The Night that Ruckus almost died...

Before I begin with the latest 7 month year old antics of my lovely puppy-dog, I'd like to take a moment and say what a SUPERSTAR my brother is! Tonight was the first playoff game of his 7th grade season and he got to start!!! Go VIPERS!! Very exciting!


On to the good stuff....this Saturday was quite busy! Started early early in the morning with a 9am-1pm staff development. Since we would be headed to Dahlonega right after my class for Trey's rugby game, Trey had to take me and pick me up! Wahoo! So after I get through class, Trey and Ruckus meet me at the door! I was real excited about Ruckus getting to come to the game with us! She loves to be outside and loves loves LOVES to be around people! Little did I know...it was bitterly cold. I'm talking "beanie, gloves, blanket wrapped around me, holding Ruckus in my lap for extra body heat" cold. So as Ruckus and I go back to the car during halftime to get MORE jackets and blankets, we meet "Frankie," who was a small white dog that Ruckus would have destroyed if given the chance. So as Ruckus and Frankie "play" for a little while, I look over and find out....she has slipped out of her collar. OH MY GOD! That was all I could think! "She is going to run away!" "She is going to get hit by a car!" "What am I going to do?" "Trey, come help!" I was in an absolute state of panic! It was absolutely terrifying, and she, well...she felt the opposite. I am pretty positive she thought it was playtime and perhaps didn't even know she was off her leash. So, she takes off like a racehorse. LITERALLY. She is running in circles in her "low to the ground-sprinter mode!" And she fully thought it was playtime. Typically if I put on my "angry voice," she takes the hint and will come running. Instead, she came over and crouched about a foot away from me ready to play. A-nnoy-ing!!! This lasted about 5 minutes. Several people came to help us! FINALLY, I don't know how it happened, some miracle perhaps, but a lady was able to get her to come over and then pounced on her! I could have STRANGLED her! And while I was furious at her, she was just so excited! I guess at the end of the day...I still gotta love her! :)


So after that terrible fiasco...the latest thing I've been trying with her....being my jogging partner! Now, if you've never had a puppy for a jogging partner, my advice: don't!!! The first half of our run are relatively wonderful, in fact, she even pulls me a little! I think it's purely the thrill of being outside. The second half...a different story. The thrill has worn off...and now she realizes that the outdoors are full of "SMELLS!" Oh goodness, so the second half of our run consists of her with her nose to the ground, and me pulling her along saying "C'mon Ruckus!" I'm hoping that the more we do it, the better she gets! In the meantime, I'll continue to have a challenging run!


Until next time, bring on the warmer weather!

"Spaghetti is love."

One of my "hands-down, favorite" meals of all time is spaghetti. I love the varieties that people make, I love the time and effort that goes into making such a simple yet scrumptous dish. Spaghetti dinner just makes my world a happier place for the 20 or so minutes I am eating it. And Trey's tops the list! His spaghetti could single-handedly be the reason I love him so much (kidding...). But in all seriousness, it takes him several hours and the result is worth the wait. Only problem is....my desire for spaghetti is so strong lately....and sadly, we only have 1 jar on his family's tomato sauce left. So until that enchanting day comes when he decides to make spaghetti....I'll hold on to the wonderful memories and feelings it draws up.


Now that my thoughts of food are out of the way (can you tell it's dinner time?), on to the funny stuff! So our wonderful, amazing, loving, sneaky, stubborn, frustrating cat really never ceases to surprise us! Since she got fixed, she has been INCREDIBLY loving, but only when she wants to be and not necessarily when you want to pet her. So one night Ruckus and I decide to go outside and walk around for a bit and here is what I come back to...

Apparently she thought "what's mine is yours right Sarah?" As much as I love her, I did, yes I did...throw my shoe across the room at her! And then....I poured the remainder of the milk into a bowl for her to enjoy....and I poured myself a new one. Jerk...


