Love and Miss you my sweet sister

I couldn't sleep last night and ended up re-living the entire event of Annette's passing in my mind. I remember fifteen years ago going to church and learning that Princess Diana had been killed in a car accident. Then I went home and Dad Kramer called me on the phone to tell me Annette was gone. I remember Mark and I jumped in the car and went down there. I walked in the bedroom and Annette was on the bed, her mouth was still open and I remember thinking she would hate that she died with her mouth open. David was kneeling by her side, crying. Alice (her mom) was there. I know there were a couple other people in the room but I don't remember who they were.

I know I hugged the stuffin' out of Angie as I passed her in the hall. Jessica, however, did not like all the emotion and was basically in a state of shock and denial. I don't remember the twins even being there. I think they were at a neighbor's house.

Soon family started coming over and I remember sitting in the living room looking around hoping Annette would miraculously "appear" to me in spirit. But she didn't.

I flashed to when we dressed her at the mortuary. I can't remember who all was there. I remember Mom Kramer, Alice, Melanie (Annette's sister), and Angie. I remember Angie spraying Annette's perfume on her pulse points and thinking "she doesn't have pulse points sweetie.... "

I remember the funeral was packed and all I really remember about it was her mom spoke, and Mark spoke, and Dave and Dad Kramer played piano.
I remember going to the cemetary and that they would not lower her casket into the ground until everybody left. They said it was too hard on the family to see it lowered.

I know there had to be a luncheon after, but I don't remember that at all.

It's been fifteen years. FIFTEEN years. Yet I think of her often and miss her so much. I was cleaning out my closet last week and found the Woman's World magazine, newspaper article, and Cancer Annual Report book that she was featured in. I decided to make copies for Angie because I am positive she does not have them. So I will mail those out tomorrow.

Anyhow, fifteen years ago the world lost a princess (Diana), and heaven gained a princess (Annette). We were so close. Best friends. Besides my mom, I think Annette is the closest person to me that I have lost. It took me 18 months to come to terms with her death. I remember Susie telling me to "just get over it" and that she didn't like to talk to me anymore because I was such "a downer" and all I ever talked about was Annette.

That pretty much ended my relationship with Susie. LOL.

I have had a few special experiences with Annette since she passed.

I know I shall see her again. Someday.

Bonnie Raitt ROCKED Red Butte Gardens

 This picture was taken with my phone and unfortunately wasn't very good. But we were right down by the stage, about 5 rows back. Looks like more because of the yellow flowers/hedge in front of the stage, but really it was just 5 rows.

Mavis Staples, who is a blues singer for the past 60 years, came out first and she was AMAZING.

Then Bonnie came out and pretty much had everybody on their feet. It was pretty fun. But I started laughing during the middle of the concert and leaned over to Lisa and said "David would be laughing his butt off at all the old people here up dancing." Pretty much I would say 90 percent of the crowd was over the age of 45.  LOL.

I love the outdoor concerts at Red Butte. It's so fun. I wish I could afford to go to all of them.

For 62 years old, Bonnie sure looks good. And man can she play guitar! And that smoky voice of hers is just as good today as it was 20 years ago.

The only part of the adventure that was NOT fun was that I passed out. How embarassing.

Well, we had to stand in the 99 degree heat, and hot sun for almost two hours. I had a chair strapped to my back, and another on my shoulder. I hadn't eaten since 11am. And all of a sudden, I got sooooo dizzy and I knew I was going to pass out. I sat down in one of the chairs but it wasn't helping.

Lisa gave me a bottle of water. And right then, the line starts moving to go in. I could NOT get up out of the chair! Had to have three people pull me up. I started to walk, and got about 50 feet and my ears started buzzing, and everything was going black and I thought "UH OH" and then bam. I was down on the ground.

How embarassing. Some lady was asking if I needed 9-1-1 and I was like, "no, I'll be ok".  I stayed on the ground about 15 minutes, then I got up and made it inside the ampitheater. Sat on the sidewalk for awhile. Finally got hold of my friends on the phone to find out where they were and made it to them. Lisa pumped me full of water, crackers, cheese, and summer sausage. And then I felt a LOT better.

It was embarassing though. But at least I didn't hurt myself or break anything. I need to remember to eat before I go to those things.

The CHOKING GAME isn't funny

A story that has hit me close to home. Read about it.

My son David has participated in it. 

This letter from a police officer was very powerful.

