Remembering Grandma

Barbara Logan
January 29, 1936- June 3, 2003

 Today marks the 10th Anniversary of my Grandma's passing.  

At 13 I didn't truly understand everything she had taught me, which is a shame. But I do know that I cherish the memories I have and I looked up to her very much.  

As I've matured through this time, gotten closer with my family and grown in love for each one of them, I know that it's the foundation that she laid for us.  She was a wonderful woman who always instilled the notion of Family First- something we all appreciate and understand the importance of.

We have an incredibly close, loving and supportive family because of my Grandma.  Holidays, Birthdays and other family get-togethers are not something that we complain about or are reluctant to attend (even if we do call it Forced Family Fun), but something we look forward to.  I cherish and value the dynamic of our family very much.  My Grandma was always so happy when the entire family was together and I know she hasn’t missed a family party!

Whenever I remember my Grandma, I remember playing cards.  We always played some sort of card games together.  My Grandma always had a deck of cards with her.  Her favorite game was Canasta and I was extremely excited when I learned how to play it with her.  To this day playing cards is a family-favorite and a huge part of that is because of Grandma.  I remember when I was about 10 years old in LBI, my Grandma taught me (and cousin Kate) how to Bridge Shuffle.  I remember feeling like a real card player because I knew the “cool” way to shuffle. Every time I play cards, I think of her.

When I was growing up I wanted to be a teacher, just like my Grandma.  Instead of going to work with my dad or staying home with my mom for “Bring Your Child to Work Day” I wanted to go to school with Grandma.  I remember being so excited that I couldn’t even sleep the night before.  I spent the entire day watching her teach and hanging out with her students.  Her students loved her.  Everyone in that school loved her.  It was awesome to be able to see my Grandma out of her “Grandma Role”, but still see her love her students and see the respect and admiration that she received from the people around her at work.  The next year I went to school with her again and this time Kate came too!

I remember my Grandma loved to sing.  She would sing anything, even regular sentences occasionally.  I specifically remember one time I was singing in the car with her and Grandpa and she told me I had a beautiful singing voice.  I believed her for a while, but now that I am older and have heard myself attempt to sing I know that she was just being the warm, kindhearted woman she was by complimenting me!  When I sing by myself in my car and know that I am butchering my favorite songs I still remember her looking back at me from the passenger seat in the car that day.  Her favorite song was I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack, which I appreciate more each time I hear it and know they are messages from her.  

Traveling is something that Grandma and Grandpa loved to do together.  I always loved when they would come back from one of their exotic trips (ever since they went to Alaska, I’ve wanted to go) and tell us all about it and show us the pictures.  I want to travel like they did.  I want to see the world.  I want to travel everywhere and I think that Grandma (and the rest of our family) has instilled the “Travel Bug” in me. 

Grandma and Grandpa were not only a wonderful example of true love for their children, but also for their grandchildren.  Their love is something that I know we all admire and look for in our own relationships.  My mom has told me countless lessons in love that she has learned from my Grandma and the example she set of what it takes to be a loving wife.

I terribly miss her signature Naked Pink lips and the marks they would leave on our cheeks. 

As a family, we know she is always with us and that our memories and family traditions are something that we will cherish forever. 

Remember your loved ones today & everyday.

xoxo
 

My First Kentucky Derby Experience!

The Kentucky Derby is one of the most prestigious and well-known horse races. The race is one and a quarter miles, run by 3-year-old Thoroughbreds at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on the first Saturday in May. It is also the first race of the Triple Crown.

My family is very into horse racing, going to the track every chance we get during race season! We not only like to gamble on the races, but love to gawk at the beautiful animals and wonderful atmosphere that is found at the track. The Kentucky Derby has been one of my favorite events for yearssss! I am obsessed. Or as obsessed as one can be without ever actually attending said event.

