September Iphone Dump

 This month was a tough one, we were back at the doctor like last fall with runny nose, and now ear issues.  The terrible twos may have hit the Pollard home early.  Jett Boy's inability to communicate with all the words he needs has him frustrated.

 We call sweet boy, Hector the Collector, since he is always on the move collecting trains, tracks, and anything he might need and has room in his arms for.

 The last week of the month brought sadness to our lives, with my dad's passing.  It was the longest and fastest week in my life. 

 I have taken knitting back up, and am thankful for another hobby to keep my idle hands busy and my mind distracted.

My brown eyed boy has been the bright spot in a tragic month.  He seems to need more snuggles and more love and he is filling my days with smiles and laughter.  The Lord knows what you need when you need it.

Daddy's Passing

Hour by hour our time at the hospice house was short, but it was a wonderful place to be and a great staff to spend those hectic days with.
Thursday morning after running by Daddy's house I headed to see him.  He was restless all day.  He seemed to have vivid dreams and made noises as he slept.  Brett stayed with me all day and we worked off and on our laptops.  My dad's brother spent the majority of the afternoon keeping us company and my cousin, Darla, spent the better part of her lunch hour with us as we watched him sleep.  As the afternoon rolled into night, Cullen came by for a couple of hours, Aunt B and Uncle Wayne came by with Mom and then as night progressed it was just the three of us.  Just as I was about to leave and get Jett home from Cullen's parents' Daddy's oxygen dropped.
On oxygen I left him with Brett to take Jett home and come back to stay the night.  Aunt Avis and Uncle Joe, came back by to stay until just after 11 o'clock and then I was left to settle in to the night.  I woke several times to make sure I still heard Daddy breathing and by 4:00 a.m.  I was up and going to get the day started.  I woke up and started talking to Daddy just to see if he would respond.  When I went to his bedside and said good morning he opened his eyes and telling him it was okay to rest he closed them back.  As I knitted my way through the morning I made small talk with him and he gurgled and murmured right back at me as if to answer my questions.  Just around 11 my brother came in mid bath time and Daddy's breathing changed.  The nurses noted the change and we gathered around his bed.  It was as if we were in adrenaline over drive.  Once they were done Brett and I busied ourselves, but at every hiccup in his breathing we were startled to a stop.  Finally just after noon, I went and sat on his bed and held his hand.  I talked to him and Brett joined me.  As those minutes seemed to last forever and speed by, we prayed aloud, we prayed silently, but we prayed.  As we both held his hands and each other's hands I told him it was okay.  He didn't have to fight.  With the sweetest look on his face Daddy took his last breaths.  I never want to forget the story, the moments we were blessed with.  It was as perfect as it could have been.  He was not suffering, he was not alone, and the two that loved him most in this world were with him.  In the moments that followed a surreal feeling is the only way I can describe my emotion.  I have always said it would be weird to be alone with someone who has passed.  It wasn't.  It wasn't weird in one way.  It is as if the Lord puts the people around you during these times to know what you need, when you need it.  Within hours we made so many decisions.  The weekend now is a blur of food, flowers, friends, family and fatigue.

It’s been a Strange 48 hours

            Noon on Tuesday I got a phone call from a lady I’ve never met saying she had stopped by to check on my dad and he was not doing well.  She had put a call in to the cancer center and his family practitioner and wanted to tell me.  I called her back minutes after listening to her message and discussed with her what I would do.  Within the hour a hospice nurse dispatched by the family doctor had contacted me and we were discussing meeting at his house and assessing the situation. 

I was the only administrator in building so I knew I needed to wait until after school.              Three o’clock came and I headed to Ecru.  Once there it was apparent home hospice was out of the question.  With the plan of seeking a placement at the Sanctuary Hospice House the next day, I headed back to Oxford for class at 7.  After class about 9:30 I called my brother to give the news, and then called my other half siblings. 

I had trouble sleeping and woke up early Wednesday thinking of all I needed to get completed.  I headed to work, and my brother headed to see about my dad.  I worked the phones getting paper faxed and placement secure, while Brett took it all in and tried to manage Daddy. 

            Scheduled to teach my first ever college class at 4:00, I gave my brother directives and tried to help him from 45 minutes away.  By 5:00 he had secured help from our cousin to try and get Daddy in a vehicle and moved.  In the moving Daddy fell and got scraped up pretty bad.  They called the ambulance and he was transported to the E.R.  At 6:30 I was out of class, home, and at the E.R. with Brett and Daddy.  His wounds were treated and we awaited his ride to the Hospice House.  By 7:45 we were headed to Tupelo to get him settled.  The trip left him restless and us quiet.  Once the ambulance crew got him situated and the hospice house staff got him assessed, we were able to check in and say goodnight. 

            I took today off to get some things situated.  I was up at 3:00 unable to stop thinking about things I needed to do.  At 3:30 I knew sleep wouldn’t find me again, so I got up and began cleaning.  The kitchen countertops were wiped down, floor mopped, fridge and microwave cleaned out and scrubbed down.  Next I decided to get showered and ready and to start making plans.  Three cups of coffee later I’m wired and sitting next to Daddy’s bedside listening to his sleep noises, staring at his scrapes from yesterday.  His knobby knees are raising the bed covers just a bit.  His hands are fighting to stay on top of the cover.  This is not where I imagined myself 48 hours ago.  This wasn’t in my plan.  

