My car is back!

My awesome husband fixed my car! I am so excited. Mike has been driving it around the last couple of days making sure it works. Today was my first day driving it. I missed my car. It is so fun to drive. The temperature gage stayed where it should be and I have heat now. I am so excited! I am planning a bonding session to get reacquainted with the car. Bonding sessions usually consists of me sitting in the drivers seat parked in the driveway.... listening to music. That is how I bond with my cars.

I know this car is not the newest or nicest... but I love it. I absolutely LOVE the way the dashboard is setup. I could stare at that dashboard all day! There are so many things about the car I like. I also like the fact that I was able to buy the kind of car I wanted... in the color I wanted. I didn't have to compromise with anyone else. And this car has no connection to my past. I am hoping to have this car for years to come.

Anyways.... I don't really have much else to blog about. I am finally starting to feel like I am getting over my sickness. Going to work today was no problem. I didn't have any problems talking on the phone all day either. That's a good thing. I really hate being sick. So all in all.... things are going pretty well with me... at least for today.

In Memory of "Zachey"

Zach William Green- Herbert

September 20, 1983 - August 18, 2008

GREEN – HERBERT, ZACH - Paramedic with Hamilton EMS – Suddenly in Hamilton on Monday, August 18, 2008 at the age of 24 years. Zach, beloved son of Fred Herbert and the late Debbie Green – Herbert. Zach will be sadly missed by his many Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews and Cousins. Friends may pay their respects at the MORRIS FUNERAL CHAPEL, 4 Division St., Bowmanville on Friday, August 22, 2008 from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. Funeral service in the MORRIS CHAPEL on Saturday, August 23, 2008 at 11 a.m. Interment Bowmanville Cemetery. Donations in Zach’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society would be gratefully appreciated.

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Interesting how a person I have never laid eyes on could have such an effect on my life. I have seen pictures of course... but never met him in person. We always talked about meeting, but it never happened. How could it? He lived in Canada and I here in Utah. It was always fun to imagine what we would have done if he did make it here to visit.

Zach was great at giving advice and great at listening. I cannot even begin to explain how much he helped me through my depressing teenage years. I could tell him anything and never felt judged. He understood what I was going through when I struggled with depression and change as a teenager. He was always a shoulder to cry on (figuratively, not literally).

I was reading the comments on an EMT Forum that Kesha sent which announced his death. There were so many comments from people stating how much he helped them. I wonder if he ever realized how many people he helped. Not only physically with his career as an EMT, but emotionally as well.

He never seemed to understand his worth. Everyone around him could see it, but he couldn't. He had a good heart. He cared deeply for people and always wanted to help them. He was a good counselor and always knew what people needed. Becoming and EMT was the perfect profession for him. Something he excelled at I am sure.

Although 5 months late, I felt I should post some comments on him and his passing. I wished I would have kept in contact more in my later years. That is part of the reason I just found out last night from Kesha and Cassie. I will always have the regret of not being a better friend to him in the later years. It is just so easy to get caught up in your own life. I will forever be grateful for his friendship and willingness to listen and give advice.

Zachey, you will be missed.

Red Velvet Cupcakes Recipe

RED VELVET CUPCAKES

Yields: 24

Cupcakes:
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 1/2 cups cake flour
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon vinegar

Cream-Cheese Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese (one bar)
1/2 pound unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups confectioner's sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Heart-shaped cupcake toppers or colored sugar

Preheat oven to 325°F. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with wrappers. Mix dry ingredients together. Mix wet ingredients together. Pour wet mixture into dry and mix until combined. Fill tins two-thirds full with batter. Bake 15 to 20 minutes. Cool completely.

For frosting, mix butter and cream cheese until smooth. Slowly mix in confectioner's sugar. Add vanilla extract. Frost Cupcakes using a piping bag fitted with a star-shaped tip. Or frost with a small spatula. Sprinkle with colored sugar or cupcake toppers.