Another Sewing Project

Korra completed her second sewing project on the sewing machine! 

She made a little lined pouch that velcros closed to hold her earbuds!  

First Day of School!

I really enjoyed greeting all the students as they walked into school this morning.  Elementary energy is definitely preferable to middle school energy.  

One student walked up to me, looked me up and down and said, "You look like a librarian."  I think that's a good thing.

Open House

Today we had Open House at my school. I wore my new book dress. First the teachers all sang a song to/for the students and their families, which was absolutely beautiful. Then, there was an hour for everyone to visit. I've been at schools where Open House lasts for 8+ hours. This was infinitely better. Even though everyone told me no one really comes to the library, it was packed!  Kids coloring bookmarks and reading books with their parents and a line of people waiting to introduce themselves to me. I loved it. I feel really prepared and excited for the first day of school tomorrow!

Pedicure Tradition

Today Korra and I went got our annual back-to-school pedicures. It was lovely to sit side-by-side in the massage chairs and talk about the summer that's over and the upcoming school year.

Flight Changes

I had a flight booked to Chicago for Korra and me for September. I got an email on Friday that my flight had changed. I assumed it would be by a few minutes, maybe an hour. Nope. My previously nonstop flights now had 3-5 hour layover in Dallas. Unacceptable. I canceled them, got a credit (because I paid with a credit from my cancelled Maine trip) and then had to book new nonstop flights through other airlines. Fun times. 

Roller Derby!

We went to the Atlanta Roller Derby this evening!  It was super fun and I saw one of my new coworkers there- she skates for the Apocalypstix!

Bruce the Shark

I just couldn't keep up with the sweeping/vacuuming of the new floors (imagine small cat fur tumbleweeds) so we bought a robot vacuum. It's a Shark brand so obviously we named him Bruce and I'm already very happy with this purchase. Plus I get the joy of watching Alex run away from it. 

New Contract!

Yesterday I got a revised contract for work. Our district approved 11% raises and that applies to me, too!  It is $26,000 more than I've ever made before and $37,000 more than I was making as an office manager. I feel grateful and giddy and valued and very excited. Looking forward to that first paycheck!

Friendship Anniversary

Last night we went out to celebrate 20 years of friendship with some of our favorite people in the world.  First we had a dinner of tapas and sangria at Iberian Pig, then we walked around downtown Decatur for a bit more to have more drinks and ice cream and take some pictures.  It was a lovely evening and I look forward to many more years of friendship!

Patrons Imported!

Another hour on the phone with support and by 3:30 yesterday , I had all the kids into the library circulation system. That means everyone can start checking out books on the first day of school! 

Support Call

Today I spent two hours on the phone with the circulation software support. I need to import my patrons' information (the kids and teachers). The previous librarian was typing it all in manually!  Um, no. It's 2024. Let's get this automated. 

The software company said I'm not a "super administrator" and I needed a password from a lady who works at the district office. I called that lady and… she's out of the office for an indefinite amount of time for a family emergency. I called the software support person back and she tried to find a work around for me (with absolutely no success).  I finally got in touch with someone else in her department and they said they had no idea what I was talking about- they're not in charge of charter schools. I was able to get that in writing and forward it to the software support team, who has FINALLY made me a super admin! 

Two hours today probably saved me 10+ hours for every year going forward. Totally worth it. 

No Stamina

I've been absolutely exhausted when I got home yesterday and today. It's been so long since I've interacted with so many new people and used my brain all day. I'm only feeling a tiny bit overwhelmed with all the information and all there is to do. Mostly I still feel excited and confident. It's a really nice feeling, even if I am very tired. 

Meeting the Whole Staff

Today was my first real day of pre-planning. We had a staff retreat at Top Golf. In addition to going over the vision and guiding principles of the school, I got to meet all my coworkers from both campuses. It was especially wonderful to meet my media clerk, the media specialist at the middle campus, and my team (the other "related arts" teachers). They were able to answer a bunch of my questions and were just generally nice, interesting people who I'm really excited to work with. I also chatted with two of the teachers that were in my interview and they told me that everyone in the interview was immediately convinced I was the right person for the position and that my vulnerability about burnout was very meaningful.  I'm more convinced with every day that this is a good place for me. 

