My good friend Sally of Whispering Hope is giving $100 towards a skateboard in memory of her grandson, Ben, who died a year ago.  Go over to her blog and leave a comment if you know of a young person who wants a skateboard either for Christmas or in general. She will announce the winner later in the week. 

Rest in peace, Ben.

Brian Edward Sweeney was one of the brave and selfless firefighters to respond to the horror at the World Trade Center on the fateful day, September 11, 2001.  He worked for the Rescue 1 Unit of Manhattan and was with Squad 288.  He was 1 of 11 men lost to Rescue 1 and 1 of 19 men lost to Squad 288.  Brian was 29 years old and from Merrick, New York. 

Brian was a son of a firefighter and according to his mother, there was never a question about Brian following in his father's (Edward Sweeney) footsteps.  Brian studied rescue for years and when he was assigned to Rescue 1 Manhattan, it was a dream come true.  Source, Legacy.com.

Brian's family postponed a memorial service for him because they prayed his body would be found.  They scheduled a memorial for November 27 but time was running out because they still hadn't found Brian's body.  However, on November 26, his family was notified that they discovered a body but were not sure if it was Brian or not.  Not having time to wait for DNA tests, they relied on identifying Brian's distinctive tattoos to confirm that the body was in fact, Brian.  As I read the story on Brian's Fund Website,  I knew that God and Brian had a hand in finding his body in time for the memorial, to have a proper burial and give some closure to his family and loved ones.

Although losing Brian was a tragedy, he served his country with honor by giving his life so others might live.  He was and still is an true hero as he lives on in many hearts. 

Thank you, Brian and my heart goes out to your family and all who loved you.  Rest in peace.

The past week, I've been dealing with an unrelenting case of the stomach flu and feeling like shit (besides the usual stuff I deal with every day) so I haven't been as helpful with my dad as I'd like to be but Mom has kept me informed of how he has been doing.  She told me he's a lot more confused at times and that she's worried about him.  I guess it didn't sink in how bad it was until I saw it first hand.

Yesterday afternoon, Mom needed to run a couple of errands and Dad wanted to stay home and watch one of his favorite shows, M*A*S*H and take a nap.  She left around 3:45 and Dad knew to call me if he needed anything.  He called me about 5pm and asked me, "What channel is M*A*S*H on?"  I told him and then he asked me how he changed the channel and after I told him to use the remote, he asked, "Do I have to enter the area code first?"  I responded, "No, just the channel.  Do you want me to come up and fix it for you?"  Then I heard static and knew he'd messed up the TV/Satellite somehow so I directly went upstairs.

I found him in his recliner, the TV turned off, and him trying to dial the phone with the receiver on the hook.  He said, "The remote doesn't do any good so I'm trying the phone."  I really wanted to laugh it off because that always makes him feel better but I couldn't bring myself to.  It hit me how bad he's been and I felt so guitly to not have been there more for him and Mom.  I know I'm sick and I don't want to get them sick too but I just hate it when my body won't let me what I need to do.

After I sorted the TV out, he wanted to watch M*A*S*H but he was worried about being able to watch the news at 5:30 so I told him I'd sort it out for him and autoprogram the satellite to change channels automatically.  You would have thought I hung the moon by the look on Dad's face. 

I mentioned it all to Mom when she got home and she said that's about par for the course and we disucussed some medication changes.  His neurologist gave her permission to increase one of his Parkinson's meds if needed but she hated to because they make him so sleepy and then it's difficult for him to function at all.  I mentioned that I think he needs an increase in the cognitive medication but we'll have to wait to talk to the doc on Sept 21. Which is another thing that makes me angry because he had an appointment six weeks ago and they had to move the appointment to then.  Don't get me started on that - despite Dad really needing to get in.  Grrr.

Then last night while talking to my sister Susie, I told her about the experience with Dad and I had a meltdown. It felt good to get it off my chest but I'm still struggling with it and I can't help but feel horrible for Mom and what she's going through. 

I pray today is a better and brighter day - just for Mom and Dad's sake because they deserves the best and to be happy.  Hopefully we'll find something to laugh about.

