Aquarium Gala

Thanks to Nate's work, we got free tickets to a charity gala at the aquarium last night. We dropped Korra off for her sleepover and then decided to walk to the aquarium. This is in part because neither of us wanted to be the DD and partly because of the terrible traffic thanks to the Taylor Swift concert. The event was fancier than we're used to but that made it even more fun (at least for me). Nate knew a few people and had connections with even more. The food and drinks were good but the Beluga whales were the star of the show. 

We'll, them and my handsome date. 

Alternate Sleeping Schedule

I got up at 6:30 am. Nate woke up at 10:45 when Korra and I got home. Now it's 11:30 and I'm ready for a nap. 

Girls on the Run 5K

This morning Korra and I did the GOTR 5K. It was the culminating event of the running club she's being participating in twice a week since the beginning of February. It was fun!

Ice Cream

We walked to Krog Street Market for ice cream after dinner tonight. Korra successfully are a double scoop cone without becoming covered in melted ice cream. 

Doctorate Celebration

One of our friends successfully defended his doctoral thesis, so last night we went over to their house to celebrate with lasagna, wine, and a cookie cake!

Sort-of Sick Day

Korra had a stomach ache at school today so she called us to come home early. Very thankful for a flexible job where it wasn't a big deal at all for me to finish the work day from home. 

Bubble Robots

Tonight at Girl Scouts we built Bubble Blowing Robots. 

Sewing

Over the last two weeks I've hemmed 2 pairs of pants that were too long, taken in a pair of scrubs that were too big (including making a new elastic waist and relocating a pocket), turned a pair of scrubs into a pair of shorts, and taken in another pair of pants that was too big and added side pockets.  Nothing was perfect or beautiful, but I learned while I went, I spent less than $5, and I took things that didn't work for me at all and made them usable, so I'm pretty happy with that.

Italian and a Vow Renewal

Last night, Nate and I went on a double date to a fancy-ish Italian restaurant. The food was good and the walk the and back with friends was even better. 

This morning, we went to a vow renewal ceremony for some dear friends that was so lovely. 

Trivia Night

Korra left with my parents for a weekend adventure (her Christmas present from them) so Nate and I are out with friends doing trivia. Our team is kicking butt (mostly because Nate is amazing at trivia). 

Picnic in Piedmont Park

For this month's staff celebration, I planned a picnic in the park. Drinks, subs, and cookies on a picnic blanket under a tree. 84 degrees and sunny with a breeze. Damn I'm happy. 

New Bike for Korra

Korra has just about outgrown her old bike in size, but has more than outgrown its hot pink and flowers decor.  A work friend heard me say that Korra needed a new bike and she had a rather small adult bike that she was willing to give to us.  Korra was pretty excited to ride a bike with gears for the first time to school today. 

Nice Weather for Skirts

I have cultivated quite a collection of bright skirts and I am rather excited that the weather is nice enough that I can start wearing them each day to work.  Even though the bike ride in the morning has still been a bit chilly, the ride home and then the after-dinner walks I've been taking have been lovely.  

Weekend Update

Yesterday we had big plans for the afternoon/evening with friends. We were going to walk (and let the kids ride their scooters) to the MLK Center playground, get some drinks and food at a couple of restaurants, and then get some ice cream. Unfortunately, the kids whined, argued, and complained pretty much the entire time. It was a less than successful outing but the evening went better. Eden spent the night and the girls had such a fun time together- including a mishap with the garden hose that ended with both of them soaking wet and muddy. 

This morning we had chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast before dropping Eden back with her family. Then we went to a brewery for a fundraiser event. Korra made a new best friend.

When we got home, the condo association had hosted an egg hunt and even though we were too late for that, our neighbor friends were still hanging out. The kids decided to officially kick-off swim season (the water was freezing!)

Morning Ice Cream

This morning I was invited to celebrate Korra making the honor roll. They had an ice cream sundae bar… at 9:30 on the morning. 

Cat-sitting

Korra has two cat sitting jobs this week for neighbors. Not only does she enjoy the cats and the sense of responsibility, but she's pretty happy with the extra spending money. 

Freelance Education Work

A friend who I used to work with is working as a consultant/curriculum writer.  She called me up and asked if I would be interested in doing some research and editing for her.  I've only spent a few hours on it this week, but I really enjoyed it!  Hopefully there will be more opportunities like this because extra pay and work I enjoy is a good combination. 

Annual Review

It's annual review time for everyone at my work.  My review is today.  I've compiled a list of my accomplishments and responsibilities as well as the cost reductions I've been able to make throughout the year.  I know I'm good at this job, but I still feel nervous.  I wish I didn't crave external validation so much.  Also, I'd really like a raise.

