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!

"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!!