Life Turned on a Dime

My cousin Joe got married this weekend in Alabama. With the unsettlement in our family right now, I wasn't sure what to make of the trip. Mom, Dad, Nick and I were the only relatives attending from my dad's side of the family.

The passing of my grandma was so much more difficult than I or anymore foresaw. She was definitely on my mind throughout the weekend. Not a week ago, I went back to her house in Athens. Saw all the belongings she had left behind, momentos that she loved, gifts we had given her, all strewn out on tables like an estate sale. My grandma kept the Pollard family bound together. She was the invisible thread that hand knitted us to each other. Heartbreaking to watch it all unravel.

I had a great childhood. I have so many memories of Nick and I growing up surrounded by an extended family that seemed to be living equally satisfying lives. Divorce hadn't plagued relationships and holidays were truly enjoyable. Nick and I always looked forward to seeing our cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Every Thanksgiving and Christmas we got to see both sides of our family and without a doubt came home with way too many gifts.

And then you get older. The spirit of joy and family isn't so magical. You learn there's resentment, jealousy, even hatred living within your family. People you looked up to with so much respect for 26 years suddenly decide family isn't the bond that they should treasure.

This holiday season will be our first, new tradition of no tradition. I always turned my nose up at carving the turkey each year, much to my Grandma Ellen's dismay. But this year, there will be no turkey at Grandma's.

I was sitting in the church pew waiting for the wedding to start. My mom looked over and said she couldn't help but think about Grandma. I turn my head and crawling along the edge of the pew bench, was a lady bug. A small reminder that she's still with us. We'll be ok.

You Never Know How You Will React, Until It Happens To You

It's one of those things you never think will actually happen to you, but my friends, it happened to me - I got stuck in an elevator. For real stuck.

Let me set this up for you...I'm in Alabama for my cousin's wedding. Last night, we gathered for the rehearsal dinner, which was on the top floor of a high rise building. Eleven of us and a small child entered an elevator with a capacity of 21 people or 3500 pounds. If you're doing the math, we were nowhere near capacity. We push the 8th floor button, the elevator rattled, dropped a little, and we went nowhere. You may be thinking, at least you weren't up high with the chance of plummeting. True. But panic was still setting in for irrational fears of loss of oxygen or rising temperatures inside the elevator. The only reason I didn't physically faint from anxiety was a three year old little girl (who I later learned was the flower girl) was on the verge on mini meltdown because they couldn't "just fix the door". Whew.

Needless to say, we bonded with some of the bride's family and had a good laugh, once rescued by Huntsville's finest firemen. A memory made.

Courage and Hope

I'm in Cincinnati. It's raining. I had room service. I watched Dancing With The Stars, my first episode of the season. And now I'm 9 minutes into the show I hadn't yet gotten around to changing the channel on - Gabby and Mark: Courage and Hope.

I already want to sniff a little. In 9 minutes, I have already seen a love every couple in this entire world undoubtedly wants to experience. Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly fought through that "in sickness and in health" phase with determination and optimism.

While divorce and infidelity plague so many marriages, it's hard to believe people actual desire each other anymore or remember that spark that encouraged marriage.

Although the special is focusing on Gabby's journey through the injury, all that stands out to me is her husband. Diane Sawyer interviews her and she frequently turns to her rock for confirmation and agreement. Proof that in the miracle of miracle moments, where only the power of God and love of family endures, a bullet may have taken some of her words but not her spirit. I am truly impressed.

DIY-ing

As some of you may know, I'm addicted to Pinterest right now. I've made quite a few fantastic recipes worth making again, gained a few room inspirations, namely my guest rooms, and even a few crafts have begun. Begun being the key word. I have all the necessities for most...and they'll all be done by Christmas. Pfffh!

I did tackle (and complete) one last night. Check it out.

And if you are wondering, I do know how to spell JOY, however every woman in Fort Worth must have been decorating their kids room with the letter J and they were out. Being the impatient person I am, I didn't want to have to make a trip BACK to Hobby Lobby, especially since most of these projects happen on Sundays when they're closed, I went for the easiest convertible letter - U. Stick with the pictures, it comes out, I promise.

All in all, fairly easy project if you don't pick a word with the letter O. I had to keep cutting my yard because there was no getting that massive ball through the little O opening to wind the letter. Just FYI.

Chasing the Wins

Well folks, it's the time of year again...

WEDDING SEASON.

(Shoutout to Wedding Crashers!)

Ha. Kidding.

BASKETBALL SEASON!

Yes. It's back.

It's the accountant's tax season, the retail store's Christmas, the lawn care business' summer, and a basketball coach wife's single season. The husband disappears. Late nights, early mornings and moods that flip their switch faster than a woman's at the end of the month. I have a serious love/hate relationship with basketball. I love to watch Bo submerged in his passion and influencing impressionable youth, but damn, it's trying times when you're chasing a win.