16-02-26

Barry said impressive about my radio spot.

16-02-28

I sent Priscilla an email....

got a kick out of this, and I thought you might too. When Tor and Josh were here this afternoon, we played a card game that was like Go Fish in that it involves asking one of the other players for a particular card. We were a few rounds into the game, and it was Josh's turn. He'd just cleaned up, getting cards from Angela and Tori. He turned to me, and he hesitated. I honestly thought maybe he was debating the protocol on getting the grandma's card, but it all went too fast for me to consider that much. Finally he said, "I'm just going to go with Granny." While we three girls were laughing, with his unfailing politeness, he added, "Is that all right?" ....I'm not conveying it well here, but what he had been weighing was what to call me. wink emoticon I told him that if he couldn't choke out "Her royal highness," "Granny," would be just fine. Good times.

Hope you had a happy day!

((Heart smiling))....thank you for sharing. He's quite entertaining, especially when he doesn't KNOW it! So glad he has such a wonderful family loving on him.....

16-02-28

Beverly to Annette....that was a sweet thing to say.  (I don't know what Annette said, it was just part of their goodbye hug.)

Josh and Tori made the brownies.

16-02-28

Noah archery

We got to have a nice little visit with John. Noah did get in to the magnet school he wanted, but they are sure whether or not they will have an archery team there. I hope so, as he is doing very well with that. Ranked in the top three at his school. 

16-02-28

Morgan logo for new company.

Morgan's boss is forming a new company which will sort of be an umbrella company for his two other companies. She designed the logo. :-) 

16-02-26

Fun lunch with Beth.

16-02-27

This email from Beth....

Maybe I'll just send you my thoughts and you can edit :D

Is it possible to feel exhausted and blessed, irritated and excited all at once? It is if you're me... I am no different than several other working mom's who have grown children that are fun to be around finally, and employees who are fun to be around...rarely.   I have decided to document my thoughts of which I'm sure are keeping us all alive. If I don't laugh I'll cry, if I cry that means I'm mad, if I'm mad you should break out your apocalypse gear.

Here we go;

My life ...

Monday-

Helllooooo, It's me. I've had a great weeeeekend so don't make me lose my shit.

Wait, what is happening?

I'm sorry what???

Bye Felicia.

Tuesday

Here's your chance,  do that dance, do the hump. (I'm sure those aren't the words but that's what happens when I wake up confused)

Let it be known, after much debate I will concede that it's in fact Tuesday not Wednesday. 

Wednesday

I have no trust for this day. Way too easy to confuse with Tuesday and Thursday.   My prayer is that this one ends without incident quickly.

Thursday

THIRSTY THURSDAY! I always wake up happy about this one.  Probably bc I know I'm on the home stretch but also because I'm really good at making plans I won't keep.  Sorry ladies.

FRIDAY

THIS TOO SHALL PASS. It is what I need to train myself to say on Monday but I'm a slow learner.  Friday is my elementary school day. Basically I doodle and check Facebook until it's a decent time to "head out a little early" because I'm over all things. 

So there I am... After reading this it would be understandable to concern yourself with my work ethic.  The good news is these thoughts don't make it to my mouth or other people's eyeballs. I'm basically a giant secret. 

16-02-27

Annette...sane time hug.

Beth 's blog

In the checkout line at Michael's, Annette standing just behind me, just off my right shoulder, I have an urge to her hug her, and just at that moment she puts her head on my shoulder, her arms around me. I pat her hands, which are together on my left shoulder, and say gently, "You are going to be all right." And we stay like that for several minutes. 

16-02-28

Tori so excited about being here for a Goodtimes.

Skyler excited about Goodtimes.   "Haven't had one in forever. "

16-02-27

Just touching her ring

Annette and I spent some time hanging out today. I thought it would be fun to distract her from her upcoming skin cancer surgery by getting what she needs for a project. So we went to Home Goods and Hobby Lobby and Michael's, and as we were leaving Michael's she got a text from Skyler --- would we bring her some soup from Panera. 

That was easy, so we headed that way, which happened to be into the sunlight. Annette said, "I'm like a vampire. Whenever I feel the sun touching my skin I move into the shade." We laughed about that, and then she told me that as soon as she got her new car, Andrew had the windshield tinted for her. I said, "I'm sure he isn't perfect, but he does love you." She told me that when she woke up that morning she had a vague memory of him touching her hand, so she asked him if he had touched her hand while she was sleeping. He said, "No. I touched your ring. I'm just glad that you are mine. My forever person." 

Kennedy
ANGELA

16--02-26

Well, let's see: 

Faith and I had a good conversation this morning. 

They boys caught their buses.

The blue jays are back. 

There will be a lot of people here Sunday for me to enjoy. 

Beverly sent me a text that Angela had sent her a text that she is ready to register for her last semester of college. 

Barry and I got to have lunch with Beth yesterday. When we left he said, "That was fun!" We talked about her work, and her employees, and the unbelievable things a couple of them are putting on their company credit cards. She said that she wished she had a secretary who could write reminders down when she was in the middle of something, so we experimented with S Voice, and at least got the memo thing figured out. 