Tearful Goodbyes

Korra and her cousins had a really hard time saying goodbye tonight. 

They had such a great week together. 

I'm so thankful for their friendships (and that we got to celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday with her tonight!)

Pensacola

Last night we drove to Pensacola. Nate and I are working from his parents' house this morning and then we'll be reunited with Korra this evening!  We're also going to go out for dinner tonight to celebrate Nate's mom's birthday. 

Conscious Discipline

Today I had a training on Conscious Discipline. While I hadn't heard of it before, all of the concepts make perfect sense and seem to be a collection of all the best practices and skills I've been learning both personally and professionally for the last 10 years. I'm excited that it is an integral part of the school culture and I'm looking forward to reading the book over the next few days to get an even better understanding. 

The best summary I can come up with for Conscious Discipline is that adults need to do the self-work to regulate their own emotions and then model and teach that to our children in loving relationships and community. Good stuff. 

Visit with Austin

We met Austin, his wife, and their 2 year old yesterday for pizza at a playground. It was a very strange and surreal experience. I don't really have the words to express how it felt, but I wanted to document that it happened. I'm glad we got to see each other. 

First Day

Today was my first day of new staff orientation. It's completely out of character for me, but I didn't feel anxious about it at all. The whole day of meetings and information was very typical school orientation stuff, well prepared and thoughtful. It feels so natural, normal. I don't feel stressed or nervous at all. It might come as it gets closer to the first day of school but right now I feel more relaxed and confident than I've ever felt at a new job or even at the beginning of any school year before. I hope this feeling continues for a while. 

Staycation: Athens

We checked out of the hotel in Atlanta yesterday morning and walked home to check on the cats and grab another change of clothes. On the drive to Athens we stopped at a mall and spent an hour wandering around and eating Auntie Ann's pretzels. We checked into our hotel early and then made the devastating realization that both of the breweries Nate wanted to visit were closed on Mondays. I was so mad at myself for not thinking to check. We did find one that was open and decided to walk there. It was only a mile but as it's been in the high 90s, sunny, no breeze, and extremely humid, it was not a pleasant experience. The brewery had great AC and very friendly staff so it turned it ok. On the walk back to the hotel, we noticed that the closed brewery Nate most wanted to visit was full of people.  Even though it was closed for a private event, the staff let us purchase some cans to take home. We had dinner at a restaurant whose website strongly implied it was Belgian but turned out to not be at all (a little disappointing) before making it back to the hotel. 

This morning we went out for breakfast at Mama's Boy (again, good but not great) and then walked around downtown for some shopping (Nate enjoyed the record stores the most). 

Not our best mini vacation, but I think it was still good for Nate and me to get out of our usual routine, relax, and enjoy each other's company. 

Starbucks Annoyance

The line at the hotel lobby Starbucks was 10 people long. The woman in front of me ordered 8 complicated drinks (grande, blonde roast, with steamed oat milk, honey, and cinnamon was the least elaborate). She micromanaged the barista and then asked him to redo 3 of the orders.  She seems like real fun lady. 

Staycation: Atlanta

This morning Korra left for Pensacola with Nate's parents where she'll spend the week going to camp with her cousins. 

Meanwhile, Nate and I are having a little vacation before I start my new job. Today we checked into the Westin, only a mile from our house. Our room is on 37th floor and has a great view. 

We walked to a sports bar where we watched the Euro soccer final and then walked to dinner at Amifa Cucina before going to see Joe Pera perform at the Tabernacle. We had great seats and Joe was delightfully funny. 

Mosquito Bites

I walked around our complex for 15 minutes last night and ended up with 7 mosquito bites- 5 of which are under where my jeans were covering. How did they bite through my jeans without me noticing?  I'm so itchy!

Pillow Cat

I sewed this today.  

