SIDEBAR #59 - Travis Alexander forum

McDonald's Kale Salad Has More Calories Than a Big Mac
Hear that? It's the sound of the universe laughing.

"Just because you put the word "kale" in something doesn't make it a healthy meal option.

McDonald's Canada's new kale salad – dubbed "Keep Calm, Caesar On" – contains more calories than a Big Mac.

The salad is, according to McDonald's Canada's website, "a nutrient-rich lettuce blend with baby kale, delicately topped with delicious crispy bacon, real parmesan petals and roasted garlic focaccia croutons. Then choose your chicken – seasoned crispy chicken or grilled chicken breast."

As such, the crispy chicken option with dressing yields a meal that contains 730 calories, 53 grams of fat and 1,400 milligrams of sodium...

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles...ontains-more-calories-than-big-mac?int=a6f909


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How one ancestor helped turn our brown eyes blue

"Everyone with blue eyes alive today – from Angelina Jolie to Wayne Rooney – can trace their ancestry back to one person who probably lived about 10,000 years ago in the Black Sea region, a study has found.

Scientists studying the genetics of eye colour have discovered that more than 99.5 per cent of blue-eyed people who volunteered to have their DNA analysed have the same tiny mutation in the gene that determines the colour of the iris.

This indicates that the mutation originated in just one person who became the ancestor of all subsequent people in the world with blue eyes, according to a study by Professor Hans Eiberg and colleagues at the University of Copenhagen..."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/s...r-helped-turn-our-brown-eyes-blue-776170.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is this ancient Greek statue proof someone took a laptop back in time (or is it just a TABLET?) :sheesh:

"The statue is ‘Grave Naiskos of an Enthroned Woman with an Attendant'

Conspiracy theorists say structure is too narrow to be a jewelry box

Says woman's eyes are focused on center of the 'lid' like a laptop monitor

Sceptics claim it is a wax tablet used by ancient Greeks for writing

Legend has it that the Oracle of Delphi connected priests with super natural beings who passed along advanced technology and information.

And conspiracy theorists claim that is how a modern-day laptop ended up in a Greek sculpture from 100 BC.

But historians say the sculpture is just a deceased woman 'touching the lid of a shallow chest'.

Scroll down for video .."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...ptop-USB-ports-point-tablet-just-one-wax.html





(The concept of this image has been a part of Greek funerary art for centuries and is most likely pertains to the hope they that will still have the same earthly pleasures in the afterlife. It depicts an object that closely resembles a modern laptop or handheld device with USB ports, explained StillSpeakingOut)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sacred scrolls that survived Holocaust reunited after more than 50 years

"The last time they were all together was more than five decades ago, shortly after they were rescued from a damp, dark warehouse in Prague...

In making Torah 38 whole again she had the idea of uniting all of the rescued scrolls. She wanted to focus on the resilience of the human survivors and the importance of the Torah to Judaism.

The event came together after a year of planning and reaching out to The Memorial Scrolls Trust in London, the group that purchased the lot from Czechoslovakia in 1964. Many were in need of restoration.

More than 20 synagogues from across Florida, New York, Canada and London brought their scrolls to be recognized. Survivors filled the audience.

One by one, designated Torah holders walked the guests of honor down the aisle to the front of the synagogue as congregants stood for respect. Strauss carried her “baby” with the help of the temple’s two Holocaust survivors, Bela Deutsch and Eva Abramczyk...

Gedalia Druin, a scribe, invited the children and several Holocaust survivors, to help him restore a letter.

Cindy Chamides, 16, said taking part in restoring a Holocaust Torah was “amazing.”

“It was just a beautiful thing,” she said, noting that not everyone gets the opportunity to help preserve the past. “I feel blessed.”.."

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article60403996.html
--

Video: 26 rescued Torahs reunite at the Holocaust Torah Reunion

"Lynn Strauss, president of Temple Beth El, reflects on the gathering of 26 rescued Holocaust Torahs during the Holocaust Torah Reunion in Hollywood on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016."

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article60404121.html
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What moms think it really feels like to give birth
9 Moms share what labor really feels like — the good, the bad and the hilarious

"...If you've ever hit the magical six weeks postpartum mark with an air of excited expectancy only to still feel like you've been hit by a truck, you're not alone. Researchers at the University of Michigan can back up your assertion that labor is not effing around...

