Joy's Blog

• Jun. 4, 2009
A Day With My Pets

I am TRYING to give Roxy a bath.

I think I am putting shampoo on her.

Now I am drying her.
Yeah that's the very first thing she does... everytime!

Miss Kitty, I am not going to try to give you a bath.
I know what's going to happen!

My bunny, Thumper.

Isn't he adorable?

Nate's rabbit, Spike.

He was being a little jumpy.

Snickers is such a good boy!!!

Yes, I shave my horses.

My favorite picture... I don't know why but it's my favorite.

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• May. 27, 2009
4-H Public Presentation

I am about to start my 4-H Public Presentation on
"Why Would You Want to Join Horse 4-H".

I just finished setting up for my presentation. There were two
judges judging my presentation. They were extremely kind to me!
Because they gave me a lot of great and helpful advice after I had finished.
They also gave a blue ribbon! That means I can move on to the next "level",
which is the county fair!

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• May. 20, 2009
May 2009 4-H Qualifying Horse Show

That's the judge on the far left and ring steward next to her.
She was a very helpful and friendly judge. This was either
reinsmanship or pleasure driving class.

We are looking GOOD!!!

This is the precision driving course set up in the arena.
Can you see all the cones and poles?

Precision Obstacle Course: We have to memorize and follow
a specific driving pattern or be disqualified. Here we are
carefully driving so the right cart wheel goes between two
poles on the ground.

I am backing into a "box", that is part of my precision pattern.

Here we are in the "box".

I just completed my pattern, that was my last class.

See Snickers' tongue? He's eating a chocolate sundae.

That's ice cream on his lips. Horses can
safely eat chocolate.

Driving back to the horse trailer and here comes a car.

Three grand champions: One in Showmanship,
one in reinsmanship, one in pleasure driving
and the highest ribbon given in the
precision driving class was our blue ribbon.

Me and my handsome baby!!!

Yes, I did all that by myself!

I'm a horse waitress and Snickers needs a drink
of water.

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• May. 7, 2009
Vacationing at Birch Bay

Hello everyone. My family and I just got back from our vacation. We went to Birch Bay for three days, we were supposed to stay for nine days. You see the reason we didn't stay that long is because we wanted to be home with our friends and doing other fun things. I am very happy that I am back. I will be posting pictures that my mom took really soon.

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• Apr. 28, 2009
Trip to Seattle Children's Theatre, for the Play "A Tale of Two Cities"

Welcome to Seattle!

Safeco Field!!

Seattle is full of tall skyscrapers.

WOW! The buildings are tall in Seattle!

Look, a school bus from "Republic" parked outside the theatre.

More BIG buildings!!

The Space Needle and a church steeple.

A poster about the play inside Seattle Children's
Theatre.
In front of the theatre at Seattle Center.

We are standing in front of the banner about the
play. The play "A Tale of Two Cities" was excellent!!
I read the first book before I went to the play, and they did
a wonderful job on following the book.

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• Apr. 21, 2009
The Horses Have Their Hooves Done

I have to hold Ima's tail back so that she doesn't hit the shoer.
It really hurts when her tail hits you!!!

The shoer is filing Ima's hooves.

Look, at all of the tools the shoer uses to trim
and shoe the horses' hooves.

Doesn't Ima's hoof look beautiful?!

This is where all his tools go.

Time to trim and shoe the front hooves.

This is the forage. It makes the shoe red hot, so that the
shoer can hammer them into the shape he needs.

The shoer is hammering the now flexible shoes into the
shape he needs.

Then he places the still some what hot shoe
on the horse's hoof. After that he nails the shoe
on the horse's hoof.

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• Apr. 15, 2009
Lesson 8 Too Many Pics?

Character: Rollo and N8

Setting: Swimming in a clear pool of water.

"Today is the perfect day to go swimming!! The sun is shining so the water will be warm!" exclaimed Rollo to himself.

