Uneventful

The last two days have been uneventful. Work is normal, if a little boring. Walking home in the afternoon. Dinner and a couple of episodes of tv (we're watching All Creatures Great and Small, Fleischman, The Last of Us, and Station Eleven). Reading a bit before bed.  I'm looking forward to dinner with Todd and Sarah tomorrow and pottery on Thursday. 

2 weeks of camp

This will be my first full summer working, and though Korra could go to work with Nate every morning, we're going to sign her up for a couple of weeks of camp. Korra is usually pretty anxious about new places/experiences especially if she won't be with me or Nate, but she's feeling brave and ready to try. Today we signed up for a week of climbing camp at a climbing gym and a week of Mad Scientist camp at the local park conservation center  We're going to look into at least one more week (she's leaning towards a gymnastics camp!) 

Reading Bowl

Today is the Reading Bowl competition. Korra is competing and I am NOT the coach. It's first competition in 3 years that it's in person rather than on Zoom. It's long. It's intense. And best of all, I get to leave after the opening ceremony and not come back until the awards ceremony at the end. 

First Watch

Return of the breakfast date. 

Shitty Dream

I just woke up from a dream where I was scrubbing and unclogging a toilet that was full of children's toys and huge poops. 

Pottery- Class 2

I trimmed the 2 bowls I made last week and then I threw 2 vases and a mug. I'm really enjoying this class. 

Another Post About Eating at Work

Today was our monthly staff birthday celebration.  I ordered Build Your Own Bowl catering from Gusto (rice, greens, choice of proteins, sauces, and seasoned salads).  Even though hardly anyone had Gusto before, everyone really liked it- so much so that we didn't have any leftovers and they asked me to order it again.  

Breakfast at Work

Today I brought a piece of bread from home.  I used the office toaster and crunchy peanut butter.  I made a cup of decaf with hazelnut syrup.  Peanut butter toast and coffee at my desk is a good way to start my day.  

Cat on a Leash

Korra is training Alex to walk on a leash. I sewed him a harness and every day this week after school, Korra has been taking him on a "walk." It's going surprisingly better than you'd expect. The real downside is that Alex whines at the door throughout the day because he wants to go out more. 

Passport!

Korra got her passport in the mail today!

Insurance is frustrating

I got a doctor's bill today for $178 for an appointment I had in October of 2021. Why? 

Today our insurance claimed I've never sent over paperwork for a reimbursement (that I have a confirmation receipt for). Ugh. 

I’ve got jokes

We had to wait for a presenter at today's staff meeting, and someone put "entertain us, Katie!" in the chat. So I started telling the corny jokes I used to put on my white board every day. It went over about as well as it does with the kids. 

Lots of sleep

I slept in until 9:45. I can't remember the last time I slept that late. It's extra impressive since I went to sleep at 10:30. 

Awards

Today we went to an awards presentation at Korra's school.  It's the first in-person awards presentation since January 2020, which is crazy.  I'm thankful to have a job that made it so easy for me to attend and see Korra get Principal's list and the Social Studies Super-Star award.  

Pottery!

Tonight I went to my first pottery class in 17 years. It was really great. The arts center and instructor are fantastic and really laid back. I enjoyed the time with my friend Kathryn who is also taking the class and as a bonus, I got to have a home-cooked dinner with Kathryn and Rachel beforehand.

All the pottery muscle memory came back and it was just as enjoyable as I remembered it. Maybe even more so because I'm not getting graded on what I make. 

Dashboard Confessional

On Sunday's drive home, Todd and I listened to at least 90 minutes worth of Dashboard Confessional.  It was one of my favorite moments of the trip.  I have So Long Sweet Summer stuck in my head and I'm not mad at all. 

Headed Home

We've been driving for about 2 and a half hours. 10 more hours to go. 

Joy and Grief

I'm so thankful to be together. It brings me so much joy. It also reminds me of how sad it is when we're apart. 

1.35 Billion

On the way to my grandma's funeral service we stopped at a gas station to buy a lotto ticket each. 

All Together

Laura and Brian arrived in Milwaukee on the same flight from Charlotte in early afternoon. When Todd and I arrived we went out for ponza rottas at Jimmy's Grotto. 

After dinner, we realized that it was the first time the 4 siblings were in one car together in more than 20 years. 

