Friday, April 29, 2016

Now that you're involved with it.

16-04-29

Sun coming up.

16--04-28

A prop the door open kind of day. So happy!

16-04-29

Brittany will have an awards ceremony this morning --- receiving a scholarship! 

Tyler, eating his cereal, wondering if a person could really survive cryogenics. Seems like you would have to learn to walk again, he said. 

Thursday, April 28, 2016

16-04-27

Add caption

16-04-26

First radishes!

16-04-28

Barry, Shawn, Tyler and I went out for dinner last night and had a good time. The boys were in good moods and conversational. Shawn and Barry had fun kidding about truth and not truth, about Shawn sticking up for Barry and Barry not sticking up for Shawn. Later when Barry said he'd spent 250,000 on a half-million dollar car and I told the boys to cover their ears, Shawn said, "Papa, remember when...." and we laughed some more. 

Shawn has picked out his classes for next year. 

I realized yesterday that Maranda could really have a go at posting all of the credit card statements so was able to get Wednesday's work done in about 3 hours. 

Now I can use some of Thursday to do HH stuff and make up for the time I spent getting my hair and nails done. 

Brittany was elected Vice-President of the Civil Engineers Honor Society! 


Wednesday, April 27, 2016

16-04-26

  Angela sent me a text.

She hadn't forgotten about our possible Tuesday lunch, and sent me a text, which was sweet. 

16-04-27

I just really had a lot of fun yesterday. 

I came to the writing shack early enough to get my time in and it was cool and I opened the windows and enjoyed the fresh air and listened to the birds sing and chirp and call. I meant to cut it short, to take care of business since I planned on goofing off in the afternoon, but I couldn't make myself leave. It is a little stuffy this morning and I need to see about finding a fan I can use for the few weeks we have before I'm going to have to close out the outside and leave on the air conditioner. 

So much happy stuff, I hardly know where to begin. This is the Facebook Joy Journal, but when I posted this morning about having to wake Tyler up early, Morgan said, "Ohhh the memories of swinging around dancing in the morning still 97% asleep." When she lived with me, I would scoop her up out of the bed, hold her in a hug, and we'd sing and dance (or rather, I'd sing and dance) our way to the kitchen bar stool, where she'd have her breakfast. 

When I got my nails done yesterday, I met Diane Ballard, although I didn't know her last name until she asked for mine as I was getting ready to leave. She talks pretty much non-stop, and she fessed up to that from the get go. "Can't sit still," she said. Turns out, she and her husband own a mobile home park in Theodore, along with 100 rental houses. She is 69, her husband is 73. She wants them to retire, but he doesn't want to. He doesn't just want to sit at home, and he has no interest in travel. She worries about how he would run the business if something happened to her because she handles administrative things. Like me, she is aware of the nuances of things that she has learned over the more than 30 years that they have been doing this, and the difficulty of handing all of that off to someone. She was a lively, friendly critter. 

I like Amber's new salon. I really enjoyed my little shop hop. (Hair, Nails, Bakery.) The bakery was a bit of a disappointment --- it is really more of a set up for school kids to eat their snack and go, rather than a quiet place to read a book, so I might not do that again, but I enjoyed it yesterday. The girl did not trim my nails to even them out and the fingernail polish has a least two divits, so I probably wouldn't go back there, but they're doing nails at Amber's place now, so I think I'm good there. 

Tyler said there is a new kid at school, that he is from Cuba, speaks some English but not a lot, and that he is kind of his new best friend. The boy was following Tyler to his class, but since he's really in a different group, another student steered him in the right direction. Tyler and the boy are in the same PE class though, and Tyler described how he used an improv sign language to to explain the running test they were about to take. 

We went to Daniel's game and had fun watching him. He made some good catches, playing first base. 

Tyler's bus came early today. I thought about waiting for Beverly, but that felt pushy, so I came on inside. And so then I heard her at the door ---- she'd run all the way from the Phew! driveway to the side door. "I like the run," she said, when I told her I thought about waiting. Happy hug. 



Tuesday, April 26, 2016

16-04-26

I'm just really happy today. I'm in the writing shack with the windows open. I could use a fan. It is a little warm, but I really don't want to close up and and shut out the outdoors. The birds are calling and spring is just everywhere blooming. 

