Fable and The Silver Siren And The Mystery Book

Hi, its been a while since I have last posted. School is keeping me really busy along with other stuff.

     Anyways, Fable by Chanda Hahn came out a little while ago! I read it within less than a day after it came out. It was sooooo amazing. Fable is a part of the Unfortunate Fairy Tales Series. Enchanted is the 1st book in that series and Fairest is the 2nd.
     I have also been waiting for The Silver Siren (the third book in the Iron Butterfly Series) to come out. I have read both the Iron Butterfly and Steele Wolf and have completely loved them.
     Heres the link to Chanda Hahn's blogspot, you should check it out:
 http://chandahahn.blogspot.com/
     I really love all of Chanda's books and I can't wait for more to come out. I'm so excited!


The Mystery Book -
Okay, so there is this book I read a really long time ago and its been bugging me for the past couple of days. I want to find it again, but I can't remember it really well and I don't know what the title was or who the author is. I can remember certain scenes in the book but not all of it. I think it might have been a series and maybe the other books weren't out then or maybe it was just a single book. I'll describe some of the things that I remember, maybe you can help me figure out what it was called. (Some of it's not in order)
The synopsis said something about:
Life was normal until the day she  raised a dead raven(or maybe it was a crow) back to life.

The main character worked in a bookstore owned by her uncle I think. And the other main character was their newly hired assistant, that was really part of some organization against the bad guys and was supposed to keep and eye on her (I think, maybe). All of a sudden one day crows(or ravens) start falling out of the sky and dying. When her uncle sees them crashing into the store window he freaks out and hides the girl in like the basement or something. I think the uncle said something about every so many years they come to collect people or something (I'm not exactly sure, some of the stuff I might be mixing up with another book). The uncle knew more about either her powers or what the ravens were for. Anyways, a bird gets down the chimney in the basement and dies. She touches it and it comes back to life and flies out before they can catch it. That's when they discover she has powers. The bad guys had sent the birds in to look for her (someone that can bring dead things to life). When they saw the bird fly up they knew some one with powers existed (I think they called them a special name). The uncle hides her in a secret space before the bad guys come and burn the store down. I think the uncle gets captured. 
   There's another part I remember were she tries to get on this train thing (and there is a bunch of other people on it, I think it was the people the bad guys took, including her uncle). She gets caught, but the other kid saves her and at one point he lit off a bunch of fireworks. The train takes them to a giant city and I think the capture people are sold off as servants. 
   There's also a part were she is standing in this weird circle on the floor of an abandoned library, and she does something with her powers, anyways the building gets destroyed. (that's towards the end I think)
   The other kids brother or cousin or something used to be the servant for one of the bad guys (the bad guys knows who the kid is and hates him, I think for something with his brother). 
    She also at some point discovers others (I'm not sure if they had powers like her or were just against the bad guys, I think they might have been part of the organization the 2nd character was from) and some of them don't like her and they live underground or something. The bad guys take her from there and kill someone while they are at it. 
   There's also something where she can hear shades whispering to her and is supposed to/wants to help them or trys to at least and they help her at some point. There is some weird circle symbol that she is supposed to use to help them and her. 
    She also goes down this big hole to an ancient, extremely large, underground library to find some special book. Down there she finds they are using her uncle and others to find the book and her uncle knows something about where it is.
   The bad guys also capture her again and perform tests on her trying to figure out all that she can do, at one point I think they dunk her in a tank of water. She gets free though, I think the other character or his brother helps her. 

I don't remember how it ends though. There are parts I can remember really well and it plays like a scene in my head, but others are kind of fuzzy and I don't remember them very well. I'm not sure if you can even understand the above stuff, but if you recognize the book (or series) I'm talking about then please leave a comment.



- Willey  =)

AQHA World

http://www.equinechronicle.com/

Hey! I just came back from the AQHA World Show. (AQHYA > American Quarter Horse Youth Association). My sister and a friend of mine showed in the youth reining. She didn't make it to finals, but had a really amazing run. In the beginning the judges were scoring really high, awful horses got 68's and 70's. (A 70 is supposed to be perfect.) But towards the end of the day the scores dropped even though the horses got better. Unfortunately my sister and my friend had later draws. So it was really unfair. The judges should have stayed constant in their scoring. Both would have made finals if they had.

Also they kept watering the arena and it got wet and sticky, which makes stopping good hard. They were trying to keep it fair, as the officials said; but they weren't. The ground wasn't drying very much and they just kept watering it every 8 horses.

But other than that and it being extremely hot, I had a lot of fun. I met some really nice people and made some more friends. And I got some really cool new shirts. The only good thing about the heat is there were hardly any flies and it wasn't humid. If it would have been that humid and hot, I probably would have just melted into a puddle on the ground. haha

- Willey  =)

Swimming Pools & Kayaking

      So we were supposed to have our new swimming pool up several weeks ago, but we ran into a lot of problems. #1 problem causing thing was that it is a used pool and we weren't setting it up band new. But anyways, I think it's finally going to stay up this time and we are in the process of filling it which takes forever. Yay!

