How would you like to start 5th grade this morning? Well, our sweet Alyssa is starting 5th grade this year. She is very excited. I guess her Grandmother took her to school today. Yep, she is a big girl now, so no more Mom and Dad walking her in and giving her kisses and hugs. I will try to encourage her to add some comments here, I would love to hear how her day went. Make sure you give her a call or post a comment.

WE LOVE YOU ALYSSA

Hello everyone, thanks for dropping by. This BLOG is not only for Mesa Family, it is for Friends of the Mesa Family and extended members of the Mesa Family. I had to turn on moderating because I was getting SPAM on the blog. Most has been harmless advertising, but some trailer park person from Indiana used some profanity. What does this mean to you? I urge everyone to keep posting, but by having this turned on, it means your posts wont appear immediately, I will have to approve them. I am building an email database of all my family and friends. So when you post, please use your real Email address so I can add you to the list, and this way, your post will be published immediately. This will prevent SPAM from reaching my blog. I hope this does not impact anyone, it is always nice to hear from anyone in our extended family, that means friends too!

So consider this a general comment, please post a comment. If you see it posted immediately, then I have added you to the list, if it is not, I will have to add it to the list. So what do you have to say!!!

SO GET POSTING!

No more single digits define Alyssa, she is 10 today, and I love her more than anything in the world! Word on the street is that Alyssa got her first cell phone yesterday too. So look out! she is text crazy! Send me a text and I will give you her number. She asked me how old I was when I got my first cell phone, I said 30 years old, and I had to carry it in a case because the battery was so big! Times, they are a changin!

I LOVE YOU ALYSSA! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Ever take a bike ride? fun huh. relaxing, good way to burn off some cals etc. How about going out for a bike ride for 24 hours. Yes, I said 24 HOURS. Check out the link below

RiverWest 24 Hour Bike Ride

Do I need to say it? ok, I will, Bert and Mike were there. Jump in guys and share your experience! We would love to hear more!

Below is an unofficial list of events that Mike shared with me via Email.

12 AM - 2 AM; donning super hero costumes on top of reservoir hill….in the rain.
11 PM – 1 AM: acting in a very odd video movie…of course in a bar
1AM – 3 AM: a brutish waxing of body hair by vengeful teenage girls….I’m sure a more traumatic experience for them then I
10PM – 12 AM: rolling dice in the middle of street based house party
4PM- 6PM: entering a dark dank basement to listen to a high decibel Punk Thrash Band

Check out these sites too...

Third Coast Digest

Over the Bars Milwaukee

Congrats guys!

 

I understand that Tio Cruz died on August 1st in the evening. Mom and Gloria should be up there right now. I also understand that Estela came up from Tejas to join Gloria and Mom. I dont have a lot of details, Tio Cruz lived in or near St. Paul Minnesota. I think he was 86. More details to come...

Here is the run down!

Alyssa 8/9 - Yes, double digits! the big 10!
Me 8/11 - I think 45?
Alec 8/29 - Will be the big 14!


Ok kids, here is your chance! what is on your list of WANTS!

I am thinking of all of the nicknames we had for Bert, does anyone remember any?

Big Bertha Butt and the Butt Sisters

Bertunga (Personal Favorite)

If all goes to plan, Katie and I will be sharing Berts Birthday taking a nice long bike ride!

What was I doing at 11:30 AM for lunch today? that is right, trying out my new Asics Gel Kayano 16s. I put down 5 miles today, it was 85 deg, but only 51% humidity, so it was not too bad. It is a nice route, 2.5 miles and back, if anyone is up for it, let me know sometime.

As I was running down the parkway " Kletzsch Park " and notice a minvan sort of driving slow. I look over to the driver and instantly became emotional, I mean instantly! As I look through the open window of the van, I seen a female driver. It looked like Anita smiling as she was driving. Her eyes were puffy and looked like they were barely open, it shocked me to the point I almost yelled out. I guess you can pile up emotions and not know that you are. They all poured out of me like a bucket of water tipping over.

It is hard to be at work right now, I feel like I have a weight on my shoulder, I leave at 3:30 PM today, so that is nice.

Have a wonderful weekend, and dont forget, our Sister Bert has a Birthday on Sunday! 7/18/2010!!!!!!!!!

