2018 Joy Journal

January 8 Second Sunday Supper was joyous last night. Andrew seemed relaxed and started off sitting by Barry and talking about pickups and I heard him say, "I'm not sure I made the right decision," in son-asking-father tone. And then John came in and the three of them discussed the comparative pluses and minuses of various makes and models of pickups.  Kim went straight to pet Mama Cat.  When I said that Tori and Josh were still good friends, still good to each other, had just decided that they didn't have the kind of fire that takes you through all of life's troubles, I ended up looking at Kim, who was nodding as in how important that is, and I remember her saying about meeting John, "It isn't like I didn't know right when I met him that he was the one." Chris said, "I wish all of my relationships were that mature," and Andrew, in big brother love, "So do we." Chris said, loving back, "I know y'all do!" J

January 5 I got Daddy's birthday card in the mail yesterday. I'm having all kinds of mouse troubles, but was able to find an acceptable work around.  Got a beach ball from Beverly this morning as they got underway. She said they slept well. Got to see Angela before she headed off to work this morning. They're on call today, so she's expecting a long day.  Heard from Brittany .... Annette came home nauseous last night, so that's not good. I do love how Britt stays in touch with me, though. Angela and Kennedy and John came over last night to see us and made a delectable dessert of brownie and chocolate chip cookie mix and played in the kitchen with Papa.  He said that Tyler did most of the chopping to get dinner ready last night.  Brittany said that Andrew is taking care of her and her mom.

January 4, 2018 Woke up at 5:26. A kind of hopeful sign that my body clock has reset after DST. Angela is all right. She went into work early this morning, so I didn't get to see her.  Tori sent me a Marco Polo message this morning on her way to work. Beverly sent a text and a Marco Polo. She and JA were about to get underway on the third day of their trip. She said it is 24 degrees there and their hose froze. Tyler was almost through getting dressed at 6:18 a.m. so he seems like he is intending to have a good semester. Got to see John for a minute yesterday when he came to get Noah. He asked Tyler if they were going to see him this weekend. :-) Chris came to get some rent money, and Shawn was with him, so Tyler got to laugh and visit with them for a little bit.  Brittany had ankle surgery yesterday and when I talked to her last night, she said that Morgan had come over to have lunch with her.

January 1 Barry and John talking about football. Noah and Tyler warming up by the fire after being outside kicking their soccer balls. Barry and I had a good, relaxing day. Spent most of it indoors because we are having a lot of cold, but we did drive across the bay to Barnes and Nobles and had lunch at California Dreaming. I didn't hike today, but I did do something creative --- made my new address book. Said, done, uploaded, and ordered. And I even knew where my Blurb discount card was!

February 16, 2018 Driving in to Daddy and Kathi's neighborhood and seeing two cranes walking down the street.

February 10, 2018 My favorite hotdogs, on buns warmed in the toaster with just the right amount of ketchup, mustard and pickle, the hotdogs grilled in the small skillet with cheese melted over them at the very last. Perfectly delicious. Followed by Breyer's vanilla ice cream topped with Coops hot fudge sauce. A favorite meal. All by my quiet, unobserved self. And when I got the date and time set up on my elliptical, and my user profile set up, and got my iPod hooked up to it so that it will stay charged up it made my heart race. I'm so excited!!!

February 22, 2018 Texted with Annette a little bit yesterday morning. She said Brittany has started her physical therapy, and that's good.  Got to visit with Angela this morning for just a minute. Bentley is heavily sedated but doing well other than that.  Beth and I got to visit for a minute, and she had a safe trip back to H-town.  We got to go to Noah's first soccer game. He's number #19.  Shawn called and we talked for about 15 minutes.  Beverly and I got to chat for just about 5 minutes. 

February 23, 2018 Got to hug Angela this morning. The bowling party is coming together. I did get to see Tyler to tell him that I'd heard from his teacher.  Talked to Beverly for five minutes yesterday morning. Zak made Vivian an anniversary dinner. Pics in FB Joy Journal. Texted with Noah a little bit about his soccer game, and his practices, etc. He has practice 3x a week, so he did get to rest up after the game. Kennedy had a great time at her Thursday night dinner. 

