ODE TO DIET COKE

Diet Coke, Diet Coke. . . how I love you so
You make me oh-so-happy when I am feeling low
‘round 8AM each morning, as I’m still shaking off the sleep
Out of my office and down the hall, every morn I creep

Cold and waiting to be opened , to quell my caffeine jones
In the fridge - my special stash that is mine and mine alone
When the can is gone my eyes can open all the way
Just my little ritual to begin the day

A little caffeine jolt the silver Diet Coke is packing
Just don’t buy the gold can because the caffeine’s lacking
The gold just lacks that rush that I need to start my day
If offered one I’ll shake my head and turn and walk away

I like the kind with lime but the cherry kind, no thanks
You can keep that kind all for yourself - towards the bottom's where that ranks
I like Diet Coke - - not Pepsi - - I spot the difference right off the bat
I think Diet Pepsi lacks that something special and to me it just tastes flat

I was never one for coffee, and although I do like tea
My morning Diet Coke is by far the drink for me
So if you’re craving some caffeine to get your morning started
Don’t sit there dozing at your desk and feeling all downhearted
Grab the lil’ gem in the silver can that helps get you on your way
And then you can be just like me with your Diet Coke each day.

YEAH TOAST!

I remember as a child, looking so forward to Christmas break - - - having two weeks off from school was a treat in itself, let alone knowing that I would be able to sleep in, as well as that I would have lots of new toys to play with once Christmas morning came. Aleita is looking forward to something slightly different.

This morning, as Chris was getting Aleita dressed, she asked her customary question, "Can I have toast for breakfast?" to which Chris gave his customary answer, "On Saturday you can, but this morning, you can have Cheerios or oatmeal." Aleita loves having toast for breakfast, but she takes too long to eat it. She savors each and every bite, which doesn't work well on a time-crunched weekday morning. Therefore, toast consumption for her part must be limited to weekends. However, Chris then added, "You know what though? Next week, we'll be on vacation, then you can have toast every morning for breakfast if you want to."

You would have thought that someone had just told the kid she was going to Disneyworld. Her eyes lit up and she ran (half clothed) around her bedroom yelling, "I get toast EVERYDAY next week! Hooray!" She was so excited, she even had to come in the bathroom to tell me. Yes, Christmas vacation means different things to different people. To Aleita, the best part may just be toast with strawberry jelly on her plate every morning.

IN HONOR OF ALEITA, SOME OF THE LYRICS FROM HEYWOOD BANKS'S SONG, "I LIKE TOAST"

all around the country coast to coast,
people always say what do you like most,
I don't wanna brag i don't wanna boast,
I always tell 'em I like toast.
yeah TOAST yeah TOAST

i get up in the mornin' bout six AM,
have a little jelly have a little jam,
take a piece of bread put it in the slot,
push down the lever and the wires gets hot,
i get toast.
yeah TOAST yeah TOAST

now there's no secret to toasting perfection,
there's a dial on the side and you make your selection,
push to the dark or the light and then,
if it pops too soon press down again,
make toast.
yeah TOAST yeah TOAST