Thrift Store Haul

5 pairs of jeans, 6 pairs of shorts, a dress, 2 jackets, and 3 shirts (all for Korra) ... only $40!! I love half-off-everything day at the thrift store!

Adjusted Summer Hours

On the weeks I don't have to go in late/leave early for camp pick-up, I'm going to work one day less in the office each week to spend with Korra.  I got the hot-spot wifi ready on my phone and this afternoon, I plan to try out working from a lounge chair at the side of the pool.

Our Mrs Reynolds

For the past year, Mrs Reynolds snuggles with me every night while I read before going to sleep. When I turn off the light, she goes to the rocking chair and stays there until Nate comes to bed. Then she gets back in our bed and snuggles between us all night. 

She's gotten pretty sweet in her old age. 

Podcasting Playdate

Korra was over at her friend's house from 11am until 9pm yesterday. They went to the park and went rock climbing, but they spent the majority of the day making EIGHT podcast episodes about a book series they both love (Wings of Fire- it's about dragons). I'm so glad Korra has a friend she can nerd out about books with. 

Late Sleeper

Korra has always been a bit more of a night owl than the average kid her age. When other toddlers were up at 5am, she'd happily sleep until 7. Now that we're into the tween years, it's sliding even later. The last few days she's slept until 9. I see a future of sleeping until noon on the weekends in our future. 

A Celebration

We're celebrating all that this amazing kid has accomplished this year with root beer, dumplings, and ramen. 

First Day of Summer

Because I work from home on Fridays and because Korra doesn't have to go to school today, I turned off my alarm to let myself sleep in.  I woke up at 5:30, an hour before I usually wake up.  Of course.  

So I got up and made coffee, grabbed my laptop, and got back into bed.  Nate fell asleep on the couch so I knew my typing wouldn't bother him.  I did a bit of online shopping.  Checked my work email.  I think I'll get up in a bit and make waffles.

Non-Update on the Apartment

The property manager told us we'd have our lease renewal by the end of LAST week.  Still nothing.  We have had 2 HVAC companies come over to look at the unit (apparently it's the original from 1989!) because the homeowner wants to replace it.  Even though it's working fine, it's nice to know it's not going to crap out on us during the middle of July.  

PHR Exam Materials

I just used my company credit card to buy nearly $500 worth of study materials for the PHR Exam (Professional in Human Resources).  Over the next 2-3 months, I get to study and take practice exams.  I'm nervous it will be more boring/difficult than I anticipate, but also a little excited because I've honestly been rather bored at work lately and this will give me more to do- especially as so many staff are in and out for summer vacations.  

Last Day of 5th Grade

 Today is Korra’s last day of 5th grade. That also means it’s her last day of elementary school and her last day at Kindezi. I’m feeling surprised by how emotional that’s making me. Not only seeing my child reach a milestone that proves she’s growing up, but it’s also a more final goodbye to the school that’s been a big part of our life for 6 years. 

Last day of 5th grade.  Last day at Kindezi.

First day of 5th grade

First day at Kindezi

Etiquette Dinner

To complete their Social Butterfly badge, Korra's troop went to an etiquette dinner tonight. They were served a delicious 6 course meal all while being instructed in which fork to use and how to eat soup. They all had an amazing time. It was the perfect way to finish the year. 

5th Grade Graduation

Korra has made us so proud in so many ways this year, but let's highlight her academic achievements now. She was one of only 4 kids in her grade to score "distinguished" (the highest grade) on all 3 subjects of the state standardized test this year. She made the highest math score in the grade on a different standardized test. She made all As. Obviously, she's amazing!

Last Visit?

Today is Korra's 5th grade graduation. As I walked in, I remembered how I brought Korra with me to my interview almost 6 years ago. She joined one of the kindergarten classes while I did a demonstration lesson. 

Just made me realize this might very well be my last visit to the school. Definitely bitter sweet. 

Container Garden War

I've been waging war with squirrels and at least one cat over my container garden. Squirrels kept digging through my pots and I lost 2 cucumber seedlings. I won the battle against them by sprinkling cayenne pepper all around and on the pots. 

The cat presented a much greater adversary. This cat kept pooping in my pots and I lost 4 more cucumber seedling. The cat did not care about the cayenne. I tried strips of aluminum foil. That didn't stop it either. Finally, I got the recommendation to try kebab skewers and the battle appears to have been won. 

Blooming Orchid!

