives me hope that it won't have to be too long before we can see them again.

What are these bugs?

They're all over the outside wall of our unit (outside our bedroom). What are they?  Will they eat my garden I'm getting ready to plant? Are they connected to the ladybugs we keep finding in the house?

Outdoor Activities

After the baby shower, we walked to a restaurant where we met a couple of friends at a restaurant's patio for drinks, food, and a couple rounds of the game Resistance (similar to Mafia, Werewolf, or Among Us). It was a really fun way to enjoy the beautiful weather. 

Zoom Baby Shower

We had a virtual baby shower for my brother and sister-in-law today. It was so nice to see several of my aunts and cousins (and my siblings!) Mom and I even created some digital-friendly baby shower games (and prizes!)  If only we could have found a way to have sheet cake and that lime sorbet punch. 

Rat Tail

I've been telling my students for weeks that I'm going to get/grow a rat tail. Thanks to a $4 Amazon purchase (and not being in person so they can't see the clip), I totally freaked them out on Thursday. They already think I'm so unfashionable, the embarrassment for me was palpable even through the computer. 

Do you like it?

Refugee Coffee

Korra and I walked to Refugee Coffee this morning (one mile each way) for their Read 4 Unity event. Every ticket donated 2 books (featuring or by BIPOC) to Kindezi.  We also bought a book and some coffee/hot cocoa and generally enjoyed going out and doing a thing!

Definitely want to go back- especially once I'm vaccinated. 

YouTuber

A student told me today he doesn't have time to do his assignments because he "has a YouTube channel to run."

Mom of the Year: Evidence Submission 2

I got so tired of Korra saying "no" or whining every time I asked her to do something so i decided to help her break the habit. Every time she immediately says "yes" or "ok" when I ask her to do something, I give her a chocolate chip. 

I am fully aware this is similar to how you train a dog. 

Vaccines for teachers!

Georgia just announced vaccines for teachers starting March 8! I might actually get the first vaccine before my first day in the building with students (March 16).

Mom of the Year: evidence submission

Korra: I'm bored. What should I doooooooo?

Me: pick some toys to give away

Korra: you always say that. That's not fun

Me: that's my idea of fun. If you have a better idea, do that. 

Korra: (stomps away)

Kitty Girl Korra

Little Leaning Library

 After filming was complete, my Little Free Library was returned except...

it's leaning. I've called the guy who's number was posted. The first time he assured me it would be fixed immediately. I've called him 3 more times (and left 3 messages) and he hasn't responded. Ugh. 

"held back"

So we can't fail or "hold back" any kids during this virtual learning pandemic, no matter how little effort they're making. It's not great but I get it. Better to err on the side of compassion. On the other hand, the state issued guidelines that we CAN fail/hold back kids who don't take the end-of-year high stakes standardized tests (even if, for example, their parents aren't comfortable with them going back in person this school year). 

I'd like to see anyone try to make Korra repeat 3rd grade. 

I'm not going to get too worked up about this though because I'm definitely not going to be alone in this. I'll let someone else fight this one for us. 

New bike basket

Used my new bike basket to pick up the week's worth of school lunches today. Continuing to enjoy the beautiful weather!

Better Nate Than Ever

Just finished reading Better Nate Than Never (a YA novel). It was absolutely charming and everyone should read it. I already put the sequel on hold at the library. 

Asian noodle cabbage salad

Tried a new recipe tonight and it was a winner!

I highly recommend it!

8 oz Lentil or chickpea spaghetti (cooked, then cooled)

2 c chopped cabbage

1/2 c shredded carrot

1-2 c cooked chicken or tofu

Topped with sesame seeds, green onions, and soy-ginger vinegarette:

4 T soy sauce

3 T olive oil

2 T rice vinegar

1 T sesame oil

1 T minced garlic

1 T minced ginger

1 T honey

Sriracha to taste

Beautiful Weather

Trying to enjoy every minute of this warm snap. Afternoon walks, reading on the porch. I think we'll have lunch on the balcony tomorrow and I might even see if the wifi works out there for my afternoon of grading essays. 

Me Time

Garden tub. Bubbles. Epsom salts. Candles. Romance audiobook. 

Sleepover

Korra had her friend spend the night last night. We barely saw them from 4:30-9:30 (deep in doll/stuffed animal imagination play). This morning they played Mario Kart and Guess Who. I can't say how much this friendship has meant to her during the last year. 