13 hours

My brother Todd arrived at our house at 5:05 am. Together we drove 13 hours- he drove the first half and then I drove the second. We thought it was going to be brutal, but it was the easiest long drive I've ever done. We both had way more energy than we anticipated and it just… didn't seem that bad at all. We talked, listened to some podcasts and music, ate snacks, and made really good time. 

Crescent Rolls and Butter

Korra got this book for Christmas. 

We made crescent rolls and homemade butter and had them with dinner tonight and there were amazingly delicious. 

Grandma

My grandma passed away this morning.  It was expected, but it still hurts.  Two years ago, when she and my grandpa were hospitalized with COVID, I was sure we were going to lose them both.  That's when I started to call them once a week.  And even after they were out of the hospital, we kept talking weekly.  I am so thankful to have 2 years of phone calls.  I am so glad I went up for a visit in November.  

After Grandpa called to tell me, my brain wanted to go into planning mode.  It's easier to plan how to get to the funeral than to feel all my feelings.  But now I'm going to slow down for a minute and feel and remember.  

Grandma was always cold, which makes sense when you live pretty much your whole life in Wisconsin.  Grandma gave me Paddle Pops for dessert and let me watch Cinderella on my favorite bear blanket.  Grandma almost always had toast and coffee for breakfast.  When I was 10 or 11, Grandma sewed me a dress that I wore until it was way too small for me.  Grandma took me on my first plane ride and my first trip to Disney World.  Grandma enjoyed traveling and I hope to go to many of the places she went.  Grandma taught me to blow bubbles with my hands in the bath and bought me paper dolls and baked cookies with me.  In the last two years, Grandma asked me about my day and my new job and about Korra and Nate every week until she couldn't anymore.  Grandma always told me not to get old because it was terrible.  

Potter’s Apron

In preparation for my pottery class that begins this week, I made myself a potter's apron!  I drew the pattern based on some examples I found online and then sewed it with fabric from my stash. It has 3 pockets and a split in the front for straddling the wheel. I'm really pleased with how it turned out!

Boyd Tires

I went to get the oil changed on the car this morning. I got up extra early and drove over 10 miles to go to my favorite car place. I know it might sound kind of strange to have a favorite car repair place, but I LOVE going up Boyd Tires. First, they're honest, helpful, and friendly, which alone would be enough. But even more than that, their shop is really unique. They renovated in the early 1970s and have preserved it ever since. The waiting room has floral wallpaper, a big wood-sided tube TV, and terracotta tiled floor. I just love the vibe. 

Yes this is an unflattering bathroom selfie. Yes, even their bathroom is homey. Worth the drive. 

THE Soup

I made THE Soup (of Internet fame). 

https://www.today.com/food/we-made-soup-reddit-famous-slow-cooker-recipe-t200548 I didn't add chicken but still thought it was absolutely delicious. 

For dessert, Korra and I made small batch brownies 

https://thecookiedoughdiaries.com/small-batch-brownies/ which were also very yummy. 

Hibachi

Tonight we went to Nakato for dinner and Korra got to have her first hibachi experience. She loved the food and the performance, as we knew she would. Also, she takes after her dad- she especially loved the steak (medium rare) and shrimp. 

Scholarship to Jekyll!

Nate and I found out today that we've been awarded a scholarship to attend the Georgia Foster and Adoptive Parent Conference… on Jekyll Island!  The scholarship covers the conference, our hotel, our food, and our mileage to get there. I'm super excited for a free trip to one of my favorite places AND we'll get all our training hours for the year in one go!

Fabric-Eating Cat

Alex has eaten (not just chewed up but literally eaten chucks of) 3 gloves, 4 socks, and as of today, the liaise covering of a cat toy. 

Wet Walk

This morning Nate had a doctor's appointment, so I planned to take the bus to work.  Of course, on the day that it's POURING, the bus doesn't come.  I walked the 1.5 miles to work and despite my new raincoat, my waterproof hiking shoes, and my umbrella, I arrived at work soaking wet.  

It’s Cookie Season

Korra made her website, QR code, and flyer!

https://digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/korra793699

Fort-building

Korra and her cousins spent almost 5 hours building a fort down by the creek yesterday. I love that they're old enough to do that, and that they enjoy that kind of play together. 

Midnight

4 out of 5 kids stayed up until midnight. And they even slept in until 8:30!  I'm still going to take a nap today. It is cabin time after all.