Nothing Like a Good Book

I’ve always loved to read. From the time I learned, I was constantly obsessed with books. I remember in first grade, we had boxes with books to check out. Each box contained a different reading level and we were required to check out books at certain points during the year. I was always so excited to take books from the highest reading level. I loved it. When my brothers were little, I loved it when they’d bring me books and ask me to read to them. At one point, I would record books to tape with my little tape player for my brother to listen to and follow along with while I was at school. During the summers, it was always a challenge for my mom to get my nose out of a book. She would beg me to go outside and play. So I’d take my book outside. I’d lay on a blanket in the yard, or I’d sit on the swing set and read. And I loved it.

I grew up going to the library and I thought borrowing books was the best thing ever. Getting my library card was a great day in my world. I remember holding that piece of plastic like it was magic…and to me, it practically was. I could check out ten books at a time with that card! I had a little book tote that I would go and fill up every couple weeks. I was always having to narrow my choices down because I was always over the limit.

When I was about 11 years old, my cousin, Leslie, gave me one of the greatest gifts ever. There was an old used bookstore in town and they would buy and sell used books. She had been trading in “teen” books and had built up a credit, but was really too old for the books and decided to pass the store credit on to me. If I remember correctly, it was in the $25 range…but it was absolute gold to me! That store became a haven for me. My mom would drop me off and I would spend hours in that little converted house. Each time I went, I would find little treasures. I remember collecting just about every single Sweet Valley Twins and Babysitter’s Club book ever written.

I still love to curl up with a good book! I don’t read as much as I wish I did, mostly because it takes time. There’s just something about escaping to a different world for a bit.

All that, to really say that I’m not really sure what I think about the new Kindle. It has come up several times during conversations the last few days. And I just really don't know what I think. I mean, I guess I get the concept. But I’m not completely sold on the idea. There’s something about reading off a small screen that I don’t think I’d be fond of...even if I can make the font smaller or larger. I’d just rather have the words off the page of a book. There's just something to be said for a good used book! I guess I probably had the same thoughts when MP3 players were first introduced. Actually, no, I’m pretty sure I thought that idea was amazing. I’m just not sure the Kindle can offer me much, except provide more room in my carry on when I’m traveling. What do you guys think? Can you see me curled up on the couch, or laying on the beach with a Kindle? I just think it's probably not for me.

It's a Boy!

Me and Domino at our first meeting at the pet store

Well, I have to say that it's kind of a shock when you find out that your girl bunny is a boy.

My first thought when I found out that Domino was not a girl, "Do you think he's pissed at me for making him wear that pink collar?" I guess the good thing is, he's just a rabbit, so he doesn't really know.

Okay, okay, call me a horrible owner, but it's really hard to tell the sex of a rabbit! When I got Domino, the guy at the pet store said the breeder was 90% sure they were all girls. So, I just figured the breeder would know best. I'd done my research before ever getting a rabbit, and everything I read said that it's really hard to tell and on most bunnies, you can't tell until they are between 4-6 months old. The changes were slow, but definitely noticable. I could tell her behavior was the behavior was a lot more aggressive and territorial. She started biting at my legs and acting crazy. So I did a lot of research on how to accurately tell the sex. It's not easy...especially rabbits with lots of fur. there were several weeks where I would try to hold her down to see if I could see her bunny parts. No such luck. One night, my friend Emily was over here we were talking about how we really needed to get to the bottom of this and figure it out. So, I held Domino and she tried to search. We had our answer...Emily jumped back and screamed, "Those are definitely HER balls!"

So, even though I was questioning the fact that "she" was probably a "he," it definitely was a lot to get used to.

So, okay, I had a really agressive boy bunny...what do I do with him now? Get him fixed. Yes, I said fixed...like a dog...or cat. I know, it sounds ridiculous, right?

As if that's not ridiculous enough, I had to call around to different vets.

"Hello, Such and Such Animal Clinic."

"Hi, do you neuter rabbits?"

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Neuter rabbits?"

"Um...no, sorry. Maybe try Dr. So and So."

"Hi, Dr. So and So's office."

"I'm looking for a vet that can neuter a rabbit."

"Oh, yes. We do that here."

"Great, can you tell me a little about it."

"Sure."

(This is when she procedes to actually describe to me in full anatomical detail what neutering actually is.)

Needless to say, it was an adventure.

But I did find a great place that was relatively cheap in comparison. They were very nice over the phone and in person. They explained everything and even called a few days after the surgery to make sure Domino was doing well. And they also clipped his nails. And they didn't look at me funny for bringing him in in a pink carrier. (Although the lady checking in beside me did look at me funny when she found out I had a pet rabbit.)

So, it's been almost two weeks since Domino's surgery and he's doing great! He's not nearly as aggressive as he was. He's a lot more chill and a lot more cuddly and fun to be around. Although he continues to eat my baseboards. But I love that silly rabbit...what can I say?