Trick or Treating

We went trick or treating with the Sniders in their neighborhood tonight

Korra’s Dragon Costume

While we were in Belgium, my mom made a dragon costume to match Korra's description of a specific dragon in Korra's second favorite book series

Happy Halloween

A bunch of people at work dressed up for Halloween!

I crocheted my hat and shawl. 

Pajama Pants

I sewed Korra a pair of pj pants from scrap fabric!  They're not perfect but I'm pretty pleased with the results. 

Busy City

There is a huge music festival in Piedmont Park this weekend. I've had to drive past the park a few times the traffic (both pedestrian and car) was horrible. This afternoon, Korra's Girl Scout troop was supposedly to meet at the botanical gardens, which is in/part of the park. It took us double the usual time to get there and just as we finally made it to the gate, we were turned away because the parking lot was full. I tried 2 other nearby parking areas and one was also full and the other, over a mile and a half away, was charging $45. So we went home. Ugh. Sometimes it's annoying living in a big, busy city that has subpar public transit. 

Social Butterflies

Last night, we dropped Korra off at a Halloween party and then went with our friend Kyle to Pontoon- a brewery Nate really likes which is sadly closing. We enjoyed sitting at a picnic table, eating pizza, talking, and playing board games in the beautiful weather. Korra had a fantastic time with the sweet and silly group of girls from school. 

Girl Scouts 5K

This morning Korra and I did a 5K with her friend from school (and Girl Scouts) and her mom and sister. Korra and I got a dozen doughnuts from Krispy Kreme on the way over. I had so much fun talking and getting to know the other mom and we stopped several times during the race to look for cool acorns. This lead to us finishing dead last in the race with a time of an hour and 15 minutes. Oh well. We had a good time, supported the Girl Scouts, and got a box of cookies out of it!

Productive Morning

This morning I took the car to get an oil change. While I was waiting, I answered all my emails, walked a mile and a half to the library to vote, and then walked back. 

Date night

We went out for a date night with the Sniders! We got babysitter to watch all 3 kids and then went out for dinner at Bold Monk. After, we went for drinks at Monday Night where we snagged prime seats around their fire. It was a fantastic evening. 

Birthday Cake Regret

A coworker made the most delicious birthday cake to share at the office and then left it in the kitchen.  I had a piece on Tuesday and then I had another piece on Wednesday.  I ate a third piece today and my tummy hurts and I will apparently never learn my lesson.

Atlanta Bib Gourmand

Yesterday Michelin announced their first awards for Atlanta.  While the stars get most of the attention, I've become enamored with their Bib Gourmand awards. These are given to less fancy, more reasonably priced but still outstanding restaurants. Three of my favorite Atlanta restaurants made that list, two of which are less than a mile from our house.  https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/michelin-guide-ceremony/michelin-guide-bib-gourmands-atlanta-georgia

Time to plan your trip to Atlanta to come visit us and eat your way through the city. 

Cat Costumes

A friend at work brought some cat Halloween costumes she didn't want anymore so…

Pumpkin Carving Contest

The building where my office is located announced a pumpkin carving contest yesterday.  I drew out my design and then today I carved it.  

In case you can't tell, it's a bus.  I'm extremely proud of it and I don't know what the prize is but I want to win it very badly.

Locked in the Bathroom

When Korra and I arrived home, we were surprised that Alex didn't greet us at the door. We called for him, and he still didn't come. Then we discovered why- Alex had somehow closed himself in the bathroom. Thankfully it was the bathroom where his food, water, and litter box was but we have no idea how long he was in there. 

Good visit

Korra and I had a very quiet, relaxing visit with my parents this weekend. Korra really enjoyed helping my mom by getting her ice pack and helping her elevate her leg. We watched a couple of movies (Addams Family 1 & 2) and Korra worked on a book project for school. We're back home and getting ready for the week ahead. I'll pick up Nate at the airport late tonight. 

Traveling Family

This morning I dropped Nate off at the airport.  He's spending the next few days in Springfield, Missouri to attend a conference with some friends.  I hope he has a wonderful time!  Meanwhile, Korra and I are going to head to my parents' house to keep my mom company as she recovers from her knee replacement surgery.  

My favorite phlebotomist

I had my annual check up today, which means it was time for my annual vasovagal response to blood draws. I had a snack before my appointment. I asked for some water and to lay down during the draw even though it made me feel silly. The phlebotomist came in and, like every phlebotomist I've ever had, promised me he could do it in one go (almost all of them lied and ended up having to stick me multiple times). This guy, Chris, was not a liar. He decided straight off to use my hand because the veins in my arms are small AND got a smaller needle without me even asking. Most phlebotomists assume I'm just being a baby when I suggest the small needle. I didn't even feel queasy and was able to leave right after and bike home. Chris might be my new best friend. 

