The day we lost Lori...

Today marks the 18th anniversary of the day I lost one of my closest friends, Lori Michelle Martin. It's so hard to believe that 18 years have already passed. I remember the day just like it was yesterday.

Labor Day weekend, 1992 I was heading back home that Monday from a trip to the beach with another friend of mine. All day I tried reaching my parents on the phone, but had no luck. I even tried calling my line but got no answer and my answering machine didn't pick up either... strange. I tried and tried but no one was answering their phone. I tried my grandparents phone, no answer. This now got me a little worried that something had happened to a family member because they always answered the phone and it seemed as if they never went anywhere. The closer I got to the house, the more I tried calling every number I could think of to get someone on the phone who knew what was happening with my family. About 15 minutes from the house, I decided to call Lori's house to see if maybe my parents were with her Mom and maybe the "beach" crowd had gotten together for a Labor Day Cookout. So, I'm calling Lori's house and my Mom answers the phone, strange. She sounded fine, but very limited in what she had to say to me. In fact, all I really remember her saying was can you please come by Lori's house before heading home. I was so relieved to hear my Mom's voice, but also agitated at the time I had spent trying to get in touch with her. I told her I was tired and needed to get laundry done so I would just meet them at the house. My Mom insisted that I come by Lori's house and then I knew something wasn't quite right. I asked my Mom what was going on and why she couldn't just tell me what she needed to over the phone. I was tired and cranky and just wanted some answers but my Mom was also loosing her patience with me, so I dropped it and just decided to swing by Lori's.

I got off on the exit and I clearly remember the song playing as I pulled up in Lori's gravel driveway. It was the song Please Don't Go by KWS. To this day, I can't stand that song. It takes me back to what seemed like the longest driveway in history where I saw lots of friends, and family and cars everywhere. I still don't think it registered that something was wrong. In fact, I just figured, it's labor day so everyone is here for a cookout. There were friends there that I had not seen since high school, so why I thought everything was copacetic was beyond me. My Dad met me in the driveway before I even had a chance to park the car and I could tell by his face that something was very wrong. It was the first time in my life that I had ever seen my Dad get teary eyed. He asked me to get out of the car and as he grabbed me tightly he said, "I can't believe I have to tell you this, but Lori is dead". I literally fell to the ground, screaming, crying, hitting my Dad in the chest as my Mom began to walk out of the house to help. I was uncontrollably screaming "WHAT HAPPENED, WHAT HAPPENED". At this point, I just figured it was an automobile accident, even though now I remember seeing her car sitting in the driveway, so that just couldn't be the case. I never in a million years thought I would hear what would come out of my Dad's mouth next... "Shelley, Lori was shot this afternoon. It was an accident, "K" was cleaning his gun when it accidentally went off". I didn't believe it then and I don't believe it now, nor do I ever think I will ever believe it was an accident. I don't know that it was intended to happen that day, but I do believe it also wasn't an accident either.

A few weeks before the gun went off on this dreadful Labor Day, "K" had "accidentally" shot himself in the same house with another gun. The bullet pierced through his hand and luckily no one in the house was hurt. Maybe I've been watching too much TV, but I believe this was all part of his plan. If he could show that one gun went off accidentally, then why couldn't another one do the same a few weeks later. There were also things that didn't jive with me in regards to the way "K" described to me what happened. Lori was sitting across the room from "K" at an angle that doesn't make sense how she could then be shot underneath her arm. If the bullet had hit the other side of her body, I might have bought it, but in my opinion, in order for her to have been shot from where she would have been sitting, "K" would have had to have been right by her side. "K" knew about guns, he knew the safety of guns and he knew not to clean his gun with a bullet in the chamber. In my opinion, Lori was really ending things with him that day, one thing lead to another, their argument got out of control and he shot her.

My Mom would later tell me that Lori had called me the morning of her death. Was she calling because she was in trouble, or was it just a call to say hello? I'll never know! I think back to the last time I saw Lori, in that same driveway where I got the awful news of her death. She yelled to me as I was walking to my car "I'll talk to you later this week". I remember the feeling I had as I turned to tell her to "Take Care", it was like that would be the last of our goodbyes. I think we all have those premonitions, but sometimes don't know exactly how to bring them to light or question why they occur in the first place. Could things have been different if I had been home that day and gotten her call? Would the circumstances have been the same or would she still be here today? Again, I'll never know.

RIP my friend. I think of you often and think of those you left behind. I know I speak for us all when I say, we miss you!

