Cat Door Update

While we were gone at Jekyll, Mrs Reynolds mastered using her cat door!  And as a bonus, it's eliminated her outside-the-litterbox issue because that's the only place she can get away from Alex and pooping peace!

Lunch with Dani

Danielle and I met for lunch today and that hour at a picnic table in the sunshine did me a world of good. 

Expert Advice

One of my coworkers was sharing about her kindergartener's troubles at school.  I was able to tell her who to contact at the school about a 504, what kind of wording to use for the email to the teacher, what she might be able to do for him at home.  She said I was really helpful and made her feel better.  I loved feeling knowledgeable about a topic.  

The Time I Very Nearly Super Glued Korra's Helmet to Her Head

I noticed Korra's helmet had a loose bit and we still had 15 minutes before we needed to leave for school, so I decided to super glue it together.  On the bike ride to school, I turned around to see a small clear drop rolling down Korra's forehead.  I immediately stopped, pulled the helmet off her head, and wiped away the drop.  Unfortunately, there is a tiny bit in her hair and a smear across her forehead which can be seen when she wrinkles her forehead.  I feel like an absolute idiot.  Currently researching how to get super glue out of hair (nail polish remover) and withdrawing my candidacy for Mom of the Year.  

Sand Dollars

This morning, Korra and I went for a walk on the beach. The tide was out and we saw dozens of unbroken sand dollars- more than I've ever seen by far. Some were alive and we tossed them into the waves. After picking the biggest two to take home, we left the rest for other beachcombers. 

Now we're headed home but we'll be back in about 5 weeks for camping!

Foster/Adoptive Parent Conference Day 2

We skipped the morning general session (it started at 8am!) and opted for a more leisurely start to our Saturday. We attended a session about post adoption services and then went to the beach. We were supposed to attend a 2.5 hour awards luncheon, but with no kids allowed, we definitely made the better choice. 

Korra loves the beach so so much. And she's been so well behaved, understanding, and mature while we've been in the sessions. 

After about an hour and a half at the beach, we grabbed some BBQ for lunch and ate at a picnic table before heading back into the conference center for a session about building trust. By this point, Nate and I were practically nodding off in our seats so we decided against attending the final general session (it was about fostering and that doesn't apply to us now). We biked back to the hotel for a much needed nap. 

Post nap, Korra and I spent a while at the playground before Nate met us at the pizza place for dinner. We biked back to the hotel, stopping a few times to admire the stars we could see. Korra is easily impressed by almost any number of visible stars as we can see so few at home. I'd really like to take her to one of the International Dark Sky Parks so she could REALLY see some stars (though guaranteeing a cloudless night is a little tricky when the nearest one is 5 hours away). 

Foster/Adoptive Parent Conference Day 1

After breakfast at the hotel and a little bit of work, we biked the mile to the conference center. We made it to 3/4 of the day's sessions: how fear impacts kids' behavior, a propaganda piece by AmeriGroup (see? we're not evil capitalist overlords!), and how adoption through DFCS works. It gave each of us 4.5 continuing education credits and besides the fear session, that's about the best thing I can say for them.  Korra found comfy chairs in the lobby/hallway outside of our sessions and read or played on her phone (thank goodness for old cellphones, free convention center wifi, and Google Chat). We at subs for lunch at some outdoor tables and biked to dinner at a restaurant near the golf course. 

Oh, and we stopped briefly at the playground. 

Jekyll Bound

We're almost to Jekyll Island. Just stopped in Savannah for dinner. Driving with the bikes on the back ruins our gas mileage (down from 40 to 27). We're listening to Going Postal and will all be happy to be at the hotel and out of the car. 

Half Day/Home Alone

I only worked until noon today so we let Korra try staying home by herself. Of course, she's so responsible and it was totally fine. 

First Bike Ride of the Year

I rode my bike to work today!

