TBI - how frustrating - - more so for Caren than us.

It feels like each day is "Hurry up!"  All the while our days move by quickly - - in slow motion.
Waiting for excited kids, to be still; waiting for responses from insurance, while they demand more information, NOW; waiting for brains to process, while we have to hurry.[...]

The Rustic Resort in Benzonia, MI. Today is the day! The big shindig. Glad some of my family could go. My mom made a story board for people to look at and read. She worker so hard on this......

Remember all you can eat Fish Fry from 6-9pm and bonfire after = see previous messages for more information.

Rick says the place is super clean well kept and very beautiful. He is overwhelmed by the warm welcome and the generosity of the hosts....and that was just when they arrived to homemade cookies and snacks and other little surprises, like a travel journal in their cabin.

My daughter says they have the best shower ever and she could live there forever it is so beautiful......worth a visit she says.....

so make a trip if you are looking for something to do today.....you can relax, fish, or snag a kayak; enjoy AYCE food for $10 per person or sponsor a fundraiser of your own...let us know what you want to do or if you want to be involved in helping in some way.....[...]

Well we did it.....applied to request an appeal to a "formal hearing". IT HAS BEEN DONE! It cost $125.00 "bond" to appeal that gosh darn thing.....and then I had to write a narrative (thanks mom for helping me with this yet again) of why I feel I deserve to have an appeal. There's a catch though. The Judge can approve the appeal request or deny it. If he denies it, I am out that money and noone sees and hears anything. If he grants it and it is set for a "formal hearing" and he grants it and I am found "not guilty" at the hearing, then I get it back. If I am found guilty I don't know if I can appeal past that....but I wouldn't get back the $125.00......and I will need a LOT more therapy.

two ways to lose it, one way to keep it...........not very good odds......but I have enough reasonable doubt on my side and a lot of factual data....I don't see how he couldn't agree to the appeal AND find me not guilty......even the Officer said the scene didn't make sense to him....that has to count for something....couldn't have afforded that without a donation - so whoever you are thank you............I now just need to get an attorney for the formal hearing....not sure who to trust or all that stuff....but hopefully one that is compassionate to all involved and willing to take payments or wait for my benefits to kick in.....which I am STILL waiting for......[...]

     Here is this dear lily - beaten, stem broken nearly in two, and it buds.  Not only does it bud, it bursts forth in glorious, triumphant flower.[...]

       "Little giggle" [...]

Numerous Radio Stations contacted for PSA's (public service announcements) about Fundraiser. 

If you think of any fundraising ideas, want to sponsor a fundraiser as an individual yourself, or business, or want to volunteer your services or abilities, please let the family know here or in a private message.

What we don't want to happen is people saying they are doing something for the family and there is no accounting for it, so please coordinate this with the family so everything can be kept accountable and be kept track of, so the community knows it is a legitimate event.

Thank you for your understanding, assistance, cooperation, and ideas in your continued support and efforts.[...]

June 28th, Saturday night - Fish Fry 6pm-9pm All You can Eat $10 donation/person.

Menu will include: Fish, Hamburgers, Hot dogs, Various salads, various desserts, tea, coffee and sodas. All proceeds will go to her and her family.

Bonfire after the fish fry for anyone that wants to stay. Bring your chairs.

Special Drawing for Cash Donation (not including fish fry) Do not have to be present to win

Door prize ticket with each paid meal. Also if you bring a donation for each item you get another chance at a door prize. Have to be present to win.

Contact us for any questions or if more information is needed[...]

So I had Court yesterday. The Magistrate wasn't very patient or understanding and refused to accept numerous pieces of evidence I brought copies of. He refused to look at pictures, he denied my right to ask questions to the "witness" that did show. The other one didn't show at all. I could go on and on. Very emotionally spent indeed. It was an informal hearing before a Magistrate. I am appealing his decision, which takes it to a real "Judge" in a FORMAL hearing with a Court Reporter and everything. It seems like the Informal was very informal and you don't seem to have a lot of rights afforded to you in a formal hearing or "real" court. I could say a LOT about this whole experience, but out of respect of brevity, which I truly suck at, especially lately......I won't. Although I do want to say the Officer appeared to be compassionate and answered the questions I did ask him (which we had prewritten) directly and forthrightly (if that is even a word). 

Austin recognized him right away by the way, and said hello to him in the hallway. He said the Office spoke back to him. That part was nice.

I will say THIS...... it's $125.00 to file the appeal and then I WILL NEED TO HIRE A TRAFFIC ATTORNEY - so anywhere from $400-600.00. I have 7 days to appeal from yesterday.....

I was not allowed to have anyone ask questions, speak for me, or assist me, and I had to ask all the questions myself, per the Court before we even started. This was TOTAL OVERLOAD for my brain and emotions because despite the Magistrate being aware of my challenges - he was not receptive to them - or that was the perception of not just me in the room. 

Anyhow, trying to deal with feeling mentally slow and angry at my brain for not processing things fast enough for my needs.....it was worse than what I expected....but then again, I am not sure I even knew what to expect to begin with....[...]

Dryer belt decided to go on the fritz and shredded so mom and the kids have been hanging laundry for a few days.............It kind of looks how I feel (the dryer belt that is - frayed and worn out).........which was ironic and comical at the same time to me.....I know I shouldn't laugh about it but I have declared a new emotion called "of course"...........good thing there is homeowner's insurance - just now saving for the service fee for the repair visit...come onnnnnn Insurance Company......[...]

Truly, thanks to all of you for continued prayers.  We trust the legal issues of Friday will be quickly resolved, with Caren's best insterests fulfilled, with no harm to anyone.[...]