Until now.  And let me tell you, that obsession has only grown.  I have been dyingggg to go to the Derby. My parents have gone a few times but with school, finals and other factors it just has never worked out.  This year, I decided, was the year.  I convinced my dad that we had to go, found reasonably priced tickets on eBay, asked our wonderful friends if they were up for visitors, shopped for the perfect outfit, and off we went.

We left Wednesday night and drove the 11-something hours to Louisville, stopping to sleep at a rest stop, then to tour the Maker's Mark Distillery and finally the Louisville Slugger Museum/Factory. The Maker's Mark Distillery was great.  We walked around the historic grounds, listened to the springs of pure Kentucky water, touched the Mash, smelled the fermentation process, saw the numerous oak barrels, heard the bottling process, tasted the completed product, and most exciting, dipped our own bottles into the hot red wax.  It was such a fun tour and wonderful way to break up the drive.

At Louisville slugger we saw the process of how a bat is made.  There are different variations of the process depending on what the bat will be used for.  It was very interesting.

We then met Lisa & Dan for dinner and drinks, where we talked, laughed, and caught up before heading to their house to kick off some Derby festivities.  Lisa made Mint Juleps with her wonderful simple syrup recipe and my dad wore one of her hats, to really get in the spirit!!

Friday morning, my dad and I got ready and headed to Churchill Downs for a beautiful day at the Kentucky Oaks.  We walked around the the Grandstand and Paddock areas, soaking it all in.  The Kentucky Oaks Day has become a day of pink, since it's motto is in fact, "Ladies First"!  Oaks day is dedicated to the fillies (girl horses).

We drank Lillies (a drink made of Grey Goose, Sweet & Sour Mix, Cranberry Juice and Triple Sec... aka delicious), bet on the races, and watched from our 3rd row seats as the fillies rounded the final turn towards the finish line with the sun shining bright. 

We anxiously waited for the 139th running of the Kentucky Oaks with Princess of Sylmar taking home the lillies.  Unfortunately we did not bet on her to win, and had minimal success in previous races as well.

We left Churchill Downs on Friday eager for more on Saturday and hoping the predicted rain would either come quick and be done with or hold out until after the races.

No such luck.  After partying for most of the night- celebrating a true holiday in the state of Kentucky, and enjoying more time with our dear friends, we woke up Saturday morning to rain.  Lots of rain.  It rained all day long, and cleared up just before post time of the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby. 

Don't mind the flip-flops, I wasn't about to wear heels all day in the rain, especially when I wore them the day before ;)

While I was baring the rain and soaking in all the sights of this wonderful event, USA TODAY Sports photographer, Mark Zerof snapped this picture of me as I was walking through the paddock.  I wish I wasn't wearing that stupid poncho or had at least cracked a smile, but hey, it's kinda cool. 

We saw Luke Bryan and Rick Pitino (University of Louisville Men's Basketball Coach and part owner of Kentucky Derby contender, Goldencents) on the red carpet.  I also spotted Samantha Steele Ponder of ESPN and her husband, Christian Ponder, Minnesota Vikings QB walking through the crowd.  I'm a fan of Samantha's and think she is a great role model for women and those in sports.  I was thrilled to have met her.  She was so sweet and willing to snap a quick photo among the chaos.  (again, that dang poncho)

My dad and I continued to enjoy the day, not letting the weather stop us from enjoying the festivities and of course, sipping Mint Juleps!  We would wait in line at the betting windows, then stand in the rain to watch the races.  Unusual race conditions brings even more unpredictable race results.  It was fun to watch long shots winning races and having the weather be such a factor in the outcome, though I had little luck in choosing a winner!

The rain stopped just in time for the horses to parade on the track before heading to their posts.  From where we were sitting, we saw them start, come down the stretch to the first turn and then again as they rounded the final turn towards the finish.  It really is the fastest 2 minutes in sports and such a thrill.  ORB, a favorite in the race, pulled out away from the pack and won the race, with a long shot, Golden Soul to place and Revolutionary to show.  Of course I made numerous bets, including Golden Soul to win and Revolutionary to place, meaning once again, I was not a winner.