February 28, 2018 Just starting off with a happy day. I got the bed made quickly, the laundry in, dressed and over here for a writing day. Not the full writing day of my dreams because I need about an hour for some little tasks, and I need to take care of some laundry, but nevertheless have the 12:30 - 6:00 period scheduled for writing, and I am happy about that.  Brittany sent me a text yesterday morning, "Thinking of you this morning as I listen to the birds sing."  It's kinda cool when the kids reach for you, or think of you all on their own.  I sent Morgan's post card via text instead of Facebook, and that worked, so I think I'll do that from now on. I feel better about not interrupting her while she's at work. She and I had talked about whether or not spring was really here, and since yesterday was cooler than recent days, she said she was calling it "a cool spring day."  Angela and I got to visit for a bit this morning, and Bella was w

February 26, 2018 I am only just now realizing that I forgot to put the date in my document and I'm wondering how far back I'm going to have to go to fix that.  But... Goodtimes was yesterday, and we finally got to have a bowling party, and the kids seemed to have had a good time. They really didn't do much after we got back here, but Ange, Chelsea, Papa and I played Sequence. Tori helped Kennedy with an assignment.  The bowling alley has changed a lot since the last time I was there --- the old pit group seating is gone, so it is a much more social can mix back and forth kind of event. The teams could have been more intermingling, but I'm not sure that mattered to any of the kids.  Kennedy was really so appreciative that we went to Pensacon, and I was really happy to get to be there while she was working the booth and to get to see her work. They were on the list in the order chosen, and she was third of ten or twelve, so that was very exciting.  Evan play

January 26 So, I cut my time in here short yesterday and went and walked the mall with Bertice. It was a good walk and talk.  Angela, after I'd told her that I should get to have a CAC afternoon, but found myself thinking I should do other things: "I hope you get to do whatever makes you happy."  Beverly planted a garden yesterday. Saw Kennedy and John for a quick minute.  Beth called to tell me something funny. Zak answered my text, and so did Noah. Noah made the soccer team! Beat out someone for the striker position who has been playing a lot longer than he has. Said he didn't know until he saw his name on the list what it felt like to have that feeling of "is this really real?"

January 24 My mommy likes, my clothes to match Willo moving her plate to sit by Tyler We did actually go and get Willo Tuesday night. Barry said, "That was a pretty easy thing to do." I felt less agreement about it being easy because I rushed to go get her and rushed to get her home, but I think I can tone the rushing down next time, and in any event, easy or not, I was happy that we did it. Autumn said she'd been waiting by the window, and asking if she was sure that I was going to come. She laughed and talked to Tyler the whole way home and wanted him to ride with us on the way back. When we sat at the table, she looked up at me with an expression that was kind of "I don't want to hurt your feelings," but slid it over to the side where Tyler sits, "I want to sit by Tyler."  Angela complimented Willo on her top, and said, "It matches your jacket!" Willo said, "My mommy likes my clothes to match."  Barry told A

January 23 Beth called yesterday and we got to visit for a minute. She and Rodney are coming home the  first weekend in February, and I was happy to hear that. She'd posted about "quarterly trips to Colorado to see the parents," so I thought maybe she was planning to not come home very often and had gotten kinda depressed about that.  We're on track for picking Willo up tonight, and I'm happy about that.  Brittany and I had a fun little text conversation. She gets her stitches out today, and she is really happy about that.  Beverly and I got to talk for a few minutes in the early afternoon. She was doing laundry, and said that the traffic in San Francisco is completely different than that in San Diego; that in SD the drivers were more polite.  Got to see Angela for a minute this morning. Bentley's seizures have caused them to have to change his medications again, to every four or six times a day, and he is now on the highest dosage he can have of th

January 21 John told Noah about high school and friends. Tyler, Noah and I were on our way back from the park, talking about which high schools they would go to. Along the way, Noah said, "Yeah, my dad told me that you had told him something that stuck with him, that your high school friends won't be around when you're grown up." It made me feel good that I had said something to John that he had thought worth passing on to his own son, and I do remember the day in my early thirties when I realized my high school classmates were no where around me, and I really wished I could have back all the time I'd spent worrying about whether or not they liked me, or whether or not I was ever going to fit in. 