I need to take care of the credit cards, and I have a lot of Jashuna things to figure out, but I have decided to have a writing afternoon anyway. It makes me very happy to look forward to a writing day. 

The azaleas are blooming. I see robins. The sky was pretty this morning. (stars, moon.)

Barry and I took a walk last night after supper. 

16-02-25

I'm just going to follow my joy tomorrow, and that means a day in the writing shack. 

Tyler helping me make the bed this morning. 

I told Tyler about the pretty pre-dawn sky, and how I liked to be out there to be reminded of how big the universe is, about "Please help me," and "Thank you for helping me." He said, "Like you have on the bathroom wall." I had forgotten they were there. But, yes. And then he mentioned one with a bird, and something that looked like the end of sentence, so we talked about "and a time to let go of the need to control the outcome." 

16-02-24

The suitcases are out of the hall! First, I'm glad to see them up in the attic since I've missed the previous six times I planned to get them up there, and secondly, I'm pretty happy about the new approach I used. 

The sky this morning ---- still dark. Moon in the west, lighting up the tops of wispy, scattered clouds. Full cloud cover in the center --- except for just a minute, with just one spot, where a star shone through. The beginnings of pale orange-red blushing the thick clouds in the east. A break in the eastern clouds, just over the tree in the front yard --- thin, bare branches umbrelling up against the blue. 

Tyler going the extra mile in the bonsai garden last night, setting the plants down. 

16-02-23

Tyler, pointing to a squirrel that was scrambling up the trunk of the pecan tree: "I wonder if the sugar gliders would get along with them?"

I got unpacked last night, and really in less than an hour, so that was good. Still need help getting the suitcases up, but at least I'm unpacked.

Got up on time this morning, and had a breakfast substitute, which was good since we were out of milk. Morning running along on schedule. 

Daddy called to thank us for coming, etc. 

I took the time to put clean sheets on the bed before we left for the trip, and that kind of cramped things, but it was really nice last night not to have to change them before we got into bed. 

16-02-22

Tyler, "Well, I was glad I've already reached my AR goal. Today the teacher was checking and crossing our name off if we've already reached our AR goals, and she saw that I had, so she crossed my name off." 

16-02-22

Kathi said, "I meant to tell you. That fingernail polish looks pretty with your skin tone." That made me feel good about it. I'm also glad I squeezed in the manicure. ;-) 

As Barry and I were getting in the car Sunday night, to leave, Daddy said, "That was a pretty dress you wore Friday night." (to the anniversary dinner.) I thought it was sweet of him to compliment me. 

Mark gave Daddy and Kathi a framed print of a photograph that he had taken. Daddy took sweet time, noticing the shadows and the light, letting Mark tell him about the burnishing (?) etc. 

16-02-07

I think Kathi is getting excited about her anniversary, and Daddy seems happy about our coming. Reminds me of how helpful she was to me at my weddings --- bridesmaid dresses and planning the first, sending me dresses for the second. 

I did hear from Morgan yesterday, so that was fun. 

16-02-07

I finally got to take Tyler SweetHeart Dance shopping last night. He was easy to please. His favorite jacket had gold buttons on it, but there was only one --- absolutely only one --- and it wasn't in his size. We finally tried on just the jackets (by brand and style) for best fit, and then he chose from that rack for color. Remembering how much "fun" he'd had trying on so many pairs of jeans on our last shopping trip, I asked if he wanted to try on the other colors. He said he didn't, and we laughed about that. 

We ended up at the corner barber shop, and he was good natured about that too, although both of us were a little unsure as to how things were going to turn out. I politely kept in conversation with the barber, and I think it turned out well. 

The pants are too long though, and I have to hem them, so I wanted him to put it all on, and that's when Shawn helped him with the tie.

Let's just go with what we know.

My phone is dead, so the picture I got is on Barry's phone and getting it to Facebook is just too much challenge right now, but it looks like this:

Shawn, sitting in bar stool in reading room, having paused his movie. Tyler is directly in front of him, and at first I think they are watching something on Shawn's cell phone, which is balanced on his knee. Then I realize Shawn is referencing the screen for instructions on tying Tyler's tie. (Sweetheart Dance Friday, you know.) They are laughing, and I hear Shawn say, "I don't know Tyler. Let's just go with what we know."

16-02-14

Tori coding for fun

Beverly, Tori and I lunch together this weekend, and the conversation turned to books. Tori loved to read as a kid, but as homework piled on "reading for fun" took a back seat. I asked her if she was getting to read in the evenings now, after work, and the talked turned to what we do in the evenings. She said, "Well, last night ... and I know this seems kind of funny because technically it is work, but I was coding. I was just having so much fun that I didn't want to stop." 

16-02-12

That someone actually cares.

Shawn,  talking about the changes he sees in himself. 

16-02-10

Mark and I had a nice phone visit. 

Tori and I had a little text visit. She had a flat tire today, but they got the spare on, and their sink is leaking but they can put in a work order about that. Here's what she said on Facebook about the tire: 
That feeling when, barely a month ago, you were so happy to have gotten a new set of tires....sigh to adulthood

Kennedy stopped by to pick up her laptop, so we got to visit with her a little bit.

