A Message from my Dad

     I was watching a video on YouTube when in the bottom right corner, a little window popped up that had the numbers "5:31" in it. Anyone who knows me knows that these numbers are VERY significant to me. I was born on May 31 (5:31), my Dad was born in May 1931 (5:31), it seems that every time I look at the clock, the time is either 5:31 or 10:29. Stepfanie was born on October 29 (10:29) and my Mom was born in 1929. 

     Anyway, as I was watching the video on YouTube, I was starting to cry when BAM...I see the little video window pop up with these specific numbers (5:31). 

So, I click on it and it was this song...

      Listen closely to the words...I believe with all my heart that this is a message from my Dad.  I will also post the words below the video.

Basic math skills LOST in todays youth!

It is so extremely sad and pitiful that today's youth do not know how to do math in their head.  The fact that schools REQUIRE technology such as Statistics calculators, computers, etc., is disappointing to say the least.  

I took my Mom to town today.  She was hungry for "something different" so, with her being a diabetic, I immediately needed to get her something to eat.  I brought her to "Arbys", which was the closest place, and a place that didn’t sell burgers.  We went inside to order as she hadn't been there before and didn't know what she would want.  

Her total after taxes came to $6.32.  She gave the cashier a $20 bill, she immediately entered it into her register, and her change showed as $13.68.  My Mom told her that she had .32 cents, gave it to the young girl, and she was completely lost as to how much change she now owed my Mom!!  I had to explain to her that she owes her $14.00 now vs. $13.68 and she was so completely confused!!

The fact that BASIC math skills are now lost in today’s youth is a tragedy!!!

Find Jessica Heeringa!

This may sound bizarre but, I feel a strong connection to Jessica. 

 Perhaps that is because I am from the area, and I have a 25 year old daughter.  Not to mention the fact that both my daughter and I worked at a gas station/convenience store, as well.  One of which had NO cameras for a long time however, we were NEVER allowed to work alone at night.  And there were two others in Holland that my daughter worked at ALONE at night.  Those both had cameras but, it is so scary to think that something like this has happened so close to home.  Also, there is the fact that I drive past there four days a week for work and school, and had been at that mall approximately one week before this all happened.

 I am so saddened by this entire situation.  I feel like Jessica is my own daughter, a part of my own family, as I am sure many others feel about her.  She is such a beautiful vibrant young woman who needs to be at home with her beautiful baby boy, Zevyn and her fiancé, Dakatoh.  She also needs to be with her parents, her sister Sam, as well as her other family members.

                                  PLEASE LORD, BRING JESSICA HOME SAFE!!!! 

NORTON SHORES, Mich- Jessica Heeringa has been missing since April 26th from the Norton Shores area. She was last seen at the Exxon Mobil gas station located at 1196 E. Sternburg Rd.

Jessica is a white female, 25 years old, 5’1 tall, approximately 110 lbs., blond shoulder length hair, and blue eyes. Jessica is also know to wear wired rimed glasses. She may be wearing a blue collared shirt saying “Sternberg Exxon”.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Silent Observer at 231-72-CRIME or 911

Read more: http://fox17online.com/2013/05/01/tip-leads-police-to-man-in-heeringa-case-questioning-underway/#ixzz2S5kcLKPA

Suspect police are also looking for...a white male between 30 and 40 years old, medium to heavy build with broad shoulders and with light brown or sandy blonde hair.  Seen driving a silver minivan, possibly a Chrysler Town & Country. 

Read more: http://fox17online.com/2013/04/28/suspect-vehicle-described-in-jessica-heeringa-abduction/#ixzz2S5k8oQYR

RIP Dad :*(

     It’s been tough the past couple weeks; I can't stop thinking about my Dad.  When I wake up, he is the first thought I have. I feel guilty because I was at school the day he passed and wasn't able to visit him. I feel as though I could've been able to save him if I were there because I would've insisted that he went to the hospital. He didn't want to die, but he didn't want to go back to the hospital. I would've asked him what he wanted more, to live or to remain at Rehab. I could have told him that the hospital is the place that would be able give him the amount of oxygen he needed so he could breathe. He would've gone to the hospital; I know I could've convinced him. So I basically blame myself for his death and I can't take it. 