Eye Doctor

Today Korra and I had eye doctor appointments. The good news is that Korra's contacts seem to have been doing their job and her eyes only changed a little. The bad news is that there's nothing that can be done about how difficult it is for me to see at night. 39 years old and I might be nearly done with driving past sunset. 

unexpected bills suck

Let me start by saying, we have savings.  These unexpected bills are not going to cause us to lose our apartment or go hungry.  They just suck.  

Nate's insurance won't accept our discount code on his medication anymore.

Korra's therapist is out-of-network.

The orthodontist said our old insurance didn't pay the full amount before I changed jobs and now the new insurance probably won't cover it either since it's before I started with them.

A mistake on our W4s caused us to owe nearly $4000 in taxes.

It sucks.  It feels like a lot at once.  We'll be fine but ugh.  Not fun.

Harry Potter Exhibition

Today we went to the HP Exhibition to celebrate our friends' daughter's birthday!

This is Why I Loved (and probably still love) Middle Schoolers

https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/17/health/middle-school-children-wellness/index.html

Dunwoody

This afternoon, we drove up to Dunwoody where my pottery class is. We dropped Nate off at a brewery he really likes and then Korra went with me to open studio time. I trimmed 3 pieces and made and attached a handle. We went back and picked Nate to and went to Takorea for dinner. I had really high expectations so I was a little disappointed even though it was good. Now we're heading home and praying that Alex hasn't eaten any more boxes of Girl Scout cookies. (He ate one this morning and then we still forgot to close our bedroom door before leaving). 

I’m just a morning person

In bed, about to fall asleep, at 9:30 on a Friday night. 

Pottery Class #5

I picked up these finished vases last night. 

I glazed a mug and 2 more vases.  I trimmed and carved my candle holder and vase.  I threw FIVE pieces- a mug, 2 votive candle holders, and 2 bowls. 

3 pieces will be bisque fired this week (candle holder, vase, and a mug).  3 pieces will be ready to pick up next week (mug and 2 vases).  I'm going to miss next week's class, so I'm hoping to go in during some open studio time to trim up yesterday's pieces and add the handle to my newest mug. 

House in the Cerulean Sean

I finished reading this book a few days ago and I loved it so much.  It was funny and heartwarming and clever.  HIGHLY recommend.  

Also good, but not quite as amazing: In Five Years by Rebecca Serle and Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams.  

Last Class Valentines

I sent Korra to school with a box of Valentines for her class and realized it's probably the last time. My baby's growing up. 

King Cake Baby

I was the first one to cut into the office King Cake and I got the baby. 

Busy Kid

Today Korra had a field trip, presented 2 projects, ran with Girls on the Run, and THEN went directly to try out a climbing gym. I'm tired just thinking about her day. 

Valentine’s Gift

Nate knocked it out of the park today by asking our friends over not only to hang out but to take some photos of us!

The kids enjoyed scooter-ing along the bike path and we enjoyed both lunch at Victory as well as a walk with friends. 

Hopefully more pictures to come!

Cell Diagram

Korra is cell-diagram-project years old. We made a sugar cookie base and then decorated it with toppings to represent the different parts of the cell. 

Here's hoping it's delicious and gets her an A!

Coozie Display

I had a little time to kill before picking up my Aldi order so I wandered around Michael's. Not only did I find wrapping paper and Christmas lights for 80% off, but I also grabbed supplies to make this coozie display. I only wish it could hold more (and get them out of the drawer they're currently cluttering).

Amazing Maurice

We decided to buy a bunch of snacks and a large popcorn and go see The Amazing Maurice in the theater this evening. All three of us have read (and loved) the Terry Pritchett book that it's based on. We really enjoyed it. 

New Tax Person

I decided I couldn't take another year of doing taxes with our extremely strange tax guy so we went to see a new lady today. She was enthrall by our description of the personality, demands, and interactions with our previous tax preparer (as anyone should be). Also she was easy to talk to, friendly, honest, and professional. It'll be more expensive, but at least we know she's doing a good job and isn't insane. 