Last Phone Call

Casey and I had our last phone call on Wednesday.  The issue we worked on for a total of 8 hours over 9 phone calls and 11 days did not get resolved, but I really don't mind at all.  Casey was fun to talk to and I'm honestly bummed that we won't be chatting anymore.  I kind of wish we had exchanged email addresses or something but I think that would have been too weird (even for me). 

Easter

We slept in late. I made cheesy hash browns, ham, and eclair cake for lunch. We took afternoon naps and then Nate and Korra went to see the Mario movie while I finished reading Book of Flora. 

Brunswick

We spent Friday night and most of Saturday in Brunswick. We did a little shopping in the morning (I could spend HOURS in the by the pound thrift shop), had a delicious seafood lunch at Mr Shuck's, and then spent the entire afternoon at the Pinball Palace.

From there, it was a little under 5 hours to drive home. We finished listening to Hat Full of Sky and it rained almost the whole way.  Thankfully it wasn't raining when we got home but we were so exhausted that we only did the bare minimum in unpacking the car before falling into bed. 

Camping Cut Short

We've been watching the weather all day today and it seems pretty likely that there will be thunderstorms tonight and rain on and off all of Saturday and Sunday. We made the call to pack up camp after dinner (after only one actual night of camping, though 2 days on Jekyll) and get a hotel for tonight in nearby Brunswick. It's a little disappointing but we were planning to spend most of a day at Brunswick's Pinball Palace anyway. I'm mostly lamenting the loss of the nonrefundable campsite plus the cost of another hotel room but Nate and I have packed up a wet tent before and we never want to do it again. 

We still got to enjoy lots of reading in the hammocks, lunch and dinner cooked over the campfire, and an hour or so at the beach today and my hips, neck, and back will be grateful for a real bed instead of the air mattress. 

Jekyll Camping Day 1

Korra and I went for a morning walk on the beach, then after we checked out of the hotel, all 3 of us took a 7 mile bike ride with a picnic lunch in the middle. We checked in at the campground and set up camp and then went back to the beach to let Korra play in the sand and surf for an hour or so. We all got LOTS of sun today. Back at the campground we make nachos and s'mores over the camp fire before finally getting clean and climbing into the tent/air mattresses. 

Back at Jekyll

Arrived at Jekyll just after sunset. Full moon over the ocean just outside our hotel. 

Speed Puzzling

We went to a brewery today to compete in Speed Puzzling. Each team of 4 people gets the exact same 500 piece puzzle. 

We finished in 3rd place and more importantly, it was really fun. 

Espresso Machine

I finally learned how to use the espresso machine at work.  I think the milk steamer is my favorite part.  How will I ever drink boring coffee again?

40!

It's Nate's 40th birthday!  Celebrating with a steak dinner! 

Last Pottery Pieces

An Update on Casey

Today I had another Microsoft tech support call with Casey.  We've been on the phone for 30-60 minutes every weekday for a week and a half.  Today we talked about the weather and seasonal allergies.  We were still not able to fix my original issue and even added 2 more complications to our growing list.  Guess who has another support call tomorrow?

Interesting Phone Call

A man with a very thick New Orleans accent just called work.  He was trying to reach the Georgia Tollway Authority about a bill/ticket he got. I tried to tell him he had the wrong number, but he just kept talking... and he seemed so frustrated and confused... so I decided to do a bit of Googling and ask him some questions and try to help him out.  Turns out that he drove in the Express Lane on the interstate a few months back and didn't realize he had to pay for that.  Glad I was able to help out, but it was certainly a very interesting and odd phone call.  

Nate’s Surprise Party

Today was Nate's surprise 40th birthday party. About 20 friends met at up a brewery (he thought only 2 were meeting us there). While he wasn't completely surprised (he knew something was up) he was still happy to see so many friends. I forgot to take a single picture but we had snacks, beer, a giant dinosaur balloon, and cupcakes at the picnic tables outside on this beautiful spring day. 

Cupcakes

Korra and I baked some very special cupcakes for Nate's birthday. 

Expect pictures of the finished product tomorrow. 

Low-No Saturday

It's a busy season at the organization I work for because there are just 75 days between when the federal government announces their Low and No Emission transportation grants and when the grants are due. We work with 40+ agencies on their grants during that time, which if funded become our projects for the next 3-5 years. Today we had a Saturday work day and I didn't mind much. It was only 10-2 and I was just available for anyone who needed help and ordered lunch from a great 👍 Mediterranean restaurant nearby for anyone who was in the office.