Since I wrote this post and didn't get to publish it right away, I have a new update about the pool.
      So apparently you are never supposed to take them down and sell them to someone else. Our liner shrunk and after talking to some people, we learned we were just gonna have to buy a new one. So we ordered one and I think the box that was on the deck was the new liner. But I'm not sure because it could have just been the old liner's box. Anyways I hope we can get it up soon. It's too late to use it much this summer, but it will be ready for next year. 


      Also we recently got a one person kayak and I got to try it out on the lake. It was soooo much fun!! and I can't wait until I can use it again. I am pretty good at controlling it, but every now and then for some reason the back end swings around and I'll almost dump myself if I'm not careful. It's gonna be something that I'll get better at as I practice and use it more. I'm gonna try to convince Dad to let me try it in the pool, if it ever gets put up. I wanna try tipping it over and getting out; and getting back in it when I can't touch the bottom very well.

http://atlantiswatersports.com/page_id=193.htm

This is just a random kayak, so you can see what it looks like. Mine is even blue too!! But not as pretty of a blue as this one. Mine is a dark blue (with a cool name on the side, but I forgot what it was)










- Willey  =)

State!!

So we just got done with the Nebraska State Horse Show (and it is either not the same time as the state fair or it's in a different location, could be both)
I got all blue ribbons (which is good but I wish I had purples), and I feel I did good with not having enough practice.

The Events I showed in and how I did

Trial - blue
I didn't even know I was in trail, so when we got there it was kind of a surprise. The judges scored hard and I only made some small mistakes; and even though I didn't get a purple, I'm really proud of Harry and myself.  I did good for only a few hours to practice before the class. I also didn't really expect it to be perfect either because we have never really done trail at a hard level. It was pretty fun, too!

Horsemanship - blue
The judges scored pretty hard and only gave out two purples to my class. I kinda wish I would have done some stuff a little differently (even though I don't know what, maybe have slowed myself and Harry a bit more during the pattern). At the third cone in the pattern we were supposed to break down from loping on the left lead to a trot and then pick up the right lead and lope straight (aka a simple lead change). Harry got a little nervous and didn't break down right away so we were late. That cost us the purple. Plus he was kinda naughty on the rail. I guess I'll have to watch that for next year.

Pleasure - blue
Out of my class only to got purples and made it to finals, so it was another hard judge.
Harry and I did pretty good, except right in the beginning. We had to enter at a trot and I should have started further back from the gate. But I didn't. My fault. He was kind of fast when he entered, and then got stuck on the rail boxed in a bit and broke gate for a sec. It was only a small second, but the judge saw it. The rest of the time he did good. Especially the lope. His trot needs worked on though, and that is something I will have to prepare for next year.

Reining - blue
This I am kind of mad and disappointed about. It wasn't exactly my fault, but I should have noticed this during practice and been working on it. Toby has been calming down the last two shows, so I was really excited and happy. He's getting better! The pattern started out pretty good. A little wobble in the first set of spins, but no problem. He was relaxed and everything was alright till the lead change. For some reason he would absolutely would not change right to left. So for two whole circles he was on the wrong lead (switching the front back and forth my sister said), that took us out of  the purples and final. The rest of the pattern was okay though and he only got a little bit excited for the run downs.
     The lead change cost me 8 points, so if he would have changed I would have had a 65 (a 70 being perfect). Normally this isn't a great score (it's okay, but... ), but I heard from other riders that the judge was scoring super low. The girl that won the senior division had a 64 1/2 and thought that was high compared to the others. (My sister accidentally over spun during trials, so that was an automatic DQ).

 Even though this is (probably) my only and last year on Toby and in the Juniors division and I didn't win anything, I'm still happy about it. If Toby is actually staring to relax in shows and do better, than I'm happy with what I have. Plus, maybe my sister will change her mind in a few years and I'll get to ride Toby again!!  

- Willey  =)

Reining Show

This weekend I went to a reining show. I did pretty good. I mean I didn't win anything, but Toby was much calmer and I was more in control of him. (It would have helped if I had remembered to shorten my reins.) A 70 is a perfect score. The first day I got a 65 and the second I think I had around a 64. So I obviously didn't kick everyone's butt.  =) but we improved a LOT. And I have a feeling that we will keep getting better, and win a few shows by the end of the year.

Also at the reining show we had a ton of tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings, but it all blew away and we were fine. But not before it gave us a pretty good scare that had us moving our trailer from under some trees at 12 at night.

Finals and other Random Stuff

Last week was finals week, and tomorrow is my first set of tests, so I've been really busy. Plus we have a show this weekend so I have to practice for that. Hope I do well with Toby. Two days ago we drained our old pool. We are getting a new one that's 10ft longer and 2ft wider, so its gonna be really awesome. I slipped and fell twice getting soaking wet before I just decided to play in the water in my jeans and good clothes. Oh well, everything will dry.
    
