More Pix from Christmas Eve

Here are a few pictures of me and the kids from Christmas Eve at my dad's. Trying to get them to take pictures with me is almost impossible. So here are a couple of bloopers of Chase and Chelsey and then we managed to get a couple of good ones!! Credit goes to my sister in law Gina Pollard for capturing the moments.

Ice Skating

Today I took Chelsey and two of her friends, Taylor and Myah to Jefferson City to the ice arena. None of us had ever been ice skating before, although I have wanted to go for a long time. The worst part of it was having to drive all the way to Jeff City but definitely worth it.

The girls pose for a picture not long after we got there. As you can see, they were all being "wall huggers" in the beginning. I stopped for a quick pose. Managed to stay upright all afternoon long.



As the afternoon went on, Chelsey got the hang of it as I knew she would.

The girls getting further out into the rink.

Setting down and taking a break.

Chelsey enjoying the day.

And as I said earlier tonight, 186 mile round trip to Jefferson City, $21 admission to the skating rink, but listening to the girls on the way home laughing and creating memories......priceless. It was a great day!!!!

Christmas Eve 2009

I didn't let Santa and Mrs. Claus get away from grandma and grandpa's house until I let them know how good I've been.

My wonderful children, Chelsey and Chase.

Some say we look just alike, honestly, I don't see the "just alike" but certainly some similarities.

Even setting down you can tell he's much taller than I am.

I didn't think we'd ever get Chase to smile. Even Chelsey showed us her braces.

Chase's Ankles

So I took Chase back to Macon last Friday and the therapists examined Chase further. What we found is that is ankles are quite rigid and have little range of motion side to side. Then combined with the fact that he walks on the outside of his feet and is pigeoned towed, we now see where the pain is coming from.

We had some orthotic inserts made to put in Chase's shoes to hopefully help counter act how he has been walking and was told to do some exercises. He hasn't gone back to playing basketball but I'm hoping that once practice starts on break he will resume practice and will be able to start playing after break.

My nephews

Lola and I took Rhett to Ben Franklin with us a couple of weeks ago and we thought the reindeer horns were funny I think Rhett did too!

Rhett cheesing.

Kale eating the reindeer horns off.

Kale sort a cheesing with Chelsey holding him.

Chase and Kelli - Snowball Dance

I was able to catch up with Chase and Kelli on Saturday night when they got to Fiddlesticks to take a quick picture. I wanted to see them all dressed up.

Chelsey's Birthday Party

So I posted some pictures on Chelsey's birthday but here are the pictures from her actual birthday party on the Saturday after her birthday. The girls came over on Saturday and we went to Moberly bowling and then to the Columbia Mall to hang out and eat Chinese. As soon as we got there the girls ran into 2 of their other friends who had come to shop for the evening so they all hooked up and hung out together. It was a fun time.


Taylor bowling.

Myah on a bear.

Myah bowling.

Kaytlynn bowling.

Jordan bowling.

Jessica bowling.

Hayley.

All the girls at the mall.

The girls at the bowling alley.

Taylor, Chelsey, Jessica and Myah. Not sure where Taylor and Jordan was.

Chelsey.

Chelsey bowling.

Bailey and Kaytlynn.

A Little Behind

As I looked back to see when my last post took place, I realized it had been a while. Guess there's lots of reasons why I haven't kept up.

Today, it was absolutely freezing. A cold 16 degrees with major wind. I said to somebody that if I didn't know better I would think that I lived in the windy city. Seems like this part of MO lucked out on the snow. I have realtives in IA and NE that weren't so lucky and have been digging out all day. I like a good snow every know and then, mostly I like it to come during the daylight hours when I can see it getting bad. I don't on the other hand enjoy having to drive in it.

Chase had a JV game Monday night but didn't play due to ankles that are hurting him. We had him to the physical therapists yesterday and they say that he runs on the outsides of his feet, which isn't what he is supposed to be doing which is attributing to the pain. We go back either tomorrow or Friday to have some inserts molded to put in his shoes to force him to walk / run correctly which I hope solves the problem.

