Braves Game

Decided to buy tickets to a Braves baseball game. Our first in the 5 years we've lived in Atlanta (and first at the new stadium). 

Being social

Last night Korra went to play with her best friend and Nate and I went out to dinner at Bold Monk and then to meet a few friends for a birthday get together at a brewery. It was really nice to hang out with friends. When we got home, we sat on the balcony and FaceTimed with our friends from Connecticut. It was a lovely evening. 

21/48

Today was our first day back at school after quarantine. In order to come back after 7 days, you needed a negative COVID test. If you don't get tested, you have to stay out for 10 days. Only 21 of our 48 students came back today. It was really strange and tomorrow will probably be the same. Hopefully we'll see everyone back on Monday. 

32/48

In the last week, I've hand drawn 32 cards for my students (with corny jokes) and then written personalized messages for each. I still have 16 to go. I really enjoy doing this but dang does it make my hand cramp. 

Back to school

We got our negative test results this morning so Korra and I are headed back into the building tomorrow. Korra and I both have mixed feelings about it but we're trying to roll with the punches and think focus on the good in whatever situation comes our way. 

So tomorrow we're looking forward to seeing our classmates/students. And I'm looking forward to not sitting all day. It's really hard on my hips!

COVID tests

Korra and I both got COVID tests at the CVS this afternoon. If we don't get results back by tomorrow at 9:30 AM, we have to go to the school and get another test done (we didn't know that was an option when I scheduled today's test).  Assuming they're negative, we can go back to school on Thursday.  

Cabin Weekend

At the cabin with Nate's parents for the long weekend. Hopefully I'll feel refreshed when we head home on Monday. Or at least less angry, hurt, and depressed. 

A Way Out

Things are really hard at school right now.  Not the kids, the adults and the "institution."  I know it's probably just a rough patch, but I spent about 30 minutes this morning searching for and bookmarking new teaching jobs.  I don't know if I'll actually apply, but just knowing I have other options makes me feel so much better. 

Quarantine

Today was our weekly COVID testing and even though Korra and I both have negative tests, we're in quarantine for the next 7 days because we both had a positive test in our classes (siblings)- all of my grade and just Korra's class are. 

At 11ish, I was told to start contacting all my homeroom's students' parents to come pick them up immediately. 

Nate had the day off so he was already planning to surprise Korra and pick her up at lunch. He didn't expect to be one of many parents. I joined them at home by 1. I had some logistics to work out to be ready for online learning tomorrow but overall the switch was much easier than last time. 

Honestly, Korra and I are looking at it as a mini break. We get to sleep in, eat a home cooked lunch, wear pajamas, and pee whenever we want. We don't want to do it forever but for a week... we'll take it. 

She's Nine

Nate's parents are here to celebrate. Korra asked for sushi for her birthday dinner so we tried O-Ku's rooftop!

It's a metaphor, duh

A small thing really bothered me. I did some journaling and reflecting (thanks, Therapy!) and realized this small thing represents pretty much everything that I find soul-crushing about teaching. So yeah, it actually does make sense that it's bothering me so much. 

Now to try to express that to a new supervisor (why can't they keep someone who knows me?) without crying too much. 

PS- how much crying is too much with a supervisor you've only known for a month? Asking for a friend. 

Almost 9

Tucked in my 8 year old one last time. Tomorrow she'll be 9!

Desoto Falls

This weekend we went camping with Korra's best friend and her family at Desoto Falls near Cleveland. It was only about an hour and a half drive and our campsite was just a few steps away from the creek. It was nicely wooded and had lots of big rocks to sit on our climb on and the two awesome waterfalls were each less than an easy mile hike. The girls loved playing in the creek (ok, do did some of the adults). It was Korra's friend's first camping trip and I think we can call it a success. 

Communication Boards

Yesterday, my students made communication boards like the character in the book we're reading uses since she can't speak or write. Today I gave them a secret message and they had to get their partner to guess what it was by only using their communication board. Every student was actively engaged, having fun, and building empathy for the whole activity. It was the highlight of my week. 

Pharmacy Tears

Nothing like crying in the grocery store pharmacy at 5pm on a Tuesday. After all, this is my third trip to the pharmacy for this particular prescription and I had just waited in line for 45 minutes to be told that there's just "some sort of glitch" that is making this prescription $300+ dollars a month. And it's not that we couldn't afford it (it would be very unpleasant, but we could), but a) that we shouldn't have to and b) no one can tell me how to fix this. 

Too much at once

This afternoon I had a Zoom training about gender inclusivity that started at 11:30. My students were in my room eating lunch until 12 and then it took longer than expected to get them home or to the Friday afternoon program so I was trying to manage my students and participate in my training simultaneously for about an hour. I had less than 5 minutes of uninterrupted training time before Korra came into my room sobbing (it was the first day of the afternoon program so she was feeling scared/overwhelmed). Once I got her settled, it was time to skip out of my first training to jump on a Zoom for my teaching outdoors session and then jump back on the gender Inclusivity training before picking up Korra and then making some less-than-positive parent phone calls. Of course, this is all after I taught for 4 and a half hours. 

Is it really that surprising that I went to refill my Zoloft prescription and buy two pints of Ben and Jerry's immediately after school?

Skinny Cat

On Mrs Reynolds' vet bill, they had her weight for each of her appointments over the last 4 years. In 2017, she weighed over 15 pounds. Now, she's down to 10!

The city has been painting over some graffiti in our area. When we drove past one of these newly cleaned up places today and Korra said,

"I guess they've been hard at work making some people's lives a little less joyful."

Mrs Reynolds

Second $300+ vet visit for Mrs in the last 3 months. The excessive scratching is just allergies even though she's an inside cat these days. Thankful that she's fine and that this kind of bill isn't as painful as it once would have been for us. 

Negative #2

Second weekly COVID tests and Korra and I are still negative. Breathing a sigh of relief (especially after I sent 3 kids to the nurse today for COVID-ish symptoms). 

Delta Depression

I'm really struggling. COVID seems never-ending. It's so scary and frustrating and sad. 

So this morning I'm drinking Highland Grog coffee (thanks, Mom and Dad) from my It Could Be Worse Mug (thanks, Laura) and reciting the phrase "in this moment, all is well."

Last night as I was tucking Korra into bed she said that when she thinks about the past, sheer feels sad and when she thinks about the future, she worries so she's going to try to focus on the present. I guess I'll try to do the same. 

Hard day

Today was hard. Big things like COVID and global warming and Haiti and Afghanistan.  Smaller things like students who are mean to each other and feeling overwhelmed by work that needs to be done. It's a lot. I feel really sad. 

Waffle Cake

Korra and I made a cake, cooked it in the waffle maker, and finished it with buttercream frosting. 

Waffles

I made waffles with whipped cream, strawberries, and mini chocolate chips. 

TMNT Jean Jacket

Nate bid on eBay on an embroidered Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Jean jacket from the Coming Out of Our Shell live show. He won. It came in today. It fits him perfectly. He's deliriously happy.