Mississippi Women Bloggers

Hey friends, I wanted to let you know I was featured on another blog yesterday.  You should check it out.  I encourage everyone to just put your thoughts down and submit your words, your ideas, your photos.  Give back to the blog world.  Giving back is what motivated me to take the plunge you should too.  http://www.mississippiwomenbloggers.com/tailgating-with-a-toddler-back-in-my-day/

Twenty Months

Jett Boy is 20 months old.  He is talking up a storm and has very direct ways of letting you know what he wants.  Most times through asking him questions we can rule out what he doesn't want and with a quick "K" we know we have hit the nail on the head with what he wants.  Milk? Thomas? Bite? When he gives us a "K" we know which it is.  

His vocabulary is getting bigger each month.  This month he said Love You back to me when I told him I loved him.  Talk about melting a mama's heart.  

He can name off any train you ask show him.  With Ole Miss winning we keep him in practice of answering the Ole Miss questions.  Colonel Rebel says "Go Rebels!"

He wears 18m-24m, size 5 diapers, size 6 shoes.

He loves Easy Mac, juice, milk, meat, and he loves fruit squeezes and raisins.

He is the worst sleeper and with his ears infected he goes to sleep between 8-9 and wakes up between 5-5:30.  

He loves a bath, a train, and everything Thomas.  

The Vote

The main topic on everyone's mind in Mayberry a.k.a Pontotoc for the moment has been the vote.  Mid month Pontotocians residing in the city limits were able to vote for or against the sale of alcohol and beer in the city limits.  Our little town has remained dry for decades.  As the only voting member of our household I decided to do my civic duty and vote first thing.  As I walked up to the Community House, this sign was posted.  I was enraged.  I had a sick feeling in my stomach.  I knew the entire time I would vote against Pontotoc becoming wet, but this ridiculous sign made me second guess my choice.  As I walked right past the huge sign I walked over to the quiet tent, the tent filled with less obtrusive people, those voting for alcohol in Pontotoc.  

The sign said God is Watching what Happens Here.  I think it was a scare tactic, but newsflash....God is omniscient and omnipresent he knows what you are doing all the time.  It flew all over me.  Yes, the Lord I serve is a Just God, but He is loving.  I am convinced that many who would have come to vote against it, voted for, on principle.  And that night when I came in from class the crowd was leaving the courthouse and the vote was separated by just around 50 votes, Pontotoc is now a wet city.

Brother's Birthday Lunch

The look on his face says I don't love to shop, but in his mind he is thinking, get out of my way.  Jett has discovered the little baskets at our Piggly Wiggly, and he is in LOVE with them.  To be honest it makes my life easier when I run in for a few quick things if I can just drop them in his buggy.  He is a man on the move.

Ole Miss vs. Louisiana Lafayette

Jett's first Grove of the year had me worried, planning, thinking, and struggling.  Last year for the first game I made sure to have back up.  I had friends in tow to help and family as well.  It was work but it was easy, and my baby boy wasn't very mobile.  I knew this season would be different.  We got to the Grove about 11:15 to find the Pontotoc Rebels had yet to get there.  We tailgated alone only for about 15 minutes before we were able to help friends begin to bedeck the tables and get the party started.  Jett was in prime form during his normal nap time.  He had to sit in the chairs by himself, he had to watch Thomas on demand, and he pretty much was mesmerized by the big kids throwing a football behind us.  

 Apparently Jett understands the importance of hydration because he loved his new sippy cup so much he wouldn't put it down...that is until he put it down when we were leaving and in four inch heels I refused to turn around and get it.  I have my fingers crossed a Pontotoc Rebel brought it home with them.  

 He was so fussy during his nap time he would not even love on his bestie friend, Hannah.

 This picture was in between crying babies, wiping sweat, and stopping just long enough to say how much we missed each other, loved each other's outfits, and needed to spend more time together.  Then it was a quick photo before we picked up babies, made sure they weren't dirty and raced around after them.  

 Lily James was hamming it up for the camera.  She was in the best mood ever and just smiled at everyone.  

 This is the best pic we could get of all four of us.  You can tell by the strained smile on our faces that we were thinking Hurry up take the pic...does my arm look fat?...Are the kids smiling? ... Is my face shiny?  Is she gonna take a one with my phone?  Is this my good side?  What time is it?  And the many other ideas that run through your mind.

