Sorry to interrupt the Clyde love, but I just had to interject . . .
In the spirit of Jared's "Super Salad" story, I was making Ethan a sandwich and asked him "Ham or Turkey?" and he gave me that four-year-old inquisitive look and asked "Mom, what's Hammer Turkey?" I believe he was rather excited at the possibility of eating something involving a hammer.
On a similar thread, we've been watching a video of Discovery Channel's "Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe" that I picked up at the library. Ethan is fascinated. So much so that tonight as the missionaries were leaving after dinner he says "Mom, can I watch that dirty movie before bed?"
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
Clyde's Top 10
10. Out of 40 roommates in my single years, my parents were the by far the best: they expected the best of me without breathing down my neck. They treated me like an adult and loved me like a child . . . not to mention no rent and a full fridge.
10a. Leaving the house for work at least twice a week to find Dad out there just finishing up a wash and detail of my car.
9. Although he was nearly always right, I don't recall any "I told you so's" when I made a poor choice.
8. He helped me fix the first mailbox I hit.
8a. He flew to Florida to help me fix the last mailbox I hit.
7. He put up with me learning to play the violin (or was that just his hearing loss?)
6. Taught me the value of a comparison list. My husband makes fun of my "Clyde Lists" I still create--a spreadsheet with all the items and details for comparison.
6a. He taught me never to take myself too seriously (didn't last year's top ten lists spawn the hairdo pics?)
5. He never (well rarely) complained about my dinner concoctions--even if there just wasn't enough meat. He'd just brown up his own hamburger and pour it on his own.
4. Always the epitome of efficiency he would send "Dad Letters" while we were away at college. "Dear Brandon/Ryan/Jennifer/Justin" and your name would be highlighted along with any portions that applied just (or mostly) to you. He even wrote a letter to my roommate telling her to stop sitting in front of the open oven and put on a sweater for heavens sake.
3. He encouraged me to follow my dreams--even when that meant a degree in theatre.
2. He is relentlessly fair-minded. When I was unmarried at 24, he offered to write out a check equivalent to the cost of a wedding if at any point I decided I was unlikely to marry, or would rather just take the cash.
1. He just wants his kids to be happy, even at his own expense or at the risk of inserting his foot in mouth. When I was wedding dress shopping, I was disappointed to learn that the dress I returned to purchase had been sold. The only other contender looked great but was ridiculously expensive. He said to me "I'll buy you the expensive dress--we just don't want you to be ugly on your wedding day."
1a. Taught me the value of saving money (sometimes by good example sometimes by bad). I still remember Dad saying to me "If I'd realized at 25 the peace of mind of having half a year's salary in savings, I'd have done it years sooner and suffered less." It is thanks to Dad's teachings that I am fairly young, out of debt, have a relatively sizable savings account for a rainy day and have a great sense of inner peace.
I love you Dad. I could go on and on, but I suppose I should save some for next year.
10a. Leaving the house for work at least twice a week to find Dad out there just finishing up a wash and detail of my car.
9. Although he was nearly always right, I don't recall any "I told you so's" when I made a poor choice.
8. He helped me fix the first mailbox I hit.
8a. He flew to Florida to help me fix the last mailbox I hit.
7. He put up with me learning to play the violin (or was that just his hearing loss?)
6. Taught me the value of a comparison list. My husband makes fun of my "Clyde Lists" I still create--a spreadsheet with all the items and details for comparison.
6a. He taught me never to take myself too seriously (didn't last year's top ten lists spawn the hairdo pics?)
5. He never (well rarely) complained about my dinner concoctions--even if there just wasn't enough meat. He'd just brown up his own hamburger and pour it on his own.
4. Always the epitome of efficiency he would send "Dad Letters" while we were away at college. "Dear Brandon/Ryan/Jennifer/Justin" and your name would be highlighted along with any portions that applied just (or mostly) to you. He even wrote a letter to my roommate telling her to stop sitting in front of the open oven and put on a sweater for heavens sake.
3. He encouraged me to follow my dreams--even when that meant a degree in theatre.
2. He is relentlessly fair-minded. When I was unmarried at 24, he offered to write out a check equivalent to the cost of a wedding if at any point I decided I was unlikely to marry, or would rather just take the cash.
1. He just wants his kids to be happy, even at his own expense or at the risk of inserting his foot in mouth. When I was wedding dress shopping, I was disappointed to learn that the dress I returned to purchase had been sold. The only other contender looked great but was ridiculously expensive. He said to me "I'll buy you the expensive dress--we just don't want you to be ugly on your wedding day."