I received an orchid for my birthday last year. I've carefully cared for it for over a year and I got it to bloom again!

Tech Support for HOURS

The internet went out at work yesterday afternoon and even though I know NOTHING about the internet, I'm in charge of getting it fixed.  When I called our internet provider, they asked me a bunch of questions I didn't know the answers to, using terminology I didn't know.  They got frustrated and asked to speak to IT and I practically yelled that there was no IT.  It was not my best moment.

When I got home, Korra's replacement watch was here.  I tried to pair it to her existing account but no luck.  I spent 45 minutes with 2 of Verizon's tech support people before it was fixed.  At least that call ended in success.  

Now I'm at home (where there is internet) waiting on the tech guy to go to the office and call me.  Fun times.

More Free Tickets

Nate scored free tickets for tonight's Atlanta United soccer game (his second pair of free tickets in less than a week!) Since it's a school night, I went this time. Korra was consoled with being allowed to stay up a little later playing video games. 

We had a good time!

Better

After a long walk and some journaling and a pint of Ben and Jerry's, I woke up feeling much calmer and more optimistic today. That feeling was helped along by an email from the property manager stating that the homeowners will be offering us a lease renewal… but first they're "looking at comps" and they've also decided to replace the 33 year old HVAC unit. So good news, but the big question now is how much will they want to raise the rent. I feel like we have a chance of staying even if they increase the rent but there was nothing we could do if they wanted to sell. I also feel like we might have a little room for negotiation. We're excellent tenants, but also this unit hasn't been updated since 1990. They can't charge the same as the luxury apartments (the problem for us is that luxury apartments are all there is in our area). We'll have our lease within a week and then we'll figure out what to do. 

Uncertainty

I spent the day unable to focus and in a fretful mood. We didn't hear back from the property manager about when the homeowner was coming or if they would meet us. Later in the day I emailed again and he just responded that they went by in the morning. He hasn't answered any of my questions about our lease renewals or if the homeowner is thinking about selling. 

I feel sad and frustrated. I also feel conflicted. I don't know that the "right" or "best" next move is. Sometimes I feel like we just do what's easiest and most comfortable, which isn't really how I want to live. Part of me wants adventure and a new start. Another part of me thinks about how much work an adventure is and of how much I enjoy our life here. 

It's hard not to worry and obsess about the options before us (especially since we don't actually know if our lease will be renewed). Thankfully, Nate and I have each other. We are good partners. We have a strong support network of people who love us (and who are stable, generous, and helpful). We can't see the future and even if we could, there isn't one "best" decision.  

For now, I'll repeat my mantra (In this moment, all is well) and take deep breaths, and hug my family… and eat a pint of ice cream. 

Mother’s Day

Today was an excellent day. We went for a hike along the Chattahoochee River (Powers Island Trail) in the morning. 

We had Publix subs at the pool for lunch with the Sniders, and then I took a nearly 2 hour nap. I couldn't have asked for a better day. 

A Wedding and a Soccer Game

Nate and I went to my friend Blair's wedding this afternoon. It was so lovely to see my best friends from college all together! 

On the way home, Nate got offered 2 free tickets to the Atlanta United soccer game so after a quick change I dropped them off at the train station to head to the match. 

Now I'm at home drinking a glass of wine and reading a book. Pretty good day all around. 

Nick’s

We tried a new restaurant tonight. The hummus was amazing. I even got to meet Nick at the check out counter. He told me his wife has been making the hummus for 30 years. 

Homeowner Visit

We got an email from our rental company today that the person who owns our condo is in town and wants to come see it on Monday. I hope they just want to see that we're taking good care of it but I'm afraid they're thinking about selling it. We like loving here and to be honest, we couldn't really afford another place (to rent or buy) in this part, or really any part, of town. I read the other day that Atlanta has the most overpriced housing market in the country.  We only have one car so we need to stay close to at least one of our jobs. We've made so many plans for Korra's school next year.  Obviously, I'm getting ahead of myself, but it's stressful with our lease up next month. Uncertainty is hard for me. 

Movement Money

My health insurance has this app that connects to my smartwatch. For meeting certain step/exercise goals each day, I earn money. I get a check in the mail quarterly. I can earn up to $3 per day, which adds up to a $270 quarterly check. I have to admit , it's very motivating and I check my progress often. 

New Dress

I bought this dress for $6 and I love it. 