Most of the college kids were off doing other things at Goodtimes, but Kennedy and John W came and all of the non-college kids were here. The pool was clean and clear and apparently warm enough, because they spent quite a bit of time in the pool. Noah stretched out on the towel about as much as he swam, I think maybe because the kids were playing chicken and he knows that's a bad idea. I don't know. Daniel must have been tired --- spent most of his time in the hammock. 

Michelle was great with the kids. She worked on the fort with them, and led them in to making a kite. 

The Stewardess game is taking off. They started their own game of it. It is this generation's "Phase 10." 

Pictures are on Facebook. 

Faith and Skyler, pictures together. Skyler and her little changing self, changing the way she stands for a picture. Both of them --- pics for snapchat. 

16-04-06

She piled up on my little pillows.

16-04-03

16-04-10

Tyler re his hug. Wait what? What was that?

16-04-11

Josh and Tori on the swing
Josh, hug
Papa and I cooked supper together
Big hug from  Beverly this morning.

Hugging Josh bye --- he said he noticed he always seemed to hit me around my cheek, but he's worked out a solution. He bends his knees just a little. 

Josh and Tori swinging.

Papa and I cooked supper together.

Big hug from Beverly this morning. 

16-01-15

Date is approximate. I just like this picture.
D

16-04-22

Turtle!

16-04-22

Lunch with Tori and Josh.


Barry and I had just pulled in to Benja's when we got a call from Tori --- she and Josh were at Taste of Thai. Did we want to join them. Pefect timing! 

16-04-23

I am going to spend the day with two people who loved me

Morgan sent us a very sweet Thank You note, and Beth had just sent me that touching message, and so when I thought about our upcoming Saturday shopping trip, I thought, "I am going to spend the day with two people who love me." 

16-04-24

Josh boost his confidence boost Taurus confidence Tori apostrophe s confidence with the mint


Josh, Barry, Tori and I talked about the excess plants that we have, and their taking some for their patio. Tori said she was afraid she would kill them. A little bit later, when Josh and I were standing alone together for a minute he said, "I have an idea. We could take some mint, because it is so easy to grown, and maybe that would boost her confidence." 

16-04-23

$10.00. I put them on and asked Morgan and Beth if I looked fabulous. They liked them. "That is so you." Makes me smile, remembering, every time I see them. 

16-4-25

Well, it would have been better if Mama Cat's drain had stayed in place, but they don't seem terribly worried about it, and they have examined her twice without charging me. 

I'm not really sure I can get two cups of coffee out of the 3 Tbs. of coffee.

I feel rushed, so I'll have to come back to this, but I enjoyed Saturday and Sunday. 

I spent Saturday relaxing and shopping with Morgan and Beth. 

Barry and I spent Sunday morning gardening and then we had Goodtimes that afternoon. 

So.... the shopping trip. We met at Beth's house, and I got there about 15 minutes early. Beth was watching Parenthood, so we sat together on the recliner and held hands and cried about a character who was dying of cancer. We held hands for a long time --- really till Morgan got there. 

We went downtown to a couple of boutiques and stopped in at Three George's. 

We drove across the bay, heading for Fairhope, and in hindsight I wish we'd gone on to The Dragonfly, but we stopped at Mancini's Antique Auto Club, because it caught my eye. It was good, but not good enough to drag Barry back across the bay. We had fun in the boutique across the street. Beth oohing and ahhing over all of the baby stuff that was in there. Morgan said that Beth buys cute baby things and then finds a baby to give it to. 

We just laughed and shopped and had a good time. I wonder if Morgan was ever able to tag herself in the Instagram shot the dress shop lady took. 

Big snuggle hug from Morgan, and sweet words.

Then we drove to see their bay house. 
Experiment - syncs with saved.

16-04-26

Beverly hug
JEA closing the gate for Beverly


I went, as usual, to sit on the porch swing and watch out for Tyler while he waited for the bus. I smiled when I saw Beverly's jeep in the driveway. The bus came, I got up, and noticed that her tail lights were on. So, I stood facing the street so I could wave at her as she went by. She pulled out through the gate and stopped at the road, waiting for traffic, I thought. And then I saw her get out of her car and start running towards me, so I ran to her and we met in the path for a morning hug. All smiles about that. 

And then I noticed JA, closing the gate behind her. The little things. 

Monday, April 25, 2016

16-04-25

I'm really happy with myself for having followed through on my idea and written the letter of recommendation for Amber from. WAFFLE HOUSE.

