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As Tired as this Picture

What a week.

Oh, it wasn’t bad, mind you.

It was simply a week…the first full one where we actually attended for five straight days in a row.

I’m beat…more so because I know my lesson plans, while shaping up nicely, still aren’t finished for next week, nor is my grading.

I spent a glorious two hours (yes, I did use the correct adjective) with my mentor after school methodically picking apart my student-created rubric plans, and I gained a lot of clarity.  I think my students will be very happy when I present a revamped lesson plan next week.

Still, I am worn slap out and feel like Molly looks in this picture…

I think I’ll sit on the couch and knit for a while and watch the Olympics Opening Ceremonies, which I DVR’d so I could attend my students’ basketball game…

Tomorrow, I plan on sleeping in.

Don’t call me.

Or.

Else.

Mani/Pedi for the Pooch

On Saturday, I drove Pele to Petsmart to get a mani/pedi.

He was a bit apprehensive during the drive…

Those are worry lines around his eyes.

He whined most of the way too.  Poor dear.  I really should take him for rides more often, except that his hair gets everywhere, and his breath is stinky.

He’s a rather large dog with poor walking manners.  Taking him anywhere is a huge pain in my behind.

When we got to the store, he was quite obnoxious…making me look like a pet owner who doesn’t know how to control her animal.

He piped down once the ladies in the back got a hold of him.  Once they got to working on him, he looked, for just a moment, like he was actually enjoying himself…

“Take that, Mama. You’re not the only one who can get pampered.”

What the picture didn’t capture was him pulling his paw back over and over again…to the point where a second lady had to help hold him.

He’s the biggest wuss of a man dog I’ve ever seen.

His nails are rather thick, so this was a somewhat time-consuming chore but one that the sweet ladies did well.

Pele was thrilled when it was finally time to leave, and he practically pranced out of there.

I’m going to do this once a month so his quick will shrink down a bit (thus rending the techs able to cut his nails shorter).  Hopefully, he’ll become accustomed to the routine.

Oh, the Humiliation

I took Gambit to get a mani/pedi on Sunday.  Before we left, I decided I’d better take off the Christmas sweater he was still wearing.

Um.  Yeah.

Not cool.

He loves his sweater, though, and I haven’t been able to bear the thought of taking it off.

Fear of public embarrassment won over, though, so I removed it.

While he was getting his nails done, I shopped for another sweater.

I was thrilled to find this on the clearance rack…

It was a Large and still looked like a muscle shirt on him, so I took it off and returned it right away…before we left Petsmart.

I don’t think he minded given the not-so-cool message on the back.

Have I mentioned that I’m not very cool sometimes?

We went back to the drawing board, and I settled for the sweater you see below…

The colors are a little more “manly,” but the fit isn’t that great still.

Gambit didn’t seem to mind and sported this smile when we got home…

I think I’m going to put my knitting skills to use and whip up a customized sweater that fits him better so he won’t be too humiliated the next time I take him out in public.

😀

Ho-Ho-Hodgepodge

As evidenced by a few of the questions, Christmas is drawing nearer.  Am I ready?  Not really, but everything will come together in the end, as it always does.  Meanwhile, I hope you’ll play along by linking up with Joyce.  Thanks, Joyce, for the fun questions!

1.  Are you doing anything special to mark this season of Advent? If so please share.

I think I’m becoming a bit of a Scrooge the older I get and just can’t seem to find myself over-excited.  I think that over the last four years, work has drained me, leaving me with little energy or time to do the things I used to to mark the holiday season.  So, that’s my long-winded way of answering in the negative regarding this question.

2.  Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen…and of course you recall, the most famous reindeer of all…so, which reindeer name best describes you this week?

I’d love to say Vixen, but I can’t say that my outfits have had that WOW factor.  😀

Instead, I’ll go with Prancer, because prancing around my classroom, getting kids to stay on task, seems to be the name of the game ever since we got back from Thanksgiving break.  Learning?  What is that, the kids wonder.  Their minds have jumped ahead to Christmas vacation!

3.  What’s worse-too quiet or too loud? Which have you had more of lately?

Too loud is definitely worse and what I’ve had more of lately thanks to kids being unfocused and a bit too chatty (see question #2).

4.  This question comes to you from Zoanna over at A Penchant for Pens-thanks Zo!

When you are administratively gifted, how often do you find yourself not trusting less gifted people to do what they’ve committed to do?  If you are not so gifted that way, but are reliable, how do you feel when the stronger person (in that area) goes ahead and covers it before giving you a chance to come through?

