2018 Joy Journal

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. 

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...

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 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...

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 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...

April 2, 2018 We had a good weekend.  I got a Chat message from Shawn last night --- he said he'd had an amazing day with his dad.  Saturday night we took Angela and Tori and Kennedy down to see the property and they were excited and then we went to dinner at the Pelican Reef and they laughed and laughed. Kennedy has applied to participate in a 3 semester program that gives her the opportunity to completely design an exhibition.  Sunday afternoon we took Beth and Rodney and Linda down to see it. Beth said she wanted to just sit her chair in the sun and read a book. Rodney said that if Beth would just go ahead and win the lottery, he wouldn't have to work in Houston anymore.  Morgan and Brandon's gender reveal was Saturday afternoon, and it was a sweet time visiting with family. Amber was there and we got to sit and talk for quite a while. Annette and Brittany and Skyler were there, and so were Angela and Tori and Kennedy.  Zak brought his pups out S...

March 28, 2019 Barry and I went down to the property last night and met with Perry to talk about the bulkhead, so we got to spend a little time there. We went to Baileys for dinner, which was nice, but is really much higher priced than the Pelican Reef.  We've been invited to judge at some BBQ events, so things are coming together there.  Annette and I are going to have lunch sometime.  Angela and I are having some fun conversations about the house.  Kennedy was over last night to work on a project, so we got to see her.

March 26, 2018 It is a slightly overcast morning, and slightly chilly but still nice enough to be able to leave the front door open. I'm hearing as much traffic as birds ;-) but still getting to hear the birds.  Annette stayed and visited with me for a little bit yesterday. She said she told Andrew she hadn't talked to me in a while and so she was going to visit with me until it was time for her to go and workout. And we did just have a good time.  Ange came over Goodtimes, despite the absence of any of the other Big Girl Cousins, and we laughed and played Sequence. She laughed so much, especially when she said, "You just rolled your eyes at me!" And then when I reached for my card just as she was reaching for hers she made a big "Oh!" face. We just laughed a lot.  Noah was in Huntsville with Kim and Faith was with Lindsey, finishing up her shopping for prom, and Michael and Daniel didn't get her until a little bit late, but Skyler and Tyler had...

April 17, 2018 Having good mornings and evenings with Angela.  The tennis tournament achieved its objective, so that was good. (Way more confusion than I would like to see, but maybe that's because I was paying more attention to it.) Barry and I had good days. It tired and bored him in some spots, I think, but he got to have a good long talk with the president of the board and one of the other major sponsors --- not so much about anything in particular, just men to visit with in between picture taking times.  Annette came in first place in her Spartan Race! (Pictures are in folder on this computer). She took care of Easter Bunny for me, and it was a sweet afternoon. Brittany took 5th place in her division, on her first race out in a couple of years. Kim has gone part time! I'm happy because I think that means that maybe we'll get to see her more often. Did I tell you that we closed on the property and have cleared the underbrush? It is a beautiful and wonderful s...

May 14, 2018 Andrew called after he got off work yesterday and we got to have a little visit. He said that he was sorry he couldn't be here. He said that he might be coming home sooner than expected, because someone said something stupid on Friday, and he said something smart alecky in his reply. He said, "I'm 2000 miles away from the people who take care of my soul." He'd already talked to me about how much he misses Annette, so I knew what he was talking about. He said everybody there knows he'd rather be home. The people you would expect to be annoyed by his frankness are not, he said. Most people there are trying to climb the corporate ladder, but he is not. Most people there won't say the things that need to be said, but he will, and they are grateful.  Annette basically pulled Second Sunday Supper together for me. I couldn't even think of what to serve. She suggested party food, and so that's what we did. John and Kim stopped by and pick...

May 15, 2018 And so then some critters just have epilepsy I guess. He had seizures this morning, but seems to be doing all right now. I hope so. She knows I want to take good care of him.  Got a text from Andrew yesterday.  Annette is trying to get a little shower together for Morgan before all the girls get too scattered. One of her reasons was so I could have everybody together, which I thought was sweet.  Heard from Brittany.  Got to talk to Beverly on the phone for a little bit. She's going to try eating a little bit of seafood. 