It doesn't seem like a really big deal, but it is one of those things that I thought about doing for someone and then feel bad when I do not follow through, or follow through in time. And she was so happy --- we happened to get there when she was not tied up at the grill, so I motioned her down to a booth where no one was sitting. I told her that I wished I had made her a pot, but I didn't think about that early enough, but I like to write, so I wrote her a letter of recommendation. She reached to hug me, and was so very happy about it. (Turns out, she didn't stack his eggs that day, and that the onions go on top of the grits, not under them, but I think the letter still works.)

16-04-24

Send Brittany a text about these ---- about how I've always gotten them for her, and realized, on this day, that I don't even know who else likes them, and that she is now a Spartan and would rather have fresh spinach leaves. 

Friday, April 22, 2016

16-04-22

Barry ate the first squash out of the garden. 

16-04-21

I know you can barely see the white frog, but it really tickled me. I'd gone to walk around to see if there was anything to put in a text for Zak. Saw this frog on the way back. And I did hear back from Zak!

16-04-21

The flowers Mrs. Poirox have me.

16-04-22

Chicken and dumplings

Barry and Tyler and Shawn made chicken and dumplings last night. Barry pointed out to me that they were putting the dumplings in the pot, and he smiled. 

We told them it tasted good, and Tyler said, "Thank you," and then thanked Barry for getting it started. 

Flocks of birds are settling in the Eldberberry tree.

I saw a little green spider, hanging by web thread from the magnolia tree.


16-01-05

Thank you card from Morgan.

Thursday, April 21, 2016

16-04-22

My message from Beth.

It is on Voxer, and it made me cry again today.

"I'm watching Parenthood and I at the end of the fifth season and it's the part where Julia and whatever her husband's name is are separating, and she goes home to her parents house and I just wanted to say that there truly is nothing more comforting in a really difficult place than just being in your mama's arms. so thank you for being my mommy. I love you." 

16-04-21

You might as well come kiss me.

I needed to ask Barry a question about payroll, so I called to see where he was, walking as I went. When I got to the steps of the office side porch, he answered and told me he was at the green house. We could see each other at that point. After he answered my question, he said, "You might as well come kiss me."

16-04-21

Beverly is off this morning, and so she and I got to just be us, hanging out in the writing shack. 

It is a beautiful day. A little warm. A little overcast. Started with a fog. I hope we are deep into spring, and I hope I get to be in my yard some this weekend. 

We went to Costco last night, so I have a new supply of Holly's food. She's so cute, the way she gets all excited about it. 

Gene called. He wants to come back to Mobile, and wants to come for Morgan's graduation. 

Annette loaned me her cat carrier, so I can use it to pick Mama Cat up this afternoon. She has a bad infection, but they have checked everything out and have given her an anti-biotic. I'm relieved that it isn't anything worse.

Tori will be back before the red flowers disappear. 

We had our first squash in the garden yesterday!

Barry is having a good time with the greenhouse.

I'm going to take the Phew! sign down. 

Had a text from Kennedy yesterday. :-) 

The pool is clean and clear. 

Annette is going to let me know about Skyler's graduation. 




Wednesday, April 20, 2016

16-04-20

I got a text from Angela yesterday. 

~I offered, several weeks ago, to take Morgan and get her graduation dress. We are getting close to time, so I mentioned it again yesterday, adding that since I prefer to shop online, it had occurred to me that she might to. Here's what she said: 

I think a real life shopping trip would be the most fun! If we 

don't find anything we love I can always resort to the online 

world, which has a lot of options but is a lot less fun in a 

"spending time together" sense.


I told her that felt like a hug.


And now I can't figure out how to change the font back.


~Kennedy and I had a fun little conversation about clouds ---
one of my books started off with "Go outside and focus on

clouds." When she was little, she told me that when she

grew up she wanted to be a person who watched the clouds.


"I feel like watching clouds every day should just make me a professional cloud watcher. Maybe I could start it as career if I call it something fancier. Cloud Philosopher?"

I sent Brittany a text, and heard back from her. 

Evan was here to work some. When he came in to hug me bye he said that he'd had a cinnamon roll for breakfast. "That's one thing y'all taught me: to eat breakfast." 