     My Mom and I went to the hospital today to visit with the Nurses and Unit Techs who took care of my Dad while in ICU and Telemetry.  That was very emotional as my Dad had a way with people, especially these Nurses.  They all adored him, as he did them.  They sent us a lovely sympathy card and signed it with such beautiful messages.  Who does that?  What hospital do you know does that?  They are all such incredible people!!!  If you EVER need medical attention and need to be in ICU or Telemetry, I HIGHLY recommend Holland Hospital.

     WHILE my Dad was on the ventilator last year, he flirted with one of the Nurses.  He had signaled her over to him with his finger, and after she came close to him, he raised his eyebrows at her and smiled.  Yes, even with a vent down his throat, my Dad could still smile and brighten anyone’s day.  She laughed and said "Oh you are just too cute".  She told other Nurses that he was the first man to flirt with her while on the vent.  =D   Another Nurse was also quite attached to my Dad.  She cried the night my Dad was released from the hospital and told us today that she knew that would be the last time she saw him  :*(  She said after she had heard of my Dad's passing, while sitting at home watching golf with her husband, she started crying.  Her husband asked why she was crying and she said, "I used to watch golf all the time with Mr. Miedema".  Her husband then asked, "Who is Mr. Miedema?", and she went on to tell him that he was one of her patients. 

     All of my Dad's Nurses and Unit Techs who were working today came up to us and hugged both my Mom and I, and told us what a wonderful man my Dad was and how much they all adored him.  Like I said, he had that special way about him where people would love him the moment they met him.  Even his roommate at the Rehab; he had only known him for 8 days and my Dad had made a huge impact on him.  He wrote us the most beautiful note/letter about his time with my Dad and the conversations they had.  What a special guy his roommate was, too. 

 LOVE AND MISS YOU, DAD!! 

Dad with my Cousin, Jeff...Summer 1959

Dad fishing in Ludington...approximate year 1998

My Dad with my daughter, Stepfanie...October 29, 1987

Dad, Stepfanie, and Mom...June 2005

Mom, Stepfanie, Spencer, and Dad...January 11, 2011

Christmas 2010

Dad and Benny...November 2012

2013

R.I.P.

"Every vegan I've met suffers from or takes supplements for low iron"

How many times have I heard this? Too many to count...GAHHH!

I am Vegan, and yes I do suffer from both Iron deficient Anemia AND a Vitamin B-12 deficiency, HOWEVER, not due to Veganism. I developed these deficiencies years ago, when I was not informed, and I consumed meat and dairy products daily, at every meal. I became Vegetarian around July 2012, and slowly became Vegan late 2012. Best choice I have made, for both my health as well as the animals I am not eating. Even if my deficiencies were due to not consuming meat or dairy products, taking a vitamin supplement is a healthier and much more beneficial choice in my opinion.

If you choose to make the decision to go Vegan, it will be the best and healthiest choice you will ever make. If you need more information, feel free to research. The Web is a tremendous resource where your eyes can truly be opened to the atrocity that the loving, beautiful, and feeling creatures who inhabit the earth with us go through on a daily basis.

Like this for instance... 

Making the Vegan or Vegetarian Transition

Still not sure?  Do you think eating a cruelty free diet will be boring and tasteless?  You couldn't be more wrong.  There are a plethora of scrumptious recipes and ideas all over the web.  Tons and Tons of Blogs as well to help you in your transition. 

Here are a few of my favorites:

The Kind Life with Alicia Silverstone

Oh She Glows

 Healthy. Happy. Life.
Don't Fear The Vegan 

Manifest Vegan

Young and Raw

Namely Marly

Fork & Beans

Chocolate Covered Katie

but yes...I do eat potatoes

FatFree Vegan Kitchen

The list could go on and on...

And, you can even Order Your FREE Vegetarian/Vegan Starter Kit!   

So, how about it?  Do you want to eat better, feel better, and stop supporting cruelty to chickens, pigs, cows, and other animals raised for food?  Pledge to Be Vegan for 30 Days!  I promise, you won't be sorry you did.  PLEASE, Let me know when you do.