I started working from home on Tuesday ( yesterday ). I have all my stuff moved here now. Still alot of adjustments to be made. Being the kind of person who likes to be around a lot of people this will take some getting used to, being at home by myself throughout the day. Don't get me wrong, this is what I dreamed of and worked towards but it still takes some getting used to.

I went Christmas shopping all day Saturday. If Quincy would get an Aeropostale, American Eagle and Hollister store I would be very happy. Otherwise, I love shopping in Quincy. They have most all the other stores you would want, decent resturants and you don't have to deal with the awful traffic of CoMO. I did take a short time out to travel back to Hannibal for a quick picture of Chase and his girlfriend Kelli as they were eating at Fiddlesticks before going back to the school for the Snowball Dance.

Sunday I got to spend some time with my nephew Rhett. He is so funny. Lola and I ran down to Monroe to Ben Franklin to get some material and we took him with us.

All last week I was in CoMO for training. It was a long week but I guess it was a productive one. Enjoyed the time with fellow co-workers from different states. Alot of laughs too.

Well, I had pictures to post but the camera and computer are both taking me to the brink of screaming so I will try to post them tomorrow.

A few more hours....

There just aren't enough hours in my day. I wake up now before 5:00 a.m. whether I have to get up early or not. Nothing I do makes me go back to sleep. I just toss and turn and the happenings of life spin around in my head. The do's and the don'ts, the should have's and the should not's, the why's and the why not's and so on and so. Nobody knows unless they walk in your shoes, they just don't know. There isn't an easy button, one to push to make it all ok or all go away. Sometimes you are darned if you do and darned if you don't. So what is the right answer? I'm not sure I know.

Chelsey's 12th Birthday Party

Chelsey turned 12 on November 11th. We celebrated her birthday by taking her out for supper on Wednesday, the night of her birthday. Her birthday party this year, was kinda like the energizer bunny, it kept, going and going and going - lol.

You see, South Shelby only went to school Monday and Tuesday of last week and called school off the rest of the week due to the low attendance due to all of the sickness. Chelsey and all of her friends had already been sick and were on the mending side of things. So Tuesday night she had friends spend the night and then on the day of her birthday they all went out to one of the other girls houses for the afternoon. She came home that evening to go out for a family supper.
On Thursday, Chelsey and 5 of her friends all went out to her grandparents house in the country and spent the day. They had fun riding 4 wheelers, playing in the woods and playing hide and seek. She continued to have friends spend the night on Thursday. On Friday, some girls came over and spent the day and then on Friday night we went to my brother and sister-in-laws house for supper, a pre-hunting supper at what they call "Team Pollard Outdoors".

On Saturday, by noon, the girls started appearing again and Chelsey and 6 of her friends left for Moberly at 1 pm and we went bowling. After bowling we headed to Columbia to go to the mall to eat Chinese and to let Chelsey pick out her birthday present. She had gotten a cross necklace and perfume the night of her birthday but she had been wanting a cover for her phone and a puffer vest - both of which she needed to pick out. We no sooner had gotten to the mall than we ran into 2 additional friends and their mom, so they joined in on the party and we had a good time shopping.

The party finally concluded Sunday morning when the girls started leaving one by one after a huge pillow fight. It wasn't the kind where you hit each other - it was the kind where you steal them from one another. It all stemmed from the night before when Chelsey was hogging the pillows.

It was a good time and I think another birthday Chelsey will forever remember.

Chase's 9 pt. buck

Pictured above is Chase's 9 point buck that he killed Saturday evening. It was quite a story - something about he saw it 600 yards away so he crawled on hit stomache - then he stood on a fence post and shot it 200 yards away right at dusk.........I don't know, sounds sorta like a fish story to me, you know, when the "big one gets away" but he has the proof.

Minor update....

Just a quick update to say hey....I'm alive. Barely keeping my head above water, but managing somehow. Let's just say life sort of happened and it hasn't been smooth sailing and I'm not sure when it will be.

I wish there were more hours in my day, I wish I could really say what I was feeling and what I was thinking but it's probably better just kept bottled up. For those who wouldn't understand anyway, this way they can't have the chance to understand me even less than they do.