My bad luck and the nasty weather aside, the Kentucky Derby was everything I wanted it to be.  I had such a great weekend with my dad, life-long family friends and enjoying a sport that I love with such an iconic event.  I can't wait to see what ORB does in the next Triple Crown races and I can't wait to go back to the Kentucky Derby.

I loved this man's Secretariat Silks Suit!!! 

Early Sunday morning we started the drive home.  Once we broke from the storm in Kentucky, it was sunny skies and beautiful views through the mountains of West Virginia.  In between falling asleep and sing-a-longs with dad, I couldn't stop snapping away! 

You better believe, that if I don't go back to the Kentucky Derby next year I will be throwing a full-blown themed party.  Invitations to follow!  :)

Band of Brothers

Back in December Connor and Caden Long were awarded Sports Illustrated Sports Kids of the Year.  Caden is a young boy with cerebral palsy who is confined to a wheel chair.  His older brother Connor competes in Triathlons with Caden in tow.  Their story touched my heart and completely brought me to tears, but my words don't do it justice.  Below is the video of the Long brothers.

Video

Now, once you've whipped your tears I want to share another story with you.

 This is my cousin, Drew.  He has Batten's Disease.

Drew developed normally until the age of 3 with only a slight speech delay and was then diagnosed with epilepsy when he started having seizures.  We knew this was not the answer.  My aunt and uncle continued to search as our family watched Drew gradually lose his speech, use of his hands and the ability to walk and eat. 

Drew was diagnosed with this rare neurological disease just days before his 5th birthday in January 2007. Batten Disease is a fatal degenerative neurologic disease that leaves children blind and bedridden with a life expectancy of 8-12 years. Those with Batten’s Disease are unable to produce an enzyme needed to clear toxins from the brain. Without it, permanent brain damage occurs that affects the child’s ability to talk, walk, see and even eat. Its onset usually occurs between the ages of 2 and 4 years. (source)

Drew has since been a part of stem cell research and has undergone surgeries on his hips and extensively on his back.  (Before and After pictures as well as info of his back surgery here)

Though we currently do not see any degression with Drew's disease, we do not see any progression either.
There is no known cure for Batten's Disease. 

Though Drew can only communicate through few facial expressions, we, as a family, know he loves being involved in our activities.  Drew is a part of us and is always included.  

Drew is included in wiffle ball games, fishing on the boat, bowling, attending baseball games (he loves the Phillies), among countless other family activities!

With this post and story of the Long Brothers as well as Drew, I wanted to bring emphasis on the fact that children with special needs not only on rely others to enhance their life, but that they can enhance others' lives so much more.

I thank God everyday for Drew and the lessons he has taught me.

Drew participating in the Special Olympics, April 2013

Family at Hershey Park, June 2009

Drew and I at the Drew's Hope Fundraiser, 2010

With Drew at the Special Olympics, April 2013

To learn more about Drew and his Foundation, Drew's Hope, please visit his website at www.drewshope.com

Currently Listening To....

There have been so many country artists releasing new albums and singles these past couple of weeks.  While I regret to say that I have not listened to the albums all the way through yet, I hope to soon and will let you know what I think.  For now, here are a few new releases that I am loving:

The Band Perry :: Done

Lady Antebellum :: Downtown

*This album hasn't been released yet, but it's coming and I just heard another song off the album, Goodbye Town and can totally tell this album is definitely not going to disappoint! :) 

 Luke Bryan :: Crash My Party

He messed up a little in the beginning of his performance at the ACMs, but that's okay!  Was anyone else a little surprised that he won Entertainer of the Year?  His speech was wonderful though, so heart felt.  Gotta love him!

Blake Shelton :: Sure Be Cool If You Did

Have you listened to the new albums in country music yet?  What do you think?