The Life of the Coneheads

Future Note to Self: Make sure Trey has time off whenever pets need to be spayed.

Trey and I dropped off our little "darlings" at the vet on Monday, December 21 when he had the day off. Lucky me, I got to pick them up on Tuesday...when he didn't have the day off. Now, if you've never tried to carry a cat and get a 6 month old puppy to "stay" while you take care of the crying cat....you haven't lived. When I picked them up, I could hear Rwwar down the hall, whining and crying the WHOLE way. Little did I know at the time, this would be my life for the next week. Being the naive owner that I am, I was SURE that all I needed to do was love on her a little bit and she'd be fine. I learned real fast that this thought was false. She head-butted my fingers each time I put them into her cage in an attempt to calm her down. She sent her razor-sharp claws towards my fingers any time my hand was remotely close to her cage. And her eyes, well, let's just say I didn't look into them too much for fear of turning to stone!
So we get home on Tuesday, and this is how Ruckus spent most of her day.

This is mostly because every time she got up...she tried to pull at her stitches. Because, like a smart vet, he didn't give us cones for our two WONDERFULLY obedient pets.
So I survived the crying cat from the bathroom, and the whimpering dog from her kennel for the remaining 6 hours before Trey got home. During these hours, I decide that Wednesday, I will get out. The pets will just...have...to...deal!
Wednesday arrives and I awake with pure and utter elation at the thought of *WAHOO* getting out of the house! Little did I know that my excitement was equaled by my pets who were thrilled with the free time.....to pull ALL of their stitches out! On my way home, my wonderful boyfriend (who beat me home) calls and asks how the pets looked that morning. I informed him they looked just fine and I had even given them a treat for being so good. (Learned my lesson on that one!) To which he says, "welp! Looks like they had a good day then. Because all of their stitches have been pulled out." ARE YOU SERIOUS???? Groan!
So with Santa packing up his sleigh on Christmas Eve to see all the good boys and girls, I was packing up my bad girls in the car to once again...terrorize them!
And this time...they came back as CONEHEADS!!

Now Ruckus has been through "the CONE" before when she broke her leg, so while she didn't like it...she dealt with it. Rwwar, on the other hand, was not near as calm about the whole process. And she made sure that she was going to make it as difficult and uncomfortable for us...as it was for her. The means HOURS of crying at night...and my favorite, attempting to pull of her cone. This was her best attempt:

Until next time, Happy New Year!

"It's Christmas Time in the City"

So it's been a busy December in the Hales/Deaver household! I've been sick for about 3 weeks now, I'd love to say "off and on" but it's more like "some days are better than others." The doc said it was bronchitis, so I went through a round of antibiotics and some cough syrup with codine (to which I have determined that codine is a sick person's BEST FRIEND!) And now, well...who knows what I have now, but it's something new. Gotta love it.
Luckily, Ruckus has become quite the cuddler, as she loves to lay up on the couch with me, in the bed with me, on the floor with me, basically wherever I am...she is. At least I know I'm loved! When I can finally get her to realize that she is about 16 lbs and a little too big to try to play and run around while she's laying with me, well...then we'll be in business. Until then, I'll take what I can get. Since Trey works what feels like all the time, the company is graciously accepted!
Due to this sickness, I've gone through a million movies, wrapped tons of presents, slept more in the month of December than I did even when I was out of school in the summer....and the best part, happily shared my Christmas spirit with my lovely pets. The end result? They weren't quite as cheerful. Take a look!

Santa and "her" reindeer!

Sometimes I'm amazed they still hang out with us!

But at least they have each other to help them deal with the pain!

As I finally began to feel better, we got to go to the Falcons game with the family! Trey and I were especially pumped, because we love to go to sporting events AND got to get cool new Falcons wear!!! (Unfortunately, I don't have a picture.) My dad got us tickets in the 2nd row! We were like children getting all giddy the lower and lower we walked!