16-02-10

Morgan banana pudding.

Morgan sent me this text:

"Our lab manager brought a huge pan of homemade banana pudding and I'm in heaven about it. I miss eating it with you and Papa."

It tickled me that she'd thought of us. :-) 

16-02-09

I was 30 minutes late getting to the office and it somehow took me an hour to get through my emails, but I still got Monday's work done on Monday, so I get to do CAC and HH today. I'm pretty happy about that. I wish I already had the mail here, but I have to go to the bank to make the deposit anyway, so its not a big deal, this time. 

The boys are home and seem relatively happy. Shawn's stomach is upset again, he said. 

Got an email from Kennedy, and heard from Brittany. She said the engineering conference went great. Annette said she is running for secretary of an engineering related association at school. 

Heard from Morgan. :-) 

"Don't call me anything else. Just call me Shawn Baby." ... It started like this --- "Don't I get a hug?" and so I wrapped my arms around him and said, "My Shawn the Baby." His arms around my neck, his head leaned over the top of mine, "Shawn the baby? I'm bigger than you are." "Always my baby, though," I told him. "What about Teenage Shawn Baby," he said. I said okay, that others had suggested to me he might get tired of Shawn Baby. He changed his mind, shook his head, "Don't call me anything else. Just call me Shawn Baby." 

We talked about music .... he said his skin tingles when the sound comes out right. 

16-02-08

Signs of life in the greenhouse! (text from Barry)

Shawn seemed pretty happy to see us last night.

16--1-30

Barry re my worrying worrying writing shack: you know that doesn't come out of your money.

16-02-03

Shawn hugged us good night.

16-02-03

Grannie,  I'm a teenaged boy. Don't judge me! (Shawn, re: his Facebook change in status to "in a relationship.")

16-02-03

 Tyler morning hug. I was all set to give him the Stern Face for not already being up, but his response to my "Come tell me good morning," was to open the door with arms open wide, walking into mine for a hug. He settled in with a deep, secure sigh. 

16-02-08

Got to have a nice visit with Evan a few days ago. 

The clay conference was just really nice and relaxed. Barry and Noel visited and LaDonna and I got to chat. We each kind of just came and went from the lectures, etc., as worked for us, but hung out some, and visited with others. Just not a lot of tension about it. A sort of familiar understanding. 

Barry and I had nice chats on the road trip sections of the vacation. 

16-02-03

The bookkeeping part of month end is done, do you hear me? On February THIRD. That's a full three weeks ahead of time, meaning that that particular parcel is about to make sense. Doing it on the first Tuesday will be great. Easier because there are fewer transactions to deal with. APU and Mileage issues still need to be resolved, but I'm ready for Taylor. 

I'm very proud of myself for arranging my tasks in such a way as to accomplish that. 

Also, the laundry is done, which works out well since I need to be packed today. 

Shawn gave us good night hugs last night. 

Got to see Beverly and JA this morning. 

Morgan and I had a little Facebook chat. 

16-02-02

Kennedy sent me an email yesterday, so our penpalship continues. :-) She made an A on her marketing test. I like emailing her at night. 

Papa said it is always fun to visit with Kennedy. 

Shawn came and gave us hugs before he went to bed. 

Tyler did well --- room for improvement, but an obvious good-faith effort on his homework. Both boys' grades are good, both with a couple of issues they need to address, but neither with anything that would draw us into panic mode. 

Yesterday's schedule ran along fairly well. I didn't get any exercise in ... Pepto Bismol to Shawn .... and I was a little late to the office...my foot .... but I still got Wonderland's Monday work done on Monday. 

Lots of birds outside my window. I want to develop this little garden spot. Finches. They are finches.

Brittany put up some pictures from her first Mardi Gras ball and I've saved them to the Facebook Joy Journal group. 

Little Facebook conversation with Beth. 

16-02-01

I had a sort of undramatic, unstructured, wonderful weekend. 

Barry and I got to have lunch with John and Kennedy at Miller's Ale House, where we've been wanting to take them ever since we ate the Osoboko. (sp.) We had a good visit, and then went and got their Jeep to pull back here. Kennedy helped move the ramps and anything that she could do. I got to see their apartment and her painting porch and their three cats. 

Beverly and I finally got to have a little visit late yesterday afternoon, and even though our visit focused on some current stressors it was good to be together. 

Every day when I walk past the wisteria, I want to trim it, but was waiting for cold weather to take off all leaves. It finally did, and I probably spent a couple of hours shaping it up. Now I have to pick up the trimmings, but I smile at the tree when I walk by. 

And I cleaned out one of the closets. That isn't as impressive as having gone through all three of them, but it is one of them. 

And I made it through some laundry, and will probably be able to set out Barry's clothes for Gadesden tonight. ... which isn't as impressive as being packed already, but is still a chore behind me. 

I just wasn't in the mood to get stressed out about anything, and so ... I did not. 

Also got to have a nice phone chat with Johnny. 

Michael and Daniel called Saturday, so Barry went to get them and they spent the night and plowed on the tractors with him, getting ready to put the garden in. It was their first time driving a tractor.