Easter

This morning we had a delicious brunch with Todd and Sarah and then went on a nice walk through the neighborhood (it's another lovely day). We went to a brewery this afternoon to sit on their patio, enjoy a drink, and watch the Atlanta United soccer match. No one was hungry enough for the big Easter dinner I had planned so we decided to save it tomorrow. Instead we snacked and, as is our Easter tradition, watched Jesus Christ Superstar. 

Stone Mountain

To prove that I am not old (and because the weather is absolutely perfect), we hiked up Stone Mountain today. I haven't made this hike in 20+ years!

Identical Priuses

I tried to get into 2 Priuses that looked exactly like mine before realizing there were 3 identical cars in a row at Trader Joes.

Birthday Weekend

 Tomorrow is my 40th birthday, but we're starting the celebrations today.  Rather than a party, I wanted to have a couple of dinners with friends.  Tonight, we're going to Pollo Primo with the Sniders.  Tomorrow, we're going to diner at Arepa Mia with the Kulinskis.  Sunday (Easter), Todd and Sarah are coming over for brunch.

Review Delayed

 I have spent weeks preparing for my annual review today.  I've researched and typed up bulleted lists and practiced and generally psyched myself up.  But when I got in the office today, my manager asked if we can reschedule for 2 weeks from now.  I'm exceptionally bummed.  I was really ready to make the case for an immediate and sizable raise.

Soft Paws

I'm so tired of Alex scratching our furniture and I can't bring myself to get him declawed, so we decided to try nail caps. 

Korra picked pink. They're glued on and will fall off in a few weeks. He doesn't seem to mind and honestly, it's pretty cute. 

Spaceship Water Cooler

The new, expensive, ridiculous water cooler arrived at work today 

It does sparkling, light sparkling, hot, cold, and ambient water, plus 8 flavors (choose up to 3 at a time), and 3 levels for each flavor. 

It's the definition of "too much."

Xanadu!

Korra was chosen to participate in a highly competitive gifted summer camp!  Not only does it sound fun (she just got to choose from some really cool courses like Food Science, Pickleball, Spraypaint Art, and Architectural Challenge) but it's REALLY affordable, it's the whole month of June, AND it's at the high school that's only 2 miles from our house.  Sweet!

Camden, Maine!

I booked my flights today for a 40th birthday trip to Camden, Maine with my college girl friends!  So excited to spend time with them in June!

GG and PopPop

Nate's parents arrived this afternoon for an overnight visit on their way to the cabin. We had a delicious dinner at Torched Hop (they brought back my favorite menu item- a delicious turkey sandwich- just for this weekend!) 

Return of Korra

Korra can back from Girl Scout camp just before lunch. She had a fantastic time- horseback riding, archery, a hike around the lake, and playing lots of card games. 

Georgia Food and Wine Festival

Nate and I got FREE VIP tickets to Georgia Food and Wine Festival!  Lots of free booze and food, the weather was nice (about 65 degrees, partly cloudy, and windy), and we had a fun time trying new things, chatting up the vendors, and watching the cooking demos. 

Girl Scout Camp

Korra is off for a weekend of Girl Scout camp! I'm really excited for her (she's going to have a great time) but a little anxious about the fact that I can't text her or get updates (no cell service up there). 

Things I Love (even if I shouldn't)

I love having control over things and having lots of information.  I love budgets and spreadsheets.  I also love being right.  Trying not to be too smug, but I'm relishing a work situation where there wasn't a budget and now there is, that I get to be in charge of it. 

I feel bad

Nearly everyone else at work is very busy and stressed about project deadlines and meetings.  A bunch of them have decided not to make it to the movie event this afternoon because of it.  I feel bad that I planned a fun event that barely anyone can attend, but I feel extra bad because I finished all my work for the day (and for tomorrow) before 10:30 this morning.  

Hot Fuzz!!