January 19 Heard from Beverly Bertice telling me to wash my hands and stay away from sick people. This tickled me because I'm always the one nurturing everyone. Morgan saying she likes when I post those things because she trusts them.

January 20 Got to visit with Sue Carney (at the Women's March) Tyler And Noah laughing,  They were in the reading room just laughing and laughing. I sat on the sofa in the family room, closed my eyes, leaned my head back, and just soaked up the sound. 

January 22 Sunday was just as restful as you would want a Sabbath to be. I  cooked breakfast and lunch, and cleaned the kitchen up some, but I also built a fire and set my card table up in the family room, and sat there for about an hour and a half and finished writing the quotes from the Sabbath book into my notebook. Just re-reading things was a good time, and there is something definite that happens when your hand takes the time to form the cursive words.  I made taco-dillas for the boys and Tyler said that was an interesting word, and that made me smile.  Tyler and Noah cleaned up the kitchen while I got Barry's results from his DNA test, and then we went to Cottage Hill Park to play disc golf. It was a beautiful day and there are some stunning trees along the path. After I brought one big tree to their attention, they started noticing interesting tree trunks, etc., and that was fun.  Beth called and we visited for a quick minute. She was on her way to the store and ai

January 19 I'm really excited about where the office is. I have things to do, but nothing pressing, certainly nothing so pressing that I can't have my CAC hours this afternoon. They'll be interrupted by the mammogram I have scheduled this afternoon, but I have decided not to let that stress me out. It causes me too much angst to try to re-prioritize things. I'm just going to hold to the course and see what a year of that does for me.  Tyler and I visited on the porch this morning while we waited for the bus. I'm sending him down to the stop a little later than usual because it is so cold. He told me about an ant that has the most poisonous bite and a wasp that can sting you and make you scream and about a man who let himself be bitten by them all, working up from the least venomous to the most.  Heard back from Annette yesterday. We didn't have a big chat, just a kiss.  Amber said it snowed there Tuesday and was 14 degrees Wednesday and Thursday. Kath

January 18 Kennedy stayed inside all day yesterday because it was just too cold to come out, but she came over to eat with us and then came out again later, running over to bring us some cookies she'd made.  The house is starting to feel good. Things are getting straight and organized, and I held to my plan, in a manner of speaking, yesterday. It feels like things are going to go better if I just let the interruptions be and not twist so much in trying to hold the line.  Cursive writing really seems to be good for me, even if it is just coping quotes out of a book.  Beverly sent me a Marco Polo yesterday. She had a job interview that she thinks went well, but everyone everywhere is wearing masks, and she's wondering if it wouldn't be better to wait until after flu season.  Got to hug Angela this morning. I told her I was hoping that since she went in yesterday, they'd make someone else come in today. She said she liked my plan better than their plan. If she g

January 17, 2018 Got this screenshot in a text from Kennedy, with a follow up text, "I got selected!" She'd been telling us about this. The art department at her college was contacted about a competition of designs created using a 3D printer to be given as takeaways for the VIP guests at Pensacon. The woman who was to make the selection did not show up on the appointed day, and Kennedy thought the whole thing was a wash, and then she got this email.   I replied about how excited I was, and she said, "I ran around looking for you guys but just couldn't wait for you to know!!! I'll be back for my hugs later. ...I"m already trying to get extra tickets if y'all are interested. I love y'all so much!" When I told her that I couldn't believe I wasn't there for that and thanked her for letting us know so that we could share in the excitement, she said, "No worries! I"ll be this excited all day!"  ~ Bri

