Cold and Windy

We had snow flurries for a few hours but nothing accumulated. Korra has an online camp this weekend, so we were going to be inside all day anyway. We had a nice video call with my family- my parents and brother both got over 8 inches of snow today, while it's nearly 80 degrees where my sister is in New Zealand. 

Really Successful Day

I got nearly everything on my to do list done today. That included finding an entirely new way to manage sales for the Spring Book Fair, clarifying and correcting budget discrepancies, weeding on the farm with kindergarten, booking an author visit, teaching 3 classes, and even braving an insanely busy grocery store (there's a chance of snow again tomorrow, and since we didn't get groceries last weekend due to worries about ice, we needed quite a lot). 

Robot Vacuum Customer Service

Yesterday I called the customer service help line for our Shark robot vacuum.  It's about a year and a half old and is making a terrible grinding sound. I tried all the trouble shooting suggestions with no success so the representative said it's time to replace it.  How frustrating to have spent that much on something and then send it to the landfill and have to buy another after less than 2 years.  I decided we're just going to run it when we're not home because it's still cleaning, even if it sounds like it's dying.  

Misaligned

My emotions (or my nervous system) are not matching the reality of my daily life for the past few days.  Things are very normal at work and at home.  It's not very busy or stressful, but I FEEL like I'm super overwhelmed, frazzled, and panicked.  I'm using all my coping skills to calm myself down but the feelings keep creeping back.  Hoping it passes soon because feeling this way without a clear clause I can address is unpleasant.  

"Snow" Day

We woke up to even less ice than yesterday.  The road we can see outside our windows looks clear.  It's very cold (22 degrees F, though it feels colder with the wind), so we're not sad to have an extra day to read in our pajamas.  

Icy, Rainy

There was ice in the trees this morning that stayed all day, but we didn't get any snow and the roads near us looked clear. It did rain all day, though, and it's supposed to get below freezing tonight and barely get above freezing tomorrow. We watched a few movies, read, and made really yummy broccoli cheese soup and biscuits. Expecting more of the same tomorrow- expect with a different soup. 

Hunker Down

There's a big winter storm coming through most of the southeast this weekend. We spent the day getting prepared (vacuuming, laundry, baking etc) and relaxing. 

We just got the news that school will be cancelled on Monday. It's supposed to start snowing, sleeting, and raining tonight and continue through tomorrow. 

Honor Band, Day 2

Tonight we went to Korra's Honor Band concert. They did so well and it was a great experience for Korra- especially since she got to do it with her best friend. 

Honor Band, Day 1

Korra came home from the first day of Honor Band (at 8:30pm) absolutely exhausted. She missed most of the school day yesterday due to the high school visit and her orthodontist appointment. She missed most of today and she'll miss all of tomorrow. 

I arrived home from the high school parent meeting feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and sad (how is my baby old enough to go to high school?!). This high school is amazing and has so many opportunities for Korra, but it's also full of wealthy, entitled, and privileged people, which made even the parent meeting feel competitive and alienating. We have to request Korra's class at exactly 8pm tomorrow (while her honor band performance might still be going on) or she might not get into her preferred classes.  Trying not to worry about it too much, And not succeeding. I'm very thankful tomorrow is Friday and that once the band concert is over, the bad winter weather that's predicted will keep us at home, relaxing in our pajamas, all weekend. 

High school visit and orthodontics

Today Korra went to the high school she'll attend next year. She's so excited about the opportunities she'll have there- art, architecture, and engineering class especially. 

Right after she got back from the high school visit, Nate checked her out for an orthodontist appointment. She got an expandeder put in (again), which she'll wear and tighten for a month before she'll get her actual braces put on. 

Is there anything more teenager-y than this day?

Another Honor Band

Korra's band teacher called me today because she "overlooked Korra's name" on the district honor band list. This is another band opportunity in 2 weeks. We're so proud of Korra and grateful that we have a little more heads-up this time. 

Video call to NZ

Finally got to talk with my sister today! 9pm on Sunday here is 3pm on Monday there. It was so good to talk with her, see her face, ask all my questions about driving on the other side of the road, and hear how well things are going. 

TNMT meals

One of the meal kit delivery services is offering special Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles themed meals, so of course we had to try it out. 

Friends and Food and Games

I had book club brunch this morning and then we spent the whole afternoon/evening playing board games, eating, talking, and laughing with some friends. It was a really nice day. 

Honor Band

Korra's band teacher notified us yesterday that Korra has been accepted to the school system's honor band. While we're so proud of her and want her to participate, we are so irritated with the band teacher's communication. You see, Honor Band is in less than a week. And the performance will be across the city, on Friday evening. And we have to pay $17 each for tickets. And she'll miss 2 days of school for it. 