We sure did see some interesting characters there!

See what I mean?

F-A-L-C-O-N-S!!!

Unfortunately, they lost. 26-23. However, they were playing the (at that time) undefeated New Orleans Saints. So it was pretty close!
That night, Uncle Destin came over to exchange Christmas presents. Ruckus and Rwwar just love him! They usually get interested in new people, but don't play with them too much. Destin might as well be a third roommate, so whenever he comes over, Ruckus, at least, gets really excited!

Ruckus was first to get her gift! A new SQUEAKY soccer ball!!!

And of course, she LOVED it!

She also got a bag of "cookies!" Here she is VERY interested in the bag that Destin has. Later, she would get the bag stuck on her head after pulling it off the table to get the rest.

Next up, it was Rwwar's turn...and OOH BOY...F-E-A-T-H-E-R-S! She loves things with feathers! (Only now this is destroyed because Ruckus things everything in the house that she wants to play with is hers, including our socks and underwear!)

And of course, Uncle Destin's gift was a success again!

This past Thursday, Trey and I had a "holiday shindig." We had several friends over for a holiday dinner! We quickly learned that next year, we'll need to set a menu and teach some of our friends how to cook! The idea was for each person to bring a side, here's what we got:

• Ham and Turkey (provided by us)
• Chips and Salsa (hmm.....)
• Brownies (that Trey ended up making)
• Cherry Coke Salad (yummy dessert!)
• Creamed Corn Salad

I guess 3 out of 5 isn't bad! The party was a ton of fun and huge success! We were even able to get rid of Trey's "scrooge-like" attitude about the party! Everyone was worn out by the end and ready to get home to bed.

The rest of the holiday season includes several more Christmas parties, visiting with friends from far away and time together with family! I am so glad Christmas has finally arrived in my home.

Until next time, Happy Holidays from my furry family to yours!

"Santa, can you hear me?"

So two of my very best friends have gotten engaged this year! One as the year began and the other as the year ended! Over the next year-year and a half, I get to be a part of their wedding plans! I have never felt more blessed to have such wonderful girls in my life and can't wait for the day when I get to ask them to be my bridesmaids!! 


Congratulations Rhianna and Cappy! You truly are two of my best friends!

Until next time, remember "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!"

'Papa Don't Preach..."

There have been few times in my life where I have had this much on my mind and heart, and that's all I'll say about it. Just keep me in your thoughts please.

With that said, let's move on...Saturday was the UGA/Tech game and there is no other way to describe it other than in pictures! Take a look!

Coin toss at the beginning of the game! Trey and I are SURROUNDED by Tech fans...and a few UGA ones!

Here we go Dawgs!!! Scoring on the First Drive! Thank goodness they realized Joe Cox is good for handing off the ball, and that's it!

Blair Walsh... because I simply love him! Dear Mike Smith, please pick him up in the 2012 draft when he graduates!

Kyle Butler, being an asshole to the fans! Muahahahaha! He kicked up part of the field at Bobby Dodd and carried it around to show to the fans! Solid display!

Because Trey and I love our pets so much, we decide to show off this love by giving them some warm holiday costumes! :) Here is the one we got Ruckus!

Looks like Santa got her reindeer!!! Rudolph anyone?

But, while she didn't viciously tear it off as soon as she was able to, Ruckus did lay in her bed, lifeless, giving us a look that said nothing short of "I hate you guys."

So Trey gave her a gigantic bell, complete with a pine cone and pine needles that are no longer attached.

Our Christmas tree is small, but full of life! It is covered in ornaments as we slowly build our "family" collection. Decorating the tree makes me dream about one day when we have our own REAL tree that is huge and covered with lights and ornaments and tinsel! One of these days....

Until next time, Happy Holidays!

The Gift of Giving...

