Only in the Dever house can we accomplish three tank catastrophes in one weekend.

There separate fish/turtle tanks demolished. No less than 10 gallons of water on the floor. All in one room. Joyously there were no fatalities other than the tanks themselves.

You have to hear this story. If you are friend or family and you know Rose you will really get a laugh.

Rose, being the independent child she is. Yes, I know she gets that from me... could not wait to move the Beta. The beta she has kept happily in a 1 gallon tank for the last 2 years.

There is a jar in her school office that has a beta with a live plant in it. I think the call it a lily garden tank.

Sometime Friday Rose decided she would move her Beta to a vase like that. They are really pretty. The round glass really makes the fish look great.

Fast forward...
beta out of tank...
New 10 gallon tank(for turtle, this was planned) on floor half full of water ...
Me "Rose you can't fill the vase with all tap water. We don't have the tank safe stuff. You will kill him with the chlorine. Get some water from the pond and only use a quarter of tap water"
Rose" ok"
about 45 minutes pass
Rose, hysterically crying " It broke! It slipped out of my hands! I didn't mean too! ......."
Me "what broke?", I had forgotten about the move beta was making.
Rose " It broke! It slipped out of my hands! I didn't mean too! ......."
Me "WHAT BROKE?"
Rose " It broke! It slipped out of my hands! I didn't mean too! ......."
Me, getting upset, dropping a stack of books ( knee deep in a major clean out of the attic and bonus room) " WHAT BROKE ROSE?"
Rose " the Vase, I dropped it."
Me" Its ok he can go back in the tank"
Me, walking in to her room to find that both the vase and the tank are broken "what happened?"
Rose " I was trying to use the turtle tank water to fill the vase and it slipped out of my hands"

Needless to say she was holding the vase over the turtle tank when she dropped it so the vase dropped into the turtle tank shattering the bottom and allowing all the turtle water to soak into the carpet.
Rose's carpet had a nice spot with glass and fish rocks, and water. to wet to vacuum. so it sat there last night with another small tank weighting down a stack of towels.

tank 1 and 2 total loss

Today,

Loud thud,
Shouting...
Rose"it's your fault, you made me drop it!"
Savannah, half laughing, "I didn't even touch you"
Rose"you were in my way"
Savannah"no I wasn't"
slamming door and thumping down the stairs...
Rose, wet hair, shirt and jeans, red mad face" Savannah made me drop the other one!"
Me"What? The new one? "
Rose" yes!"
Me"You are kidding?"
Rose, very mad, "no"

I go up to the room and Savannah meets me on the stairs laughing. This making Rose madder. "Mom Rose dropped the new bowl and the water exploded all up over her!" Laughing more.

Rose dropped the bowl she had just bought at the fish store, it hit the floor and all the water shot straight up into her face. The bowl survived!  However the water is on the carpet in a different part of the room than the water yesterday. This was clean water thankfully. And again Beta escaped by sunning in the window while his house was going places.

Tank 3 survived!

Well, I guess my rest break is over. Just felt the need to share. I still have to get ready for my classes this week. Cleaning the carpet will be a must this week also. This purging my house of the stuff we have accumulated over the last few years feels great. I can see the light at the end of this very long tunnel. I haven't gotten to Brittany's things yet. I know I will and I know it will be hard. But I know we will get through it. It might take a while, memories are hard to escape when you look at her things. But the good memories outnumber the bad. I am working on keeping it that way too!

Hope you are enjoying warmer weather as we are. Even rainy, at least its warm.

Peace and Light
Amy

I feel have neglected my thoughts.  
It is hard to believe it has been a year since my last post. 
The last year has been good for the most part.

I guess I am getting better at pushing those sad moments from my  days.
They are there, but I am choosing to keep the happy memories with me daily. I try to combat the masses of darkness by surrounding them with the light. The memories that make me smile or chuckle silently. Sometimes I even share and we all laugh. 
I think that is important too . Share the happy memories too. Maybe that has helped  our friends and neighbors are be more comfortable sharing their memories with us. It really helps my heart to know they haven't forgotten. They do think about her too.

 We celebrated Bitsy's 21st birthday with our family of friends. Friends that have been there more than family. Our family is so spread out we have made our own family here close to us. And they have been a wonderful support system. Always there to listen, no words needed. There to cry with us and not be afraid to let it show. 

Don't we all wish there were magic words. Words of wisdom that would instantly stop the pain, for ourselves or for others.
 There are no magic words. Nothing really dulls the pain. It does get easier. But the pain is always there, waiting like a vulture. Waiting to attack when it senses weakness, when you least expect it.

With the New Year come hopes, plans, and dreams of doing things the way we feel we "should". Things we think will make our life easier or happier.  Things that will change our daily routine to make us healthier. Eat less, exercise more, have more patience, keep my house cleaner and accumulate less clutter. 
All of these things are nice . All of these things might make every day a bit less stressful for most. 

This year I will write more, It really feels good to my heart. I will cherish my family even more. I will share the love and joy I find in every day with all that I can. I will show more compassion and help my girls be more compassionate too.  I will pay it forward and do those random kind things. I will help more total strangers in their struggles. I will show those around me that love is all around us if we open our eyes.
Yes my resolutions include the typical,  more Yoga,  more exercise,  eat healthier,  cook healthier,  less clutter,  save more$$,  more organization...
The list could go on and on...
But when you commit to make these changes remember our family and remember life is a gift to be cherished, not taken for granted. 
Consider your choices. How will the effect those around me? How will they make the life of someone besides mine better? Does this say to those around me what I want it to? Am I being truly compassionate in this? 

The shooting at Sandy Hook breaks everyones heart. The pain of losing a child is like no other. My heart goes out to all those families.  Let that encourage you to make the positive changes in your life today. 
I believe most people are truly good at heart. Maybe I am naive, but thats what I believe. I also know it is much harder to do the right thing. It is much easier to follow the crowd. Most of us at one time or another have witnessed something we could have dramatically changed the outcome of with just a few words.  Don't take the easy road and follow the crowd, or look the other way.  Be the one that changes things. Stand up for what is right.
Once you stand up for the weaker one once you will do it again. And hopefully they will have a chance to stand up for someone too. Helping others is the closest thing to magic words or wisdom for pain. Reach out to help those around you and your heart heals bit by bit. 
 All I ask is that you think about it.
 Is this your last chance?


4 years ago today you beat the beast called Slivia(aka cancer). You escaped it's terribly painful clutches. 

You were set free.
Free to discover all the wonders we here bound to Earth cannot even begin to understand. 

The Earth is a much darker, bleaker place without your beautiful soul.

We know you are better and happy you no longer have to struggle for each and every moment. We know you are here with us and will not forget. Our hearts struggle with the dark sorrow each and everyday. Oh, for one more hug or kiss. Just to hear your voice...

Rest in peace sweet Angel Bitsy

Peace and Light to you all,
Amy