2018 Joy Journal

February 26, 2018 I am only just now realizing that I forgot to put the date in my document and I'm wondering how far back I'm going to have to go to fix that.  But... Goodtimes was yesterday, and we finally got to have a bowling party, and the kids seemed to have had a good time. They really didn't do much after we got back here, but Ange, Chelsea, Papa and I played Sequence. Tori helped Kennedy with an assignment.  The bowling alley has changed a lot since the last time I was there --- the old pit group seating is gone, so it is a much more social can mix back and forth kind of event. The teams could have been more intermingling, but I'm not sure that mattered to any of the kids.  Kennedy was really so appreciative that we went to Pensacon, and I was really happy to get to be there while she was working the booth and to get to see her work. They were on the list in the order chosen, and she was third of ten or twelve, so that was very exciting.  Evan p...

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 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 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 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 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 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...

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, 2016 I am finally getting some real writing time this morning, and I am so happy about it. I just even feel different. I feel a little stressed because I got sidetracked with some tennis emails and have gotten myself off schedule, but I'm going to go ahead and claim my writing time. I can tell by the physical change in my sense of peace that I need the time. Got to visit on the phone with Beverly for a few minutes last night, when I called to thank her for my Mother's Day card. She's waiting to see if she can take a couple of days off so she can come home for a whole week.  Got to see Angela this morning, and get some hugs.  I'd had a little memory about Zak and sent him a text about it. I heard back from him, and he thanked us for his graduation gift and said that he was lucky to have such a supportive family.  Heard back from Shawn.  Heard back from Evan. Faith asked if she and a friend could come night swim, which would have been fun if the ...

June 4, 2018 I got to spend some time with Annette today, helping her with her new software. I'm not sure I was really much help, but she thanked me anyway. I did take notes for her, anyway, when we were having the lesson online.  And I still got my Wonderwork done, so didn't lose any traction there.  Got to talk to Beverly. She said they had a really good day. Tori worked from home, so they were able to pop in and say hi to her and she and Angela had fun talking about how they want to decorate. Beverly said it is just the cutest little house and Angela already has her elephants set up.  Beth stopped by to visit for a few minutes on her way to Texas.  And Kennedy has followed up on her transcripts, so that's good. And Evan has followed up on his.  And Goodtimes was fun, with swimming and card games and a visit to Firefly.  And Kennedy said she will be here tomorrow. And I got a text from Angela, and from Shawn. 

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 25, 2018 The young girl (19 -21) that settled into the chair closest to me keeps laughing quietly to herself, maybe reading something funny on her phone. She has taken her sneakers off , curled up in the oversize chair and covered herself with her jacket. Evan and Barry grilled hamburgers last night. Chelsea went and picked Faith and Daniel up. Angela walked over with the pups. Evan, in the middle of a conversation about putting a walkie talkie under Angela's bed to tease her, "I hope y'all know you can call me, if there's ever anything like that. " Jaden isn't going to anybody but Evan and Chelsea right now but he got distracted by the chocolate Angela was giving him.  She said, "From now on whenever you think of me just think of chocolate. " Faith said she loved her graduation card.

J June 18, 2018 My computer isn't broken and my hotspot is working.  Angela and Kennedy stayed after supper last night and helped me clean up. Ange is hoping to go test drive a car today.  Sent JA, Rodney, and Brandon Father's Day texts and heard back from them.  Texted with Tori a little bit. She said she's feeling a little bit better but slept a lot this weekend. When we saw Jaden at the Waffle House Saturday morning, he recognized me and leaned towards me when I made the kissy face sound. Evan and Chelsea and Jaden were here for Second Sunday Supper and Jaden had a big time running through the house.  Chris, Shawn, Erin and Wylder were here. Shawn is giving really big hugs these days.  John and Noah were here. Noah went outside to play soccer. ;-) Faith drove Michael and Daniel here. I think that was the first time she's done that. Faith has graduated, so Michael led us in the blessing. I told him to give the "Hurray punch" and "I...