Big ol bag of rice

I accidentally bought a 20 pound bag of rice. I've filled all the big storage jars I have and there's still more in the bag. 

Reading Bowl: Regionals

We didn't place in regionals and I'm totally ok with that. 

Virtual Perks

1) no one can see my nervous armpit sweat stains

2) I can reheat my coffee or wash a couple of dishes during breaks

Trying to stay positive in the face of some frustrations at the Reading Bowl competition this morning. 

So much reading bowl

We've had at least 2 hours of reading bowl practice every day this week. Tomorrow is the regional competition. Part of me really wants us to win. Part of me kind of hopes we lose, just so I can have a break from Reading Bowl practice. 

Kitty Comfort

Korra hates doing iReady (a computer learning program) but she's more willing to do it when she can pet the cat. 

She's My Child

Korra: My teacher shared her screen and I didn't mean to look but I saw that she had 1300 unread emails! Can you believe that?

Me: That's a lot.

Korra: I read or delete all my emails. I don't like to have unread messages.  That would make me feel overwhelmed.

Me: You are definitely my daughter.

Random Things About My Day

1) I accidentally spent 30 minutes looking for the perfect "Pop Quiz" gif.

2) I overheard Korra tell her class about every time we've had ants or a roach in our house.

3) While on a one-on-one meeting with a student, I could hear music, the tv, and his little brother's ringtone (which was a baby crying!) in the background the whole time.

Chocolate covered peanuts and raisins

I've been trying to do better about emotional eating, but I failed today. The Microsoft Teams Reading Bowl practice was terrible. 10 second to 5 minute delays from when the kids typed in the chat until it showed up (which is how they're supposed to "buzz" in to answer). Add to that the white dude who tried to mansplain how to restart our computers and I ended my day by eating a few handfuls of chocolate covered goodness. Oh well. I'll try again tomorrow. 

Mardi Gras

Pancakes for dinner (though I have no plans to deprive myself during Lent) 

Reading Bowl Crisis

Our state-level reading bowl competition is this Saturday. We got an email over the weekend letting us know the virtual competition will be held on Microsoft Teams- widely considered the worst online meeting platform. Also we don't have access to it and therefore can't practice using it. We tried to log into it and use it for over an hour this afternoon without success. The kids were so discouraged and frustrated. They feel like they might lose the competition not because they don't know the books well enough but because of technology. That really sucks. 

High Praise

Korra made ice cream with her class today.  She declared it the best ice cream she's ever eaten.  This is the same thing she said about the pizza, cookies, and pigs in a blanket that she made.  She thinks very highly of her skills. 

Never again

I had to run into Publix to buy half and half (Korra's class is making ice cream in science tomorrow) and besides the 3 people I saw without masks, there were 4 people with their masks under their noses and one elderly woman who PULLED HER MASK DOWN TO COUGH. Meanwhile, I'm over here double masking. 

I'm not going in any public spaces again until I'm fully vaccinated. I hate that other people's choices can possibly impact me so much. It makes me feel so helpless and out of control.

The card I didn't even know I wanted

Photo from the cabin

Terrible traffic

An accident on the interstate at 11:30am caused I75 to be shut down. It's 6pm and it's still shut down. We've moved less than 10 miles in 90 minutes. This is the longest ride to the cabin ever. 

Cabin Bound

Nate took off work tomorrow (and Korra and I have Friday and Monday off) so we're headed to the cabin for a long weekend/Valentine's celebration. I bought a cheese/charcuterie board, nice steaks for us to grill up, and some other goodies to help us celebrate. 

Sad News

Yesterday afternoon we learned that Korra's kindergarten teacher, a sweet young woman who has worked at our school for 4 years, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.  It's devastating to her family, her friends, her coworkers, and her students.  Telling Korra was heartbreaking.  

Today is an "asynchronous learning day" (meaning the kids log on to complete assignments, but there are no live classes) so students and staff alike can have time to grieve and process.  I'm thankful for that space and time.

New Rocking Chairs!

I bought new rocking chairs for the balcony. Today was the first day it was warm enough to enjoy them. 

Missing Library!!