Congrats!

Reimbursement- FINALLY

Four and a half months (and probably 25 phone calls) after Korra's tooth extractions, we finally got reimbursed!  I'm so glad to be done with that!

Reading Bowl Competition

Today was our Reading Bowl competition.  Ten 4th and 5th graders went with me and my co-coach to another elementary school where we competed against 8 other teams.  Our kids did SO well.  In the end, we placed third (just 2 questions behind first and second who tied).  The good news for me (and the sad news for my students) is that only the top two schools go on to the next competition.  It's been wonderful and I'm so proud of them, but I'm ready for a break.

Allergy and Physical Therapy Updates

Yesterday I went to the allergist for my injections, which are now only every other week.  After my most recent reactions, the doctor decided that even though I'm only 60% of the way through the injection progression, this is where I stop.  Instead of the dose increasing each week, I'll get this same dose every other week indefinitely.  We'll check on how it's helped my seasonal allergies in May and reevaluate.

As for physical therapy, my PT "released" me from care yesterday.  I'm not really sure what she's done over the past 3 months has helped all that much (besides telling me to rest and let things heal).  I'm going to continue with gradually increasing amounts of gentle walking and stretching and see how it's going. 

The best news- way less medical appointments.

Dr Carla Hayden

For this year's Black History Month display, I chose Dr Carla Hayden- the most recent Librarian of Congress.  I say most recent instead of current because Trump fired her with no reason given in May and hasn't sworn in a replacement.  Yup, there isn't anyone in charge of the world's largest library.  Dr Hayden's information has disappeared from the Library of Congress website.  What other materials are disappearing from the LoC without a guardian?

The ongoing battle with the oral surgeon

The office manager said she would put our refund check in the mail on December 31st.  It's been 2 weeks and I still haven't gotten the check, so I started calling.  I called twice yesterday and was promised both times that they'd call me right back (didn't happen).  I called again this morning and they said they needed my credit card number so they could put the amount back on our card.  That means that they didn't mail me a check as they said they had.  So now I have to wait 3-5 business days to see if the refund actually shows up on our credit card.  Hopefully I don't have to call these people ever again.

I wish I was there

I'm feeling very distracted this morning.  My sister and her family are about to head to the airport.  I wish I was there.  I want to hug them and wish I could help (though they have plenty of help and I'd just be in the way.  I feel so left out (what is my sister doing right now?) and wish I was going with them to New Zealand.  I miss them already and am more jealous than I can put into words.

Krog on Fridays

Most Fridays, Korra (along with about half of her middle school) goes to Krog Market (a food hall). Nate and I walk to pick her up afterwards. The weather has been really warm and cloudy (high 60s) so the walk was pleasant. Seeing all the ridiculous middle schoolers is less pleasant, but that's mitigated significantly by the fact that I don't spend my entire day with them. 

Medical Appointments

I'm getting really, really tired of having so many appointments and of not being fully "well." I know this is ongoing and typical for many people, but as someone who in the previous 40 years of my life only went to the doctor once a year, this is hard. I had physical therapy last night. I'm hopeful we're on the right track, but it's still a long way to go until my hip is back to normal. This morning I have to meet with my allergy specialist about the bad reaction I had last week. I'm thankful I have insurance, funds for copays, a car to get me to appointments, a job with paid sick leave- and one where they don't make me feel guilty for taking care of myself. AND ALSO, this is frustrating and exhausting and I'm ready to be done. 

Back to School

Korra and I went back to school yesterday . It was a good, but busy and exhausting day. Working all day really gets in the way of my daily siesta. 

Grieving

It's been a hard couple of days. We started grieving even before she was gone. We spent all of Thursday taking turns snuggling with Mrs on our bed, watching to see if she wanted to get down since she would hurt herself with the jump. The vet arrived on Friday morning and she was so kind and patient. I'm glad we were able to be with her, but it was so hard to watch her go. 

Nate and I both had the similar urge to clean and put away Mrs' things. It was just too painful to keep seeing her food bowl or blanket. We spent some time out of the house- grocery shopping, spending gift cards, going out for sushi. It felt like the longest day ever. 

On Saturday, we spent most of the day watching tv, playing video games, reading, and putting away Christmas decorations, but felt the need to get out of the house by the end of the afternoon. Thankfully our friends suggested going to Star Wars night at the hockey game, which was a perfect distraction.  (Yes, they brought their lightsabers)

It's still hard. I keep expecting to see Mrs laying on the rocking chair every time I walk into our room. I keep remembering her last moments when my mind wanders. It keeps breaking my heart to see Nate and Korra hurting. We have some more distractions planned for today and then I hope getting back into the swing of school/work on Monday will be good for us.