So many things I wish I could change, so many things I wish I had the chance to do differently. I don't know that the end result would be any different but I definitely know that the path to that point of knowing would be a much different one.

How many times can I break until I shatter? Doesn't feel like many more.

Change...

We see it 4 times a year: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.
We see it in our faces as the years age us and form wrinkles in our skin.
We see it in fashion as the bottoms of our pants go from straight, wide, flare, boot and to skinny.
We see it in decorating as we go from brass to black rod iron.

But sometimes we don't see it, or we don't let it be seen for fear of acceptance or rather rejection.
Sometimes we see it coming and sometimes it just sneaks up and kicks us in the pants. And sometimes it is upon us because we did nothing to stop it and we are left to pick up the pieces because we didn't do what we could have when we should have.

Can there be change? Every day is a new day. The past can't be changed. It is just that, the past. It's what you do from each day forward that forms who you are and what you give.

"Say it loud, say it clear. You can listen as well as you hear."

The New Job

Is going great and learning lots.

Pollard Family PIctures

On Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, the Pollard family braved the cold 40 degree weather to take advantage of the fall colors to take family photos at the Shelbina Lake.

Mary Dunaway has those pictures posted on her website so if you would like to check them out, please do so at the following: www.photos2remember.com

Once at Mary's website, click on online photos on the upper right corner and then click on the Ed and Lola Pollard Family. Mary did an excellent job.

Mini High School Reunion

Last Friday night was South Shelby's Homecoming and the class of 1987 (ewww) celebrated by some of us attending the game and then going out to the home of Cindy (Hammond) Woutzke's for a bon fire and a chance to catch up.Jennifer (Best) Chandler, Leslie (Pollard) Gaines and Tonya (Detweiler) Jorgensen.

Not bad for 40 something!!!

Wow....really behind in the posts

Let's see....I think I'll start from today and work back, it might be easier that way.

Tomorrow is my last day in my current position at work. It is really bitter sweet. This is something I have hoped and dreamed for a long time, but knowing that tomorrow is my last day is really hard. I really like what I do and extremely like the people I work with. There is always that fear of the unknown, but after a few months it will go from "unknown" to "known" and I'll wonder what all the fuss was about.

I went back to the neurologist today for a follow up to my doosey of a headache 2 weeks ago. Pretty much what I thought was going to happen, they just want to continue to medicate. So they are adding a another prescription to what seems like the drug store I am already ingesting every day. They think that I am having a muscle tightening and spasming in the head....the cause, probably stress. And how does one ever rid themselves of that? Oh, I guess there are ways, but it isn't always an option. So you do the best you can and go on.

This week, if you've kept up with me on facebook, you'll know I've been trying to buy Chase some jeans without him being with me. Well, I've been back to the store about 3 times exchanging them but think I finally go it right.

This past Sunday a celebration was held for Estel and Mary Jane Gaines for their 70th Wedding Anniversary. Chase and his cousin Leah wore their great-grandparents wedding clothes for the event. Grandma Jane was so touched she cried. I think the funniest thing that happened was Chase said Grandpa Estel asked him if he found the money he left in the pocket of his suit and Grandma Jane said Estel, you didn't have any money back then to leave in the pockets.

Estel and Mary Jane Gaines, 70th Wedding Anniversary; standing by Jane is Leah Gaines, 16 yr old great-great granddaughter wearing the wedding dress she wore 70 yrs ago. Standing by Estel is Chase Gaines 14 yr old great-grandson who is wearing te 3 pc suit Estel wore on his wedding day. Leah and Chelsey.
Chase and Leah.

One of the other cool things that happened that day was Norm Stewart (former MU basketball coach) was in attendance for the anniversary celebration. Norm is the nephew of Estel. I've got a great picture of Chelsey and Leah with him and as soon as I get my camera battery charged I'll have one of Chase to post too.

Chelsey, Norm Stewart and Leah.

Wow, the rain today was crazy. I had to drive about as slow going to work in the rain as if it were snowing.