When SheKnows spoke to real moms about what they would compare labor to, they didn't use words half as gentle as the phrase "like a marathon" to describe their ordeals. Warning: If you're an expectant mother frantically Googling for a little comfort, you may want to avert your eyes.

One mom who labored for almost a full day before being rushed in for an emergency C-section described it as an alien autopsy, and even that was one of the less graphic descriptions of pushing a small human from a much smaller orifice.

Mom Lacey summed up her labor experience eloquently enough, saying it was "something like putting a chainsaw and torch in my vagina and then getting this screaming pooping thing in return."...

Carissa, on the other hand, opted for a short and sweet anecdote, proclaiming that the experience was akin to "being a test chamber for a small bomb."...

For her part, Emma fondly remembers her labor as "Taking a really hard, large s**t when you have a hemorrhoid the size of a golf ball that gives you period cramps so painful you're begging someone to stick a giant needle in your spine. Yeah, that basically sums it up."..."

http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1108709/what-labor-feels-like

What do you say ladies????

I say thank God for menopause. :facepalm:

One last thing:

QUIZ

This Five Question Test Will Determine Where In The World You Should Live

http://www.buzzfeed.com/alivelez/where-in-the-world-should-you-live#.mlJZGY5vR

You got: Greece
OPA! Nestled in the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Greece has so much to offer. From its world-famous islands and beaches to historic sights like Acropolis citadel and Parthenon temple, you will never run out of things to see. Plus, the food is pretty much perfection.

neesaki said:

Thanks so much for all your feedback, I was already feeling like this as well even though it's not what I would do or did do when I got married. I think that's been my biggest hurdle. My first wedding was a tiny wedding with mostly family. My second wedding was an elopement to another country. So what does that tell you? LOL
And, I just have to get over my old fashioned, close minded ideas. As my DH was saying earlier, they're Millennials, that's how their generation is ... and I'm like, what ?

And zoey, I'm with you all the way on the over the top extravagant weddings that are just for show. What our thinking was, our hope, is that they would rather invest that amount of money in their home and future, not to mention a nice trip for their honeymoon. It's all very expensive and most of it if not all will be our gift to them. But I HOPE, actually I'm certain that their wedding won't be that extravagant as there will be a limit. And THAT will be up to my DH, and he won't take it lightly, believe me . It'll be good for him though, he'll either have to be feeling very generous, or learn how to say no, hehehe

Click to expand...

I agree with you and I was the same way but since it is their special time and its what they want to do then I agree that I would try to let them have what they want without interjecting too much especially if they are choosing to pay for most of it themselves.

Its a tough thing for families to go through with all the planning because things get real emotional real fast but you don't want to do anything to make them upset so you just try to be supportive and when they ask for advice you surely can offer them advice but trying not to be too overbearing unless they ask for advice. We of course don't want to ruin their special time and we want to make it as best as possible for them so they can look back on their wedding as a great event in their lives.

Everyone is different and for me and my wife we didn't want a big wedding at all and we just had a courthouse wedding so I totally understand this subject. LOL We wanted to be frugal at the time and we didn't see a need to spend money on something like that although I have to admit that we sometimes look back and wish we could have at least had a small church wedding since we went too far the other way and it was not very memorable.
We did dress up for it and we got some nice pictures and we managed to make it as nice as we could although that is the part I would change if we ever went back in time. I would want a very small church wedding with just special people in our lives like direct relatives only and a few close friends.

But we realize everyone is different. The main thing is that 2 people are happy with each other and are hopefully making the right decision with being lifetime partners.
Whether small or large wedding it doesn't matter if its the right 2 people since even though my very small wedding only had people you could count on one hand we are still together after 25+ years. (knock on wood....LOL)

I just saw the Bachelor last week where they had a large TV wedding and the couple seemed nervous about all the cameras and people there. So even though it was really nice I got a sense they could not enjoy themselves because it seemed more for the TV and for others than for themselves.

But letting them do what they want is a good way to never have regrets. Being supportive of their decisions is a good way to let things happen for them. They will appreciate the support and they can never blame anything on anyone if its their own decisions on what they want to do with their wedding. When they ask for advice we can be supportive and offer suggestions and offer alternative ways of handling certain parts of things with always allowing them the ultimate decision in which choices they want to make.

