My dogs have lived in the same kennel for 6 years.
They have had the same fence for those 6 years.
In those six years, they have never destroyed the fence until this summer.
This summer while LJ was out of town, they broke the fence posts, so they had a straight shot into the backyard. I figured they were bored and rededicated myself to playing with them, walking them, and generally spoiling them.
Then two weeks ago, they broke it again. Once again, we fixed it again.
Then tonight, they ate the fence again.
I don't know what their problem is. Maybe they aren't getting enough to eat? Maybe they need attention? I wish they could just talk and tell me what their needs are.
LJ doesn't have the patience to keep fixing the fence. If they break it again, they might not make it to their next birthday...
Please dogs, stop breaking the fence-
Thanks,
Kari
I admit it:I am addicted to reading. This week I read, The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Amazing!This is the story of three women who lives cross paths in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960s. Two black women and one white women live their lives, but slowly their lives begin to intertwine. Two women are maids and one is a college graduate, questioning the world she lives in. The story is fast paced and pulls you in. These women become friends as the reader becomes part of their daily routine. Occassionally keeping track of their different lives gets a little hard, but it is worth it. These women are strong and inspirational. The reader will fight along with them and become captivated in their lives. This is a must read!
I had another successful week of New Years Resolutions. I finished my book about Henry Clay. It is called: Henry Clay: The Essential American by David S. Heidler and Jeanne T. Heidler. Henry Clay was an American who lived through much of the most pivotal time in America. He led the War Hawks who pushed for the War of 1812. He crafted compromise legislation during slavery fights and he ran for president four times. This book traces his life through all of it and it was phenomenal. So many of the issues in American History can be understood by reading his life and I loved this book. I can't wait to read more about his life. Book #2:Call of the Wild by Jack LandonThis book is the big read sponsored by the Boise Public Library this year. This book is a classic and I admit, I had never read it. It is the story of a dog stolen from his home in California and sold into Alaska to be used as a sled dog during the Gold Rush up there. He goes from a comfortable, home dog, into a cold blooded killer at times struggling to survive and eventually ends up living with a pack of wolves. It is a short and quick read. I enjoyed it. I highly recommend reading the classics to everyone. They have much to offer.
This week I am combing through a great books about Henry Clay. It is 450 pages.I am taking notes as I read, thinking about how to implement it in my classroom, so I am not done. On Wednesday, I started to panic that I wouldn't be able to get a book read this week. So I decided to read a book from my childhood past. I reread the first four books from The Boxcar Children series. I loved these books as a kid. I still love them. I read them super fast now, but they are super cute and fun. I love the stories of the four Alden Children. Yes, they are cheesy, but if you want a blast from the past and a cute, easy read- check out the series. They are awesome!
Well, I wanted to read a book a week during 2011. I read three this week.
Ford County by John Grisham
Huge disappointment for me. I love John Grisham's novels- love them. I am obsessed with his stuff. Did not like this at all. Ford County is a series of short stories about life in Mississippi. I liked one of the eight short stories. I know a lot of people have liked the witty and often odd stories, but I was not a fan.
I am Nujood: 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali with Delphine Minoui.
Story of a young girl in Yemen who is married by her dad at age 10 and abused and molested by her husband. She is brave enough to ask for a divorce from the court when women are not supposed to speak out. This story is riveting and compelling. Her story pulls you in and you respect this young girl and everything she has gone through.
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
This book too was a huge disappointment. I read her historical fiction books about Valley Forge and loved them, so I was really looking forward to this, but it fell flat. I never related to the character or felt any connnection. It is the story of a young teenage girl who experiences an event which leaves her not speaking during her freshmen year of high school. She fails to connect with adults and her grades suffer. I know students love it, but it does not make my top ten.
Last weekend, LJ and I made our first attempt at dehydrating apples. My brother Kody had to sell fruit for his baseball team, so we ended up with 20 pounds of apples. We decided to dehydrate some. We borrowed by Grandma Bonnie's dehydrator and apple coreing machine. The peeling and coreing machine is one of the coolest little gadgets I have ever used. I want one. The whole process was fast to prep, slow on the dehydrating. We didn't use quite enough lemon juice, so the apples turned a little brown, but they are good and in the freezer. We still have more to do and that is the project for this weekend. Success in another domestic area- only a million more to go!
It happens each January. People resolve to change their life, do this and that. I make resolutions each year, and I do manage to accomplish them once in awhile. This year, I am writing my resolutions down, sticking them to my bathroom medicine cabinet, and checking in on myself each week. I won't give you all of my resolutions here, but I will note five of them. 1) Maintain my current weight loss by working out 5 days a week and running a second half marathon. 2) Start writing in my journal again at least twice a week3) Read a book each week4) Attend the temple once a month5) Go on a date with my husband once a monthBest wishes to all of you for a great 2011.