Another bike ride

This morning I decided to go for another bike ride- this time on a route that took a section of the Beltline (for people who don't live near Atlanta, that's a walking/biking trail that's very popular). While I really appreciated how smooth and relatively flat the ride was, and how there were no cars to contend with, I did have occasional trouble with the pedestrians. Sometimes it was a group running or walking 3 across so I couldn't get around them. Sometimes they were stopping in the middle of the path to take selfies or pet someone's dog. Pedestrians seem just as annoyed with cyclists as drivers do (and maybe that goes both ways). 

I rode nearly 9 miles in about 45 minutes. I feel like I've found the joy in biking again, thanks to pedal assist up the most daunting hills. 

Practice Ride

I practiced riding to my new school this morning. I wanted to time it and check the traffic at the time of day I'll be going in. I left a little after 7. It took me nearly 5 minutes to maneuver my bike off the balcony, through the living room and hall, out the front door and carry it down a flight of stairs, but I don't see any better way for it. 

Once I got going, it only took me 13 minutes to make it the nearly 3 miles. I wasn't at all out of breath and only mildly sweaty (but still managed an average heart rate of 135 bpm). 

I took a different way home and took 14 minutes, but that could just be the luck of the lights. Both routes felt safe, though they had plenty of bumpy patches in the roads that jostled me around a bit. Atlanta's infrastructure leaves much to be desired. I will say there are dedicated sections of bike lane on both routes that I really appreciate, even if they don't extend the whole way. 

My bike is brilliant and the pedal assist allowed me to eat up the couple of big hills like they were nothing (which is especially important when not on the bike paths- it makes me feel so much safer to be moving more quickly and easily with cars next to/behind me).  

I feel ready to take on my new bike commute next week!

12 Year Olds

Nevermind that I've been awake since 4:30...

I was trying to remember what year Austin came to live with us and for how long so I went through my blog. He had just turned 12 in July 2010 when he moved in. Reading over the experiences, remembering... it's crazy because 14 years later, Korra is almost exactly the same age and we're definitely experiencing the same tween behaviors.  

Anyway, we're meeting Austin and his wife and son next week. I kind of wish Korra could be there (she'll be at camp) just so I could point to her and say, "that's how old you were."  I'm feeling very nostalgic and old. That might also be the lack of sleep. 

Painter

Korra and I did some painting!

Tomato Pie and Corn on the Cob

We had a very summer-y dinner tonight after a visit to the farmers' market!

New Water Heater

A new hot water heater is being installed!

Get out of the Pool

15 minutes into Korra's swimming playdate, a neighbor texts me a notification that the HOA said pool is not currently clean enough to swim in. Awesome. Quick change of plans and the girls are spending the the afternoon at the playground/splash pad. It's a much different experience with middle schoolers than when they were little. A lot more sitting on the swings and talking. 

Just a Girl Who Loves Cats

Earrings!!

I am SO proud of myself. I made these "I'm definitely a children's librarian" earrings!

I have always thought it helps kids connect to a teacher when they have a "thing"- something they love (or hate) or collect. For some teacher's it's a sports team or color. I've been the "Harry Potter" teacher and I've collected gnomes. This go-round, I'm going to be the crazy earrings teacher. I have plans to make more (maybe even let kids draw/design some for me!) and I also bought a handful of new ones- pickles, globes, ice cream cones, stacks of books, and dinosaurs. 

No hot water, again

Went to take a long shower after dinner only to discover we have no hot water again. Checked and the pilot light was out and wouldn't relight when we tried. Put a call in to the property manager but we're stuck with cold showers again tonight. 

Work Call

Today I got a frantic phone call from one of my former coworkers. Poor guy had a cell phone emergency and the only 2 people who could handle it were on vacation (and not answering their phone) and me (who no longer works there). It took me about 20 minutes to help and I did it because I genuinely like most of my former coworkers. Nate thinks I should send them a bill. 

Weird Dream

I didn't sleep well last night, but I did have a wild dream where I went to a wedding that was absolutely full of guests from high school- people I haven't thought about much less communicated with in years. There was a part in the dream where the wedding guests had to participate in a mock UN (and my country was fictional) and I was expected to share a bed with the wedding venue host's great-grandparents who were on death's door and in a bed in the style of the grandparents in Willy Wonka. It was bizarre. 