Rollo was floating peacefully on the surface of the clear, fresh water that flowed from the 15 foot waterfall. When suddenly, a wave larger than the waterfall, consumed Rollo. All Rollo knew was, his paw was stuck and he was running out of air! He glanced up and saw N8 wadding in the pool, which was the cause of the giant sudden wave. N8 saw Rollo's limp, furry body in the water, he reached down and picked up the helpless hamster and carried him safely to the sandy shore.

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• Apr. 7, 2009
Freeze! Lesson 7, Reach For The Stars!

Before: It rained all week during our camping trip.

After: The weather was perfect for a summer camping trip. It was a scorching 86 degrees outside and there wasn't a cloud in sight. The sun was shining bright and the birds were singing their sweet songs. Everything was bright and cheery! We picked a beautiful spot to put our camp site, it over looked the quiet little stream only a few yards away. The next morning, everyone woke up and found that the quiet little stream had grown over night into a rushing river! It was so close to our camp site that within an hour we would have been washed away! The rain was pouring down so hard the tents collapsed before we could take them down! The rain washed away our summer camping trip .

Before: Katie saw a scary sea creature at the aquarium.

After: Katie was excited to go on a school field trip to an aquarium, she had always wanted to go to one. Katie saw so many amazing sea creatures. She saw slimy jellyfish, slinky eels, adorable baby turtles, shiny oyster shells and tons of other adorable and maybe not so adorable creatures. The least adorable sea creature Katie saw was the hammer head shark. The scariest thing about it was all of those sharp, pointy, white teeth!! They just stared at you as if they were saying, "Come any closer and you will become my dinner!"

Before: As I entered the cave, I found the object of my search---the lost treasure of the Ancients.

After: As I wearily entered the rugged mouth of an old cave, a bright ray of sun shone on something shiny. It immediately caught my attention. As I neared the shiny object and as my eyes adjusted to the dimness of the cave. I realized that I had found what I had been searching for, for the last seven years. The lost treasure chest of the Ancients full of gold medallions and sold gold coins!!! The worth of the treasure was unfathomable! I stood in a daze at first, because I was so overwhelmed. All kinds of feelings were rushing through me and my mind was full of so many wonderful thoughts. I could just picture all the grand things I could do with the lost treasure that I had just discovered.

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• Apr. 2, 2009
Reach For The Stars Lesson 6

My bedroom is the perfect size for me and all my stuff, 12 x 13 feet. The ceiling is painted light blue and so is the top half of the walls and light green is painted on the bottom half. There is wallpaper of running horses between the light blue and the light green on the wall. The carpet is a short, brownish-tan color.

   On the left side of my room there is an antique dresser and my brass bed. To the left of my bed there is a small, wooden bookshelf it has two wooden shelves. Next to the bookshelf you will see my BIG window. The view through the window is of our garden.

After the window, there stands a tall white, wooden bookshelf full of books, blue and white figurines and all the ribbons I have won through showing my horses in 4-H. Standing next to that bookshelf there is another bookshelf, this one is also white but it's smaller and plastic. On the left of that bookshelf there is another light tan dresser. I call that dresser my "craft dresser" because it is full of all my arts and crafts (most of them are not finished).

Next is my closet, with its double doors that fold in half when they are opened. My closet holds all my clothes and stuffed animals. Last but not least, there is another antique dresser with a mirror. It's my favorite piece of furniture because it's big and it has a mirror! It's actually pretty fancy in design too!!

(I will be posting a picture of my room soon.)

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• Mar. 20, 2009
Happy First Day of Spring Everyone!

Happy First Day of Spring Everyone!

How was everyone's first day of spring? My first day of spring was more like any other day of winter!!

It was raining then it started to POUR!! I wasn't able to go outside or anything. I hope everyone else had a great first day of spring.

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• Mar. 2, 2009
The Light Across the River

The Light Across the River

By Stephanie Reed

Published by, Kregel Publications

Johnny Rankin and his family have a secret that not many people should know about. Johnny has a hard time keeping secrets, because of that his father has not let him help with the "family business".