Pollard Family pictures this weekend.

Count Down to the New Job

Ok, 2 work weeks and counting, 10 work days and counting. ( drum roll please)

Official start date, Oct. 12, 2009; geez this has been a long wait; don't think the day will ever get here.

Friday Night

Great night for high school football; weather is just perfect to put jeans on but still wear flip flops. (I just can't fathom putting on socks until at least October. )

Well, football, it will be a great night for socializing anyway !!!!!

Headache resulted in |V treatment

Well, the headache was so back this time I ended up at Boone Hospital in the IV Infusion Center for treatment. When I came home from work Tuesday night I was starting to get a headache. It was manageable, so I just went to bed without taking anything hoping sleep would be the answer.

I woke up yesterday morning with it being worse, but of course I was out of my prescription for when I get a migraine. I called in the refill on my way to work and picked it up by 8:30 a.m. and took one and the pain sort of subsided but by about 1:30 pm it was coming back to at 2 pm I took another dose which didn't have much result.

I woke up this a.m. with it worse than ever and went to work anyway and started calling the doctor at 8 a.m but they never answered so I went over there at 8:50 a.m to find out they were opening at 9 am today and was able to get worked in but they don't do any type of injections there so they gave me orders to go over to Boone Hospital for the infusion iv. They got that started by about 10:30 pm and it wasn't long and I was sawing logs. Pain was so bad I was throwing up (sorry ); but about 12:45 pm I woke up; was feeling some relief and headed back to work.

I can't say the pain is completely gone, I feel like it is just lurking in the back waiting to attack again. I don't know what causes the headaches and wish they could find out. It is one of the worst experiences I have ever had to go thru; I don't think child birth hurt that bad ( and I would know cause I had two kids without pain medicine. )

Happy Birthday Dear Friend Caroline

Happy Birthday, Dear Caroline, to one of the best friends a person could ever have. Hope you have a wonderful day!

Thanks Friend....

excerpts from: As A Woman Thinketh

Others see only the apparent effects of things and not the things themselves. They speak of luck, of good fortune, and of chance. Seeing a woman grow rich, they say, "How lucky she is!" Observing a beautiful woman who challenges the intellect, they exclaim, "How highly favored she is!" And noting the saintly character and wide influence of another, they remark, "How chance aids her at every turn!" They do not see the trials and failures and struggles which this woman has voluntarily encountered in order to gain this experience; they have no knowledge of the scrifices she has made, of the undaunted efforts she has put forth, of the faith she has exercised, that she might overcome the insurmountable, and realize the Vision in her heart. Others do not know the darkness and the heartaches; do not see the long and arduous journey, but only behold the pleasant outcome, and call it "good fortune" or "luck"; do not understand the process, but only perceive the result, and call it "chance". They only perceive her outward beauty, her lovely possessions, her adornment, her success, as a gift of chance and good fortune rather than as the fruits of her efforts..her Visions, her Ideals, her Desires, realized. The Visions that you glorify in your mind, the Ideals that you bestow in your example, the Desires that you enthrone in your heart...this you will build your Life by, this you will become.

The Last Week

Wow...been a week since I posted. My life's not that exciting, just busy. I found out this past Friday that I would be starting my new post on Oct. 5; wasn't exactly thrilled at the 3 week delay but totally accepting of it as that's just the way things work out sometime. But Monday I got the news my start date had been pushed back a week, so now I don't start until Oct. 12; bummer. I'll have to admit, I am disappointed at the delay but know the end is in sight. I've made this drive to work for over 4 years and never complained, even after the wreck and the bad weather, because it was a choice I had made from the beginning. But today, for the first time driving to work, I thought I would never arrive at work due to the # of miles trecked to get there. All in due time they say, all in due time.

So, last Friday night I attended the high school football game. Fairly saddened by the fact that my son, who is a freshman this year, is not a part of the team as he decided not to play. They won, the weather was awesome and I spent time socializing in the stands. (oh come on, what female really goes to the game to watch, lol ).

Chelsey had company over after the game and they spent the night in the play house. Great night for it.

