Here's Andrew and Jarrett's trees the other day. You can see their gravestone in the background right between them. That's cool.
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Wednesday, June 23, 2010 - Right now (8:21 a.m.), we're in the midst of a severe weather outbreak. We're supposed to have storms this morning -- then after they pass through, the temperature is going to rise up into the 90's -- and that will result in MORE severe weather later today. Oh boy! Can't wait for that.

As I was taking the garbage out this morning, I encountered a FROG in the garage. Anyone who knows me very well, knows how I feel about frogs -- they're just one step above mice on my phobia scale. haha BUT, this time, I just told him to get out the way, I've got work to do.

After I took the garbage out to the street, I left all the doors open in the garage, so he could go back to nature. He might have come in when I brought my flowering baskets into the garage last night so they could escape the wind and heavy downpours that were predicted. Oh, those didn't happen did they. This weather is bizarre. It actually feels like Florida these past few days.

I'd better go check the western horizon and see what's going on out there. See ya later, djb

Here's another view of the dark and scary western sky - Friday, June 18, 2010 at 3:27 p.m.
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Saturday, June 19, 2010 - I'm not sure if my camera actually has captured how dark and ominous this really looked. It was so creepy and foreboding. You just knew that nothing good could come out of this situation. At least, we didn't have any trees ripped out of the ground.

After the storm passed through, it kind of cleared up for a while BUT there was another system out in Iowa that came in at around 10 p.m. last night. That one was more rainy with lightning and thunder than the previous hurricane-force windy storm.

I'm not sure why we keep having these storms that are almost training across the upper part of the country but it can stop now. Down south, they NEED the rain and we NEED the sun. Let's switch this out for a few months. Hot and dry sounds good to all of us. However, we're supposed to have more storms tomorrow night and Monday and Tuesday....yikes!!!!

It's funny because everyone says that it's just like last summer except that it's warmer. We froze last year.... So, maybe next summer, it'll be hot and dry and we can actually swim in our pool every day. That would be sweet.

Must go pick up sticks. That'll be too much fun. later, djb

Here are Andrew and Jarrett's girly cousins. Actually, they're all first cousins, once removed. Lexi, Christa, KK, Kylie, Zegan, Jessica, Adelyn and Kylie holding Trax the cat that was found by the railroad tracks -- thus, the cute name.
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Thursday, June 17, 2010 - We went over to Chana on Sunday. Bev called early in the morning and invited us to come over for a get-together for Uncle Ted and Aunt Vada's 60th wedding anniversary. It was SO good to see everyone.

I haven't seen most of them for two years since I got the shingles and have been sickly and pitiful and in pain and mostly unable to travel very far. Now, with my new drops, I can at least spend a day away without any major repercussions.

The girls swam in the pool most of the afternoon. There was a quick rain shower for a while and some of us old people said, "hey, look out, you're going to get wet." haha very funny!

That's all for now folks. bye, djb

Here's a copy of the original photo that was in the Elburn Herald last Thursday (June 3, 2010).
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Tuesday, June 8, 2010 - Yesterday, I stopped at the Elburn Herald and bought this picture. It's easier to see what's going on and who is in the photo. Andrew is definitely holding a jump rope. And I remember those shoes he's wearing (and the shirt and those jeans...). It's so cute.

I have NO IDEA who anyone else is in this picture! But it really doesn't matter. As long as I can recognize my son in a photo that was taken 15 or 16 years ago, I've still GOT IT. haha bye,djb

This picture was in yesterday's "Then and Now" feature in the Elburn Herald. Circa 1994 or 1995.
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Friday, June 4, 2010 - Imagine my complete surprise and utter delight when I opened the second section of the Elburn Herald and saw ANDREW IN THIS PHOTO!!! He's the one wearing the White Sox shirt in the middle looking at the girl wearing the Kaneland Knights shirt.

They were participating in Jump Rope for Heart. You can see that he's actually holding a jump rope in his hand. I'm not sure who any of the other kids are. I called the paper to get the photo but they didn't have it on hand because it was at the production facility. I'm going to call again on Monday and see if I can get it. If not, at least I have this picture of the picture.

It's so cool to see one of my saintly boys in the paper. Never in a million years did I ever think I'd see their picture in the paper. How cool was that. later, djb

The light bulb in Jarrett's candle (on the right) went out the morning after I started putting the autologous serum drops in my right eye. I took that as a message from Jarrett - "Hey, mom. Hang in there!!"
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Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - Someone hasn't written on this blog in a long time. Not sure why because it's so EASY to write something, pop in a picture and publish it. It's probably because I haven't had much to say since I've been so focused on the minutiae of my life.

It is supposed to be a nice day today so I'll be able to go into the cemetery and FINALLY put those tree food stakes in the ground near Andrew and Jarrett's evergreen trees. Hopefully, by now, the baby robins have hatched and have moved on. What a surprise that was.

Time to go. see ya later, djb

Here's Jarrett's evergreen in the cemetery. At the top of the tree, you can see the red heart ornament that I put on at Christmas. Can't really see the "J" ornament.
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Thursday, May 6, 2010 - I'm ready to go to Wheaton, but I'm waiting for the traffic to be a little less berserk, plus the sun will be right in my eyes as I'm driving so I'll write this little blog and then I'll be on my way....

The interesting thing about all of this eye stuff is that everywhere I turn and all the places I happen to be, I'm getting messages from Jarrett. Yeah, I know, "I'm imagining things. I'm crazy." What's new there? haahaa

When I left the clinic last Wednesday, I saw a license plate right in front of me that read: J27 3333. J stands for Jarrett. 2 plus 7 equals 9 which is 3+3+3 -- Jarrett's death date. And the 3333 -- I guess that's added for emphasis so I don't miss his message. It did catch my eye!

Yesterday, when I walked up to the clinic, I saw a car with the license plate: J18 4302. And I immediately started adding the numbers: 1+8 = 9 and 4+3+2 = 9. Wow! To me that said Jarrett. When I left about an hour later, I was right behind that car as it drove out of the parking lot. Okay, so that was all I needed to see....but he wasn't finished with me!

As I was driving out of the post office yesterday afternoon, I got in line to turn left onto Hwy 47. The car in front of me was: J88 3204. Jarrett was born in 1988. Hello!! Of course, the other numbers also add up to 9. I had to laugh. Okay, Jarrett, I get the message. You're still there! You're going to help me. Thanks little buddy.

Since you can't be here to crack my back any more, I think this is way cool. It speaks volumes to me. He knows me. Bless his sweet little heart. okay, gotta go NOW. bye, djb