NYE

We enjoyed our traditional New Year's Eve dinner of homemade egg rolls (with the additions of several of Trader Joe's finest frozen Asian offerings). The kids put together homemade "crackers" stuff with candy, toys, and, most importantly, noise makers. It's been 25 minutes since we opened the crackers and the kids (and let's be honest, adults) haven't stopped tooting those little horns. 

83 Books

In 2022, I read 83 books. 

More Cabin Time

After another quiet day in the office, we headed out of town for a long weekend at the cabin with Nate's family. Korra is loving more cousin time and I'm enjoying my usual routine of reading by the fire and napping. 

Really Quiet

It's very quiet at the office today. It's my first day back in a week (5 days off plus a day working from home). I was completely alone here for the first hour. Then it was only 2 of us until 11. Then the 2 highest bosses came in. I don't mind the quiet. I'm enjoying watering the plants and checking the mail.

Boxing Day

We spent the day after Christmas saying goodbye to my sister and her family, building a 1000 piece puzzle (Lego mini figures) and going to see Hook and eat pizza at Asheville Pizza and Brewing. It was a thoroughly wonderful way to spend the day with my parents. 

Home Videos

Watching some old home videos and 90% of them are singing happy birthday to one family member or another. 

Family Pictures

Karaoke

Korra received a karaoke machine from her grandparents this morning. When I saw her singing on it, I remembered that when I was 10, I also got a karaoke machine from my grandparents for Christmas. 

Chocolate Peppermint Roll Cake

I baked this beautiful cake!

Christmas Shirts

In the shirts we decorated for Christmas. 

Not sick!

Even as a don't enjoy the drive, I'm so grateful to be driving up to my parents' house. This time last year we had COVID and had to cancel all the travel plans. Thankful to be healthy!

Changing Plans

We were planning to have a little family Christmas time this evening and then leave for my parents' house tomorrow morning after Nate did a little work.  The weather is supposed to get really cold tonight and then there is a chance of sleet/snow tomorrow morning, so we've decided to hit the road this afternoon/evening.  Nate and I both have to work today (him from the office this morning and me from home all day), but we're hoping to have our little family Christmas (opening the presents we don't plan to drag on a road trip) during our lunch break today.  

Garden Lights

Tonight we went to the Botanical Gardens to see the holiday lights display with Nate's parents. The parking situation was very frustrating and stressful but the lights were magical as usual. Next year, we'll take a Lyft. 

Work Buddy

Korra really wanted to go to work with me today so she's my work buddy this morning.  I'm very thankful that Nate and I both have jobs that allow us to bring her when needed.  Also thankful she's old enough just to hang out without needing too much attention.  Plus, my nerdy coworkers love her Pokemon sweatshirt.

Christmas Movies and Snowflakes

I'm working from home today so Korra and I are watching Christmas movies and cutting out paper snowflakes.  First, Elf.  Next, A Christmas Story.

Gingerbread House

We went to a new brewery today and were pretty much the only ones there for 2+ hours. They offered us a gingerbread house to decorate for their contest

and then we played a couple of board games together. It was a lovely family afternoon. 

Early Christmas Break

Korra came home early from school yesterday with a cough.  Since today's only a half day, we're keeping her home.  Guess she's starting her break early. Fingers crossed this cough and runny nose are just a cold and end soon.

Mani-Pedi

Using a gift card I got at the end of last school year, I enjoyed a very long manicure and pedicure this afternoon (and into the evening… it took over two and a half hours!) Besides feeling a little anxious about Korra and Nate waiting for me for dinner, it was very relaxing. 

Snowflakes

Our liberal, environmentally-friendly nonprofit really is full of snowflakes!

Cookies and Cocoa

I baked chocolate almond oatmeal cookies to share with my coworkers today (they're a big hit as always) and I'm also making a pot of hot cocoa.  Several other people brought in treats to share, too!  I might even see if I can convince a few people to cut out snowflakes with me...

Headache

I've had a bad headache all day. The weather is rainy and cold. Bleh. 

Weird Things

I had a dream last night that I "accidentally" swallowed a dozen raw eggs whole and then I could crack them in my stomach by pushing on my abdomen.

