Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Beginning of the birthday month...

So here I am...roughly halfway through the summer...with very little accomplished. And yet, what a wonderful feeling that is! However, I do plan to get some things done over the next several weeks as I enjoy the remainder of my summer and know that my time will fly by quite quickly...
Not too much to tell, so here are the few pictures I've collected! Still working on my "Summer Plan," turns out...I've got some things to do and little time to do them!











Until next time, I hope you are staying cool!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

If I were a boy...

So Trey and I are coming up on our first year living together this summer and well....let's just say, it's been a learning experience. It turns out that living with a male is TOTALLY different than living with a female...throw pets into the mix and well...occasionally I know what a "stay-at-home" moms job is like...only without the actual kids! So to those of you considering living with the opposite sex anytime soon...here's a few things I have learned (and I am sure that Trey could say many of these things about me as well!)


1) Boys need to be "trained." No, I don't mean this in such a negative way, I really don't. But they don't see dishes in the sink and think "I should put those in the dishwasher." Or "clothes haven't been washed in a week...maybe I'll sepeate clothes and wash a load." They have to be asked....or have it suggested. Otherwise, the result is pure and utter frustration! I put this one first because it's the one I have had the most trouble coming to understand!
2) Lounging around takes on a whole new amazing meaning. Sure, chilling on the couch with girlfriends is fantastic, but "at home date nights" are the best!
3) Compromise....compromise...compromise. It just cannot be said enough. 
4) Sometimes walking away/going into the other room for the night/doing something on your own is the best medicine for irritation. Everything does not have to be talked out. (Hmmm...I should underline that one!)
5) Spelling out expectations up front saves a ton of trouble later on. Letting things slide for a while because you are in the "honeymoon" phase only leads to arguments later on.
6) It will only work if you become a "team." Being on the same path, same page, same plan and communicating those things are invaluable.
7) You don't have to go everywhere together. A shopping trip does not always need 2 people. Feel free to say "I am just not up to it tonight."
8) And finally, laughing. Enjoy each other. Don't fret over the way things look, or things you want to happen that don't. Learning to laugh at dumb, gross, and weird things makes the experience so much more enjoyable. Loving the quirkiness and manly differences help ease the constant wonders and worries.


I know that I have much MUCH more to figure out and I certainly don't have it down, but one of the best things I have learned in this year is how to enjoy the lazy, small, "in between" moments that make me able to survive....living with a boy!


Until next time, happy last day of school eve!!!

Sunday, May 23, 2010

This summer...I have a plan...

As the summer is fast approaching...a mere 5 days!!! And I have a "To-Do" list. A few things that I would like to do to help me pass the time AND make the summer amazing, enjoyable, and ultimately relaxing!


-Read 3 books a month (End of summer total=6 AT LEAST!)
-Create a workout routine-not simply 'whatever I feel like whenever I feel it'
-Learn to cook more things from scratch (Food Network, counting on your website!)
-Have more wine tastings
-Go on a weekday getaway
-Take 1 day a week for just me
-Teach Ruckus to "shake" and the word "stick"
-Spend at least half the day outdoors doing something...unless it's raining
-Put up the curtains in the guest bedroom
-Find a shower curtain for the bathroom
-Spend more time doing fun FREE things around Atlanta and Alpharetta
-Meet up with friends close by for coffee!
-Teach Rwwar to clean her own litter box
-Grow some YUMMY tomatoes!


If you have other fun summer suggestions...let me know! Until next time, happy summer!

Monday, April 19, 2010

I've got the CRCT blues...

To put things nicely...this week is just as utterly painful and exhausting to teachers as it is to the students. Keep your fingers crossed for my students and your toes crossed for me this week!
So a little something to go with the beautiful weather outside from one of my favorite bands of all time...



Good news is....I am home every day by 4pm and at the dog park with Ruckus by 6! We're
making progress each and every day!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

A walk in the (dog) park...