January 9 Well, we won the National Championship. In the three years that I have actually be watching football, we've come close, but never gotten it, at least I don't think so. Anyway, last night's game was stressful, but we came away with the prize, so that was good. Beth and Beverly and Morgan and I watched together in the sense that we were posting about what was going on at our house, so that was kind of fun. Saw Kim a little bit, too.  Brittany and I had a little text visit. She did start her classes back yesterday which was a little hard in the rain, and with her recent ankle surgery. She said that she has a scooter and that a friend helped her get out of her car, but that getting back in had been kind of difficult.  Beverly and I had a little phone visit. She still has some unpacking to do, JA started his first day of work, and she did some editing of her resume. She found an opening for a Resident NA in an oncology department. Neither one of us knew w

January 6 I feel pretty good about the plan that I have for today. For starters, it is my writing day. Even though I have some unfinished Wonderland work, none of it really has to be done today, and it just can't come first all of the time. Besides which, I have become comfortable with having my writing day and the world has not come to an end because I do so. January 16 I'll have to break two and a half hours early to take Tyler to see Dr. Diane, but I am going to take my Sabbath book and notebook at work on that while I am in the waiting room. There isn't much I can do about drive time, or that the fact that we'll get back here about 30 minutes early. I won't want to recoup that time, because Angela and Kennedy are coming over for dinner, and I'll enjoy relaxing with them.  Had a nice little text conversation with Brittany last night. She's still having to take pain medicine at night so that she can sleep, mostly because the stitches itch and burn,

January 15 Erin.... thank you again for the Christmas. It was very much appreciated. ..   She was cleaning the hall bathroom, and I went to tell her that I was walking over here, and to give her her tip, in case she finished before I got back. She thanked me, and said so genuinely, "And thank you again for the Christmas. It was very much appreciated." It made me feel good.  Didn't talk to Beverly much over the weekend, but we did phone visit, etc., some last week. J.A. was off this weekend so they did a lot of exploring and hiking.  Angela came over yesterday afternoon and we play rumicube and sequence. She'd been to Books a Million to just wander among the books and see what interested her and came home with a book on history and book about the world's greatest books. We had fun talking about them. Kennedy came over late in the afternoon and played a couple of games of sequence with us. She is excited about some sculpture projects she's workin

January 12, 2018 Angela and Kennedy came over for a little visit last night, and we looked at some of the old books we've gotten at the estate sale, and had fun talking about them.  Beverly and I got to have a little phone visit. The cable guy visit went just fine, and she has internet now, so that's good. J.A. is doing some of the onboarding things, so he's a little bored but should be back working sometime this week.  Saw Beth on Facebook a little bit --- pictures of Sammy.  Amber texted me back and so did Zak. We talked to Noah to wish him happy birthday.  Tyler and I had a little bit of a rough night, but it ended on a good note, so that's the good part. 

January 11 I didn't spend much time in the writing shack yesterday because it was Wednesday, which is supposed to be a day that Barry and I spend together, and we were scheduled to go to the gym by 8:00 a.m. We managed to pull that off, and had a good workout together.  I went to the CAC committee meeting, and I'm not really sure what I accomplished but I did get a good idea for asking for things to put in the raffle baskets.  And then I went to Ulta and got tweezers for my new purses and foot scrubbers, etc., Lollygagged a little bit.  And then I came home and went to work, and really had a productive afternoon. I made it almost all the way through my month ends. Today's a regularly scheduled Wonderland day, and I think I can finish month end, do the 1099's, and get ready for the WC audit.  I heard Derek telling Virginia that he wanted to put a memo out re: driver's needing money from Horizon, and snippets of that conversation. It was a positive sign, th

January 2 Beverly came over for a short visit yesterday evening, and liked the book I picked up for her while Barry and I were out New Year's Day shopping. They had fun at Mrs. Reed's house, dinner with Paul and his wife. John and Barry talking about football. Noah and Tyler warming their hands by the fire after being outside and playing soccer.  Beverly gave me sweet hugs before she left for California today, and so did J.A. Wendy sent me a message, "Thinking about you today. " Listening to Noah and Tyler laughing while they play their video game. 