We have a lot of flowers to plant, including a plum tree, but for a while the weather was too cold to plant anything. It would be warm and then the next day freeze.

Here is an ADORABLE video of a little kitty and some iguanas >

2 more days and then schools out!!!! Yay!!!

The Unexpected Nightmare

Okay, so in English we had to pick this scene starter thing and finish it. Well, when I write I sometimes tend to get carried away.  Anyways the scene ended up into a very creepy short story. I think I did pretty good for only spending a little bit on it and for it being my first story. I know if I would have taken more time it could be better, but I hope you like it. With the help of my two friends and partners in the project, we ended up with this.....

P.S. please don't copy or steal my work
 -- Thanks,        Shay

The Unexpected Nightmare

***Oliver*** 

Jerry climbed into the car and Oliver pulled away from the Juvenile Detention Center. “Hey man, I’m so glad to be out of that miserable place that I almost love the sight of this ugly little car. Forgot you still had it.” Jerry says cheerfully. Oliver nodded but didn’t say anything. An uneasy silence fell over them and an awkward tension emanated from Oliver. He was silent and moody the whole drive home, thinking about what he would have to do. They reached their town, but Oliver drove past Jerry’s street.

“Wait, where are you going, man? My house is back there,” Jerry asks.

“I have to go see Raven for something first,” he replied slowly.

“Oh, yah. How is Raven by the way?” Jerry says offhandedly, like he had just remembered she still existed. Raven was his girlfriend, but Jerry had forgotten her! Oliver was outraged, but carefully kept it from showing.

He couldn’t form the words to reply for several minutes, but then choked out, “She’s dead. Raven’s dead. Kaci killed her.”

“What!” Jerry yells. The car swerves as Oliver flinches. Oliver quickly pulled into the church parking lot. They stumbled out of the car and raced into the church up to the coffin by the alter. Bruises surrounded Raven’s neck and tons of flowers lay beside her. Upon seeing her, Jerry collapsed to the floor moaning “No!” over and over again while tears rained down.

Oliver stayed back and watched silently, shaking with hidden anger. His eyes blurred from the tears rolling down his cheeks and dripping onto the carpet. He made up his mind; he knew what he had to do.

***Jerry***

Two months later...

To Jerry it felt like he had lost both of friends, not just one. Ever since they went to the church, Oliver had been detached and depressed, like he was just floating along. So when Oliver suggested a camping trip, Jerry quickly agreed and began packing right away. He hoped his friend was snapping out of it and moving on.

Jerry had been wanting to know what had happened, but Oliver wouldn’t talk about it. It had been an unusual surprise when Oliver told him he would explain everything before going silent again the rest of the way to the campgrounds.

The campsite was dark and deserted when they finally got there. They parked in a spot along the swift, murky river. Oliver offered to get out the tent and walked around the car to the trunk. Jerry turned to study the river when behind him, Oliver nonchalantly says, “It’s your fault, you know.”

“Huh? What’s my fault?” Jerry turns confused. Oliver has one hand on the trunk lid, while the other disappears inside.

Oliver’s head snaps up, his eyes glowing maliciously. “It’s your fault!” he screams, “Raven is dead because of you!”

“Come down, Oliver! What are you talking about? I didn’t do it! Kaci did it! They even convicted him for it, earlier you said so yourself!” Jerry backed away slowly, but he wasn’t paying attention and stepped out onto a ledge that jutted out over the river. Fear and dread shot through him, there was no escape. He was trapped. One quick glance told him he would never survive the fall into the furious river below.

Oliver slowly advanced with the axe that he had taken out of the trunk. “I loved her, but you got her killed! You didn’t deserve Raven!”

“You don’t want to do this, please! I don’t understand!” Jerry cried. He screamed for help several times, but knew it was no use. The camp was empty and no one was around for miles. Oliver didn’t waver; he just kept coming slowly but hauntingly closer.

“Yes, I do and I promised to explain it all, and I’ll even show you how you die.” Oliver whispered menacingly, “Kaci attacked you that day with the knife because you stole Raven from him. And the day, the day before you’re sentence was shortened, she confronted him. They fought because of you, and he killed her!” Oliver yelled, “I loved her, but you killed her; so now you’re going to pay!”

“No! Please no! I didn’t do anything!” Jerry pleaded and begged, tears running down his face; legs threatening to give way beneath him. His hands were in the air above him as if trying to ward off the impending blow. 

The last thing he saw was the axe being raised and then begin its downward descent.  

***Oliver***

Oliver finished chopping the body up and threw the pieces into the murky water beside him. He watched as the fish bit at the sinking flesh. Oliver washed his hands after changing into clean clothes and tossing the shredded, blood-stained ones into the rushing river.

He walked back to the car to start a fire and roast some marshmallows. The night calmed again and peace settled over the camp as the bugs’ resumed buzzing after the blood-curdling screams faded away.

***The End***