To me, the greatest part of the holidays is finding the perfect gift and perfect way to say "You are a special part of my life." (Well...and decorating, as I do love that so very much!) Often I find myself is such a funk about the perfect present. I stress about it, I shop for hours, I look online at outrageous websites, all in hopes of sparking the perfect present idea! Sometimes this works like magic, and well....other times it doesn't and I find myself on Christmas Eve scrambling to find something...anything...that might be suitable.


This year I have outdone myself! While I have only done less than a eighth of my Christmas shopping, I feel incredibly successful! So much so, that I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of Christmas in order to share my (or what I consider) amazing gifts! I can't remember the last time I had this feeling...the feeling of pure ecstacy at the thought of wrapping and then delivering these amazing tokens of my affection. What are these wonderful gifts? Well, that will have to wait a mere 31 more days to be revealed!


As with the Christmas season of giving, comes the desire to give of your time and effort to your family during Thanksgiving. As we draw nearer and nearer to chowing down on mom's scrumptous turkey, I can't help but take a minute and appreciate everything that 2009 has brought for me.


While it hasn't all been a walk in the park (i.e. fights, friendships ending, many tears cried, friends being sent overseas, etc.), the year has a whole has been one that has begun to lead me in the right direction, this year has certainly been one for the record books.
Just a few things that 2009 has brought: 

• the marriage of one of my bestest friends, Rhianna
• an engagement of another fantastically close friend, Cappy
• learning how near and dear Destin is to my heart
• starting a life with the man I will one day marry
• the coolest beagle puppy around
• saving one of the most beautiful kittens and giving her quite possibly the most brilliant cat name ever created!
• becoming better and stronger in my career field, though learning I won't be in this field for many more years
• Most importantly, enjoying my life and not allowing anyone to take advantage of the kindness that I contain in my heart

So with that said, my holiday season continued in full force today! Ruckus and I went to the parents house to play with Banjo! After a full afternoon of playing, Ruckus passed out on the ride home! Trey and I could not have done a better job selecting her. She really is a truly wonderful puppy. Not only does she have beautiful markings, but she will melt your heart in an instant. She is the only dog I have ever seen my mother crawl across the floor to play with. Or my father get down on the floor and give her a million treats in hopes she would sit in his lap. I have waited for a dog like her to touch my heart ever since Pepper died, and now I am so thankful to have found her. 


Grandpa and Ellie (the new wife) are in town. This is always a delight....sometimes I wish there were an "emoticon" to display sarcasm, because that is precisely what I feel about their situation. Never in my life have I felt more meaningless to my grandfather than in the last year and a half since my grandmother died. I have tried to reach out and reconnect with him several times this year and each time it is met with little to no enthusiasm, so I am done. It pains me  deeper than perhaps losing my grandmother did to say, or even think that, but feeling like I am uncared for is perhaps the worst experience I have ever dealt with. So with that, I can only give so much effort with no response, and that effort is quickly dwindling. 


On a positive note, with today being Thanksgiving, that means "lots of DELICIOUS SCRUMPTOUS food" and "the final holiday before CHRISTMAS!" This Thanksgiving will be easily the most busy one ever....seems to be how all of my holidays are turning out since both families live in northern Georgia. It started off with a visit from one of Trey's rugby friends Andrew. His family lives in Alpharetta as well, so when he is in town, he always stops by to pay us a visit! And well, we don't argue as we enjoy company! His visit contained a warm mug of hot chocolate, lots of rugby talk, and quite a show as he and Trey battled in Wii Resort! Truly a relaxing way to start off a Thanksgiving holiday that proves to be busy and yet, relaxing!


With that said, Happy Thanksgiving to all! And may you enjoy all the Black Friday deals...I know my mother and I will!

"Santa, I love you!"

Watching children profess their love and dreams to "Santa" is hands down one of the reasons I simply adore this holiday!

My holiday season officially started yesterday! Trey and I bought a BEAUTIFUL wreath from his store and hung it up on the door last night! Pictures will come later. But from here on out, it's "Holiday Season Madness!"