To Do List

I've got a list of things I want to get done during this week at home before Korra goes to Pensacola and I start my new job. Today we checked off: grocery shopping, washing the car, and going to the library. 

Tomorrow we have plans to bake muffins, paint, and go to the park. 

So many repairs

The first person who came to take away the fan and check on the hot water heater discovered that something was actually broken on it and he had to call in a plumber. Before he left, he looked at the shower and commented that the whole thing probably needs to be replaced. He also noticed the water spots on our ceiling and said they'll come repaint. The plumber came and replaced whatever ignition/pilot thing that was broken and then told us the hot water heater is 13+ years old and needs to be replaced soon. He agreed with the first repair guy that the shower needs to be replaced. 

I'm thankful it's not my house to repair but also a little worried that all these expenses will make our rent go up a lot next year. 

Bathroom leak update

We arrived home this afternoon to find a large fan in our bathroom, the line fixed, and our water turned back on. Thankfully our neighbor moved Mrs' food, water, and litter box because she would have had to walk in front of the industrial fan to get to them (which we all know she wouldn't do). 

We discovered that somehow the hot water heater had been turned off and despite reading all the directions, we couldn't get the pilot light relit. I guess I'm thankful it's 95 degrees outside and so a cool shower wasn't unpleasant. (I'll call about that tomorrow). 

I saw our downstairs neighbor and he said they had to remove all the drywall of one wall and the whole ceiling of his bathroom. He said all the workers and insurance people have been quick and helpful. I feel bad even though it wasn't our fault at all. I think I'll bake him some banana bread or something. 

Cabin Recap

I got bug bites on my feet. We set off the amazing fireworks we bought in South Carolina (the unlicensed Pikachu was the uncontested winner). The kids played in the creek, had a Nerf gun war, and worked on their fort. We went tubing. I read two books and deep cleaned the inside of the car. We built a puzzle and played some games. 

Broken water Supply Line

I got a text from our downstairs neighbor last night. Thank goodness he has an iphone and the message came through on the wifi. He said that in the early morning he noticed water running down the walls of his bathroom. He went upstairs to our place, knocked and left a note, and then called his insurance and the neighborhood home owners association, who in turn contacted our property manager. I called our downstairs neighbor and the neighbor who has our spare key and was going to check on the cats. On the instructions of our property manager, he went to our place and turned off the water. It seems like all the damage is under our bathroom floor and in the neighbor's unit. I am so thankful for good neighbors and to be a renter. Hopefully we'll know more today and the supply line will be fixed before we get home on Sunday so we'll have water. 

Blue Ridge Cabin!

After Nate finished work at lunchtime, we hopped in the car to drive to the cabin where we'll get to spend the next 4 days. Great way to kick off my 2 weeks of vacation between jobs!

Last Day

I was the first one in the office this morning.  I watered all the plants, made coffee, ran the dishwasher.  It was nice to be in the office alone for about 30 minutes.  A thoughtful coworker had ordered breakfast for the staff for my going away celebration.  It was lovely to eat and chat with everyone.  I worked on the puzzle.  I cleaned out my email inbox.  I had my brief exit interview.  Now all that's left is to factory reset my computer.  The goodbyes are awkward.  I'm ready for my next adventure.  

My New Bike is Amazing

I rode my new bike to work this morning. Thanks to that sweet pedal assist, I cut my commute from 11 minutes to 7.

Second to Last Day

This morning I worked from home for a bit and then Korra and I both had eye doctor appointments. I've had some cloudiness in one of my eyes and thankfully, it seems likely that it's a dry eye condition (much more treatable than the glaucoma I'd convinced myself it was). Unfortunately, the extra examination made the appointment longer than expected so I had to go directly to work- and took Korra with me. She enjoyed helping out a little and eating the office snacks. 

I had my last staff meeting and said my goodbyes to people on the call. It still feels a little surreal.