I am the type of person who takes care of business when I say I will.  Thus, I have little tolerance for those who do not.  I tend to follow up…quickly…to ensure that things are getting done in a timely manner.  It does irk me if someone who has tasked me with something goes ahead and does it.  Don’t ask me to cover if you don’t really think I can!

5.  What is your most dreaded task relating to the holidays? Your most looked forward to holiday task?

My most dreaded task is putting away decorations, which I won’t have to worry about this year because I have not decorated.  Shocker, I know, but true all the same.

My most anticipated task is wrapping presents because it’s when I learn what the Mr. has purchased for people (bad, I know, but I trust his judgment enough to turn over shopping to him).

6.  Facebook has released its list of the ‘most talked about’ topics of 2013. Pope Francis took the number one spot.  Does that surprise you? He was followed by election, royal baby, typhoon, and Harlem Shake. Your thoughts? What was your most talked about topic in 2013? (Facebook, around the kitchen table, or wherever it is you talk)

The Harlem Shake made the most talked-about list of topics?  Wow.  The others listed do not surprise me.  Mankind is a nosy species, that’s for sure!  My most talked-about topics would be a toss-up between teaching and my children.

7.  What’s something you consider a necessity that others might view as a luxury?

Getting my nails done every pay check is a mental necessity that others often view as extravagant.  I care not what others think.  Going to the nail salon provides downtime that I need.  I work a lot of hours, both at school and from home, and I don’t really treat myself to things.  I don’t like to shop, except for books for my classroom, and I don’t do many other things for myself.  Having my nails look pretty makes me feel good.  I feel no guilt or embarrassment.

8.  My Random Thought

For a few years now, we’ve had a problem.  Pele, our now-oldest dog (Aubie was the oldest before she passed away in May) has insisted on sleeping on the couch.  It started when he was a puppy and we allowed him there.

I know…bad, bad, bad.

When Molly came into our home, she followed suit, and I’ll admit that it was fun to watch the dogs chase each other around the house and over the couches.

Yes, I am a redneck, and Martha Steward would be having a heart attack.

At some point, we got tired of getting up from the couch with an entire skin of fur on our backsides, so we banned the pups from the furniture.

It was a long, difficult adjustment, but Molly finally learned her lesson.

Pele did not.

He’s not the brightest bulb, let me tell you.

I resorted to putting dining room chairs on the couches to deter him.

Did I mention that Martha Stewart would be having a heart attack?

Last week, I had an idea…very random but so typical of me.

I pulled pink packing wrap from a box I’d had for years, covered my couches with them, and waited to see what would happen.

Guess what?

The dogs did not disturb the wrap!

Not the first day, nor the second, third, or fourth.

It’s been about a week, and the wrap continues to do its job.

In fact, Molly is scared of it when I move it to sit down.

SCORE!

The wrap is so much less of a pain than picking up two chairs, turning them over, and laying them down, only to pick them up later when anyone wants to sit.

Did I mention that I have moments when I surprise myself with my brilliance?

😀

Puppy Pampering

I feel the need to apologize for not writing much of late.

I’ve been incredibly busy with teaching, lesson planning, and grading.  I come home exhausted and without any brain cells left to write with!

I have been teaching my students to write…something I am passionate about…so at least I’ve got an outlet.  Still, I’m missing my blog and my readers!

On Tuesday, students in my district had to write essays based on grade-level responses.

These essays had to be graded.

Guess who got selected to help with this task?

Yep.

I had a half-day sub on Friday and must have graded over 100 essays in two and a half hours.

Although I had dreaded the work, it wound up being a little fun.  Students are simply amazing, and I heard their voices through their written prose.

Afterward, my brain was fried beyond repair, so I headed to my nail salon where I went for something a little wild…a suggestion made by one of my students earlier that day…

It’s my tech’s version of cheetah nails.  I like them a lot!

Today, Gambit got me up early (Rooster is spending the weekend in Auburn for the big game against Georgia).  I was glad, though, because I was able to get stuff for school finished.  I have my first of two observations on Tuesday.  Although I already had my lesson plans finished, everybody knows that we have turn things up a bit when administrators come in.  Truth be told, the observations are good for me, because they make me analyze my plans and incorporate more engaging activities and student reflection opportunities…things I need to be doing EVERY time I teach but sometimes get too tired or lazy (ahem) to do.

I took a break and ran errands.  While at Sams, I found a little something for my fur babies.  I couldn’t wait to get home and surprise them.

Yes, I am a sad creature, am I not?  With my non-furry babies grown and one of them out of the house living on her own, I pour my attention on my dogs.

