Burrr

I think our thermometer says it all...

.... or maybe it doesn't because I should explain that although it really was -22 degrees out (actually -23 just a minute before I took this photo), the 36 degrees inside temp is a little deceiving because the thermometer sits on my kitchen windowsill where it is apparently much colder than the rest of the house!

Aunt Sarah

I can't believe it has been 8 years since you passed away. It feels like yesterday that I was talking to you in your living room. Me in the recliner, you on the couch. Just talking and listening. Giving me advice but mostly just listening to me. Do you remember?

You were a gift from God to so many people, I guess you must know that now. I am just so thankful that I was one of them. You changed my life. I still miss you so much that I can't stand it but I feel better when I pray to you. I know you are listenting. I can still hear your voice, your laugh, and that family sense of humor. Uncle Brent could get you going for sure. I appreciate your love for your children so much more now that I have my own.

Did you know that I wrote a poem for you the day after you died? Seemed to help ease the pain. Could you ask God why you had to be so damn special anyhow? If you weren't I wouldn't miss you so terribly. Thankful and glad though. And mostly it is so comforting that I will see you again someday and that you can breathe.


Aunt Sarah

You were given three miracles
He cooks, he cleans, he takes care of you
Then the second, you saw her to college
she was all that you asked for
and more
Then the third, you became his number one fan
he was all that you asked for
and more
cough

Are those your chicken legs?
They look good on you
As you sit devoured by pillows
You listen and you listen well
You offer Diet Pepsi and pretzels
It is not you who gets up
It is your first miracle
Your flannel pjs make you look comfy
Looks can be deceiving
cough cough

Do you still like turtles?
Cough

It is a sunny day
And you are hidden among the pines
The ocean looks good
but the pool looks better
you scoot on over
it’s blue, it has a horn, and it takes you where you want to go
You hurt but you swim
cough cough cough

Is that a salt shaker in your purse?
Cough

You ride in a big SUV
They say they can take you anywhere
But we take pictures
we wave
from the places you will never go
cough cough

Flowers to room 369 please
It is your room
It is your wing
They love you there
We love you here
Among the children
You are cared for
cough

The holidays make you tired
You got tired before the holidays
But you came home to see the tree
It was your last
You are everyone’s favorite
but we let go
only because we know
as an angel you breathe
breathe
breathe
without pain
You cough no more

By: Amy Cathrine Clark
Date: January 10, 2001


Sarah Jane Sites

March 28, 1951 - January 9, 2001

Chuck the Beaver

Kaiden loves to sing and I am really not sure where he gets his love because Ian and I are not musical (although Ian loves to listen to music) and we are certainly not lyrical. But Kaiden has this fascination with singing. It ranges from hard rock, to soft love songs, and now… even holiday music.

Oh, and his preferred method is to sing his own material. Here is his latest creation which I have to blog about because it is a fun story.

CHUCK THE BEAVER by Kaiden Clark, December 2008

Chuck, Chuck, the Beaver
I’m Chuck, Chuck, the beaver.
I’m good for chewing down trees
Slapping and making a house for you and me
But when Santa asks me to pull his sleigh
Who never goes up up and away?
Me. Chuck the Beaver.
Who?
Me. Chuck the Beaver.

I’m good for chewing down trees
Slapping and making a house for you and me
But when Santa asks me to pull his sleigh
Who never goes up up and away?
Me. Chuck the Beaver.
Who?
Me. Chuck the Beaver.

When Christmas comes it is the time where I am not good for flying away with the reindeer
I’m good for chewing down trees
Slapping and making a house for you and me
But when Santa asks me to pull his sleigh
Who never goes up up and away?
Me. Chuck the Beaver.
Who?
Me. Chuck the Beaver.

It’s always been the same on Christmas Eve
I never fly through the sky with the reindeer
But some magic happened and now when Santa asks me to pull his sleigh
Who goes up up and away?
Me. Chuck the Beaver.
Who?
Me. Chuck the Beaver.

There are other versions some of which last what sometimes seems like forever but they always have the same chorus and somehow at the end the beaver gets to fly. I actually catch myself singing this song throughout the day: who never goes up up and away? Me. Chuck the Beaver

I wonder what's next!?

2 year old logic

It is funny how humans think... especially two year olds.

Kael said the funniest thing... he wanted dessert last night after dinner but he hadn't finished his meal so I said he had to eat his nutrition before he could have some of his Christmas candy.

Kael: "Why mumma?"
Me: "Because the nutrition will help you grow."
Kael: "Candy cane is tall and it help me grow."

This just had me laughing so hard. Interesting logic. :-)

2009 Resolution!

I wonder how many people blog about their New Year’s resolution???? Probably millions. Well, count me in. First I should blog about my successful 2008 resolution which was to not drink soda. Zero. I went from a heavy addict, maybe drinking 4 – 8 cans of it a day to nothing. The main source… diet Mt. Dew. Most people would say yuck but I love it. Note I didn’t say “loved” it.

So look to the future… 2009. And what will my resolution be? Well it is the proverbial “lose weight” resolution. I figure if I can give soda up for a year I can do anything! So my resolution is to lose 40 pounds this year. I may even blog about it. Probably not on this blog because I really don’t feel like sharing my ups and downs with the people I know, not sure why I care. It’s not like my family and friends don’t know I am overweight! Funny how that is. I guess it is just embarrassment.

But I will say, if any of my family or friends want to join me in my resolution, I would love the support.

Happy New Years everyone and let me know what your resolution is!