1a. Taught me the value of saving money (sometimes by good example sometimes by bad). I still remember Dad saying to me "If I'd realized at 25 the peace of mind of having half a year's salary in savings, I'd have done it years sooner and suffered less." It is thanks to Dad's teachings that I am fairly young, out of debt, have a relatively sizable savings account for a rainy day and have a great sense of inner peace.
I love you Dad. I could go on and on, but I suppose I should save some for next year.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
10 Reasons Why Clyde is Cool
Ok, it was Dad's birthday yesterday and here is my new and improved list of Top Ten reasons why "Clyde is Cool" (a la David Letterman, didn't we do this last year?)
10. Growing up our Dad Clyde would regularly tip over a glass of water at the dinner table and the irony of life is that I have inherited this skill
9. Whenever Clyde forgets something you can always tell because about 5 to 10 minutes after you've left your previous place of destination he will snap his finger and that is our signal to ask "ok Dad, what did you forget?" I've inherited this practice as well
8. Clyde is a very prepared guy, especially when it comes to informational binders and preparing lessons or talks. I have received and created a few "Clyde Binders" and "Clyde Lessons/Talks" in my short 28 years of life. In fact I still have many binders and lessons/talks he gave me.
7. Clyde is a skilled lawn technician, and if you have ever seen a nicer lawn than Dad has maintained, it is probably taken care of by at least 10 or more illegal immigrants to attain the high standard of quality of Clyde the perfect lawn technician
6. Clyde has no middle name or initial. He's a simple guy on the surface, but behind that simple and to the point name, there are layers of complexity, skill and depth of character
5. Clyde is a died in the wool go-getter of a salesman although he has mellowed in recent years.
4. Of all the traits I inherited from Clyde, I think the craving for cookies is probably my least favorite.
3. Our Dad is a unique guy and he has taught us all that you don't really need to be rich to feel like a high roller, e.g. you can buy life vests and water skis and gear, even if you don't own a boat. You can keep your car perfectly vacuumed and clean and "protect your investment" whether you drive a lexus or a hyundai.
2. I'll never forget one Christmas when I was quite young and I was very distressed that I might not get a sega game system, but thanks to Clyde and his connections with folks at the North Pole, he could almost 100% guarantee me that I would get the gift I sought.
1. And last but not least, Clyde is a great example of a faithful and loving husband and father and in general he is a "good soldier" type of church member, faithfully performing his duties without needing any praise and without ever slackening his stride, and I think this is one of main reasons all us guys in the family have turned out so well, because we all look up to and admire the one, the only "The Clyde"...happy birthday Dad!
Love,
Jared, Holly and Isabella
10. Growing up our Dad Clyde would regularly tip over a glass of water at the dinner table and the irony of life is that I have inherited this skill
9. Whenever Clyde forgets something you can always tell because about 5 to 10 minutes after you've left your previous place of destination he will snap his finger and that is our signal to ask "ok Dad, what did you forget?" I've inherited this practice as well
8. Clyde is a very prepared guy, especially when it comes to informational binders and preparing lessons or talks. I have received and created a few "Clyde Binders" and "Clyde Lessons/Talks" in my short 28 years of life. In fact I still have many binders and lessons/talks he gave me.
7. Clyde is a skilled lawn technician, and if you have ever seen a nicer lawn than Dad has maintained, it is probably taken care of by at least 10 or more illegal immigrants to attain the high standard of quality of Clyde the perfect lawn technician
6. Clyde has no middle name or initial. He's a simple guy on the surface, but behind that simple and to the point name, there are layers of complexity, skill and depth of character
5. Clyde is a died in the wool go-getter of a salesman although he has mellowed in recent years.
4. Of all the traits I inherited from Clyde, I think the craving for cookies is probably my least favorite.
3. Our Dad is a unique guy and he has taught us all that you don't really need to be rich to feel like a high roller, e.g. you can buy life vests and water skis and gear, even if you don't own a boat. You can keep your car perfectly vacuumed and clean and "protect your investment" whether you drive a lexus or a hyundai.
2. I'll never forget one Christmas when I was quite young and I was very distressed that I might not get a sega game system, but thanks to Clyde and his connections with folks at the North Pole, he could almost 100% guarantee me that I would get the gift I sought.
1. And last but not least, Clyde is a great example of a faithful and loving husband and father and in general he is a "good soldier" type of church member, faithfully performing his duties without needing any praise and without ever slackening his stride, and I think this is one of main reasons all us guys in the family have turned out so well, because we all look up to and admire the one, the only "The Clyde"...happy birthday Dad!
Love,
Jared, Holly and Isabella
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