Take a look at how they responded to the new, PoochPlanet ThermaLuxe (I’m not getting paid to mention the name) dog bed…

A bit of wistfulness entered my heart as I thought about how much Aubie would have loved this.  Sure wish I’d found one like it when she was still here.  I miss her so.  😦

Meanwhile, Gambit took a turn on it…

I don’t think he likes it.

Not one bit.

Pele returned to it early this evening.  He is one of the sweetest, gentlest giants of a dog.  The look on his face is priceless.  That is one happy dog!

I don’t know about you, but pampering my dogs brings a smile to my face when I see their human-like reactions.

Tuesday Puppy Love

Here’s a quick post in which I share some recent puppy love that’s been going on in these parts…

Washing the bed cover didn’t stop Gambit from getting comfy on his bed.

Fridays are long days when there’s a football game. Molly was very happy when I got home and stayed home.

 

The cooler weather and cold floors mean that these two become the best of buds when it comes to sharing the bed.

 

By 10pm, Pele is tuckered out. He’s the sweetest, gentlest 90 pound dog you’ll find.

Grandpuppy love is the BEST!!! I spoiled her with a glow-in-the-dark collar, lots of play, and let Chicky deal with the aftermath. heehee

Pele Goes to the Vet

Saturday morning, I got up with a mission in mind…take Pele for his annual shots.

There is a vet’s office in town that sets aside Saturdays, from 11-2, for lower-discount shots.  With three dogs in the house, I can use this discount.

Pele didn’t have a clue what he was in for, as his face shows…

When I told him we were going for a ride, he ran to the car…

Do you see how he’s looking at me?  He needed my help getting in the car…even though I’ve seen him jump in before.

No, I can’t wait him out, because he will stand there forever.

All 85 pounds of him has to be lifted up into the car every time we go anywhere.  Ugh.

We ran an errand before going to the vet.  The ride was beautiful, and he seemed to enjoy himself…

That was the fun part.  Once we got to the vet’s office, the fun ended.  Pele is massive, so when he gets curious, like in an office full of other furry babies, he pulls hard to go visit.  There seemed to be a bajillion other dogs there for the same reason.  Note to self:  Wait until 12 next time so the office clears out a bit.

It was finally our turn to go into a room, and Pele truly was not happy.  He kept staring at the door knob and pawing at the door.  It was obvious that he wanted out.

Three shots later, along with a set of clipped nails, we were out the door.

He was somewhat annoyed with me and exhausted too.  This is the look he gave me when we got home…

All was forgiven as soon as I placed his dinner in front of him later that night (the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach).

We’re good to go for another year.  Thank heavens!

 

Lazy Days of Summer

Don’t be envious when you see this…

And this…

And especially this…

I don’t have too many weeks of summer left, so I’m going to enjoy each and every one of them to the fullest!

Still Miss Her So

It’s been a little over two months since we lost Aubie.

She’s never far from our minds as things the other dogs do remind us of her and her quirky mannerisms.

I have my Macbook Pro desktop set to rotate through the pictures I’ve saved on my computer, and this one popped up the other evening.

Pele was a wee thing at the time.  He’s nearly 100 pounds now.

A couple of things about this picture touch me.

First, look at how small Aubie was on that bed.  It’s ironic that Pele would later be the one to lay across it because he would quickly outgrow the smaller one.

I also noticed that we had pushed their beds close together so he could be near to her at all times.

Pele loved Aubie and followed her everywhere.

There was, quite literally, a bounce in his step when she entered the room, and his ears would flop as he trotted after her.

She was his mama, and he worshiped the ground she walked on.

Sometimes I think he still misses her.  He gets a sad look on his face that no amount of loving can take away.

We miss her too, and the tears come unbidden when we least expect them.

See Ya Soon, Cali Girl

Chicky’s puppy, Cali, has been staying with us since Chicky came home in May.

Chicky and one of her roommates adopted Cali nearly a year ago, and we have treasured her visits.

Having her here for over a month has been a lot of fun.

It only took a couple of days to train her to not attack her food bowl.  Now, she sits patiently and won’t eat until we give her the command.

She rules the house from her perch on the couch…

But now, it’s time for her to go back down south.  Chicky is taking her to her roommate’s parents’ house, where her roommate is spending the summer.  “K” will keep Cali for the rest of the summer, and Cali will live with the girls when they move into their off-campus housing in August.

I will miss this sweet puppy.  She has so much personality, and she’s incredibly smart.

She has livened up our home through her crazy antics.

Gambit is going to miss his playmate too…

I’ll miss my snuggle buddy…it didn’t take her long to get used to sleeping with me…giving Chicky’s allergies a break…

Safe travels, sweet girl.  I’ll see you soon.  Like any grandma, I’ll probably take a surprise down to you the next time I’m down your way!