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 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, ...

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 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. 

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 thi...

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. 

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...

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...

October 22, 2018 It was a good weekend. My Saturday household chores and my Saturday bookkeeping went smoothly. Barry and I drove down to the property and then I went and did some looking around for things for Phew! (Bathroom cabinets, etc.)  Sunday was just really a very lazy day. I spent almost the whole of it playing with paint colors, and coming up with a paint scheme for Phew! Sunday was Skyler's birthday so we went to lunch with Annette, Skyler, Brittany, Jon Marc, Paul, Kara, Kim, John, Noah, and Tyler. I asked John if Noah's being too old to Trick or Treat meant that they didn't have to hand out candy any more. He said, "I like Halloween." He and Kim start stocking up on candy in September, because they both enjoy the holiday.  I mentioned that I wasn't sure we'd do the Saran Wrap game on Christmas Eve. Brittany said, "Oh, we're doing the Saran Wrap game!" I said that I was worried about taking up too much time. She said, ...

October 8, 2018 I had a couple of interesting things happen this weekend, which is to say that I was caught up on my work and so when Beth had time to spend with me on Friday, it was like being at DeSoto --- I could be there and just relax and enjoy and not feel like I was doing something I wanted to do instead of something I was supposed to do.  Angela and Tori were home for the weekend, and Kennedy for a little while Saturday afternoon, and I got some of the same kind of time with them.  We took Beth and Rodney to Firefly, and Beth and I got some time down on the beach together, We went back with Angela and Tori and picked up glass and pottery and laughed together as we got a heavy piece of driftwood out of the surf, because I wanted to save it.  Beth and I got to sit and sip tea and watch t.v. together and Tori watched a movie with us.  The girls seemed really excited to be home, and to see us.  I got to talk to Beverly for just a little bit on S...

September 10, 2018 Beth called right about when we were getting ready to say the blessing at SSS last night, so I called her back after supper. I sat on the swing in the pagoda near the house and we laughed and talked for a long time.  Annette, offering aunt-advice to Morgan. Jon Marc, Brittany, Morgan, Brandon, Angela, and Zak all sat at the big kids table.  Barry and Brandon talking about oysters and piers, etc.  Kennedy called to let me know that getting set up in her new job was taking longer than they had thought and that she might not make it.  Angela is here, so we've had some fun visits. She starts her internship October 20, and has heard back from Ringling. They told her to be on the lookout for an email for setting up a background check.  Skyler and Michael were here and led our blessing.  Jon Marc helped me bring the groceries in. Had a fun text conversation with Tori. She was going to mow her yard again.  We talked about ...

A ugust 24, 2018 Barry and I had a good trip yesterday and a good night.  We left at exactly 9 a.m. If I had washed my hair or swept the floor, I would have been late. Brittany sent me a text to let me know that she'd passed her five and a half hour Civil Engineering exam and we had a great time celebrating that on Facebook. We got to see Kennedy a little bit the day before we left. She's on a two-week break from school and she and John were over to visit Molly and clean out the Phew! fridge. So we got to hang out at the kitchen table for a bit. She is really excited about her museum project and courses. Did I tell you that we went to dinner with John and Kim and Noah?

August 21, 2018 Brittany starts her last semester of classes today --- on her way to her Master's degree. I sent her a postcard, thanking her for helping me out and for getting the ice cream, and heard back from her.  Beth is in Spokane, WA today. John and Kim and Noah took us out to supper, and we had a nice visit. Kim's unit has been closed all summer, and so they have been assigning her to units all over the hospital. It hasn't been the best experience. Students are checking in to the dorms, and John and his crew have been busy helping the students set up their routers, etc. Next weekend, he'll be walking all over campus checking the signal on their campus-wide wifi. Noah got caught up in a book last weekend and read the whole time, instead of playing on the computer.  Jaden came over last night and gave smiles and kisses.

August 20, 2018 Second Sunday Supper ---- the house was filled with the love and laughter of those who could be with us.  My cookies made me so sad. Brittany had asked if we were going to have some, and so I sent her a text and told her how badly they'd turned out, that they might be o.k. for crumbles on Vanilla ice cream, but not good as cookies. She offered to pick some ice cream up for me which she did, and I tried to reimburse her, but she wouldn't let me.  Andrew called while Annette was still here, so I got to hear his voice, anyway. He sounded really tired, and I remembered her saying that their phone calls are always short, so I didn't keep him on the phone long.  She said that he'd had a good lunch with Granddad and Nana, and that after he'd paid for lunch, Granddad joked that if he'd known Andrew was going to do that, he might would have ordered something more expensive.  Annette took care of the rolls for me.  John had to work,...

October 29, 2018 So on Friday, I just cut loose and gave myself the day in the writing shack. I wrote thank you notes for my birthday presents. I wrote letters to Beverly, Daddy, and Marianne Hudgins and mailed them the Kennedy brochure that I'd promised. I wrote the joy journal pages for Morgan that I'd promised her and put them in a Welcome Baby greeting card that she can save.  Barry and I went down to Firefly Saturday morning. He didn't have anyone working Saturday, so we didn't have to hurry. The beach is still wide and sandy and pretty.  I came home and did my Saturday chores, which went along without much of a hitch, and then drove across the bay to visit with Beth. Morgan and Davis were sleeping, but Brandon came in mid-way and then his brother Zach, and we all just visited and had a good time. Then Morgan and Davis were up, and after he'd eaten she brought him out, and when I stood behind her and talked to him, I think I saw a flicker of recognition ...

November 19, 2018 Barry and I went to have lunch with Monica and Carlos, and had a good time. I got a text from Angela early this morning, and got a Facebook message from Abby.  I got to go to Noah's soccer match, and visit with John and Kim.