Old School Flyer

A neighbor friend sent us the Open House flyer for Korra's elementary school (the one I used to work at) and we were pretty surprised to see Korra's cute little 5th grade face front and center.  I guess since I signed that media release 3 years ago they can use her picture forever?  Kind of weird given how I currently feel about the school, but I can't really blame them since she is absolutely adorable. 

Last Minute Game

Yesterday afternoon, our friends emailed us that their company box had 2 extra seats for the Atlanta United match so even though it's the first week of school, we went.  The game itself wasn't great (the team is not looking good this year) but being with our friends, the amazing seats and free food/drinks, was so much fun.  Totally worth being a little tired today.

Bee Sting

At dismissal today, I got stung by something (bee? hornet?  who knows) right under my nail on my pinkie finger.  It hurt SO BADLY and even though I'm not officially allergic to insect stings, it still caused my finger to swell a bit.  I was planning on going to get my allergy injections this afternoon, but that's a no-go now.  

Consistency = Less Stress

This has been one of the least stressful back-to-school years of my life.  Part of it is the school is just so nice and healthy.  The other part is that it's the same as last year.  Same school, same position, same schedule, same principal, same executive director, same partner teacher.  No changes in grade level or subject or curriculum.  Heck, even most of the students are the same (except the new kindergarteners).  It's pretty dang amazing how having consistency means much less stress. 

Support Call

It wouldn't be the beginning of the school year if I didn't spend over an hour on the phone with the library circulation system's support line.  

Still Summer

Even if my summer break is over, it's still clearly summer- very hot and humid- so this weekend we went to the pool and went to see Fantastic Four in the theater (super hero movies with lots of popcorn scream summer for me). I also went to the Quaker sewing circle and my breakfast with my book club, so it was a pretty great weekend. 

Meetings and To Do Lists

The last 3 days have been full of meetings, during which I think of more and more things to add to my To Do list, and attempts to get things done off that list. I'm feeling busy during the day and tired by the end of the day, but not stressed or overwhelmed.  2 more days of preplanning and then it's time to see the kids!

Porridge Setting

 Our rice cooker has a porridge setting that I’ve never had cause to use- until i accidentally bought steel cut oats instead of old fashioned. With its handy timed start feature, I set it last night and this morning woke up to the most delicious oatmeal I’ve ever had. Not a bad way to start day 2 of preplanning. 

Staff Retreat

 Yesterday was my first day back at work. We had a staff retreat at Oakland Cemetery (they have a beautiful new visitors’ center) and just like every other thing I’ve done at this school, it was intentional, uplifting, and meaningful. I feel excited about the new school year and not stressed or anxious at all (which I don’t believe I’ve ever been able to say in my 18 years of doing this). 

No, thank you, the ocean

Korra really wanted to go to the beach with her cousins so my sister-in-law and I took them. We were there about 4 hours, which is 3 hours longer than I would have liked, though everyone else would have stayed much longer. It was hot, the water was full of seaweed, sand is one of the most awful things in the world, we saw a shark, it smelled yucky, there was a bag of dog poop half buried in the sand next to me, and a Florida man with homemade neck tattoos and very few teeth asked me to hold his vape. 

But Korra had a blast. 

Last summer nap

Nate and I went out for bagels for a breakfast date. I finished a puzzle and an audiobook. I just took my last nap of the summer. Headed to Pensacola for the weekend in about an hour and school starts for me on Monday. 

Medical Waiting Rooms

Between 3 mammogram appointments, twice weekly allergy shots, 2 dentist appointments, and an orthodontic appointment, I feel like I've spent my entire summer in medical waiting rooms. Between this and all the driving, I'm very ready to get back to school next week. 

Mammogram Take 3

I had my annual mammogram at the beginning of the summer. They asked me to come back for a follow up. I went on Monday, while I felt pretty yucky.  I was even 30 minutes early due to the other things I had to do (drop off Nate, drop off Korra, get my allergy shots). I waited for an hour and then asked the receptionist if maybe something was wrong. Turns out I was at the wrong office. So this morning at 7:30, I went, yet again, to get a mammogram.  Worse than the boob squeezing was the waiting room. There were 3 other women in the waiting room. 2 were watching videos on their phone with the volume all the way up and both videos include people yelling/fighting. The 3rd woman was talking on speakerphone. It was a small waiting room. Thankfully, it was over quickly and the results were normal. Now I'm mammogram free for another year. 

Waffle House

Took Korra on a breakfast date to Waffle House before her first day of creative writing camp. 

Sick

It's my last week of summer break and I'm sick. Super sore throat, sinus drainage, fatigue. Really hoping I feel better soon. 

Superman

We went with some friends to see Superman at the theater this evening.  Despite a computer glitch that caused the theater to overbook nearly every seat, the movie was pretty great.  Plus, popcorn.

Bears Sewing Circle

This afternoon Korra and I went to the Quaker meeting house for a couple of hours to work on making more bears. I loved everything about it and Korra said she enjoyed it too. I hope we can do it again soon.  

Centennial Park

 We’re having a real adventure today- first we rode the Skyview Wheel, then the girls played in the rings fountain, and at ended the morning with extravagant milkshakes. 

Crisis Texter Update

I've been volunteering about once a week since the end of March and have so far accumulated 40 hours and supported 105 texters.  Sometimes I feel really helpful, other times, not so much, but overall, it feels like a good use of my time and my skills.  

Driving

I have been doing so much driving this summer.  To and from allergy injections.  Taking Nate to work and picking him up so I can have the car.  Picking up friends to hang out with Korra and running so many errands (taking bikes to get repaired, so many doctors and dental appointments, craft stores, grocery shopping, yoga classes and climbing).  When most of my and Korra's days are full of school, we don't have time to go to all these places.  I'm thankful for the summer off, the time to get things done, and that we have a car, but I'm looking forward to going back to school if only so I am not spending so much time in the car (and in Atlanta traffic).

Pacing

I have to wait 30 minutes between receiving my allergy injections and getting them checked before I can leave.  I've decided to walk the hallway during my wait- I can get in at least a mile.  Every visit, I end up explaining to someone why I'm pacing the hallway.  This week, I saw another woman pacing.  She smiled at me and said, "You inspired me last week!  I'm getting my steps in, too!" 

Camp Katie

I'm keeping our friends' daughter for the week (during the day) so I have extra fun things planned for her and Korra. Yesterday they went to the grocery store with me to pick out pool snacks, then we watched Lego Masters and did a craft, and we ended the day with the giant float at the pool.  This morning we did a few hours of work at the school farm (I learned I'm a very talented garlic braider) and then went to the park for a picnic with our new library books. We went home and watched more Lego Masters (with root beer floats) and did more crafts afterwards. 

Robot Delivery

We discovered that Uber Eats does robot delivery to our neighborhood. We specifically chose to order dinner tonight from one of the restaurants where they do robot delivery and even clicked "autonomous delivery" and yet we've got a lady in her Toyota Camry bringing our burgers. So disappointed. 

Cabin Photos

 

Cabin Time

At the cabin for a long weekend with Nate's family.