Tyler's birthday was yesterday. He'd mentioned the night before when we were out on the swing doing his homework that one thing he kinda hoped was that his mom could come over. Shawn helped us facilitate that, and she was here for a couple of hours. Chris and Michelle drove over with Gavin. We got his Oreo ice cream cake and ComPac pizza because that was the supper that worked best with everyone's fluid schedules. 

Tyler was very sweet and thanked everyone and has mentioned at least three times that it was a very good birthday. 

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

16-04-19

It really is just a beautiful morning. I got outside when the sun was just begin to color the clouds on the horizon, and all but just two or three stars had faded. There was still one bright one, over and above the shop, and I thanked it for staying till I could focus on it, and "Please help me." 

~ I got a text from Kennedy yesterday: 
Thinking about you while walking home from class today! My campus is full of blooming flowers and they are so pretty! I even found a hidden magnolia tree along he way.(: I hope your Monday is filled with nice surprises! I love, love, love you!

It really made me smile to get this from her --- her thinking of me, reaching for me. 

~Of the DC pictures that I uploaded, Skyler chose one of her and Noah, "Had a great time on spring break with my cuz." 

~Beverly came over Sunday and we got to sit and visit a little bit. Time flies, for me, when we visit. 

~Evan and Chelsea came over dinner. Evan did a good job with the steaks. They brought up baby names, and we had some fun talking about that. 

Friday, April 8, 2016

16-04-08

Beverly's garden.

16-04-08

Barry facilitated my meeting with Derek.

My meeting with Derek was productive.

Tricia answered my Daily Booked loads inquiry first thing this morning, which indicates cooperation. 

Virginia is steadily training Jashuna, and is willingly releasing things to her. 

Virginia telling Jashuna about the SIMPLE IRA. 

Shawn passed his Learner's Permit test. 

Tyler, at dinner, sugar: Yes. --- More and more affectionate. 

Lots of getting to see folks expected at Second Sunday Supper, looking forward to that. 

Barry is really sticking to his better eating plan, and is losing weight. I eat better just to keep from throwing him off track.

Andrew and John, making me laugh, in the Facebook email about kids and road trips.

Beverly said she had a good, relaxing day yesterday. 

Morgan's graduation announcements came in. 

My wisteria is beautiful.

Tyler letting Mama Cat out of her room so that she wouldn't give herself a concussion. 

My flower lined path to the writing shack.

We got things worked out so that I can just do payroll here without having to drag things off to Taylor's office. 


Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Got to see Zak

16-04-06

Because you think you are just filling in a few minutes, and ten minutes later your computer is still coming to life. 

Someone posted a video of a woman who was trying to remind her mother, who had Altzheimers, that she was her daughter. It was very loving and sweet, and Andrew liked it.

Beverly stopped in to get some juice this morning.

Tyler: "So are we going to be one of those families that moves to Canada if Trump wins?" ... one of those families.

Shawn called Barry and I each three times last night while we were at Bonsai. "Why were y'all gone so long? It is too quiet when you are gone, without the t.v. and without y'all laughing. " "I didn't know you could hear us," I said, "back there in your bedroom." "It helps me go to sleep." And then he hugged me and went to bed, after asking me to tell Papa he said, "Good night." 

16-04-06

Lizard battle

16-04-06

Birds in treetop. I walked real slowly but even with my binoculars I wasn't sure what they were.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

16-04-05

Angela called me yesterday. She told me about going out to her hammock with her crayons and coloring. Makes me so happy! 

We're going to have Morgan's graduation party here.

Quiet talks with Tyler about future things. The way he listens. 

Yellow Iris blooming in the bulb garden.

Sunflowers coming up near the orange tree.

Little texts with Beverly.

In my writing shack this morning. Tori's red flowers blooming outside my window. 

My wisteria responded wonderfully to my trimming. It is just beautiful. I should take a picture. ;-) 

I went to the pottery barn last night and wedged some clay and pinched a pot. 

Barry liked my idea about the index cards and his list. 

He picked our bedspread up yesterday.

Lizzard battle outside my window. I've never seen anything like that before. 

John answered my Facebook email. 

I made a good lunch yesterday, and Barry complimented it. (Halved variety cherry tomatoes, Frog seasoning, mozzarella, microwave; celery and my homemade tziki sauce, rice/quinona.) 

He sang and danced with me in the kitchen. 

Tyler and Shawn went swimming yesterday.