The winner of the our office's March Movie Madness bracket this year is Hot Fuzz!  I don't know if you remember, but last year that movie (my favorite and my submission) was the runner-up. This year it won and I'm so excited to go watch it this afternoon with my coworkers at the theater we've rented out! (I'm also looking forward to the popcorn and candy). 

Falafel with Brianna

One of my favorite coworkers is in town from our St Paul office this week and we had the opportunity to go out to lunch together today.  Not only was the food yummy (we went to one of my favorite Mediterranean places that's about a block away), but we had a really good chat about our girls (her older daughter is Korra's age) and work.  

Taxes Paid

I paid our federal taxes today.  All $4495 of it.  Extra thankful for the generosity of my parents, which made this payment much less painful.  

Descaled

Today I learned how to descale an ice machine.  It only took me an hour and a half and 2 YouTube videos. It was not my favorite thing.

Cease and Desist

After the harassing phone calls, our company lawyer wrote a strongly worded cease and desist letter to the debt collection agency and it was pretty badass.

Mean Caller

A man called the office today and was really, really angry.  He yelled at me, called me unprofessional when I told him I wasn't the right person to talk to, and then called back 3 times (including on my cell phone!) after I hung up on him.  I just hope he lives far away because he seems like the kind of person to show up at the office and be just as belligerent in person.

I've gotten really thin skin in my two years out of the classroom because I used to deal with this sort of treatment all the time and it didn't phase me at all.  Now I'm super annoyed and a little upset.

Application Complete

I'm coming up on 2 years as an office manager at a nonprofit.  Two years where I haven't been a teacher or worked in a school.  I want to go back, but I want to be sure that I'm recovered, refreshed, ready.  

My plan for this spring was to apply for at least one job, just to see how I felt.  My prediction was that the process of filling it would bring up feelings that I could then use to examine how I really feel about the prospect of returning to teaching.  

I started the application process for our school district about a week ago when I saw that the high school nearest our house had two open English positions and I just clicked "Submit Application" a moment ago.  My primary emotion: nervous. 

What have I done?  Am I ready? Teaching is so hard and stressful and starting a new job is scary.

I also feel a little bit excited.  The questions on the application about rating my organization and my passion for students and education reminded me that I have this thing that I love and I'm good at that I haven't gotten to do in 2 years.  

The next step will be to see if the school reaches out.  If they do, then I'll notice and evaluate those emotions, too.  I'm definitely more ready to go back to school than I was a year ago.  I just need to figure out if now is the time or if I should rest and heal some more first.

Green Margaritas

When you go out for Mexican on St Patrick's Day. 

Cross Stitch Bookmark

I made this bookmark for a friend'a upcoming birthday. I drafted the pattern myself!

Super Sleepover

We dropped Korra off at a friend's house for a birthday party/sleepover at 1:30 yesterday afternoon and didn't pick her up until 10:00 this morning. She had a wonderful time and I'm thankful she's found good friends.  Also thankful she doesn't seem too tired and grumpy (yet).

Katie Day

I'm doing lots of things I like today. I baked lemon poppyseed muffins for breakfast, which I enjoyed over coffee with my mommy.  I went on a long walk and listened to an audiobook.  I did yoga. I cross stitched while watching Jane the Virgin. I took a nap. I painted my toenails. 

Birthday Lunch

My mom treated me, Nate, and Danielle to lunch at my favorite sandwich shop, Humble Mumble. Afterwards, we walked to my office so I could show her where I work (because even if you're 40 you want to show your mommy your desk). 

Mommy!

My mommy is visiting today! 

4 Years Ago

Friday, March 13th, 2020 was the last day of in-person school and so it marks the beginning of the pandemic for me.  It simultaneously feels like much less and much more than 4 years ago.  It was such a key moment in my life (and probably almost everyone else's).

I spent the last few minutes reading my March 2020 blog posts.  It as a wild and strange time.  I'm thankful to have this record of my life.  