January 3 Doug Jones is going to be sworn in today, and I get to feel like I was a part of that, and not just a tiny part. A kind of active part. Brittany's surgery was more complicated than they had anticipated, but was successful and she is with Andrew and Annette. I got to see Angela this morning. They're on call today and then she has to go the vet and then go get Bentley's medicines, so she has a long day ahead of her.  Got Marco Poloed with Tori a little bit last night. She said she'd had a good, regular day.  Shawn said he's going to start at Waffle House today.  Saw Evan for a few minutes yesterday. He's coming down with something.  The kids all sent in pictures so that Beverly could make me a picture book and it came in yesterday's mail. She said everyone sent pics and they had a whole nother chat about it in the Facebook group and I know that she put hours and hours into pulling it all together. It is beautiful. I spent time in m

January 7 Laughter all over the house. Morgan and Brandon at the kitchen table.  Beverly called at suppertime and got to tell Noah, "Happy Birthday." Skyler took the pictures. Angela and Kennedy helped clean up. Vivian said she saved the cards I wrote for her and Zak's ornaments. Andrew re Tori: Is she coming home? She needs to come home.

February 21, 2018 Chris And Tyler talking while waiting for the school bus. Tyler was standing by the driver side window, facing Chris, who was still seated in his truck. I don't know what Tyler was talking about but it was pretty animated.  Barry seems happy and excited. We decided on an RV yesterday and this morning he said, "We have so many great adventures ahead for us." I feel the same way.  I got to see Angela for a few minutes this morning. She looks tired, but she said they have Bentley on some new medications. It will be about a week before we'll know how his system adjusts to them. He is very sedated at the moment, but the seizures have stopped.  Tori said that she has been really happy with her car so far, and that she and Josh definitely had some learning experiences figuring it out. She's coming home this weekend, and I sure am happy about that.  I finally got a bowling party set up for us, so we'll see how that goes. At l

February 5, 2018 Well, for starters, last week went quite well, as far as hitting the mark on my objectives. I finished the donation request for Rouse's for the CAC and took it all the way to the store, and she said she would email it right then.  I got to take a walk in the Audubon Bird Sanctuary. I can see myself living on the island, taking walks in the woods and on the beach, except that I can't exactly see how that would work.  Brittany came out a couple of hours early yesterday afternoon, before Second Sunday Supper, and she and Papa sat at the kitchen table while I puttered around in the kitchen, and we just had a really relaxed visit. We got her to tell us about her thesis and the breach and the models she is running and she told us about Skyler doing this great kickboxing class.  When Beverly called Friday night, I asked to speak to J.A. and I can still hear the tone in his voice when he said, "Thank you for asking to speak to me."  Angela stayed a

February 2, 2018 Got to see Kennedy for a quick minute yesterday. Coal's surgery didn't cost as much as they expected it to.  Angela sent me a message this morning and let me know she wasn't having to go in to work as early and that she was going to sleep late. Annette posted that Andrew is riding in the Inca parade tonight, and which float he will be on. Brittany is going to bring Skyler to Second Sunday Supper. Brit said she can't wait to see everybody. Beverly said she got to know her co-workers even better, and that one of them works two jobs so that she can save up money for her dream --- to open a transitioning home for battered women.  Angela has let Doctor Elliot know that she'll be leaving in May. Ange and Tori have been talking a lot. Ange worried about planning until she actually had a job, but Tori told her she was covering the rent by herself now and to just come on.  Amber sent me a text --- her graduation date is set! 

February 6, 2018 The MCEI meeting yesterday was just fun. Don, Caroline, Ashley and me. Caroline and Ashley were both friendly and welcoming and helpful and we got along well. Caroline, who is over the grant applications for the entire university, works with other volunteers so I'm sure she can guide me well.  I got to see Angela for a minute this morning. Tyler and I had a good talk last night, mostly him just sharing some of his feelings about things with me.  Brittany responded to my text and said she'd enjoyed our visit, too. Evan responded to the text I sent him and wished me a good night's sleep.  Beverly called and we got to visit for a minute. She said there are a lot of people there and when they told her about how they all visit after work she said to herself, "I really want this job to work out." ;-)