The weather has been beautiful....the trees and flowers are blooming...there is love in the air! Ok, perhaps not so much on the last one, as Ruckus sure doesn't "love" the dog park. I've been trying to socialize her a bit more. We have so many friends with dogs and she wimps out around all of them. Except...for Banjo. Banjo is my family's dog. He is about 2 inches taller than Ruckus, with a smaller head and shorter ears! They are quite a pair when put together for a lengthy amount of time. However, other than Banjo (and the 100 lb. lab in the neighborhood who Ruckus thinks she can beat up...) she has no interest in other canines! Does she bark at them fiercely from the porch? You betcha! But when confronted, she shys away like a kindergartner meeting their teacher for the first time. So...we're taking it day by day and pushing a little harder each time!
To best depict Ruckus' fear of other, dominating creatures....take a peek at this montage of Ruckus and Rwwar.
Until next time, happy spring!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Hello Spring? It's Sarah...

Spring seems to have come and gone here in Georgia...and the only thing I can say is "SLOW DOWN!" I am a lover of all seasons...and well frankly, spring and fall are my favorites. However, for my current location...their lifespan is incredibly short, so when they come...I try to embrace the few weeks they last.
Ruckus has really formed quite the quirky personality lately. On top of her complete lack of regard for anything we have tried to buy for her to make her comfortable...she has taken to "burying" things. Now, clearly living on the second floor, there is simply no place for her to bury anything outdoors. However, what we do have in our apartment is lots....and lots....of hiding spots. Corners, space behind things, underneath things...you name any small space...she has found it. So all of these yummy bones that we buy in order to keep our floors and walls from being further destroyed....have been buried. The picture above is her "in action!"
Turns out socializing dogs is not as easy as it may seem. Meet Bango. My parents black lab/possible jack russell terrier mix. And the only dog Ruckus loves. While we are out walking/running/visiting Trey at the store, Ruckus watches dogs very closely. Sometimes she barks at them and leaps hoping to be able to go meet them. Other times, she wants nothing, and I mean, NOTHING to do with them. So today...I took her to the dog park not too far from our house. My logic was: there are tons of dogs here, open space, AND she gets to be off her leash. Well...it didn't go quite as planned. Instead her behavior was similar to a shy child who sees a classmate at the grocery store. She clung right by my leg and acted completely uninterested in any of the other dogs or people who were very interested in her. Sigh....perhaps we'll try again tomorrow.
Most of my stories are about Ruckus because well...she's the one who does the craziest things...and I can usually catch them in picture. However, Rwwar has developed what we affectionately call "Princess Syndrome." She thinks very highly of herself and only wants things...when she wants them. It is quite comical to watch...especially if we aren't prepared to give her what she wants. Imagine....toddler temper tantrum in cat form. Here she took over Ruckus's brand new bed. And refused to give it up...even when Ruckus came for it! And we wonder why Trey loves her the most....
As for Trey and I...well we've taken up gardening. At least, to the best of our abilities. I have never had much of a green thumb...but have yet to kill my orchid from Valentine's day, so I'm feeling pretty darn confident! (Here's hoping my confidence doesn't get busted.) Trey, on the other hand, grew up growing all of his family's fruits and vegetables in the backyard. You name it...they had it! It was amazing...and we have TONS of canned yumminess because of it! So above we have my contribution: daisies, because I am convinced they are the happiest flower (and they are not too hard to keep alive!) and then Trey's tomatoes, lettuce, and an assortment of herbs! I claim that I get to take credit...because I help water them! I'll keep you updated once they start to grow!
I'll wrap things up with a few of my Spring Favorites:
  • lemonade/sweet tea
  • Braves games
  • End of the school year fun!
  • LONG walks outside with Ruckus
  • Short sleeves
  • Pool Time!
And a few fun pictures....
Until next time...GO BRAVES!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Drunk dogs are always sloppy!

In addition to my earlier post....I had to add this:
As I came out of the shower this morning, I could not find Ruckus anywhere in the bedroom but heard a lapping sound out in the living room. Thinking she was drinking water out of her bowl, I went on to getting dressed. As I came out of the living room I discovered that it was not the water in her bowl she was drinking....it was the Guiness left on the coffee table from last night. Perfect.


Until next time, remember to clean up any leftover drinks that are in reach of your pets!