On Saturday, it was Farmer's Day in town, activities, parade, Little Mr and Miss Contest. I got up early to go up and watch the baby show. Then I went by and bought my 3 lbs of onions I had to chop up for the food stand for 4 - H. Ok, boy, did I mess up. Cutting 2 slices of onions sometimes proves to be very emotional ( hence the tears ) - try cutting 3 lbs of them all at once !!! Good grief, talk about a bawl baby. If I cried one tear, I cried like a billion. And of course I didn't think to wait to put my makeup on, so you can guess that I got to that all over again once I finally got done with my kitchen duties.

We went uptown and got ready to watch the parade. Found a few bargains as the stores usually clearance out stuff since fall is approaching. I guess I really should have passed on the bargains once I found out how much the letter jacket was going to be. I met Chase uptown at the sports store to get measured for his letter jacket and found out it was like buying gold, $ 202.98, OMG. I thought I was going to die. Now I realize that some 25 years ago when I bought my letter jacket ( another OMG, 25 yrs ago, I feel so old ! ) I think they only cost like $ 60.00 and it's hanging in my closest about like new. So I told Chelsey we were cutting off the " 87 " and buying new numbers " 16 " for her year and she could have it. You know that didn't go over very well. Guess that is a better option than one of my friends last night, she said she got her sister's letter jacket who was 3 yrs older than her but then had to give it back so her sister's two girls could wear it.

So from 2- 4 pm Chelsey and I got to work the food stand and finished the shift by tearing the stand down and packing all away.

The Little Mr and Miss Farmerette contest was at 5 pm and we stayed for that. Just prior to that I had been on the phone with my son, who went from wanting 2 boys to spend the night that I had ok'd; to 8 boys staying the night. I argued and I said no but somewhere lost the battle and home I went to see what I was up against. Have you ever had to feed 8 boys ages 13, 14 and 15. They were really good and wasn't any issues, but come morning they were ready to eat again!

Went to the middle school softball and football game last night. The weather was amazing; however the teams didn't fair as well.

So tonight I need to try and get all my garage sale stuff start to be set up for the City Wide this Saturday. Not sure if I will make it the football game friday since it is away with this garage sale to get ready for but it was one the things I look forward to on the weekend.

Promotion

Yesterday, I went to work dressed like this. I had a job interview for a new position with my company. I have commutted to work for over 4 years, driving 140 miles round trip for this moment. A moment I dreamed about and worked hard for and can finally enjoy as it has happened. A moment I sacrificed many things for and one of the rewards....was my daughter saying to me, "now you can cook breakfast for me and fix my hair" and my son say " cool, mom can take me to school". That was hard to hear, but yes, this will soon be a reality, because I have accepted a position as a material damage adjuster with my company and will in the very near future, start my day of work from my home as I will go out and inspect losses and then prepare estimates from my office "at home". And in the words of Kool and the Gang, "celebrate good times, come on".

I can still hardly believe it. I'm not sure the reality of the situation as fully set it. I think because for the next fews months I will finish out my current position as an auto adjuster and then beginning formal training as a material damage adjuster. All I know is this is a dream come true.

LoCash Cowboys - Independence

Well, as you can tell, we are fans of the LoCash Cowboys, and once again had the opportunity to see them in concert this weekend at the SantaCaliGone Festival in Independence, MO. I took Chelsey and her friends Myah and Jordan. Here are some pictures of the amazing evening....we were right in front of the stage.
Chelsey and I before the concert started.
Preston of LoCash Cowboys.
Preston climbing the light pole.
Chris of LoCash Cowboys.Chelsey and LoCash Cowboys.


Chelesy and LoCash Cowboys.
The guys "posing" during the concert.
Performing.

Chelsey's awesome decorating boot compliments of Preston, but signed by both of the LoCash Cowboys. Chelsey, Myah and Jordan in fron of their tour bus.
Chelsey and I during the concert.

Their album is due out this October, but if you're wondering what they sound like you can go to their website: http://www.locashcowboys.com/ and you can hear what their music sounds like. We can't for the next concert; after all, we have to get the other boot decked out too.