2018 Joy Journal

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.

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...

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 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 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...

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." ;-)

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 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 21, 2018 Got to visit with Angela for a minute this morning. They're expecting a busy day --- in clinic and on call.  Talked to Beverly for a few minutes last night. They are having lots of rain, but JA is supposed to be off today and tomorrow, so she was looking forward to that. Skyler and I are going to go to Noah's soccer game this afternoon, and I'm looking forward to that.  Barry and I went to Golden Corral last night and Faith was working and so she took a break and came and sat with us for a few minutes. Her prom is in a couple of weeks and it is the first time she and her boyfriend have gone to prom. They've been to some homecoming dances, but this is their first prom.  Did I tell you that I heard from Brittany Monday night? She is having busy days, and is leaving for Iowa, to see her friend, on Friday. I did hear from Amber --- she won't be at Goodtimes because she'll be working. Barry said Evan came out and visited with him for a w...

April 3, 2018 I sent Andrew a text to see if he'd had a safe flight, and he answered my text, even though he was in bed, having started his day at 3 a.m. Angela got to visit a little this morning. Got a postcard back from Brittany, and from Evan. 

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 29, 2018 Bella is napping on her pillow. The writing shack door is open. I hear cars, and the wind chimes Brittany and Skyler gave me.  Kim posted on Facebook that Noah's team came back from a 1 - 3 to go on and win the game. I hate that I missed it.  Beverly and I talked last night for a little minute. She's going to call me back today.  Beth called, but I missed it, and I missed her when I called her back.  Tori said she is coming home this weekend! Kennedy was in drawing class when she got my text, but said she was able to send me a kiss back. ;-) Barry and I found out yesterday that the buyer did sign the purchase agreement, and our paperwork is at the title office. We're expecting to close April 10 on the bay property.  We went and got his computer for the RV and we got the gun safe, so those things are behind us.  And we went to the property and met with the people who will be doing the clearing. 

March 22, 2018 I just had the best time at Noah's soccer game last night. Skyler and I got there a little bit early, but didn't see Kim, who was also there. When John came, we saw them both, and Kim got up to hug me. And we just laughed and visited and enjoyed the game. Skyler and I enjoyed each other to and from and stopped at Five Guys and had a little supper. She's starting to think about what she wants to do --- maybe photography.  Got to hug Angela this morning.  Brittany sent me a picture of her dog Bella playing with the dog toy that was in the kids saran ball on Christmas Eve.  Got to see Andrew for a quick minute. Beverly and JA went to Reno, and posted pictures. I think she got on the PCT.  Got a text from Tori. She's hoping to volunteer with the horses again this weekend. Got a text from Kennedy --- she might be over sometime today. Beth is in Chicago. Morgan will be readying her house this weekend for the Baby Gender Reveal. 

May 1, 2018 Barry and I, sitting at the dining room table, both on our laptops looking at KCBS things. We cleaned up the kitchen together and then started on the three events we'd heard back from and my bathroom alarm went off before we were finished. It was a nice way to spend the evening. I got to visit with Beverly for a little bit.  Had a little Facebook chat conversation with Brittany. --- about her workouts and races. She had lots of ice packs going on, but she said it will be worth it. 

April 30, 2018 Beth, to the lady who was sitting beside her on the plane, after that lady's description of having seen Mt. Rainer in a sunset, which followed Beth's excitement about seeing Mt. Rainer: "But look what my eyes are seeing right now."  Evan, in the midst of conversation, in reference to family, "You've done a good job." I don't know what I said in response, but he added, "Sometimes it needs to be said."  He and Angela and I played a game of cards, and it was fun to be with them --- being a part of their laughter and enjoyment of each other's company. As Faith, Michael, and Daniel left, Evan remarked that one of the good things that had come out of the October trip had been the hour and half ride that he'd been able to spend with Michael.  Andrew came to pick Skyler up, so I got to get a hug. I actually snagged two, and got a big one. He's flew back to California last night.  Kim and John sat and visited wi...