I agree with others that it becomes a different ball game if they were not the ones offering to pay for things. Like if a family's parents are the ones footing the bill then I feel the parents would have the right to limit certain parts and still offer suggestions but within certain limits. Like for example a parent could offer them a nicer dinner part but less nice of a building rent out. Or a nicer honeymoon with a smaller dinner part. Things like that. Still letting the couple decide things but give them options that they choose within the budget allowed by the parent.

It sounds like things will go just fine for everyone.

Congrats and Best wishes to the happy couple !

Nice post about wedding planning, Hatfield!

Ughh..... those descriptions on how giving birth feels gave me PTSD! Being pregnant I enjoyed (despite months of morning sickness), but the actual labor was no picnic, nor was my recovery time.

Hatfield, the little boy's death sounds very suspicious. Thanks for the Titus Tackett link. http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...n-Tackett-3-Lake-Killarney-10-Feb-2016/page14

Sending more Jingles out to coffeej.

Morning all! :wave:

Gosh - I missed a lot last night!

When the Huz and I decided to get married (my second marriage), we went to Lake Tahoe to get married. My first wedding was a BIG one! So did not want my Father to pay for another BIG wedding - so we just went to a justice of the peace there. We did have a BIG reception though - at my boss's house - so everyone could enjoy our union!

Hatfield said:

Oh, meant to say that when Titus Tackett was reported missing last week I saw the link about it that morning and it was amazing to follow the case that day. The reports were coming in fast and furious and we tried to find a scanner that would pickup police scanner but town too small.

By end of day LE found him and then the details started coming in. It was just amazing to follow the live reports that day from the news networks.

That is what is great about WS. If you ever happen to catch a case as it is happening live it gets very exciting and with scanner thread and live news coming in it is just amazing and WS is the best place to be as things happen. Everyone chips in to add what they find out.

Ive managed to catch a few cases like this one as they were breaking news.

Click to expand...

I'm following that too! I caught the first details when DeOrr Kunz, Jr. went missing... now that one is a strange case for sure! Poor baby has not been found yet.

Thanks for the link to Dr. Phil - YESorNO - I missed the first 10 minutes - was watching a movie and forgot! :facepalm: But by my notes, here's what I got out of the whole thing:
1. Didn't know that #whatever :jail: took off the license plates of the rental car when she parked in front of Travis' house (or was it parked in the driveway? I've heard it both ways)
2. Juror #8 - thought "Juan was awesome!" :juanettes:
3. Did Jane Velez-Mitchell has a nose job?? She sure looks different!! Or is it her bangs?

I have a dilema (sp?) - my little bro's girlfriend called my sister the other day, asking for MORE money to have little bro cremated! We already sent her the money for this back when he died last June... now we are wondering - what the hell did she do with the money we already sent her - plus my sisters gave her more money at the Memorial service. So we decided that I call the UCLA Medical Center - ask for the doctor that was treating him, as we really don't know WHY he really died... and than for me to call the Coroner and to try and find his body... :scared: At the time he died, I did call all these places and I guess the girlfriend found out I called and got all pizzed off - but we really don't care now if she does find out that I've called again! My sister in Sweden would like to know all this, as she wants peace of mind on "where" our brother is!

Okay - lots to do here - so I'll post this and continue reading... cguru:

Niner said:

Morning all! :wave:

Gosh - I missed a lot last night!

When the Huz and I decided to get married (my second marriage), we went to Lake Tahoe to get married. My first wedding was a BIG one! So did not want my Father to pay for another BIG wedding - so we just went to a justice of the peace there. We did have a BIG reception though - at my boss's house - so everyone could enjoy our union!



I'm following that too! I caught the first details when DeOrr Kunz, Jr. went missing... now that one is a strange case for sure! Poor baby has not been found yet.

Thanks for the link to Dr. Phil - YESorNO - I missed the first 10 minutes - was watching a movie and forgot! :facepalm: But by my notes, here's what I got out of the whole thing:
1. Didn't know that #whatever :jail: took off the license plates of the rental car when she parked in front of Travis' house (or was it parked in the driveway? I've heard it both ways)
2. Juror #8 - thought "Juan was awesome!" :juanettes:
3. Did Jane Velez-Mitchell has a nose job?? She sure looks different!! Or is it her bangs?

