Junk Food, Fun, and Funking Off

I admit it. I've been in a huge funk for the last couple of months. It's probably been apparent in my lack of blogging and my general malaise or seriousness in most of what I write. There used to be a time when I made an annoying pun with practically every sentence. I used to flirt with just about everyone I met, regardless of their gender, age, or availability. I used to laugh at stupid stuff, enjoy silliness, make up games for everything, and fill my house with cheesy decorations for every occasion.

I figure today is a good day to really snap out of the funk, because today is the day we celebrate my brother, Chris. He would have been 49 today. One of Chris' best traits is that he was "fun." I can't ever remember him being in a bad mood. He was known for how laid-back he was... nothing could ruffle his feathers. He died in a car accident at the age of 35, but in that short life he lived more than most of us ever will. Always full of energy, he was up for anything. On both his birthday (today) and the day he died (May 30... Memorial Day!), we celebrate with memories and traditions.

One of the traditions on "Uncle Chris Day" is to eat junk food. When Chris visited, he would fill my pantry with unhealthy snacks so he'd have stuff to munch on. I used to bug him about this as I had to ward off my own children from food that was off-limits to them. But now on September 28th (OK...maybe on a few other occassions, too) we don't worry about eating the "healthy" thing, but enjoy steak or pizza and Hostess HoHos in Chris' memory. We remember to savor sweet tastes, soak in the sunshine, and smile at strangers.

So, today is a day to "Funk Off!" (How's that for the annoying pun?) I will get back to my regular blogging and overuse of exclamation marks! I will resume inappropriate flirtations with everyone I meet! I will fill my house with witches that cackle, skeletons that glow, and ghosts that drive everyone crazy with their screams... but only after filling up on junk food!

My heart has been so heavy with sadness. But today I remember how Chris never brought us down with sadness. Of course, if he'd been alive to experience his death, we would have seen how chipper he would have been! But, we all knew he would have figured out a way to keep his humor, even in the face of death. He actually had a hearse that he'd made into a "party car" with a massive stereo system and a vanity plate that said DOA. It was center stage at his memorial service, blasting rock & roll music, as we all danced and remembered what life was all about.

Accolades for Craig

I've blogged about my friend, Craig Dunham, a few times. You know the guy. The amazing one who, even though he has ALS, still goes through each day with a smile on his face. Well, he turned 50 the other day!

I'd written him a poem. Actually, this was a special kind of poem called an "acrostic" where the first letter of each line spells out what the poem is about. I'd shown Craig the poem when I first wrote it a few months ago and he loved it and said he'd love to have it on his headstone, but it would cost a fortune to carve in stone.

Well, I don't like to think about headstones, but I was glad Craig liked the poem that much. I decided I'd much rather give it to him on a plaque than on a headstone in celebration of his 50th birthday!

After searching the internet, I found just the site for making custom plaques and awards: Accolade Designs. It was very easy to write my poem and format it just the way I wanted, with the first letter of each line in a larger scripted font. I ordered the plaque and it arrived in just a few days and looks beautiful!

As a bonus, I was told that if I blogged about it, I'd get a $5 discount. Me? Blog? No problem there! Not only am I happy to pass along information about a product that's beautiful, I get to show off another one of my poems! This one for my wonderful friend, Craig:

CRAIG DUNHAM

Craig Dunham is my good friend's name
Rogue and rascal just the same
ALS strikes hard but doesn't win
Instead he finds his strength within
God truly can be seen with him

Does he ever curse his fate?
Utter words of blame or hate?
No. My friend does none of these
His heart is free from this disease
Always faithful to Him above
My friend, forever you'll have my love

Hallelujah for Dad

It started when you were just a boy
Your devilish grin the girls found coy
I bet you broke some hearts before we knew you
But then you really found romance
From the girl you met at that college dance
And when she smiled your heart sang Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Married now with a brood of four
No family could ever want for more
Our love for you was more than I can tell you
You challenged us to do our best
Our life with you was truly blessed
It's a warm and it's a lovely Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Proud and strong, you never cried
Until the day our brother died
Behind closed doors, it broke my heart to hear you
You wore for us a firm, brave face
And consoled us all with your embrace
And in your arms we all cried Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

When sickness struck despite the pain
Not for a moment did you complain
The cancer seeping, deeper and deeper through you
You smiled from your wheeled chair
You wrote a book of dreams you shared
And from your lips you still prayed Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I know there is a God above
Who’s filled our lives with joy and love
And now we feel sure that He is with you
No longer will you feel pain
The son you lost, you’ve found again
It's a warm and it's a joyous Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Help a Girl With Cerebral Palsy Win an iPad

A wonderful teacher friend of mine, Lis Young, is trying to win an iPad for a little girl in her class that has cerebral palsy. If she can get enough votes for her gym in this contest, she will win the iPad.

It takes just a few minutes and the e-mail will be sent to you right away for your confirmation vote.

You to send elisabethyoung2002@yahoo.com a copy of the verification vote page that you will get in an e-mail.

She needs to turn it into to by this Thursday, Sept. 16th.

Here are the steps:

go to
http://www.kmgh.cityvoter.com/
click on (a *list ABC 7) Denver Colorado 2010 or (2010 Denver's 7 A List)
Scroll down to Contest Categories
Select health and fitness from that menu
Then scroll down to gym
Then select Genesis Fitness (Listed in alphabetical order)
You'll see a yellow Cast Vote button, click on that, but you really haven't casted your vote
Now enter your e-mail, confirm your e-mail, and make up a password
scroll down and click the blue area that says register and vote.
Now go open up your e-mail account, the one you just registered.
Look in your (in Box) 7 News should have immediately sent you an e-mail to verify your vote.
Open up the e-mail and select the link they gave you to REALLY cast your vote.
Wait for the next page to load. It should say "Your account is confirmed."

Lis needs a copy of that page) Just cut and paste and send to her e-mail: elisabethyoung2002@yahoo.com

Lis told me: "The little girl's computer fried up in the room two weeks ago. Her mom works three jobs and takes care of two handicapped kids and is swamped.This girl needs the I-pad to do her work and to communicate in the room."

As of this morning, Genesis Fitness was in 9th place in this vote. We need to get it up to first in order for this little girl to get the iPad, so help me spread the word. Please retweet and send to your networks!

PS. SHE WON!!