2010 Grammy's

Did you watch the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards last night? Unfortunately, I did not but I was able to catch a few of the performances today on YouTube. Out of what I've been able to see, Lady GaGa, Pink and the Michael Jackson Tribute have been my favorites. What's yours?

Lady GaGa


Pink


Michael Jackson Tribute

One For Jasmina - Remembering Jasmina

In April of 2009, I blogged about a little girl, Jasmina Anema, who was battling cancer. Many celebrities rallied around Jasmina in an effort to find a bone marrow match for her. In June of 2009, Jasmina received her bone marrow transplant and I could not have been happier. Unfortunately, in September Jasmina's family received the terrible news that her cancer had returned with a vengeance. Well, sadly Jasmina lost her battle with cancer yesterday. May this sweet little princess now rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

Blog post from June
http://behindthewallsofvanderwilt.blogspot.com/2009/06/one-for-jasmina-update.html

One For Jasmina's Video

Grandparent-Less

It seems both Tim and I have become Grandparent-less in a months time. I lost my sweet Grandmother December 7th and Tim lost his Grandfather this morning. We were both very fortunate to have had them through our lifetime as I know some people don't have the privilege of ever knowing their grandparents. It's weird though, I lost my first grandparent when I was in High School and it was really devastating. Getting older and seeing my grandparents live such wonderful lives makes it easier to know they are only moving on to something even better. It's also a comforting thing to know they are going to be with their husbands/wives and in some cases their own children.
Our Grandparents will be greatly missed, but we are only given our loved ones as gifts for a short time. One of my favorite lyrics comes from Carrie Underwood's song, "Temporary Home". It resembles what it means when we loose the ones we love. "This is my temporary home. It's not where I belong. Windows and rooms that I'm passin' through. This was just a stop, on the way to where I'm going. I'm not afraid because I know this was my temporary home."

RIP Scott Penninger

William Penninger 'Scott' MOORESVILLE -- Mr. Penninger, 40, joined our Heavenly Father on Saturday January 16, 2010. Scott was born on May 7, 1969 in Charlotte, the son of Bill Penninger and Ginger Stubbs Penninger. Scott graduated from North Mecklenburg High School in 1988. Following high school Scott worked on the pit crew for NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace. Shortly thereafter Scott joined the Hough Family when he wed Wendy Hough in October of 1989. Scott and Wendy welcomed twin girls Meghan Brooke and Brittany Lauren in 1990. Scott was a longtime active member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Charlotte. He had a strong presence in the annual Bar-B-Q. Scott also frequently donated his time to the Urban Ministry Center in Charlotte through programs such as 'Room In the Inn' and the soup kitchen. Scott joined his father in the family business, as a part owner of Universal Voice/Data in 1989. Scott immensely enjoyed surf fishing at the Outer Banks (specifically, ramp 55). Scott also enjoyed playing poker and tailgating at Panther home games. Scott was a wonderful brother, son, husband, father, uncle, brother-in-law, son-in-law, friend and most recently grandfather. He truly enjoyed his family and friends. Scott is survived by wife of 20 years, Wendy Hough Penninger; by daughters Brittany and Brooke Penninger, both 19 years, daughter Bethany Harper, 21, and grandson Lucas Kahne, 2 1/2 years of age. Survivors also include parents, maternal grandmother Virginia Stubbs, sister Robin Penninger McGraw, and brother-in-law Mike McGraw. Scott is survived by loving niece and nephews, Hayden Scott and Cole McGraw, Brandon and Zack Washam, and Kelsey and Trevor Hicks. Lifelong friends Jimmy Hunter and James DeArmon were much more than friends alone, their relationships could more adequately be described as that of 'brothers'. Scott is also survived by a loving family of in-laws, including Butch and Peggy Hough and sisters-in-law Julie Hough Washam, Cindy Hough and Jana Hough Hicks. The weekly Sunday afternoon gatherings and frequent road-trips to the Outer Banks will never be the same without Scott. Scott possessed a unique combination of positive attributes rarely seen in a single individual. He loved to see people laugh and be happy; he was giving, kind and supportive. His love for his family and friends never faltered. Scott was adored by many and will be deeply missed. The family will receive friends Wednesday January 20th from 2 to 4 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 6230 Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte. A service celebrating his life will begin at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to either of the following: Urban Ministry Center, 945 N. College Street, Charlotte, www.urbanministrycenter.org, or, Outer Banks Preservation Association (OBPA), PO Box 1355 Buxton, NC 27920, www.obpa.org. Wendy, along with the rest of the family, would like to express our sincere appreciation for all of the kindness, support and prayers during this challenging time. Arrangements by Raymer Funeral Home Huntersville, NC.
Published in Charlotte Observer on January 19, 2010