February 7, 2018 Barry came in, all excited, "I think I've found us a piece of property!" And, I think he has.  Jaden is here this morning while Chelsea takes the third part of her G.E.D. He's with Papa. :-) Got to hug Angela. She said she had to spend twenty minutes look for her card, which she had put in the pocket of her other jacket, even though she never does that.  Heard back from Tori. She is going to call me tonight.  Heard from Morgan. She said that she got to have some quality time with Zak this weekend, and she was happy about that. Heard from Kennedy, and got to get hugs from her last night. She was tired --- had spent the whole day on her feet, sanding the pieces for Pensacon. Barry and I went gallavanting yesterday, which was the plan, and had a good day. We went to Shoe Station, and I have some cute new shoes, and we went to the good Asian place for lunch and I had a delicious blueberry martini, and we went to the pet store and stocked up

February 8, 2018 It was off schedule and has me out of whack, but Barry found a piece of property yesterday that had been on the market for a long time, was heavily wooded, AND had waterfront, so we went to look at it right after lunch. If we waited for another date day, it might well be gone before then. The realtor hasn't called us back, so I'm a little anxious because I think it might be just the spot for us.  Talked to Annette a little bit yesterday, and Brittany sent me the sweetest, loving text. Heard back from Skyler --- short and sweet, but heard from her. ;-) Got to hug Angela this morning. They're in surgery today.  Had a fun little conversation with Tori --- lots of laughter. I told her I wasn't sure of Broke Up But Still Friends Protocol and she laughed and said Josh had asked the same thing, and wondered if it would be awkward. I told her that the best I could tell they hadn't been mean to each other, and I can still hear the tone in her voic

February 9, 2018 It is possible that I forgot to clock in for part of the time that I was in the office, but if I did, I don't think it was for a large amount of time. I have completed the regular weekly, and the real "I need to do somethings" in under four hours. That holds amazing potential for giving an afternoon a week to the Melton Center and an afternoon a week to the Child Advocacy Center. Annette has been checking on me every day, and I think that is so sweet.  Beverly called last night, and we had a good visit. She had a great day! She was able to irrigate patients ears, instead of just assisting. She said it is one of her favorite things to do because people who thought they were losing their hearing are so excited to discover that they are not. She said it is just immediate results. Not about medications. You start out having to stand in front of them so they can read your lips, and finish by them telling you that you need to quit talking so loudly. Then

February 15, 2018 Barry... Andrews the top in his field. We were at dinner with Daddy and Kathi and Andrew's name came up and the way Barry talked about him just about made me cry at the dinner table. His demeanor wasn't fluff, but was more matter of fact, sincere, that Andrew is the best in his field, that they fly him all over to solve problems that others can't solve. Andrew hasn't ever said those things to Barry. He has talked about the time he spent in California and Texas, and that he tried to get it where other people could go, and Barry deduced the rest. 

February 13, 2018 She said that she was going to smile so much brighter today. When I bought the elliptical, I paid for set up and delivery. The woman who called to collect my credit card info and set up the delivery was so incredibly gracious, so when we were finished, I said, "Before I let you go, I'd just like to say..." and expressed appreciation for her graciousness. She said that I had made her day, and that she was going to shine so much brighter today. 

February 20, 2018 Dr. Vance said everything looked fine. Beverly and I got to phone visit for about an hour yesterday. Kim sent me a text about Noah's soccer game. I had to rush a lot yesterday, but I did get through the bulk of month end and did at least get the sales tax paid, etc.  Chris waited for the bus with Tyler.  Angela sent me a good morning message. Barry said the French Toast that I made was good. 

February 20, 2018 Dr. Vance said everything looked fine. Beverly and I got to phone visit for about an hour yesterday. Kim sent me a text about Noah's soccer game. I had to rush a lot yesterday, but I did get through the bulk of month end and did at least get the sales tax paid, etc.  Chris waited for the bus with Tyler.  Angela sent me a good morning message. Barry said the French Toast that I made was good. 