 Cullen had given me strict orders to be at the gate at game time.  So once the photo was made I packed up the Grove Cart and headed to the car.  He had strategized that it would be best if I took the cart back to the car, loaded it up, and then got Jett's stroller to take him to the game.  When we dropped off I knew he dropped me off and unloaded before parking in the lower parking lot near the baseball field.  It wasn't until I walked back to the car with a cart full of a cooler, a purse, a bag, a blanket, and dishes, that I realized Cullen hadn't just parked in the lower parking lot, it was past that around to the back of the baseball field.  In the four inch heels with a toddler on my hip and a cart gaining momentum and speed going down the hill, I may or may not have questioned my loyalty to Ole Miss, my husband, and my squirming child.  Just past the middle of no where I caught myself silently cursing the slip that was riding down, the shoes that were pinching my toes, and the idiot who assigned a parking pass on highway six almost.  Once at the car I sighed a long sigh of relief, let Jett play in the rocks and made quick work of the wagon/stroller exchange.  Then it was time to hike back up the hill, head across Taylor into a parking lot, down a flight of stairs and around the stadium to meet Cullen with a stroller, purse, and diaper bag in tow.  

 But in the blink of an eye, we were inside in the perfect seats with food, drinks, and company to keep Jett Boy entertained.  With his trains in hand and the excitement of the crowd Jett found sheer happiness.  

 Then, these pretty Rebelettes came around and he was taken with them.  He let them hold him and was  trying to play it cool as they snuggled and cuddled him.  I think he won them over when he perfectly performed his two Ole Miss tricks.  I ask him where Ole Miss was and he pats his chest, right over his heart,  as if to say "in my heart."  It'll make a Ole Miss loving Mama swoon and these girls were no different.  Next he threw a "fins up" hand to his face and they oohed and ahhed even more.  

 And this is his friend Frankie, she lives outside Atlanta, but for 15 minutes they entertained one another and her mom and I loved every minute of not being on the run.  

 And as you can see Jett feels completely at home with his Daddy's credentials around his neck, he was ready to take the field and the South Club by storm.  He made it to third quarter before giving it up.  Bless us all!  We didn't make it off campus before he was out and he slept until 4:45 this morning.  I could write a thousands posts about tailgating with a toddler and the struggles, but honestly I know we are super blessed to be able to enjoy football season like we do and with our friends and family.  

Family Reunion

 Cullen's grandmother hosted her siblings this weekend for a fish fry.  There are five of them now but one was unable to make the trip.  I had never met them before so we hurried around the house early in the morning planning and preparing for a long day in Oxford.  I woke up about 4:30 and got started getting things together.  Jett is an early riser so yesterday was no different.  He was up watching Thomas and playing with his trains while I got the Grove equipment together, got us both ready and even worked in a breakfast for us.  Cullen was in Game Day mode, which he swears doesn't exist, so entertained Jett and gave me half hour time updates.

 We got to Taylor by 9 and spent about 2 hours meeting and greeting the siblings.  They were a fun bunch.  Having just grown up with one sibling in my house, it seemed like it would have been fun with a bunch.  

 Jett was so tired but he was not about to give up a time with people to sleep.  I may or may not have paid for that later in the day.

 Here the siblings are, together again.  I know I was told their ages a hand full of times but I didn't pay that much attention.  I'm thinking from the left it was 80, 78, 76, and I'm not sure about the youngest...I'd have to say early 70s.  

Cullen, Jett, and I headed to tailgate just about 11:00 and as we were pulling out of the drive way his sister was pulling in to drop off her baby girl with his parents so they could enjoy the game with her.  After we left the siblings enjoyed a family fish fry and I'm sure lots of laughs.  

Celebrating Sadie

 Thursday, my mom turned 63.  We celebrated by eating at Boure in Oxford and then meeting family for dessert in Pontotoc.   

 Jett is less than amused at eating out.  He wants to be in the floor playing with trains and tracks.  Cullen is really good at keeping him entertained by letting him play with his phone, making up games to play, and just keeping him occupied.  

 Since my mom has been on Whole 30, I had to get creative with her cake.  She doesn't eat sugar, gluten, or processed food.  I made her a fruit cake.  

Fourty-seven pounds later she is keeping her goals in mind.  She did say she enjoyed a small piece of cake at work, but was right back on the diet by dinner time.  Jett Boy was so teased at the singing of Happy Birthday, but he was ready for watermelon soon after the anthem.

Ode to CHI

Friends, Love one, may we please pause for a moment of silence at the loss of my dear friend of 13 years, my CHI iron.  

We've been through some smooth times and some frizzy times.  She calmed the waves through three Ole Miss graduation,s she tamed my curls during my reign as Miss Pontotoc, and has smoothed my man for countless job interviews, first days, my wedding day and the birth of sweet Jett Boy.  SHe aided me in creating my alter ego, Veronica.  If you see me in the near future and I just don't seem myself, my hair has gone more stray than usual, just send a bless her heart my way.  Visitation and arrangements to follow.  Obituary is incomplete at this time.

Jett's Newest Train

 It is no secret that Jett Boy loves a train.  When my mom walked in with this monster Jett was overly joyed.

 It's the cutest in the world.  It hooks together and he has found it can hold a book for him to have read to him, and some extra smaller trains in one of the compartment, it even has a flat bead to hold one of his smaller engines.  He has been one happy boy all week.

 I've found pieces each morning this week as I've made my way to the kitchen and kicked them.  Solid wood can stub a toe in a second.