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 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 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 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 t...

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 sh...

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 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 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...

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 ...

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 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.

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 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....

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...

March 16, 2018 I was just so happy last night! Angela did get to make it to Noah's concert, so she and John laughed and talked, and she enjoyed Noah, and Noah was surprised when he saw her, when we switched seats so she could see better.  Got to visit with Beverly a little bit yesterday. She's found a new video that leans pretty heavily on the stretching.  Beth was excited about Zak and Vivian's visit, and they went to a Keith Urban concert last night. Heard from Amber --- she's got the flu.

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 30, 2018 Shawn gave me a big long hug. "It has been so long since I've been able to hug any of you." He told me about a nineteen year old, talking to his mother, crying, and how it broke his heart and he went up and was kind to him, as others had been to him. He felt like he was able to get along because people could just see that he is caring and didn't want to be a part of fighting. Those weren't his exact words, but he is start to recognize more and more that his good heart is a major strength.  Got to visit with Beverly for a few minutes, and got to see Angela this morning.  Talked to Beth a few minutes. She and Rodney and Linda are driving in today. She said we'll have some time to hang out.  Morgan is bringing lunch and picking up the card tables.