So we said goodbye to another installment of Summerfest in Milwaukee. Time sure flies. Katie and I went for a night, left before the young drunk crowd took control. Perhaps I shouldnt pick on the young, because there were plenty of people of all ages having fun and drinking. I was the nights designated driver, so I had to decline many cold beers. 

Good seeing the Galvans on the 4th of July. I understand Gus and Morgan plan to come up for the Wisconsin State Fair . If that is true, and you need a place to crash, let me know Gus, you guys have not seen the house. Perhaps we can tag along, but if you want to go alone, that is fine, we understand completely. How about you Vic and Carla? coming up too?

Keep the AC running, it is a hot one out there!

Your turn.

I thought I would take a moment and test out my ability for email blogging from my smartphone. Well, here it is, I am at work, waiting for 5:00 pm to arrive, anyone else have the long weekend blues...?
--
Sent from my DROID with K-9 Mail.

Thanks again to Dan and Diana for hosting a wondering family gathering. The food was delicious, and the weather although hot, was great. It was nice meeting everyones family members. There was only one person missing, and we all know who that was. I am sure she was looking down on us, smiling as she runs like a child once again. She would be so happy to see our families sharing time together on this past holiday.

I will post a few pictures of the event, I didnt take much, but if anyone did, send them my way!

Here is a good pic

Does Diana look like her Mama a bit here or what...

Calm down folks, no need to call 911, Katie and I did not forget our Anniversary. We had a lovely day together. I took Katie out to eat at Joes Crab Shack (In Gurnee).

So I guess you can say that our waitress gave Katie and I crabs, 3lbs of them. It was a neat place, every 45 minutes all the waitresses dance to some song. It was a last minute decision that turned out great. We will be back till they put one in Wisconsin at least. I am not sure what else is on the menu, look for yourself when you go to the site. We were just interested in crabs.

We also had some Southern Comfort Iced Tea.... amazing, only one for both of us, they were potent but refreshing!

So, Happy Anniversary to Us.

Hi, some of you are not ready for this, some of you are. I took a few moments to compile all of the comments entered by Anita since my Blog was up in 2007. I am sorry that the title of the entry is not added, it is only her comments. So you will have to try to remember what the title of the entry was. I was only able to grab comments. I have to read all 228 of them, but I did manage to read a few of them, and looking back, she was always so positive, and so wonderful. She loved us all so much, she loved life, her children, and everyone in this family, give it a read, I hope it will touch you in some way, bring a smile upon your face, or a tear, no matter what the outcome, I think it nice to go back and read these comments. Please download the word document, and let me hear what you have to say. They are sorted most recent to oldest...

228 Comments

Enjoy and comment...

Well folks, another 4th of July is creeping up on us. This year Dan and Diana are hosting the cookout at the Oswego crib. It sounds like it will be around Noon on the 4th of July. That is a Sunday folks. Not sure if anyone wants to carpool with us or not, I have to see if we have room actually, in case we bring the kids too. I hope ot see everyone down there, it is nice that Dan and Diana are doing this. I am sure it will bring our late Sister joy that we are all getting together, rather than moving further apart.

I think Diana will be sending out an Email with details, see you all there!

Well folks, yesterday was not only Fathers Day, but it was Katies Birthday. I cant say how young she is, lets just say she has not caught up to me yet. I thought I would take a picture of the birthday girl sitting on my new chair given to me for Fathers Day, what does everyone think? (Yes, that is a beer in one of 6 holes for beverages on one of the arm rests.... Upper Right)

Well, Katie had a 2000 Mercury Cougar, with about 145k miles on it. Two weeks ago the radiator blew up, then the water pump a few days ago. Long story short, we bit the bullet and got a new car for her. It was not a mini van (not yet). It is a real sporty 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback.  Take a look, you like? we do...

Anyone looking for a 2000 Mercury Cougar?

Alec graduated from Hales Corners Lutheran yesterday evening. It was a nice ceremony, and at the end, one of the parents put together a slide show that had 3 pictures of each student, (As a Baby, before 8th grade, and 8th grade) It brought a tear to my eye, he is growing up so handsome and healthy. I was very proud of him. Does he look happy to you?

Hello everyone. I have been at home recovering from being sick. I have Mono and have a painful spleen. Doc said get bed rest for a week, see him next week after long weekend, and he will decide if I am ready to go back to work or not.