February 1, 2018 Beverly called Barry last night. He said she asked his day went so he told her how everything had gone wrong. This morning he mentioned again that he was glad she'd called.  Beth called yesterday afternoon and we visited for a little. She told me about Rashi and Colen's weddings. She had ended up sitting by a man after the first wedding and at the reception for the second saw him looking around the room as though he had no one to sit with, so she went to invite him to sit with them. She asked if they had met after the first wedding, and was he a teacher, and he said, "No. That man's about twenty years older than I am." She felt bad, but it is just exactly like her to go make sure someone doesn't feel left out.  Tyler did well on his homework yesterday.  Almost missed Angela, but did get my hug. :-) Laundry is in good shape. Barry, this morning, talking about Beverly and what she said about how long it takes her to drive anywhere.

January 31, 2018 Barry and I did spend yesterday together and spent it all on the Island, going up and down streets and looking at property.  Angela and Kennedy came over for supper and I was going to make brownies but didn't have any vegetable oil, so Angela went and got some for me.  Beverly called this morning and I got to talk to her. She really enjoyed her first day at work. It is a teaching facility, so she sees the opportunity for learning a lot of things.  Beth sent a text that she is having some packages sent here, so I heard from her. Morgan sent me a Facebook message. John said he'd be at SSS. Heard back from Shawn. He said he has the flu.

January 29, 2018 When I was hugging Andrew bye, he said that he had to go, that Annette was getting them lunch, but that he had wanted to wait to see me. That made me happy --- that and walking in to see him and John and Barry visiting. John had waited, too, so I got to visit with them both for a minute. Annette sent a text that Andrew was stopping at Foosakly's for Skyler, and asked if anyone else wanted anything. Skyler said she is doing more MMA now than Karate. She said it is more fighting and less armour. Got to have a nice phone visit with Beverly last night. She and JA took the cats on a hike. She said it takes an hour to get anywhere, and that if you miss a turn Google maps doesn't tell you take a uturn it just takes you all the way around the mountain. Angela spent most of Goodtimes with us and played board games with me and the kids. We played Sequence and Rumicube and Spoons, and got to visit and laugh along the way.

March 1, 2018 Barry woke up early this morning, at the same time I usually do, and we didn't have a lot of early morning responsibilities, so we went to Waffle House and had breakfast. He sat facing the people he usually talks to and that worked out better for me because otherwise I end up making eye contact with them, and not really knowing what to say. Chelsea was there and knows our new regular, which I really like. Barry orders the All-Star with a half order of dry raisin toast and I order two scrambled eggs, and we ask for it to all be served at the same time. So, I get a half a piece of toast, a half a waffle, a piece of bacon and two scrambled eggs. Lots of flavors without being served more than I can wisely eat. Yesterday, Beverly and JA celebrated the anniversary of their first date and seemed to have had a good time. Went bowling, for one thing. We had a tiny text conversation. Got to visit a bit with Angela this morning and got some hugs. Noah's team won the

March 2, 2018 We had a nice visit at Waffle House this morning, over breakfast at 5:40 in the morning. He said, "I wonder if we'll have a house built there by this time next year, and I wonder how many miles we will have put on the RV by this time next year." Then he smiled a big smile and said, "It makes me happy just thinking about it!"  Bella ran out to see me this morning and I got to have a visit with Angela. She had a minute to tell me (without any names) about a patient yesterday that caused a ruckus --- nose bleed and didn't want to go to the hospital. She said they don't see active nosebleeds in the office because they can go so wrong so fast.  Beverly and I finally got to have a decent phone visit last night. She called while we were at Benja's and I said, "But I'm kind of desperate to hear your voice," and she said "Same." So, I called her back when we got home, and took my evening walk around the yard and ta

March 5, 2018 Beth called. She just called to talk. I missed her call and she said, "I know! I thought Morgan calls me every day at 5:00 and I never miss her call, and I thought, 'hey! I should call my mom everyday!" I told her I thought she should, too! 