On a freezing winter night, a slave arrived at the Rankin's house, in her weary arms she held her baby named Mose. The slave, Eliza, had runaway from her master's plantation and was trying to runaway to freedom. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin, and some of the older children of the Rankin family, woke up to help this poor slave and her baby. The Rankin's are used to having "unexpected guests" come to their house in the middle of the night. So it wasn't unusual to wake up and find a slave or two in their kitchen.

After a little while, Mr. Rankin went up to Johnny's room and told Johnny to go down to the kitchen. Johnny was half a wake when he saw Eliza and her baby sitting by the warm fire. At first he thought it was his mother holding her youngest child but, as he got closer he realized that he was looking at a real, live slave!

Will Johnny ever be able to help with his "family business"? Can Johnny keep it a secret? In order to find out you must read the book like I did. I highly recommend The Light Across the River. The Light Across the River is very exciting and full of adventures. Stephanie Reed did a great job with the historical facts. While I was reading this book I didn't even realize I was also learning about the Underground Railroad and the history of real families helping actual slaves to freedom!

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• Feb. 4, 2009
4-H Fundraiser for Barn Fire Victims and Explosion Extravaganza, Seattle Center

Fundraiser For Barn Fire Victims

I helped raise money for the barn
fire victims, by singing and dancing.
Watch the clip Q13 Fox News made.

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• Jan. 26, 2009
Wallpaper Border in My Room

Do you think the wall paper is off just a little?

Is my brother weird or is it just me? I just noticed

how short I am compared to my weird brother!

Yeah,we have finally finished my wall paper in my room!

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• Jan. 19, 2009
Comparing Jennie's Mandan Bowl to The Eagle Feather Prize

Comparing

Jennie's Mandan Bowl

The Eagle Feather Prize

Jennie's Mandan Bowl

By, Lyla Hoffine

Illustrated by, Larry Toschik

Published by, Longmans, Green and CO.,Toronto

The Eagle Feather Prize

By, Lyla Hoffine

Illustrated by, Earl Lonsbury

Published by, David McKay Company

In both of Lyla Hoffine's books, Lyla Hoffine had Jennie Youngbear and Billy Youngbear's Grandma talk and teach them about the Mandan Indian "old ways". They Youngbear children went to school and that is where they were taught more modern ways or "new ways". Both the Youngbear children were being taught the "old ways and new ways" of the Mandan Indians and Americans.

Jennie's Mandan Bowl is about a young Mandan Indian girl, named Jennie Youngbear. Jennie struggled with wanting to be an American not an Indian girl, Jennie was embarrassed because she was an Indian. She also was having a difficult time standing up in front of people and speaking. Her school teacher told her to make Mandan bowls with her Grandma over the summer. Then, when school started again in the fall, Jennie can try to stand up in front of her classmates and talk about her summer. Jennie didn't want to do any of it, one, because Jennie wanted to forget she was an Indian and two, Jennie was afraid to talk in front of her classmates.

The Eagle Feather Prize is about Billy Youngbear, Jennie's younger brother, a Mandan Indian who has always dreamed of owning his own Appaloosa. He dreamed of using his pony for roping cattle. But Billy's dad had a different idea. Mr. Youngbear also had a dream, his dream was to own a cattle ranch with Billy. Billy didn't know how to tell his dad he didn't want to raise Hereford cows. Billy often talked to his Grandma about his problem. Grandma Youngbear told Billy of the Mandan "old ways". Billy liked the old stories and old ways. He was proud he was a Mandan Indian. Grandma Youngbear told Billy if he worked hard she would give him the honor of owning an eagle feather as a prize.

Jennie and Billy are both dealing with the transition from "old ways to new ways". Jennie was ashamed that she was a Mandan Indian, but on the other hand Billy was prouder than ever that he was Mandan Indian. They both had to face some challenges but they got through them by using the advice from their Grandma and others. Or you could say both children used advice from the "old ways and new ways".

Jennie's Mandan Bowl and The Eagle Feather Prize are very good books. They talk a lot about the history of the Mandan Indians. The Eagle Feather Prize is a continuation of Jennie's Mandan Bowl but, The Eagle Feather Prize is not about Jennie, it is about Billy. I enjoyed Lyla Hoffine's books, it is interesting how things have changed since then. I recommend these books to anyone and everyone. Not everyone will love them but most will enjoy and like them! I know I did.