I wanted to share a story about what happened last night, or early this morning if you will.

The Kids were with us as every Wednesday evening. Alec and I decided to sleep on the couches in the living room. We do that from time to time, it is fun and we can stay up late playing video games. (CODMW2). So I wake up not knowing what time it was, and felt a bit uneasy. Ever since my Sister died I get a bit spooked at night, I am sure it will pass, but I find myself filled with thoughts of her the moment I wake up. Well, this morning I did, while I was sitting on the couch, I noticed some shadows moving in the mirrors we have on our wall, I took a second glance and brushed it off as being late, and dark. I then laid back down on the couch, facing Alec and our big window, as I laid back and got comfortable, I seen the lamp next to Alec turn on and off, really fast, twice. My eyes were wide open at that point, I was not frightened, but it did get my attention, immediately.

I woke Alec up and asked him to move the lamp, thinking it was stuck in a position of being on/off, it was not. I got up, and checked the lamp, it was off, and nothing mechanical or electrical would have explained it. I watched TV for about an hour, my mind was racing, and I thought I needed to flush out what was in my mind, by watching some comedy TV. After the light turned on/off in front of my very eyes, I looked at my phone, it was 3:01 AM. After some TV, I fell back asleep.

This really shook me up, It did not frighten me, but it got my attention. I keep on thinking it was the spirit of my late Sister Anita. I really think it was, because she would not scare us, she would do something non-evil to get my attention. I really think she passed by last night, and said hello in her own way.

I wonder if anyone else is having things like this happen. I miss her, and think about her, but mostly when I wake up in the middle of the night. I finally went back to sleep, and woke up at 6:30 AM.

Could this be possible, spirits wondering around to say hello, should I be afraid? should I welcome them?

Anita, if it was you, thanks for not scaring me out of my mind...

Sweet Dreams to all...

Hello folks, I am back. Where have I been....

I am still missing Anita my Sister everyday. She used to blog daily. She was always good for a comment or two. I might make a tribute to her, and compile all the comments from her into one entry and post. That may be neat reading it. I think I am near the exit door of Stage 5, It still hurts sometimes, but everyday gets better. I tell Mom to take it slow, and it is ok to talk about her, it helps you get to Stage 5.

Five Stages Of Grief

1. Denial and Isolation.
   At first, we tend to deny the loss has taken place, and may withdraw from our usual social contacts. This stage may last a few moments, or longer.
2. Anger.
   The grieving person may then be furious at the person who inflicted the hurt (even if she's dead), or at the world, for letting it happen. He may be angry with himself for letting the event take place, even if, realistically, nothing could have stopped it.
3. Bargaining.
   Now the grieving person may make bargains with God, asking, "If I do this, will you take away the loss?"
4. Depression.
   The person feels numb, although anger and sadness may remain underneath.
5. Acceptance.
   This is when the anger, sadness and mourning have tapered off. The person simply accepts the reality of the loss.

Take care everyone, and keep on bloggin!

Anyone else missing Anita? I am. But who misses her the most? I guess it should not be a competition. But I am writing this so we can think about something. Our Mom turned 82 years old the day we all looked over Anita's lifeless body at the crematory. I held my Mom and told her to let it out, cry, get the release. I told her she didnt have to be strong for anyone, but she should let it out and begin living again. She did sob in my arms, for a few minutes. It was good. I felt as if she was waiting for me the whole day to do that, It was a tearful moment for I as well. For everyone there.

I was looking at my Verizon bill, and I could not help but notice the calls to and from Anita and Mom. Calls and minutes that I will never see listed on my bill again. I wanted to share the stats with everyone.

From 11-Mar to 23-Mar, Mom and Anita spoke for 489 minutes. That is 8.15 hours. They talked on the phone so much. All that came to a screeching halt. That is going to be hard for Mom, I dont care what she says, Anita and her would always talk on the phone everyday. Time will heal, that is true, but it has a speed and a pace, and it is different for everyone, Moms will be slow but steady.

Anyone out there, if you still have your Mom and Dad out there, or Siblings, make sure to call. You dont have to call 4 times a day, but call once in a while. Death is permanent, it is sad, and nobody knows when it will impact our lives. It will make things a little easier on you when that dreadful day comes.

I hope everyone has a nice day.