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 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 7 Laughter all over the house. Morgan and Brandon at the kitchen table.  Beverly called at suppertime and got to tell Noah, "Happy Birthday." Skyler took the pictures. Angela and Kennedy helped clean up. Vivian said she saved the cards I wrote for her and Zak's ornaments. Andrew re Tori: Is she coming home? She needs to come home.

February 15, 2018 Barry... Andrews the top in his field. We were at dinner with Daddy and Kathi and Andrew's name came up and the way Barry talked about him just about made me cry at the dinner table. His demeanor wasn't fluff, but was more matter of fact, sincere, that Andrew is the best in his field, that they fly him all over to solve problems that others can't solve. Andrew hasn't ever said those things to Barry. He has talked about the time he spent in California and Texas, and that he tried to get it where other people could go, and Barry deduced the rest. 

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 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 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 19, 2018 The weather is nice enough that I am able to leave the writing shack door open, and I'm enjoying the bird sounds. I like to think that Bentley and Bella, who are hanging out with me, are enjoying the fresh air, too.  So I got hugs from Angela this morning. We got to visit with Tori and Josh this weekend --- they came in for Kayla's shower. Tori said her project launch went well, although sales seem to be going more slowly than they'd hoped.  Andrew laughed at the pie-rate joke I shared on his timeline. Beverly called Barry while we were on our way home from dinner so we talked to her on his truck's bluetooth thing. She'd finished up her weekend and is on her schedule so will have this week off.  Heard back from Faith. She was having a busy Saturday, getting ready for her prom. Zak and Vivian went to Houston and are having a good time. Vivian's 21st birthday was Saturday, so there are some fun pictures and greetings in the Facebook J...

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 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 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. 

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 21, 2018 It is a pretty morning. I have the writing shack door open. Bentley is on the front porch. Bella is on her pillow. Birds are calling.  Saturday was spectacular. I worked all day, but it is the very first Saturday where I finished my Saturday Home Administrator chores .... well, even on Saturday. I walked three laps and then started on the HH Bookkeeping. I was a month behind on posting the credit cards and I still haven't caught up on Barry's expenses, so it took a little longer than a week's worth would take. But when I stopped at 6, there wasn't anything left but his expenses.  Sunday was a very good day. Barry and I went to Rouse's and got our cereal, etc., and then drove to the property where we spent the morning, pulling down vines and picking up shells and pottery. I tried to just think of it as the time I was spending, instead of trying to get a particular thing finished. It was Sunday, and I needed some relief from all of the timed events...

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...