I have a dilema (sp?) - my little bro's girlfriend called my sister the other day, asking for MORE money to have little bro cremated! We already sent her the money for this back when he died last June... now we are wondering - what the hell did she do with the money we already sent her - plus my sisters gave her more money at the Memorial service. So we decided that I call the UCLA Medical Center - ask for the doctor that was treating him, as we really don't know WHY he really died... and than for me to call the Coroner and to try and find his body... :scared: At the time he died, I did call all these places and I guess the girlfriend found out I called and got all pizzed off - but we really don't care now if she does find out that I've called again! My sister in Sweden would like to know all this, as she wants peace of mind on "where" our brother is!

Okay - lots to do here - so I'll post this and continue reading... cguru:

Click to expand...

I hope you find out what you need to about your brother.

I made arrangements for a relative's cremation once and all I know is it happens quickly after death because they don't want to have to pay for cold storage so the cremation should have happened shortly after he passed. Like days after.

It does not make sense that she is talking about still cremating unless she is just referring to the bills she owes the funeral parlor or funeral director. She may just owe money still if she did not pay in full at the time.

It would be important to find out a few things IMO

-Get a copy of death certificate from the funeral parlor that handled his cremation or burial.
There is a small fee for an official copy. They may be able to give you an unofficial copy as well for a smaller fee. There may be some rules on who can request these copies though. I would think a direct relative should be ok to get one. You may have to prove relationship to the funeral parlor or funeral director.

-If he was cremated then find out where his remains went. They could have been handed to a person. Or they could have been placed in a cemetery plot for cremains.

-If there was an autopsy done then try to obtain the report from whoever did an autopsy. Most people do not get autopsies so this may have not been done. But a death certificate is always done by whatever funeral place handled the arrangements.


Good luck in finding whatever you need.

Hey!

Looks like a laptop to me... nline:

and I got:
You got: Japan

You are sensitive and intelligent, with an adventurous spirit. Japan is the perfect place for you to immerse yourself in a beautiful and peaceful country. Don’t forget to take some time to have some fun in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, too!


Oh had to mention - when I got married the second time - I wore jeans, but a nice top, and took pictures from the waist up, so my Mother wouldn't see my jeans! :lol:

Forgot to post these pictures:

Here's Louie at 10 months old:



Here's Kimi at 10 months old - he has a tail that measures 16 inches - I've never seen a cat with such a LONG tail... :laughing:



And here's the picture my parents got when they visited Norway back in 1947 (it's like a 3D carved wood:



Okay - later! :seeya:

Hatfield said:

I hope you find out what you need to about your brother.

I made arrangements for a relative's cremation once and all I know is it happens quickly after death because they don't want to have to pay for cold storage so the cremation should have happened shortly after he passed. Like days after.

It does not make sense that she is talking about still cremating unless she is just referring to the bills she owes the funeral parlor or funeral director. She may just owe money still if she did not pay in full at the time.

It would be important to find out a few things IMO

-Get a copy of death certificate from the funeral parlor that handled his cremation or burial.
There is a small fee for an official copy. They may be able to give you an unofficial copy as well for a smaller fee. There may be some rules on who can request these copies though. I would think a direct relative should be ok to get one. You may have to prove relationship to the funeral parlor or funeral director.

-If he was cremated then find out where his remains went. They could have been handed to a person. Or they could have been placed in a cemetery plot for cremains.

-If there was an autopsy done then try to obtain the report from whoever did an autopsy. Most people do not get autopsies so this may have not been done. But a death certificate is always done by whatever funeral place handled the arrangements.


Good luck in finding whatever you need.

Click to expand...

Thanks Hatfield! The thing is - she (GF) told us that if she did not pay for the cremation (at the time of his death), they would cremate him and bury those in a "pauper's plot"!!! So I'm hoping he NOT there! There was no funeral parlor or director. I'm thinking - if he hasn't been cremated yet, he might be a the L.A. Coroner's place?? Still in cold storage??? :gaah: Not sure if there was an autopsy, I'm going to find that out too, because there was confusion on "how" he died - liver cancer or being drowned by some fluids that were given to him by an intern - when the hospital records said "NO Fluids" - and he died shortly after that. So, after this post, I'm getting on the phone and calling all kinds of places to see if I can find him! I've asked the GF for his death certificate, but of course, she hasn't sent me one... But you might be right, that she still owes the money to get his cremains... but we did send her the money for that, so don't know about that one! Thanks again!!
:seeya:

