2018 Joy Journal

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 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...

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...

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 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 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...

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...

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 ...

June 28, 2018 Skyler responded to my text. :-) We didn't have a big chat, but it was fun to hear from her.  Beverly called me mid-afternoon, so we got to have a nice visit.  Angela came out to the writing shack and we got to hang out for awhile and just relax.  Heard from Kennedy. She said she starts her new class today and that her first guest speaker is the head of Graphic Design at Parsons School of Design in New York. She said, "I am really excited to meet her," so I'm looking forward to hearing about that.  Heard from Tyler. He said that he had spent the night with Shawn and enjoyed that.  Heard back from Daniel. He said he isn't playing any sports right now, but that he'll be playing basketball in the fall. 

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, ...

September 24, 2018 Goodtimes yesterday, so I got to see a lot of kids. Andrew was still here yesterday, so he was with Annette when they came to drop Skyler off, and we got to visit a little bit. He's flying out today to go back to Orlando. John stayed and visited with me for a little bit, too, so now I know about Noah's game this Wednesday night. Kim's new job hasn't started yet because the old one wanted 4-weeks notice. She's at the tail end of that, though. Chris came in when he came back to get Tyler, so we visited with him for a minute.  Beverly and I had a little phone visit yesterday morning.  Had a little phone visit with Angela and Tori yesterday evening. Tori's office is thinking about changing locations to a place downtown, so she did a practice run of that yesterday. Angela's first day of training for her new job starts today.  Kennedy and John came to Goodtimes, so we got to visit with them. He is working at his parent's store. She...

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 ...

September 7, 2018 I sent Annette her Thursday "blowing a kiss" emoji, and she called me around lunchtime. She caught me up with what was going on with the girls and I told her a little about the trip Barry and I just finished, and then she said, "And, oh ----" and told me about something that had come up. It happened, she remembered the day after we left, and she chose to wait till I got back. I told her she could call me anytime. It tickled me that she knew how I would react: "I'll call her when she gets back and we'll cuss about it." It went through my mind several times after that, that she knew where I would stand for her, and that I would love her.  Had a little text visit with Tori, and laughed together about Library Street. Angela drove in yesterday so we had hugs and visits, and Evan and Chelsea came over. Evan and Chelsa and Jaden went to dinner with us (Angela had just eaten.) Jaden played peek a boo, and said "Hello!...

August 6, 2018 Shadow came trotting from the writing shack porch to greet me. I unlocked the front door and she waited there while I got her food ready. Since she was already there, I just made her inside dish, and she came right in and ate it. She's hanging out on the writing shack porch now.  Annette sent a text to check on me.  I was sick all day yesterday and stayed in my pj's and pitter pattered around, but I did manage to pitter patter through Tyler's old room and get it straight, and that's a relief.  I spent Saturday morning with Morgan in Fairhope, for a wee shopping trip. Again, better if I hadn't already started coughing and wasn't already worried about getting her sick, but still a special little break in time, and mostly I got to feel Davis move. It took my breath away. As we were saying bye, and Morgan was saying thank you, she said something like "and for coming over here. I can't remember the last time I got to hang out with som...

August 2, 2018 Morgan is coming for chocolate chip cookies tomorrow. On Monday she posted on Facebook that little celebratory raising hands emoji and that made me happy. I got a text back from Skyler yesterday and that was fun she said she's feeling better. Angela posted on a Books-A-Million sale that she wished we could go to the bookstore together again and that was fun. Last night I got to talk to her and Tori on speaker phone. Heard from Kennedy. Chelsea got a new job yesterday and called to let us know so that was fun very excited. Starts August 13th.

July 16, 2018 I sent Andrew a text last night, after Second Sunday Supper. He was at work, but texted with me for a few minutes. When I told him that I had thought about trying to call him when I was on my way back from Vero, but pictured him working, he said, "Should have reached out. Could have at least tried to meet up." So that made me feel good --- that maybe he isn't so busy that he'd feel bothered if I reached out more often.  Vivian excited about her new job at the WalMart distribution center --- she said she told Beth, "I can't wait to have lunch with Grannie and Papa," and then realized that she worked from six at night till six in the morning.  Annette and Skyler came early, and Annette helped me in the kitchen, with the rolls. When they got ready to leave, Skyler said to Annette, "Give me the keys! I'm driving home!"  Brittany came with Jon Mark, her boyfriend, and we were happy to meet him. Brandon wasn't here when...