Return of the After-Dinner Walk

 Spring is here and so Nate and I have resumed our daily post-dinner walk.  We're going about a mile and a half through the neighborhood and it's my favorite part of the day.

900 day streak

Asynchronous Learning Day

Because Korra's school (and many other schools in our district) are polling places, every Election Day is an asynchronous learning day. So Korra was at home today… so I decided to work from home this afternoon. Entering data into a spreadsheet is much more fun while sitting on my couch. 

It's that Tyme again

Tyme applied for one of our open positions again.  I am SO intrigued by this person and am once again begging the HR director to have them come in for an in-person interview.  

Cookie Booth

 Sunday afternoon, Korra and I spent 3 hours on the Beltline (popular paved walking trail in Atlanta) selling Girl Scout cookies.  I enjoyed sitting in the sun and chatting with the moms.  Korra enjoyed making up chants and songs with her friends.  While the weather was a little chilly and windy to begin with, it was sunny and enjoyable. So sunny in fact that when I woke up this morning I realized my nose had gotten sunburned.  Guess it's time to up the SPF on my face cream!  

Family Friends

This afternoon we spent at the outdoor area of Monday Night/Wild Heaven breweries for Georgia Beer Day with family friends. 

Danielle's brother Ben is best friends with Todd. We all went to LaGrange College. I love how good of friends we are and how long we've known each other. 

Book Club

This morning my romantasy book club (which has grown from 3-5 people) had our monthly breakfast. It was absolutely fantastic to spend 2 hours talking with fun women, recommending tv shows, movies, and books,  sharing stories, and trading sewing and embroidery tips. I'm super excited to have made some new friends!

Sleeping In

I let Korra sleep an hour later than usual (since we got home kind of late last night).  Even though she got up an hour late, with Nate and I home to keep her from getting distracted and being driven to school instead of walking, she was only 10 minutes late. Not bad!

Professional Wrestling

We got free tickets to see a professional wrestling match this evening (AEW).

Nate convinced me it was an important family bonding experience so even I went. Korra and Nate loved it. I enjoyed it for the first hour or so but after that… I just felt tired and wanted to be in my bed. It's definitely an experience!

Exit Interview

Today I conducted my third exit interview in 3 weeks.  The amount of turn-over at work is a bummer (as are the more frequent glimpses of the behind-the-scenes relationships and decision-making), but I've enjoyed having honest conversations with my coworkers about why they are leaving.

Feeling Forty

I'm in the process of firming up plans for my birthday weekend (two dinners with friends and Easter brunch with my brother).  Feeling excited (yay for celebrations!) but also a little stunned- am I really almost 40?  Officially middle-aged.  Definitely not a young adult.  

I know it's just a number, but that number has me reflecting on what I've done, who I am, what I want, what's to come... Lots of thoughts and feelings.

Creepy Book, Dreary Weather

My new audiobook is a spooky murder mystery. Combine that with the very rainy, dark weather and I'm in a funky mood this afternoon. 

Assembling Furniture

The thing I'm looking forward to most today at work: putting together 7 new office chairs and a new table while listening to my audiobook book. 

Mario Kart

This afternoon we went over to Kathryn and Rachel's house for lunch and to play a couple rounds of Mario Kart. It was lovely to catch up and play together. 

And just to make it cooler

She decided to add a purple streak.

Spider Gwen Haircut

For over a year, Korra has been debating getting an asymmetrical haircut like the one Gwen has in the SpiderVerse movies and today she finally did it!

Double Date

This evening we went on double date with our friends Matt and Katie. Korra stayed at their house with their daughters and the babysitter. We started out the night by getting dinner at Victory. Next we had tickets to see improv Dungeons and Dragons at Dad's Garage and the we finished the night with cake at Apres Diem. It was a really fun night. 

Passed!

I got my High School English certification test scores today.  I passed both sections with a score of 282/300 (you have to score 250 to pass).  YAY!