(excuse the bathroom selfie) 

3 times in 9 days

In just a little over a week, Korra has been hit in the head 3 times at school- all by accident.  First with the lunchbox.  Yesterday by someone running past her at recess, and today with a rock (no details yet on that one besides that she's ok and it wasn't intentional).  Can't tell if Korra is oblivious to her surroundings or the kids are being extra rowdy at the end of the year but it's probably both.  At this rate, by 5th grade graduation she'll just be one giant bruise.  

Buying and Selling on Facebook

We bought Korra's loft bed on Facebook Marketplace (I made an email address and a FB account just for this purpose).  It was pretty easy, so I decided I'd post our twin bed set for sale.  It was not easy.  I had at least 4 people in 2 days promise to come get it and fall through before we successfully sold it.  I tried to buy a queen bed frame.  I went to the address the girl gave me at the time she told me to be there and... the people at that house had no idea who that girl was or what I was talking about.  Thankfully it was only a 10 min drive away.  I'd still like to buy the queen frame second-hand if possible (used = less waste and lower price), but it's way more time consuming and stressful than I expected.  

Inner-city foraging

Picked these blackberries on my walk home!

Active Shooter Near My Work

I didn't write about this on the day it happened, but I'd like to put my thoughts down.  

Last week Wednesday, we got an email alert at work that there was an active shooter about 5 blocks from our building.  Shortly after, an intercom announcement came on all over the building letting us know they were locking the front door (I didn't even know our building had an intercom).  Texts from friends and family members were coming in often, as did texts and phone calls from Korra's school since it is within a mile of the incident.  I kept refreshing my computer on news websites.  I locked the office door.  The shooter hadn't been captured.  I felt safe, I felt like Korra was safe, but it was surreal.  

At about 3:15 the police said the shooter had left the area and the lockdown was lifted.  I went to walk home and about 40 police cars and motorcycles and an armored Humvee came racing down Peachtree Street when I was about a block away from work.  In that moment, I was completely terrified.  I didn't know what was happening.  I was outside, exposed.  All the police stopped a few blocks ahead at the hospital and then directed traffic away.  Still not sure what was going on even now.  

Obviously, I made it home safely.  But I just feel so sad and frustrated and hopeless.  So many people in this country want some sort of gun control, but the power and money of the NRA keep us all living and dying in fear.  I just don't see any way that it's going to change.

Another School Year

Korra only has 3 more weeks of school.  That means that I've been out of education for almost an entire school year now.  I just finished putting the next school year's calendar into my Google Calendar.  It goes by so quickly.  Right now I'm thinking that next February, I'll be looking at education-related jobs.  Not sure what that will look like or if I'll actually make the move, but I think I'll be looking.  

Davidson River Camping

 

We really enjoyed the Davidson River Campground. We went on a hike, checked out Oskar Blues Brewery, roasted marshmallows, and possibly got poison ivy. It was cold at night but otherwise the weather was quite nice. I’m already planning when we can do our next family camping trip!

Kitty birthdays

Today is Mrs Reynolds' 16th birthday 

And Alex's 1st birthday 

Dinner, Dinner, Camping

On Wednesday, Todd and Sarah came over for family dinner (tacos!).  Last night we went out to Manuels to meet a couple of friends.  This afternoon we're headed for Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina to go camping with Laura and her family!  Fingers crossed the rain stays away.  

Loft Bed Picture

So here's the plan. Sell/get rid of the second twin bed. Buy a queen size platform bed to put under the loft (perpendicular). Move the dressers. Add small night stand shelves up top for Korra and to the sides of the queen. It's going to take some time but I think it'll be really great when it's all the way done. 

Loft Bed

Yesterday we bought Korra a loft bed. Today Nate and I spent 3 hours putting it together. Korra is super excited. Alex is already figuring out how to climb up there.  Pictures later. 

Forehead Bruise

Today Korra got a big bruise right in the middle of her forehead. She was playing around with some friends and ended up on the floor and while she was on the floor, someone accidentally dropped a hard plate lunchbox onto her face. 

As soon as I saw it I was reminded of when she was in kindergarten and got a very similar bruise from accidentally running into the corner of a filing cabinet. 

Head injuries are the brackets around her elementary school experience. 

Standardized Testing

Poor Korra starts state standardized testing today.  She'll test every day this week (and Monday of next week, too!) and on top of that, the park next to the school is being taken over by a music festival so she and the other kids won't even get outside time/recess to help alleviate the boredom and stress.  We'll just have to do what we can at home to help her make it through.