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• Dec. 15, 2008
My Homemake Apple Pie. YUMMY!

My dad bought apples so I decided to make apple pie.

My mom told me how to make the edges look pretty; last
time I made a pie I didn't make the edges look pretty.Okay, now I am going to bake it.

Tada! The final product, it looks so good!

I think it looks like mountains with snow. My mom says it looks
like a crab with two eyes and its claws are in the sand. I agree!
I took all of these pictures except the one with me in it.

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• Dec. 11, 2008
Christmas Parade Dress Rehearsal and the Parade!

My mom and I are going to be in a Christmas parade.

Look, our new unfinished house is behind us!

I think we look festive enough to be in the parade.

So does Ima!

Don't we look festive!?

I think Ima likes her new outfit!

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way.
Oh, what fun is it to ride in a one horse open sleigh!

We are practicing to make sure decorations stay on when we move.

My mom and Ima are ready to be in the parade!

We are getting ready the night of the parade.

Still getting ready. There are lights on the cart.

Too cute! Too cute! The camera flash makes
the horses close their eyes.

Do our horses look like they like this?
My dad and N8 are our designated poo scoopers.
Let's see, where am I? Oh, I found myself. Ha ha!
Look behind Snickers for my little face.

Our poo scoopers. Go poo scoopers!

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• Dec. 10, 2008
My One Horse Open Sleigh, Snickers!

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• Dec. 5, 2008
Gas Prices Drop Below Two Dollars

Wow! Look at that, gas prices have dropped. They are now
below two dollars! It's a miracle, and gas prices are dropping
even more. The last I saw was $1.67. Man, that's "cheap"!

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• Nov. 25, 2008
Fall Nature Walk

I am walking with my
two walking buddies.

Make that three walking
buddies.

Does this look like a
postcard or what?

Just beautiful! This one is my favorite.

One BIG leaf among many
small leaves.

Gathering leaves for grandma.

In the fall, it's the best
time for pictures.

Who put that leaf there?

It is a wooly caterpillar.

Follow the leaf filled road!
We are taking care of our caterpillar.

It's another postcard!

The fall leaves are beautiful!

Look! There are some horses!

This picture looks like
a postcard too! ?

The fall colors are stunning!

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• Nov. 19, 2008
Reach For The Stars! Before And After Your Turn! Lesson 6

Before: When the bee stung Nate it hurt!

After: When the wasp flew by and stung Nate's arm Nate shrieked at the top of his lungs! He quickly grabbed a fern and vigorously rubbed the fern juice on his red, throbbing wasp sting. When the wasp sting finally stopped throbbing, Nate turned and said angrily,"I am going to hunt that wasp down and destroy him and his nest!"

More Practice

Character: Oreo Emotion: Happy

Oreo ran though the kitchen,"Today is the day some of my friends and I are going to the Giant Waterfall!" she exclaimed happily. Then Oreo twirled around the dinner table. Her eyes sparkled with happiness and she leaped for joy!

Character: Rollo Emotion: Sad

Rollo sat on the floor hanging his head trying to keep his tears from gushing out. He tried to hide but everywhere he went all his friends were scurrying around trying to get ready to go to the Giant Waterfall. Rollo started to sob, then he couldn't hold back the tears any longer, he let them gush out like the Giant Waterfall!

Character: Pepper Emotion: Hungry

With all the excitement, about going to the Giant Waterfall, it made Pepper a little hungry. Pepper went into the kitchen, he sniffing all the cupboards, the refrigerator and the pantry trying to figure out what he wanted to eat. His stomach started to rumble and ache his mouth was watering, then he finally decided he will eat the next thing he sees.

Character: Nate Emotion: Angry

Nate was getting ready for his once a year shower, when a whole army of hamsters poked their little heads out from under the bathroom rug. Nate was so furious! "You little pests better get out of here before I destroy your little village, like I did last year! GET OUT, NOW!" Yelled Nate.

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