March 2, 2018 And thinking about that just makes me so happy Turns out, there was a special reason that Brandon was having lunch with us --- he and Morgan are having a baby!!!  They were already at the restaurant when we got there. When the waitress handed us our menus, she said they had some lunch specials on the back of the menu, if we wanted to look there. Each of our menus had a large picture of a sonogram, a baby, and words about a baby coming. I thought someone in the restaurant was having a baby, and then I saw the words on the sonogram... "Morgan Brown."  It was just such a wonderfully happy moment and time. I cried off and on through the rest of lunch. When Barry and I talked about it later he said, "It was all I could do to not cry. " When I told him that I had cried, he said in a tone that let me know how hard it had been to hold it back, "I had a trickle or two I had to deal with."  Just kept showing up in my thoughts all da

March 8, 2018 Beverly called yesterday morning and we got to talk for just a minute.  Shawn called and the phone system finally worked, so we got to visit for a minute.  Heard from Tori --- she was having a pop tart for dessert, so I had to ask about supper. She reported having had a healthy supper.  Heard from Evan --- he has to go to a concert Sunday and write a review. Heard from Kennedy --- she is busy, busy, busy in these days leading up to spring break, but she's looking forward to spring break and spending some time in the shop.  Fun text from Brittany --- trying to make sure her mom is at Second Sunday Supper without spilling the secret.  Vivian's RSVP --- "We love you, Grannie, and thank you for all that you do for us." Kim sent me a copy of Noah's schedule. Barry and I went and did a walk through of our new camper yesterday. I think it is going to work perfectly for what we want most of the time.  Angela's Facebook message this m

March 12, 2018 I forgot to hit the record button on my phone, but Vivian recorded it on Morgan's phone --- the blessing --- and I turned to Annette, whose hand I was holding, and asked "Did you get that?" With, "that'd be too exciting to be true," on her face, she asked, "Is that for her," and with my nod rushed over to give Morgan and Brandon hugs, and the whole room was awash in handshakes and hugs and celebration.  Skyler said that she'll be driving in June, that she'd passed her Driver's Ed course but had to have her permit for 6 months before she could drive. I congratulated her and then said, "But you aren't sixteen," and she said, "I am sixteen!" and we hugged and laughed. The professor who is guiding Brittany through her thesis presented their project to the mayor of Dauphin Island who presented it the town council, and they have agreed to accept the findings of her project and follow her recommend

March 13, 2018 Fed Barry, started laundry, cleaned up the bedroom, cleaned up the kitchen and headed to the writing shack at 6:44! Angela's laugh when Bella was all excited and snuggled into me.  Saw Andrew on Facebook for a minute --- pirate boat. Heard from Brittany and Tori and Kennedy. Tori is coming in this weekend, but will really on be here Saturday. Josh is coming with her. Kennedy asked to borrow one of my cameras to help take wedding photos for her friend/co-worker. 

March 14 2018 Bella came out with Angela yesterday and then stayed with me for a while. Ange mentioned that Bella liked soft places so I put a pillow on the floor her. She came out with Ange again this morning, and after she'd had her treat and Angela had left for work, just settled in on her pillow.  I got to see Shawn yesterday. He said he was sorry he didn't have any news to tell me, but there wasn't really much to talk about. I had been working in the 2016 Joy Journal and so did have some fun things to talk to him about.  I just got a text from Valerie! She is going to call me tomorrow. :-)  Saw Andrew a little bit on Facebook. He liked my comment about Talk Like a Pirate Day.  Just quick blown kisses exchange with Beverly. Got to see Angela this morning. She's expecting a busy day, since they're on call.  Kennedy may be over today to borrow one of my cameras to help take pictures at a friend's wedding.  Talked to Beth for a little bit. Not

March 15, 2018 Well, first of all, I was elected to the executive committee of the Melton Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.  Don said that their bylaws allowed for other officers as needed and that we were at the place in our maturation where we needed a secretary. He invited nominations from the floor, but there weren't any, so we have a new president, a new vice-president, and a new secretary. ;-)  Josh came and spoke about fundraising, and I learned so much, and he mentioned a book, and I came home and ordered it immediately. I'm just so excited!!! Beverly called me yesterday and we visited for a bit. She said she thinks about when she's doing yoga and when she's not doing yoga.  Beth called around five. "I just got off the phone with Morgan." We laughed. Following in her daughter's footsteps. She's so excited about being a grandmother. She said there should be balloons outside that she could give to everyone and announce. She r