Korra and I went by the school today to drop off Girl Scout Cookies. While we were there, we decided to walk around the park and enjoy this glorious 60 degree day. It lasted about 10 steps because then I noticed the Little Free Library was GONE. Completely. Not a trace. Naturally, I freaked out. That lasted about 5 minutes before I realized why there was a bus stop and a parking sign and a bench and trash can all that aren't usually there. Turns out a movie that's set in the 80s is being filmed there and they removed it (hopefully temporarily). I'm also hopeful they replace it. Still a little pissed that they didn't call me (my contact info IS right there on the damn thing) but I don't know what use it would be to tell at anyone (there were quite a few people in the park actively filming so I had options in addition to the contact information I got off the posted signage). 

Ladybugs!

For the past month, I've found 2-3 ladybugs in the house every day. Sometimes dead, sometimes alive, but EVERY day. Where are they coming from?  How are they getting in?  Why do they even want to come in? How do I get them to stop coming in? (Because killing ladybugs feels like a sin). 

Valentine's party

Today we had a Valentine's party with Beth and Kelley and kids. We had heart shaped snacks and made Valentines and the kids played while the adults caught up. It was lovely.

Date Night

Tonight was our date night. It was 37 degrees and sleeting. Thankfully we decided to still go because the restaurant had a nice covered patio, there was a big heater right next to us, and the food was delicious (garlic bread and a meatball flight!) 

To top it all off, Korra had a great time eating popcorn and playing mancala with our friend/babysitter. 

Reservation

I made a reservation for a heated patio seat at a rooftop restaurant in Midtown for our date tomorrow night. Then I looked at the weather- 90% chance of rain and 41 degrees at 6pm tomorrow. We might need to cancel and eat take out in our car. 

OB appointment

Today a had an appointment with my new OB. I really like her and she's close, which mostly made up for the long wait. I arrived 30 minutes early so I could fill out new patient paperwork. Then I waited an additional 30 minutes after my appointment time (all of this was, thankfully, in my car). Then I waited 20 minutes in the exam room. In total, I was there for two and a half hours. I'm going to chalk much of the wait up to COVID precautions. The rest of the time... well that was due to my almost-fainting spell. I warned the nurse, "people often have trouble finding a good vein."  After she stuck the needle in and as she was wiggling it around she said, "nothing's coming out" which was my body's cue to get really hot and queasy. I was super embarrassed but as my sister reminded me, "nobody can control their vasovagal reactions." I just wish my vasovagal reactions didn't make me look like such a wimp. After elevating my feet, drinking cold water, and holding an ice pack, the nurse was able to draw the blood (from my hand) and send me on my merry way. Did I mention Korra was with me the entire time?  The Nintendo Switch was worth it's weight in gold this afternoon. 

Teacher Tech Genius

I solved a problem that has plagued me since the beginning of virtual learning!  When I give the kids Google Slides to fill out, inevitably, someone will (sometimes accidentally and sometimes on purpose) delete the directions.  Why would someone do it on purpose?  I'm so glad you asked.  Say the slide says, "Answer the question in 3 complete sentences."  Well if you just delete that part, then you can answer however you want and show your mom that you did exactly what it says.  Smart, right?  So I figured out today that if I save my slide with the directions as a picture, I can then use that picture as the background of the slide that I give to the kids!  That way, no one can delete anything off it!  I am so incredibly proud of myself. 

Too Cold

I need it to get warmer so I feel motivated to go on a walk. Or maybe I just to be a little bit more motivated. 

Engagement Video

Two of my coworkers got engaged over the weekend. They shared the news with the staff via a video of the proposal.  It was super sweet but also really concerning. There were at least 20 people in attendance. It was inside a restaurant. No one was wearing a mask. Overall I've been feeling pretty ok with the idea of going back to school in March, but I just realized that these are the people I will be sharing spaces with- people who are making very different COVID safety decisions than I am. 

Rock Band

We splurged on a Rock Band set over the summer (a pandemic acceptable family activity to replace a vacation). It's definitely been worth the investment, especially these cold, dark winter evenings. I didn't go on my walk today but I did get 2,500 steps in from dancing around while singing. 

Sore Butt

My hips/butt hurt from sitting in this damn chair all day. 

Thinking about all the times I longed to sit down during the day as a teacher (but couldn't). If I didn't see the end of at-home teaching in sight, I'd be trying to figure out how to fit a treadmill desk into this apartment.