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!

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!

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!

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!

Spring has sprung!

Thank goodness spring has finally arrived! Now, don't get me wrong...I was the first person in live begging...pleading...for winter. And now, well, I guess I always want what I can't control. And for the last few weeks...spring has been on my list! 
These past few weeks have found me weak....sick...worn out...and incredibly busy! After school, meetings, and CRCT Planning have consumed me. But...luckily, only 9 more days! Then I finally have an entire week all to myself!
On top of my busy schedule, Trey is in full preparation for his upcoming promotion possibly coming in May! And to make matters even better....here's a look at Ruckus' time by herself!

T

This is the nice side! That bed....is now gone. She pulled the side out and tore it to bits. So these are the only pictures I was able to pull from day 1 of spending the day in the bathroom. How did she end up in the bathroom you ask?
WELLL....one Thursday evening I came home from work all prepared to start packing for my upcoming trip to Savannah the following day! Ruckus had spent the day in the living room in her kennel like always, only this time she only had a towel laid in her kennel. Yet, still....there was "something" all over the floor. So I put my things down and realized that she was also shaking...something similar to a child put out in the cold in shorts and a t-shirt. So....I move her. Only to discover a whole the size of GRAPEFRUIT that she had dug into our carpet. Our BRAND NEW carpet mind you. OOOOOHHHHHH!
So, now she stays in the bathroom until we can get to Home Depot to get a wooden piece to put under her kennel. Onto my trip to Savannah....
So while on my way down, Trey calls and informs me that he called our leasing office to inform them about what happened...and what we should do about it. To which they responded that they would have to replace the entire carpet system..and it would cost $900. Perfect! Needless to say...we decided to wait to have the carpet replaced until she is done with this "stage" in her life.
Now...on to the bathroom. Like I said those pictures are from "Day 1." Since then we have lost her second bed...my IPOD headphones...a towel bowl brush...and 2 bones! Any suggestions on dealing with a teething puppy...would be greatly appreciated!


Until next time, go out and enjoy the gorgeous weather!

Tribute to the "Board that is Smart"

From the first time I was introduced to the latest technology that has made its way to the school system, I fell in love. I was amazed and felt as though I absolutely had to know more. How did it work? What all could I do with it? Was it truly helpful enough to ensure student success? And while I was intrigued...and used it daily, I knew that it probably wasn't all that realistic throughout my entire career. However, I was exposed to it during perhaps my most impressionable experience...and well, it's stuck with me ever since. My first year of teaching I absolutely loved teaching and my class and my school and my co-workers and well...every part of it. By year 2...things had changed. I realized that the school simply was not the setting for me. It wasn't fulfulling and wasn't the challenge I had hoped for. So here I am, with a brand-spankin'-new SmartBoard in my classroom and every single day I wish I could go back to August and have this resource from the beginning of the year. I feel as though I have just as much fun creating/finding resources to use just as much as the kids enjoy using them. And at the end of the day, that is what I want to do....I want to share this feeling with other teachers. I want to show them how to utilize this resource in a way that teaches, engages, and inspires. No telling what the future of this business...or my career, holds. However, Destin sure is on the hunt for me (as he sent me more than one job opportunity) and we shall see how the cards fall.

In other, more exciting, news...I hosted my first bridal shower today!!! My "Partner-In-Crime" is getting married in April and I have very little idea as to how I got chosen for this...but I did. And BOY...am I glad it went off without any huge hitches! Including the "bag o' goodies!" Take a look...

Muffin mix to go with muffin pan! Breakfast soon please Rebecca!

Perfect drink for a Tuesday night on a work week!

Beautiful monogrammed towel from Jamie! Note to self: Invite her to my wedding! ;)

Penis straws! You know it! This was complete with all sorts of "honeymoon goodies!"

And snacks....

The whole Corley group...minus a few!

So while the future is constantly changing...and each makes a difference...here's to the unknown and planning for tomorrow!

Another One Bites the Dust...

So here we go....this time next year, wedding season will be to a level of insanity! There is the potential for 5, yes FIVE weddings! 2 of my dear friends both got engaged this past week! I am so blessed as they are both friends that have been in my life for many years! Congratulations Ellen and Amber!

Lately we've been dealing with a teething puppy. If you've never done it before, it's quite a journey. One that we were neither prepared for nor know how to combat. If there is an article of clothing nearby...it will be pulling into her kennel and chewed on. Any items in the kennel are torn to small pieces or eaten. Including items like the hard plastic bottom of her kennel, jackets, the cushion that replaced the hard plastic bottom, etc. Take a look...

She only appears so innocent. Turns out...she isn't. In the slightest. I worry about what we may find in the months to come. Please note: this cushion is officially 6 days old....sad.
Wish us luck!