Valentines and Choco-tinis

At 4:00 today, our executive director made choco-tinis for anyone who wanted one and I set out the supplies to make Valentine "mailboxes" (envelopes). Everyone seemed to enjoy both the treat and the craft. 

Pottery Class #4

Today I picked up my first two finished pieces. 

Then I glazed 2 vases, trimmed 2 vases, and added a handle to a mug. I also threw a candle holder and another vase. That means next week I'll have 2 finished vases, a mug and 2 vases ready to glaze, 2 pieces to trim (and therefore 3 pieces total ready to be bisque fired). 

Part of the reason I'm writing all this is so I know what I need to find and do next week. Also it helps me remember what I've done and what I need to do. I'm really enjoying pottery. 

Hot Pad

We got a new toaster oven at work and Korra made us a loop-and-loom hot pad for it. Everyone loved it. 

Less Pain

The pain in my hip is down by at least 50% today.  It's still limited in range of motion without sharp twangs, but this is amazingly better than yesterday.  Hoping it's not a fluke and I'm on the mend faster than anticipated.

Update on the Hip

It hurts.  It hurts really, really bad.  It's definitely a muscle sprain/strain based on how it feels when I walk/move.  It sucks.  I feel like an idiot.  I'm mad at myself because I can't even enjoy a walk on this beautiful day.  

Mini Midlife Crisis

It's a gorgeous afternoon, so I decided to try skateboarding. I thought it might be another way to get to and from work. I thought it might be another hobby I could take up. After about 15-20 minutes, I noticed my knees and ankles were hurting a bit. I saw a neighbor and I joked, "I think 39 might be too old to learn to ride a skateboard." She said, "Not too old to learn, but the recovery will take longer!" About 3 minutes later I fell. I felt something pull/tear in my hip. I had to sit on the ground for a minute to get over there pain before I could walk home. My body is too old for this particular activity. 

Random Things We Did Today

Korra tried to play Nate's trumpet. She's going to take band next year and wanted to see if that's the instrument for her. I'm hoping it is, mostly just so we don't have to buy a different instrument. 

We installed a cat door into the laundry room door that has a magnetic lock so only Mrs Reynolds will be able to get in. It'll probably take her a few weeks to get used to it but I've got my fingers crossed it will solve our problems of Alex trying to eat all her food and poop in her litter box. 

Emery Concert

Nate, Dani, and Ryan wanted to go to a concert tonight. I didn't really want to go, so I'm watching the kids. Currently, they're playing dolls while I watch Last of Us but we have big plans for a movie, popcorn, and cake later. 

Baker Extraordinaire

I made the most delicious citrus cranberry bread for breakfast and a chocolate loaf cake for dessert (if it's half as good as the batter I licked, I should win an award). 

Zocalo

Last night we enjoyed what I think are the best nachos and frozen margaritas in our area (Zocalo) with some friends we haven't seen in a while. After we played a new-to-me board game (Cascadia). It was a lovely way to spend a Friday night. 

Pottery Class #3

At Thursday's class, I glazed 2 bowls, trimmed 2 vases and a mug, added a handle to my mug, did a little carving on one of the vases, and then threw a mug and 3 vases. It was a really productive class! I'm looking forward to seeing my two finished bowls next week and then I'll have pictures to share!

BOOKED IT!

I did it.  I booked our flights to London and Belgium!  So excited for September!

Insurance is so frustrating

Nate's prescription is $400 a month at any pharmacy, even with insurance.  The maker of this drug has a discount card that most pharmacies take that bring it down to $150.  Nate's insurance decided today that he can only use Express Scripts (a mail pharmacy service) and of course, Express Scripts doesn't accept discount cards.  I am so frustrated and annoyed and angry.

Mid-Life

I read the article that the average life expectancy in the US is 76. Since I'm almost 39, I'm officially in (and maybe even past) mid-life. Guess I should be getting on with that crisis now.