There are only 4 people in the office this morning and while I'm on a video call, I can hear someone singing "All I Want For Christmas Is You."  I search the office and realize it's coming through the air ducts from one of the other offices but is still pretty clear and loud.  They sang the. whole. thing.  Even the high note at the end.

Lots of Cooking

Today I cooked a lot. I made pancakes for breakfast, ramen for lunch, lasagna zucchini boats with focaccia for dinner and chocolate bundt cake with chocolate ganache for dessert. Everything was entirely from scratch and it was all delicious. 

True American

We played a version of True American with some friends this evening (after enjoying dinner from Doc Chey's). It was silly and fun. 

Purple Streaks

COVID rising

During routine COVID testing at school yesterday, 6 kids in Korra's grade (and there are only 52 kids in the grade) tested positive.  Part of me wishes we'd just get it now so I'd know for sure we won't have it at Christmas. 

Aggresive Cat

Yesterday Alex showed some unusual aggression- first when he got a hold of Nate's mac-and-cheese powder packet.  He would not let it go and growled at Nate when he tried to stop him from both eating the bright orange powder and spreading it all over the kitchen.  Second, he got a hold of one of Korra's stuffed animals and did the same thing- growling, running away, refusing to let go.  We can take his food while he's eating it.  We can take his favorite little dino.  We can grab his tail and pick him up and touch his paws and he doesn't care.  Why did he go so crazy and aggressive over cheese powder and that one stuffed animal?  

Alex’s Baby

Alex purrs while he licks this little dinosaur stuffed animal and flexes his claws (usually into the air since the dino is so small). 

Fancy Office Christmas Party

I am so, so excited about the office holiday party this evening.  We've rented out the Illuminarium with a space theme (yes, we're super-nerds) and it's fully catered with an open bar.  I got new accessories to jazz up a favorite dress, I painted my nails, I picked out Nate's outfit, and our babysitters should be here at 5:30!  Hopefully I'll have some good pictures to share later!

Voted (Again)

The lines for early voting near us were 2+ hours long so I was a little worried about voting on election day, but I was in and out in less than 2 minutes.  While I have strong opinions about who I want to win this election, either way the political ads will FINALLY stop today.

Christmas Sweater

I bought this red sweater at Goodwill, then crocheted the lights, and then sewed them on!

What do you think?

Stroller Kitten

Ever since we got Alex, he's enjoyed having Korra push him around in her doll stroller. 

Ninja Bread Men

Kids Cook Peanut Butter Popcorn

Using a cookbook Nate had as a child, Korra and Nate made some peanut butter popcorn to enjoy while we watch the Jars of Clay Christmas concert  

Burger, cheese fries, milkshake

The perfect Friday night dinner thanks to Grindhouse: burger, cheese fries, and an Oreo milkshake (with a shot of peppermint schnapps). Mmmmmmmm. Sharing it with friends only made it better. 

An Attempt to Get a Passport

A month ago, I made an appointment for Korra to get a passport.  I filled out all the forms, gathered all the necessary documents, and even had 3 forms of payment (just in case).  We drove 20 minutes to the passport office and they told us the camera wasn't working so I had to Google the nearest pharmacy that does passport pictures.  We drove 10 minutes to a Walgreens where they informed us their camera was also down.  We drove another 10 minutes to a CVS and got Korra's picture taken.  We drove 20 minutes back to the passport office and then waited in line for a bit.  When they called us up to the counter, they asked for the consent paperwork signed by Nate, which I did not know I needed.  Since both of us are on Korra's birth certificate, we both have to be present OR we need to print out a form, fill it out, get it notarized, and bring a copy of Nate's ID.  So I begged the lady to see us first thing next Friday morning (so we don't have to wait another month) and Korra and I drove the 30 minutes home (gotta love Atlanta traffic) and Nate and I will have to repeat the process (though hopefully a little more smoothly and quicker) next week.  

Boring Work Week

Work has been boring this week. I've finished all my interesting tasks and have been slowly making my way through the very tedious "if you have time" tasks and even those aren't fully filling my day.  Thankfully I'll have a new project to work on starting next week or the week after. Also, I need to remember that a little slow, boring work is probably really good for me right now.