Spreadsheet

I'm feeling down, out of control, generally off so the regular To Do lists weren't cutting it to perk me up.  I made a spreadsheet.  Columns, rows, and hyperlinks- all with data on all the towns we could move to.  Every time I've told someone about my list (it started in a notebook), they suggested another place, whcih I've dutifully researched.  I'm still taking suggestions, but be aware- we're looking for somewhere diverse, walkable, and with affordable housing (minor league baseball team, fast internet, and a great charter school are all bonuses).  

2nd Dose

Quickly got Korra her 2nd COVID vaccine today while my students were at recess!

Christmas Decorations

On the first Sunday of Lent, we decorate for Christmas. Korra asked if it was time to start decorating at least 5 times per hour, she was so excited. It made me wish, for the first time ever, that we had more Christmas decorations. 

Balding

The cat's bald patch has gotten worse. 

Spies

Yesterday, Korra and her cousins were spies who kept detailed notes (4 pages of them!) of what everyone else was doing all day and why it was suspicious. They also ranked who was the most likely suspect (of what, no one is sure). 

Turkey the fawn

We saw a little fawn eating corn from the deer feeder. We were able to watch it for 15+ minutes. The kids named it Turkey.

Comic Book

Korra and her cousins spent the majority of the day writing and illustrating their own comic book. It's currently 8 pages. 

Couch Cousins

Salted caramel peanut butter chocolate pie

My father in law and I spent about 2 hours making this pie: 

https://amp.theguardian.com/food/2021/aug/28/liam-charles-recipe-salted-peanut-butter-caramel-and-chocolate-tart

I hope it was worth all the work (and all the converting of grams to cups because we didn't have a kitchen scale). 

Mother Daughter Day

This morning Korra and I went to a pottery painting studio and this afternoon we're at a birthday party (a classmate rented out a theater and we're watching Elf!)

A lot of driving

Yesterday we drove an hour south to visit some friends' new house and city. Today Korra and I drove an hour and a half (each way) to a Girl Scout Camp to compete her horseback riding badge. 

Tomorrow we'll drive to the cabin and then hopefully I won't get in a car again for 4 days. 

Lesson plans done!

Thanksgiving break can officially begin!

2:45 pm

They let us leave at 2:45 (instead of 4) so even though I'm not done with my lesson plans, I booked it out of there, got home, and took an hour long nap. Now I have the energy to finish up my school work and then officially treasurer start my week-long break!

Hot Cocoa

This is my real life:

Student walks into class late and takes out a packet of hot cocoa mix. It looks like he's about to open it. 

Me: please don't open that during class.

Student yells: That's why I hate this class!

Then he storms out of the room. 

4:30am, again

Oh how I hate that my body reacts to stress by being unable to sleep. Difficulty falling asleep is bad enough but waking up early when I'm so tired is the absolute worst. 

At least I'll be able to take naps starting tomorrow. 

42 chicken nuggets

I held a competition for my students over the last month and the winner's prize was supposed to be a pizza delivered for their lunch today. The winner told me he didn't really like pizza and asked if he could get something else. I agreed- and then he asked for a price limit. See, his thoughts were that a pizza could be shared and he'd like to share his lunch prize. I told him $15- the cost of a large pizza- so he asked for SIX 5 piece chicken nuggets and 2 large fries: total $14.98. I spent my entire lunch waiting for the Wendy's employee to fry up that many nuggets but it really made the kids happy so I guess it was worth it. Seeing the delivery really made the rest of the kids perk up!  I think my next competition will have a lot better participation. 

Jeans

I wore jeans to school yesterday and today. At this rate I'll be in pajamas by Friday. 

I don't think I ever needed Thanksgiving break much since my first year of teaching (15 years ago). 

Friendsgiving

Yesterday we had a potluck dinner with some friends. It was so fun!

Eating my Feelings

Do you know how much pizza, wings, and cheese-stuffed bread you can buy for $40 from Domino's?  Add in a few handfuls of Halloween candy and I think you have a pretty good idea of my evening. 

Kickball with Korra

Korra's class presented their "Genius" projects this afternoon. Korra made a Rube Goldberg machine that used a marble to turn on a light. 

After the presentations, we had a parents and students kickball game. Korra pitched one inning and scored a run!

Tired vs Angry

When it's just the kids being extra, I feel tired and frustrated. When it's the adults (administration) being extra, I feel ANGRY and frustrated. 

Yesterday and today I'm feeling angry.

Hopefully a weekend (plus Thanksgiving break in a week) will help me recharge. 

Teacher Burn Out

This week has been hard, but better than last week. I can't tell if the kids' behavior is just more challenging than in previous years or if I just have less to give. Maybe it's a combination of both. 16 years as a middle school teacher is a pretty good run. I'd really like to make it 14 more so I'm hoping this is just a bump in the road. 

Vaccinated!!!

Korra got her first COVID vaccine today!

Zoo

Yesterday we joined some friends at the zoo!

Braves Parade

It only lasted about 10 minutes but it was fun!

Waiting for the Parade

We walked the half mile to the parade route with some neighbors. It's 45 degrees and we have an hour and a half to wait for the parade. Currently playing Pokemon happily. 

Mental Health Day

I took today off. I did some grading and lesson planning. I also took a bubble bath, did yoga, read a book, and went out to lunch with Nate. Tomorrow all of the Atlanta Public School System has off because the Braves won the World Series (seriously) and there will be a huge parade for more than 2 hours that will block off a huge part of the city. 4 day weekend for me!

Changes to the Middle School

The school announced some big changes- namely that starting next year there will be a separate middle school instead of the k-8 model we have now. I don't think this addresses or fixes the problems (at all), I'm not really interested in working at a middle school. (Or at least if I do, I'd rather make a lot more money than I'm making now), and the middle school will be across town (and I would rather not commute).  I guess that makes it very clear to me that my time at this school is coming to a close. 

Election Day

I only had one meeting today so I did a lot of grading and some self-care. Korra and I walked to the polling station (enjoying the beautiful weather), we made pizza muffins

https://www.spendwithpennies.com/pepperoni-pizza-puffs/ for lunch and played Rumikub, I read a book and talked on the phone with a friend. I'm feeling like I can handle the school day tomorrow. 

Post-Halloween Sucks

Today was rough. Kids were up late for trick-or-treating and the World Series game 4. They were over sugared AND they have off tomorrow for election day. It was bad enough at one point that I felt like crying. 

I'm thankful that I get to work from home tomorrow (and time off to vote). I hope I'll be refreshed for the rest of the week.