Thanks to my friend Miss Vickie, I'm addicted to a game on Facebook called FarmVille... well, I can blame Vickie for getting me started but many other friends have kept me addicted to it.  It's such a fun game and one that I don't have to use any brain power to play.  I visit other people's farms and I get points for that then I plant, harvest, and sell crops for more points. 

Last night my sister Susie called me to see what I was up to.  I didn't say much but the horses neighing, the cows mooing, the chickens clucking and the sheep baaing gave me away.  Actually, she first thought I was on some strange website (well, OK, Facebook technically isn't really strange) or watching something odd on TV.  I started to giggle and told her I was on my farm and it was then that she said, "You are such a goofball." 

I take it as a compliment.  Really.

Onto other things... I haven't been up to much else other than trying to keep my sanity while dealing with chronic pain and fatigue.  I spent the day with my friend Linda Tuesday and although we didn't do much other than watch videos after her doctor appointment, we were both spent by 4pm.  We had a lovely day though and being there for Linda helps me because it's getting my mind off of my misbehaving body. 

Linda is doing well recovering from the double mastectomy and she'll start chemotherapy on September 3.  They're starting off with what's called the Red Devil; named that because it's wicked.  She's incredibly brave but know she's going to need all the support she can get. 

Today she's meeting with a lady from the American Cancer Society and I'm going to tag along to be her extra set of ears and to support her.  It's such an honor, really, to be there for her. 

Living in Utah is interesting, to say the least.  One never knows what to expect and when something bad happens, it could be happening next door and you don't even know it.  I don't mean to bash Utah or all Utahans because I do love it here, but there are some complete morons living here. 

As I listened to the news this evening, a story came on that caught my attention.  Here's the link:

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

If you're unable to see the video, here is the text:

FARMINGTON -- A Farmington man is in Davis County Jail after police and FBI agents searched his home Tuesday night and found two pipe bombs. The arrest followed an investigation by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force and Farmington detectives.

An FBI spokesman said anyone who constructed a bomb was a danger to themselves and the public, but the neighbors of Brandon Easter, who lives in a Farmington house near 860 South and 50 East, said he is not the type of guy who would intentionally hurt anyone.

Neighbor Carla Eskelsen said, "I've never seen him be anything but gentle, friendly and helpful here."

Brandon EasterNeighbors who know the 33-year-old Easter said his bomb-making activities were unintended.

A neighbor who did not want to be identified told KSL News, "You know, it's kind of like a hobby, but it's a bad hobby."

Easter was arrested Tuesday night after FBI agents were notified that he had been constructing an explosive device in his garage.

FBI Special Agent Juan Becerra said, "It was an arrest that took place very quickly, without any type of incident."

Two pipe bombs were found in the house; one fully constructed and another Easter was currently working on. That didn't surprise a neighbor who has seen gun tinkering with other bombs before.

She said, "He just throws them down the street to see if they go off, if they don't go off."

Neighbors say Easter has lived in the neighborhood for about five years and has had a tough time lately with his recent divorce. Carla Eskelsen said he's been a little bit confused lately but not aggressive. She said, "I know he's getting therapy, and hopefully he will work out what's bothering him, but that might not have to do with the reason he made bombs."

Regardless of his reasons, whether it's a hobby or not, the FBI said making a pipe bomb is against the law. They were happy to have caught him before someone got hurt.

Becerra said, "The FBI sees any individual who would construct an explosive device not only as a danger to himself, but to the public. So, we take these things quite seriously."

The FBI says official charges will be filed in Federal court later this week.

OK, pipe bombs are scary but what scared me more was what the neighbor (who didn't want to be identified) said, "You know, it's kind of like a hobby, but it's a bad hobby."  Seriously?  No wonder she didn't want to be identified.  Her face made the news though, so if I ever run into her, I'd be happy to tell her what a complete and utter moron she is.  Ya think it's a bad hobby?  Seriously?!  She actually watches him throw the bombs down the street to see if they go off and has never reported it?  WTF?!  She's as responsible for the bomb as the maker, in my opinion. 

According to CNN Money, Farmington, Utah is 14th in the top 100 places to live.  It is a nice place but when things like this happen, it makes one wonder what's happening in my neighbor's garage or what type of people see things like this and don't report it to keep people from dying.