High School GACE

Today I registered for the high school English certification test.  I've been thinking about it and talking about it for a few weeks, so I just did it.  Next test time is in the beginning of February so I have time to study a little (though I won't need to prepare nearly as much as I did for the HR one).  This one is in person (45 minutes away and on a Saturday) but on the plus side, I'll be able to get up and go to the bathroom if I need to.  

6th Grade School Picture

Stephen C Foster State Park

We had a lovely weekend. We stayed at the Suwanee Eco Lodge cabin, which was comfortable and cute. 

Yesterday we drove to the park proper after lunch just in time to meet a group of amateur astronomers and see the partial eclipse with their cool telescopes. 

Unfortunately, our lack of cell coverage at the cabin meant I didn't call ahead to book a boat tour of the swamp and they didn't have any spaces left. Instead we took a hike and then a leisurely drive and saw a couple of alligators. 

Back at the cabin, Korra and I baked and decorated star cookies and we had some relaxing time reading in rocking chairs on the screened porch. 

At dust we drove back to the ranger station for the big show. With the new moon and almost no artificial light, we were able to see SO MANY stars. We saw 7 shooting stars and the Milky Way and thanks to the amateur astronomers' telescopes, Korra was able to see Saturn, the Andromeda galaxy, and a passing satellite. Korra repeatedly said, "This is amazing!  I love this!" so I think that means the trip was a success. 

15 Years

 As of today, I have been writing on this blog for FIFTEEN YEARS. I can't believe it's been that long (since I was 24 years old), but also, I can because before the blog I journaled nearly every day starting at the age of 10.  

It's just a lot of reflections and writing all in one place.

Okefenokee

We're on our way to the Okefenokee Swamp for the weekend. I can't remember if I already shared about this but we planned this trip for Korra so she can do some star gazing. The Okefenokee is one of the only Dark Sky certified places in the southeast and this weekend there is a new moon. If it's not cloudy, we should see a lot of stars. It's currently pretty cloudy but I'm trying to stay hopeful. 

We've stopped in Valdosta to first visit Georgia Beer Company (gotta squeeze a brewery visit in there for Nate) and then to have dinner. 

Oakland Cemetery Tour

This evening our monthly staff celebration event was to go on a "History and  Mystery" tour of Oakland Cemetery. Despite the rain, I think everyone who showed up had a fun time!

Oregon Trail

The first app I got on my Apple watch was The Oregon Trail. It uses my step counts every day to show me how far I would have walked on the Oregon Trail. No dying of dysentery, just tracking your progress past forts and river fords. Last night, I completely the Oregon Trail. 2001 miles (over 4 million steps) in 444 days. It was a silly but enjoyable fitness tracker that proved I definitely would have frozen to death on the Great Plains. 

Time with Korra

Yesterday morning Korra came to work with me. This morning I'm working from home for a few hours. Thankful for a flexible job so I can spend time with Korra during her fall break.

Biking in the Cold

I forgot how much I hate biking when it's cold out.  This morning it was 45 degrees.  My nose was running, my chest was hot, the rest of my body was cold, and my throat/lungs were burning.  I'd rather wake up 20 minutes earlier and walk.

Club Seats

I got a raise yesterday because I passed my HR exam, so we decided to splurge today when we saw resale club tickets for $75 each to the Atlanta United soccer match. The tickets included fantastic seats, unlimited food and drinks, and a tshirt. Plus, there was an ice cream bar. 

I'm spoiled forever. 

1 lb of yarn

Remember the almost finished baby blanket?

I went to the craft store yesterday to buy a bit more of the purple yarn to finish it. Turns out the perfect match only comes in a huge amount. 

So the blanket I made to use up yarn just added another big skein to my collection. 

Cross Stitch Bookmarks

I had a burst of creativity this week and made these:

Lego Night

One our favorite breweries (they do the speed puzzle nights) had a Lego night!  They gave us a bucket of Lego and a theme (Oktoberfest). 

We built a beer garden and won first place!

It was super fun!

More Spreadsheets

Today was another day filled with rushing to update spreadsheets. I did not enjoy it. 

Hair Compliment

A woman stopped me at work this morning to tell me she loved my hair. 

Spreadsheet Emergency

Right at lunchtime, the executive director walked up to my desk and said, "stop whatever you're doing. Call Brianna. I need a spreadsheet." For the next 4 hours I updated a forecasting spreadsheet, stretching my Excel skills, but I got it done and he seemed happy. 

Great Believers

I finished this book today. 

I can't stop thinking about it. It was so sad and surprising and enlightening. 

Sick?

Korra was feeling better by Wednesday afternoon so she went to school on Thursday and Friday. 

I had a headache last night and it was even worse this morning. I stayed in bed until 2:00 when it finally went away. Wondering if it was a version of what Korra had and really hoping it's behind us now. Even though I have great sick leave, being sick isn't fun and I'd rather avoid it. 

Cats