Niner said:

Thanks Hatfield! The thing is - she (GF) told us that if she did not pay for the cremation (at the time of his death), they would cremate him and bury those in a "pauper's plot"!!! So I'm hoping he NOT there! There was no funeral parlor or director. I'm thinking - if he hasn't been cremated yet, he might be a the L.A. Coroner's place?? Still in cold storage??? :gaah: Not sure if there was an autopsy, I'm going to find that out too, because there was confusion on "how" he died - liver cancer or being drowned by some fluids that were given to him by an intern - when the hospital records said "NO Fluids" - and he died shortly after that. So, after this post, I'm getting on the phone and calling all kinds of places to see if I can find him! I've asked the GF for his death certificate, but of course, she hasn't sent me one... But you might be right, that she still owes the money to get his cremains... but we did send her the money for that, so don't know about that one! Thanks again!!
:seeya:

Click to expand...

You mentioned a "Memorial service" was held. I would start there at whatever place arranged the Memorial Service because typically the cremains would be present at the Memorial Service. Whatever place arranged the Memorial Service may be able to get a copy of the death certificate or at least point you in the right direction to find out how to get it and they should be able to tell you whether or not he was cremated already at the time they did the memorial service and maybe able to tell you where his cremains went.

In our case the cremains were handed over to a relative in an urn right after the memorial service.

My Juan book just got here. Poor UPS guy. I was out the door before he got completely stopped. So today is going to be a reading day between cooking pork chops, broccoli, rice and cheese casserole, a big salad and fresh dinner rolls from scratch. My sister made a pineapple upside down cake this morning. yum

I'll stop by later after I get back home to my laptop and let you know how far along I am, in case any one would like for me to pass it along gratis, when I'm through, and I'll use a bookmark that seems unnatural.

Later alligators, take your shoes off and dance.


https//youtu.be/zUQiUFZ5RDw

Niner said:

Thanks Hatfield! The thing is - she (GF) told us that if she did not pay for the cremation (at the time of his death), they would cremate him and bury those in a "pauper's plot"!!! So I'm hoping he NOT there! There was no funeral parlor or director. I'm thinking - if he hasn't been cremated yet, he might be a the L.A. Coroner's place?? Still in cold storage??? :gaah: Not sure if there was an autopsy, I'm going to find that out too, because there was confusion on "how" he died - liver cancer or being drowned by some fluids that were given to him by an intern - when the hospital records said "NO Fluids" - and he died shortly after that. So, after this post, I'm getting on the phone and calling all kinds of places to see if I can find him! I've asked the GF for his death certificate, but of course, she hasn't sent me one... But you might be right, that she still owes the money to get his cremains... but we did send her the money for that, so don't know about that one! Thanks again!!
:seeya:

Click to expand...

Niner, forgive me but I do not remember where your brother was living when he died. Do not give her any more money. If the cremation was not paid and you want to do that, pay the proper place. Contact the county or state vital records office and get a CERTIFIED copy with an official stamp. I think it cost me about $15 each to get my parents.

You should be able to find the right place for your request here: http://www.vitalrec.com/index.html

When someone dies, the death must be registered with the local or state vital records office within a matter of days. The vital records office can then issue copies of the death certificate, which you may want or your personal records or to handle a deceased person’s affairs.
http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-get-death-certificate.html

ILikeToBendPages said:

My Juan book just got here. Poor UPS guy. I was out the door before he got completely stopped. So today is going to be a reading day between cooking pork chops, broccoli, rice and cheese casserole, a big salad and fresh dinner rolls from scratch. My sister made a pineapple upside down cake this morning. yum

I'll stop by later after I get back home to my laptop and let you know how far along I am, in case any one would like for me to pass it along gratis, when I'm through, and I'll use a bookmark that seems unnatural.

Later alligators, take your shoes off and dance.


https//youtu.be/zUQiUFZ5RDw

Click to expand...

Happy to hear you got your copy. There are good reviews so far in the book thread from the person that has made it through a few chapters already.

ILikeToBendPages said:

My Juan book just got here. Poor UPS guy. I was out the door before he got completely stopped. So today is going to be a reading day between cooking pork chops, broccoli, rice and cheese casserole, a big salad and fresh dinner rolls from scratch. My sister made a pineapple upside down cake this morning. yum

I'll stop by later after I get back home to my laptop and let you know how far along I am, in case any one would like for me to pass it along gratis, when I'm through, and I'll use a bookmark that seems unnatural.