June 4, 2018 I got to spend some time with Annette today, helping her with her new software. I'm not sure I was really much help, but she thanked me anyway. I did take notes for her, anyway, when we were having the lesson online.  And I still got my Wonderwork done, so didn't lose any traction there.  Got to talk to Beverly. She said they had a really good day. Tori worked from home, so they were able to pop in and say hi to her and she and Angela had fun talking about how they want to decorate. Beverly said it is just the cutest little house and Angela already has her elephants set up.  Beth stopped by to visit for a few minutes on her way to Texas.  And Kennedy has followed up on her transcripts, so that's good. And Evan has followed up on his.  And Goodtimes was fun, with swimming and card games and a visit to Firefly.  And Kennedy said she will be here tomorrow. And I got a text from Angela, and from Shawn. 

May 30, 2018 It is an overcast day. It is quiet in the writing shack.  Beverly, Kennedy, Papa and I went to Firefly Landing late yesterday afternoon so Beverly could see it and Kennedy could see it cleared off. The beach was pretty and we looked it over and enjoyed it and Beverly was happy for us and we went to the Pelican and had supper.  Annette said Andrew had planned on stopping by the house on his way to Orlando. I don't know whether he did or not, but I'm glad he's not in California. Maybe I'll get to see him soon. Heard from Brittany. She's having a relaxing week. Beverly and I got to hang out for a little while yesterday morning. Heard from Evan. He had to guess about the dog, but it was fun to tell him that story.  Barry, patting my knee while we watched t.v.: "It was a good time with the girls today, wasn't it." 

May 24, 2018 I don't know. Maybe that's one way to look at it. We'll see. Anyway. Got to spend some time with Annette yesterday, helping her get set up in her new version of Quick Books. And some vist-y time. She said that Skyler was already done with school. Sky was on AB honor roll for the last two quarters and had done well enough in her classes that she didn't have to take her EQTs. Andrew will be home this weekend but on for about 48 hours. He told her he could stay out there through the weekend so his per diem would kick in, but she told him to forget that. They're both ready for him to be home. Got to have a nice relaxed visit with Angela last night after she got home from work. Someone left their office, went to McDonald's and called to relay some troubling symptoms. Should they come back? "No," Angela told them. "Call an ambulance." The man was having a stroke. Dr. Elliot was going to go up after work to check on him. Heard ...

May 18, 2018 I think I'm going to have a more-normal day. Not entirely normal, since there are a lot of things worrying me and I need to kind of scrap pick and figure out what is going on and what emergencies I have left lying in wait.  Michael, taking the camera from Lindsey and telling her to get in the picture during group shots after Faith's graduation.  Faith, lifting her diploma towards Lindsey as she crossed the stage. Annette, excited, planning Morgan's family shower. Blue tablecloths. Her fancy white dishes. Books instead of greeting cards.  Beverly will be here for ten days!  Barry was trying to emphasize to Shawn that he needed to close the HH storage trailer doors and the gate, and said that he'd gotten chewed, and that he could prove it. So, I told him to prove it. I said, "Don't let these boys think we shout at each other, because we treat each other with respect." Tyler said, "It's true. I lived here for almost four yea...

June 15, 2018 Barry's check up with Dr. Jacobs went well yesterday. We learned that clogged arteries can be reduced with exercise that gets your HDL up to 45.  There are things in the office that need to be done, and I'll probably start my 12:30 session out there, but it isn't too bad.  Andrew called Annette while she was here yesterday morning, and he said that he loves me.  She said, re: her Quickbooks, "I just need my Vickie to come home." I think I'll start signing my cards to her "your Vickie." She's really getting the hang of figuring Quickbooks out herself, and it was fun to see her happy about that. She said Brittany is in a really good place, and that she went to talk to her professors to tell them she was burnt out and find out what she could do to accelerate her graduation date. She'll present in January and get her Master's in May.  Beverly sent me a text that she misses me. Maybe she'll call this morning. A...

June 25, 2018 Writing shack time is important to my well-being for a lot of reasons that I am only just now beginning to understand, so I am glad that I have it, and that I should soon be able to resume it. It keeps me connected to myself, and reassures me that I am weighing in on how my life and my moments are spent, that I have some control over my days and my destiny. This lightning strike is making it hard, and making me realize what I lost.  Andrew came by to see me this morning, and stayed and visited for a little bit. I was really glad to see him, and glad he had time to talk to me and tell me how things are going. He said that he's an engineer, but that he wasn't raised that way, so he talks to everybody, and the people at Disney like him and like working with him, and like the way he talks. They tell him it has to be better somewhere else and he tells them that it is, that all they have to do is get over those mountains. They did get him a project manager, which s...