Michael Jackson's final curtain call, "This Is It"

Tim and I went to see MJ's movie, "This Is It" last night and I have to say I was quite impressed. I have new found respect and admiration for his creative talent. The only negative I have about the whole movie was the length. It could have been about a 1/2 hour shorter, but all in all it kept my attention the whole time. That was a great feat in and of itself, being that we went to the 10:15 movie and I am normally in bed by 10:00. It was great to see the King of Pop in action. The way he moved, made it so very hard for me to believe he was 50. He moved like a teenager and kept me dancing and singing the entire time. Watching the movie also made it so hard to think that MJ is actually dead. I really believe he was taken too soon. I was not a fan of MJ as a person, but his music and dancing abilities were like none other. Genius, pure Genius!

RIP - Ashley Jewell

I'm a "Housewives of Atlanta" follower and was stunned at the news of Kandi's ex-fiance, Ashley Jewell, AKA "AJ", being killed over the weekend. My thoughts and prayers go out to AJ's family and friends, especially his children who are left behind.

Patrick Swayze dances "One Last Dance" with wife, Lisa Niemi

Patrick Swayze (1952-2009)

Every time I saw the ending of Dirty Dancing, I got chills up and down my spine. It's one of my all time favorites. Patrick Swayze will be missed.

Dirty Dancing - The Final Dance

Say it ain't so Joe!

Will they please tell Joe Jackson to quit talking.

American Idol Contestant, Alexis Cohen Killed

Former American Idol contestant, Alexis Cohen was struck and killed by a car over the weekend just yards from her car. This morning, 23-year-old Daniel Bark has been booked on charges of death by reckless driving as well as leaving the scene of an accident. You'll remember Alexis with her "Take It, Take It, Take It" rampage after not making it to Hollywood in Season 7. She came back in Season 8, all polished up, but once again did not make it to Hollywood. She was very eccentric and out there, but you hate to hear of anyone loosing their life so young. Alexis was 25.

Yo Quiero Taco Bell

Gidget, the dog who made "Yo Quiero Taco Bell" famous, passes away at 15. Awwwww, so sad but she did live a long life. Wow, that's 105 in human years.

Remembering Farrah

Ryan O'Neal remembers his longtime relationship with his angel, Farrah Fawcett on the Today Show.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Walter Cronkite Dies At 92

Legendary CBS Evening News Anchorman, Walter Cronkite, died Friday, July 17th at the age of 92. Pictured above is Cronkite announcing the death of President Kennedy on November 22, 1963.

Michael Jackson's Dance Influences

Who knew, Michael Jackson wasn't the first to do the moonwalk?

Jeffrey Daniel's influence on Michael Jackson

Freaky Deaky

This was posted on TMZ's website, http://www.tmz.com/2009/07/07/michael-jackson-7/ and it's too weird.

Michael Jackson signed his will on 7/7/02.
Michael Jackson's memorial was on 7/7/09 ... exactly 7 years after the will was signed.
Michael Jackson's two biggest hits -- "Black & White" and "Billie Jean" -- were each #1 for 7 weeks.
Michael Jackson's three biggest albums -- "Thriller," "Bad" and "Dangerous" -- each produced 7 top 40 hits.
Michael Jackson was the 7th of 9 children.
Michael Jackson was born in 1958 ... 19 + 58 = 77
Michael Jackson died on the 25th ... 2 + 5 = 7
Michael Jackson has 7 letters in his first and last name.

Weird, huh?

Here's some I thought of...
Michael Jackson's Idol, Elvis Presley, died in '77.
Michael Jackson's friend, Princess Diana, died in '97.

Paris Jackson remembers her father at his memorial

Paris calls her father "the best father you could ever imagine. I love him so much."

Memorial Service

Are you going to be watching the Michael Jackson Memorial Service? If so, where will you be watching? Work, home, cell phone?

Tribute to the "King Of Pop"

Madonna pays tribute to the King Of Pop at her concert in England over the weekend.

Home video of Michael Jackson with his kids

To us, he was "King of Pop", to his 3 adorable kids, he was Daddy! You can tell how much he adored his children, but even more how much they adored him.