Later alligators, take your shoes off and dance.


https//youtu.be/zUQiUFZ5RDw

Click to expand...

I love bending pages... one daughter (actually probably both) hate bending pages.

Hatfield said:

Hello Everyone,

Been caught up in the Located Persons thread lately about the 3 year old Titus Tackett that was found dead in a car about 1/2 mile away from his house. He allegedly walked out of his house in his diaper in the freezing cold and walked all that way and then got in a strangers van by himself and closed the door and covered himself with a blanket. Its hard to believe he did that or maybe there was foul play. Its a sad case either way.

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...n-Tackett-3-Lake-Killarney-10-Feb-2016/page44

I have lots of catching up here to do on our SB and will read back today.
Hope everyone is doing ok.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the link,. I went over there and started reading. The kids' cases make me want to cry...but I am drawn toward them like a moth to a flame.

Niner said:

Hey!

Looks like a laptop to me... nline:

and I got:
You got: Japan

You are sensitive and intelligent, with an adventurous spirit. Japan is the perfect place for you to immerse yourself in a beautiful and peaceful country. Don’t forget to take some time to have some fun in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, too!


Oh had to mention - when I got married the second time - I wore jeans, but a nice top, and took pictures from the waist up, so my Mother wouldn't see my jeans! :lol:

Forgot to post these pictures:

Here's Louie at 10 months old:

View attachment 89201

Here's Kimi at 10 months old - he has a tail that measures 16 inches - I've never seen a cat with such a LONG tail... :laughing:

View attachment 89202

And here's the picture my parents got when they visited Norway back in 1947 (it's like a 3D carved wood:

View attachment 89203

Okay - later! :seeya:

Click to expand...

Awe, sweet kitties!! :love:

Drove to the dentist and the fog was like something in an Steven King's novel!! Creepy... When I got out of the dentist office it was SNOWING the biggest flakes EVER! Just crazy weather going on around here.

Ryan is out of ICU, he is breathing on his own, but still in a coma and it not induced. Meeting with Dr. tomorrow, will know more then.

Zuri ~ What are some of the reasons he could still be in a coma from this? Brian damage? But, if brain damage, he could not breathe on his own??

Spellbound said:

Niner, forgive me but I do not remember where your brother was living when he died. Do not give her any more money. If the cremation was not paid and you want to do that, pay the proper place. Contact the county or state vital records office and get a CERTIFIED copy with an official stamp. I think it cost me about $15 each to get my parents.

You should be able to find the right place for your request here: http://www.vitalrec.com/index.html

When someone dies, the death must be registered with the local or state vital records office within a matter of days. The vital records office can then issue copies of the death certificate, which you may want or your personal records or to handle a deceased person’s affairs.
http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-get-death-certificate.html

Click to expand...

---------------
The Coroners office might be a help. We paid for our Daughters cremation before it was done. she was taken by funeral Director to Cemetery where we had a service. I got copies of DH death from City Hall. Has to be the City hall in County he died in. I'd call Coroner. if they cant help they can send you were they can. Dear God Niner my heart is with you.

Spellbound said:

Niner, forgive me but I do not remember where your brother was living when he died. Do not give her any more money. If the cremation was not paid and you want to do that, pay the proper place. Contact the county or state vital records office and get a CERTIFIED copy with an official stamp. I think it cost me about $15 each to get my parents.

You should be able to find the right place for your request here: http://www.vitalrec.com/index.html

When someone dies, the death must be registered with the local or state vital records office within a matter of days. The vital records office can then issue copies of the death certificate, which you may want or your personal records or to handle a deceased person’s affairs.
http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-get-death-certificate.html

Click to expand...

This is very good advice.

Also (as per Hatfield), I'm 99% sure he has already been cremated. I don't think they keep people in cold storage without charging a daily fee.

It seems to me the GF is trying to scam your family. I wouldn't pay her a dime, but I would take measures to find out what actually happened to your brother, including cause of death. Armed with that knowledge, you can comfortably sever all ties with her.

So sorry that your family is still having to endure this woman's influence on your lives. It also makes me feel even worse about your brother. He deserved better than a woman like that...