We finally got a minor amount of snow here in good 'ol G-E-O-R-G-I-A! And had a blast introducing Ruckus to it! Silly girl! She loved investigating and playing in it...until she was trying to run away and couldn't! Muahahahahahaha! 

Crazy girl and I just love her!


Finally, a note about my weekend. I got to spend it with 2 of my most favorite non-related boys ever! We had Dance Party 2010 and one day their parents are going to have a blast with these pictures! 

Quality shot right there!

Pretty sure this was about the time they pulled out "the Cupid Shuffle!" OHHH Man!


Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures, but my brother, Brian, became a TEENAGER this weekend! Wahoo!! Happy Birthday Brian! We had a small family celebration at the house and then we'll have a big 'ol party this summer! Pretty pumped!


And to wrap things up, my favorite stubborn kitters in the whole world...

Who said walking wasn't an adventure?

Yesterday Ruckus and I decided to brave the weather and enjoy some time outside. Ruckus is really quite a joy to walk with. She is always so happy and full of life outside. It is amazing the change that takes place as soon as the door opens or the minute the leash comes out. Since I adore her so much, the idea of partaking in her excitement really makes my life a little less stressful for those few mintues. 
So, the walk went something like this: Sarah walks 15 feet while Ruckus sniffs the ground or eats a leaf. "Ruckus" and whistles. :::run run run run:::: Now Ruckus is 15 feet ahead of me. Sarah walks 30 feet while Ruckus sniffs the ground or eats some tree bark. "Ruckus" and whistles. :::: run run run run::::: Now Ruckus is 15 feet ahead of me.  Seeing a pattern? 
She is completely incapable of walking by my side. Her puppy instinct take over and she transforms into a 1 year old with ADD! Occasionally she had to be reminded NOT to run into the road to check out the cars. Apparently she takes quite an interest in the scent of cars. Which is all well and good...until one hits her! So needless to say, probably a good thing that my headphone are broken and I am awaiting the arrival of my new ones, otherwise, I may not have a puppy anymore!
But the best part of the walk was "fetch!" Ruckus loves loves loves to play fetch...with anything and everything! And growing up with a dog who loved to chase things, but never wanted to bring them back, I am beyond excited that my dog wants to continue to play by actually bringing the toy, stick, treat, what have you, back to me! So of course, during our walk....she finds a stick! Little did I know we would now be playing fetch on the side of the road for 20 minutes! I am sure the cars enjoyed the show because Ruckus loves to run and catch things, and she sure did for those 20 minutes!
With all that action, I was SURE she would pass out when we got home, and well....I was wrong! She came back and played with Trey for another 30 minutes!


To anyone who needs a little extra fun and spice in your life, get a puppy! :) 


Until next time, Happy Exercising!

Ode to the New Year...

It never ceases to amaze me how things become so "robotic" come the new year. Everyone immediately begins thinking about ways to "better" themselves: lose weight, spend more time with family, get back in shape, eat better, be more organized, etc. Sure, a new year is a chance to try something new. Teachers view this the same way, especially when you get a new class. But the reality is...most people just don't stick with it. It lasts for a while, maybe you make it until April (give yourself a pat on the back for that one), but at the end of the day, we just need to realize, and admit, who we are and love ourselves for it. So...for my "resolution for the new year," I think I'll stick with something that betters someone else: I am going to take Ruckus for more walks.

If only we could harness the happiness of a child or an animal, I know my life would be way less stressfull and more full of light and excitement. Sure, I get excited when Trey comes home much in the way that Ruckus gets excited when I come home or how Rwwar sits in the window when she hears our car pull up. But often times, I don't give them the time they deserve in the evenings. I don't allow them to take away the day's stress and troubles which I know they could so easily because of the pure desire to love on me and be loved in return. Not to mention, getting out of the house does everyone a load of good and exercise releases endorphins. And to quote Reese Witherspoon from "Legally Blond:" "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't." Therefore, getting out makes not only me a happier person, but also my wonderfully energetic pup! :)

I'll keep you updated on how well I do! Especially with all of this snow!