Let the Christmas parties begin! Brenda and I started off the season "sitting on Santa's laps ourselves! What did I ask for this year? Well...we'll just have to wait and see. No need to jinx it! Trey had to work today, so I decided to take an afternoon to myself and get in the "holiday spirit." With all the chaos and stress going on lately, it was nice to get out of the house on my own and enjoy some festive atmosphere! And boy, was it festive!

Brenda's house was simply alive with the holidays! She had music playing, decorations covering every spare inch of space, the whole family was dressed accordingly, and there was even "Polar Express" playing in the living room. Simply marvelous! One of these days, it will be my turn to host a fantastic holiday party complete with treat, decorations, and music!

Until next time, Happy Holidays!

Cause it was in a Lil Wayne song...

Soap Box: Now as a teacher, I have had encounters with children I wish to never see grow into adults for fear of their negative impact on society. I have met children that I pray will be taking care of me in my old age as well! But the ones that say things like "I don't like Bush because he didn't help New Orleans. It was in a Lil Wayne song," make me INCREDIBLY nervous! I can only hope that my guidance leads them away from Lil Wayne's life lessons.


Now to the good stuff! I promise I'm not a bully...nor do I have pets purely to see how much I can torture them...but sometimes, I just have to have a little fun! Take a peek at Rwwar's Christmas Costume!

Next Up: Ruckus's Costume!

"Ms. Hales, I think my tooth meat fell out!"

So this week has been one that I will not be sad to see end. With Parent Teacher Conferences and Trey's hectic upcoming holiday schedule, our stress level has been at a major max!!
However, we were able to get a nice break on Tuesday and attend my brother, Brian's, first basketball game! He made the 7th grade basketball team a few weeks ago, and their season started off this past Tuesday. Now, even though he wasn't a starter, he made quite a run coming off the bench! Due the lovely rain tropical storm "Ida" brought in, we hit some awful traffic and ended up making it to the game during the second quarter.

Pre-entry chat with Coach Cheek (who, interestingly, was also Trey's college roommate!)

They ended up losing a heartbreaker...47-45 in the final minute of the game. Such a bummer! But, I am sure Brian will be working hard to continue to get more playing time and win some of those close matches!
Like I said earlier, Parent Teacher Conferences started this week...and boy, was Wednesday fun! Started out with 4, yes...FOUR, of my students going to OR. (AKA: Opportunity Room, AKA: Detention). RIDICULOUS!!! I was furious! One of them had been there less than 10 minutes, and I walk into the room and see fists flying! I almost lost my job....I was so ill with them. Needless to say, they did not, and have not, received ANY special privileges since then. However, in true fashion, one of my lovely students brightened my day like always!

This was how we spent the afternoon! Making marshmallow MONSTERS! :) They had fun...I had fun....nice way to end a horribly long day!
Good news is...conferences are O-V-E-R! So for parents out there, take it easy on your teacher during conferences...they are incredibly stressful and draining!
Tonight Trey and I found ourselves both at home before 5pm! What a rarely, and AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL gift! So, as we decided to spend some QT with Ruckus, Trey decides to teach her the word "outside" and to go to the door when she hears that word! Needless to say, it did not go quite as planned!

And of course, being the sassy shithead that she is, Rwwar decides to use this time to play and eat one of Ruckus's treats! She is so great!

After a long, and difficult walk (as Ruckus decided to be stubborn), we made it home, got a bath, and watched a little X-files over a yummy, home-cooked meal!!! I am so lucky to have a man that can COOK!....and well! 

As the holidays approach, I am getting more and more excited and ready! I already did a little bit of christmas shopping...and oh, is it going to be good! And in only a mere matter of weeks, I'll be chowing down on some turkey and then jamming to some Christmas carols while putting up some decorations!! Oh, how excited I am!


Until then....Happy Friday the 13th tomorrow!!