Why do kids do this? And why does David not realize how BAD this is?  He says he did it in like 5th grade -- at his DAD's house with his friends.

I trust him not to be doing it anymore.

But then again he also just admitted to me that he was with friends and one of them put a RIFLE to David's chest and pulled the trigger to "be funny."

As a Mom, I am SICK inside thinking of what could happen to my son when he is out.

I have always had a bad feeling he would die young. I sure hope I'm wrong.

Sloth

 Ugh. I am guilty of one of the 7 deadly sins. SLOTHFULNESS. (I think that is what it's called).  I seriously haven't done anything lately.

Sat on my butt at home and watched all 6 seasons of LOST back to back. And yesterday I watched the entire season of Freaks and Geeks.

Why?
I dunno. Haven't felt like moving. Just wanted to sit and zone out. And then sleep and zone out some more.

I'm actually glad to be back at work today. TONS of stuff to do. I took Friday and Monday off so the work has piled up.

Looks like George will be sent to Kauai on or around Sept 10th. Not sure for how long. But he expects it will be a long time.

Anyhow, I am looking forward to COOLER weather. I am sick of these 90+ degree days. Day after day after day of sweltering heat. I like my temps in the 70's or low 80's. But this summer has rocked the red zone on the thermometer.

And my electric bill has been $300 a MONTH all summer which is absolutely unbelievable. And ridiculous.

Anyhow, that's my BMW for the day. I love Freaks and Geeks. I AM Lindsay. (or, I WAS, in my highschool days). Brings back memories.

Just a couple of thoughts for the day. I love the one by Desmond Tutu. And the other one... is just funny and true.

Flat Belly Diet

Finally taking the advice of my doctor and my physical therapists of the past and I am following a diet rich in MUFAs.

I was told after I had my endoscopy that my entire digestive tract was "inflamed".

I was told when I had physical therapy that my muscle and joints have inflammation.

I was told by my doctor that I would do well to eat an "anti-inflammatory" diet.

Well, ok. I am doing it. And I like it. I make a big pitcher of "Sassy Water" each night which is basically 9 cups or more of water, a whole cucumber sliced, a whole lemon sliced, mint leaves, and a teaspoon of fresh ginger. You let it steep overnight to flavor the water and then drain it and drink it. I like the taste very much!

This is a diet that is rich in healthy foods, and healthy fats. You eat 4 times a day (3 meals and a snack) and truth be told... I can't eat all the food! Now THAT's a great diet!! LOL.

Well, George is off in Hawaii until 2013 sometime. Not sure if he will get to come home at Christmas or not, we will see. Maybe I'll end up going over there. Anyhow, for now I am just taking each day and concentrating on improving my health.

Me and George eat out a LOT and I know that having him gone, I won't be doing that at all, so that will definitely help. LOL.  Weather will be cooling off soon, so I can do some walking. I'll get back into a routine.
It will be a positive thing even though every night when I climb into an empty bed it's a heart ache that brings on the tears. We sleep entwined all night long. It's hard to get used to being alone.

Ok. stop this flood of tears. No more. I'm going to get back to work. They have me taking over a lot of Marissa's duties, now that she quit, and hopefully my cheerful "Yes, I can do that", will earn me a big raise when we finally get to have one again. (crossing fingers).

Until then.... chin up.

Really strange dream

I had a terrible time sleeping last night. I probably slept only 3 hours.
But when I did sleep I had the weirdest dream! My mom came to me and held out a baby bib and told me it was for Michael and Bryttan.

Now what on earth does that mean?

I can tell ya what I think it could mean.... but I won't.

ha ha.   ;-)

Happy Birthday Michael.

 23 years ago I gave birth to a baby boy on 8-8-89 and he weighed 8 lbs, 8 oz.

23 years later he has grown up to be like 8 feet tall (well, close enough) and he has a sense of humor that I will never understand completely.

And he is totally into zombies.

So, since I have been in a weird mood lately, I decided to get him zombie stuff for his bday.

He might already have it. If so, oh well.

This doll is named "Dismember Me".  It was the NAME that really call my eye. LOL.

He is going to think I am totally off my rocker. But I have decided I want to give odd, weird, (but hopefully memorable) gifts. I gave Bryttan a "Bop It" for her bday.  I'm giving my dad handkerchiefs! Yes, he wants handkerchiefs! And I will make cookies too. And send pictures of his great-granddaughter.

George thinks I'm off my rocker. He saw the zombie stuff and he couldn't believe I got that. LOL.