16-12-05 (read 2/24/26)

Barry and I had a quiet weekend. We didn't stir up any big projects, and so ended up with time that was still, the kind of stillness in which important things sometimes bubble to the top. 

I over heard an owner-operator in the office saying to Derek, "My wife never liked the motorcycles, but now that she's gone, I can ride. I love to ride." I told Barry about that, as part of a conversation regarding what he would do if he had a year where we weren't expecting him to add to the revenue. Next year shouldn't be much of a year for buying or selling, either. He talked about wanting to rebuild his dad's truck, but then said, "I don't think you're going to go with me on a long-term basis," and so I told about the over-heard conversation. Later that afternoon, when we were in the pottery barn, he said that what he really wanted was for me to be able to write. That he feels like the luckiest man alive.

I told him that I'd gotten a kick out of Andrew noticing the Saran Wrap game and suggesting it. He talked about what a good man Andrew is, and said that he is really proud of him. 

We got to play with Jaden at Waffle House for a little bit, and Evan and Chelsea came over Saturday night for a little bit. I like it when Jaden smiles at me. 

Chris is helping Kennedy with her glass project. 

16-11-27 (Read 2/28/26)

16-11-28 (Read 2/28/26)

We had Deck the Halls yesterday. Beth and Rodney left for Houston before we started, but they stopped by on their way out and visited with us for a little bit and Beverly and JA came over and got to see them for a few minutes. Beth called later in the evening to see how it went. She and Rodney got stuck in miles-long traffic jams, so got home about three hours later than they usually would have. I can't remember exactly where she was in Louisiana when she called but it wasn't nearly as far as she wanted to be. 

Beverly and Annette sat on the patio and visited. Beverly talking about Standing Rock. Morgan sitting on the swing, holding Jaden, which she did for most of the afternoon. 

Barry stayed in his rocking chair and watched a football game. Brandon sat in mine and they talked easily about the game, and bees. A little while later Zak joined them, sitting on the sofa. 

Andrew spent the afternoon in the front bedroom, rolling up the Saran wrap ball of presents The game is something he saw online and thought would be fun. He is especially looking forward to watching others play it. He's helped me find dice and the saran wrap --- it has been a fun thing for us to do together. 

JA had to work, but got home in time for supper and for birthday singing. 

John and Kim were in Huntsville, but lots of people asked where they were. 

Chris and his new girlfriend got here about 5:00. Afterwards, Tyler asked me what my first impression was. I asked him what he thought, how he felt around her. He said that she has a special freezer at Drew's that she doesn't let just anybody get into, but she lets him. 

Brittany was studying, Faith wasn't feeling well. Barry got the volleyball net up for me, and most of the younger kids played volleyball and ran around kind of like a Goodtimes. Willo and Vivian were sick, too. 

Angela asked where I wanted to put the Family Promise bags, and I told her the bed. She did that, but then came and asked if I'd like her to put them on a spot on the bedroom floor so that I wouldn't have to move them later on that night. 

Things have just shifted. There aren't as many little kids running noisily through the house, and all of the kids and older grandbabies not only can do more, but offer to do more. There's just a lot less stress and trying to get it all done for me. I showed them where the Family Promise things were, and they set up the process and got it all done. Beverly said, "Mom, it is really pretty great for you to do this." 

Tori and Josh had to leave for a little bit to go get Zoey from the vet. Annette told them she was proud of them for being prepared for the expense. 

Chelsea came with Jaden, and left him with us for a few minutes while she ran to the laundromat. She said she told Evan it felt weird to do that. I think it was the first time she left him anywhere. 

16-11-02 (Read 3/1/26

Just a really happy day for me. When I left the office Monday, I left it clear of things that needed to be taken care of before Thursday. I did the HH Bookkeeping and Home Administrative duties yesterday, as scheduled. I kept at the laundry all day, so I can get by without worrying about it today. There are some things dry / drying that can be put away, but they can also wait till tomorrow, so my mind can really be cleared of that. I really can just spend the whole day writing without hurting anybody. That's a rare treat.

When I talked to Daddy yesterday, he told me that Andrew had written "Our phone conversations mean the world to me," on the card he'd sent. Daddy said that Andrew calls him from time to time, but he hadn't realized how much the conversations meant to him. He said that Andrew's saying so meant a lot to him. 

Annette sent a text yesterday to check on Beverly and Barry. 

Brittany helped me with Tyler's homework. :-) I posted a question in the Goodtimes group, and she answered it --- and then the next one, and gave me really good, easy to understand answers, too. 

Angela and I are counting down the days till her graduation, and got excited together yesterday that her graduation announcements had come in. 

Touched base with Beth a little. 

Did I tell you that Evan came over Sunday and visited with me for awhile? Chelsea came over yesterday with their weekly payment and I got to visit with her for a little bit and play with Jaden. 

Shawn called Tyler yesterday, and that made Tyler happy. 

Tyler said  he saw Theresa and asked her how it was not tutoring Shawn anymore. She told him it made her sad that Shawn wasn't there when he wanted to talk to him. Tyler said, "I thought that was really nice for her to say." 

October 14, 2016 (Read 3/5/26)

I don't have any laundry to roll today! I have laundry to put away, but none to roll! 

Yesterday was a good day, part of a week that has been good overall. Instead of trying to devote the whole week to writing, I decided to try to make this week go the way I've been trying to get each week to go. So, I spent most of Tuesday writing and most of Wednesday on Child Advocacy Center type things. Yesterday morning I went to "Stories in the Sand," at Dauphin Island. I don't think they'll be the kinds of events that I've been wanting to take Kennedy to, but the weather was nice, and there was a nice  little crowd, and the it was interesting to hear the history of the island. Mostly, at first, I was happy with myself for going. For not talking myself out of it. 

As relates to the event, the best part came after. 

There was no charge for the event, but donations were welcome and would be used to fund future events. I went into the gallery and looked for the a place to leave a donation, finding it on a back table. A woman thanked me as she saw me drop it in and then said, "You drive the Mini-Cooper, don't you?" So then I knew she drew the little brown Mini-Cooper that I'd seen in the parking lot. I don't know how to explain the friendly kinship, but it was fun. 

At about that same time, another woman walked up and said, "Didn't I see you just the other day?" Suzanne, from the Child Advocacy Serve it Up committee meeting, just Wednesday. And so we ended up looking at her art work, and somehow about Vero Beach, as her uncle lived in Wabasso. It was just a fun, friendly visit, and maybe fun to have someone reach out for me. 

As relates to the morning, the best part was in the middle. Kathi called and I talked to her for ten or fifteen minutes, and then Daddy and I talked. We talked about how he's doing, and some about the kids, and some about what he's doing, and he wished me happy birthday. He said that I am a good daughter, that I make a difference (referring to the grandchildren) in their little lives, "and you make a difference in my life.) His voice is different. I don't think I've ever doubted the sincerity of the loving things he's said to me, but there was something different --- maybe a measure of "I want her to remember this." I told him that he was going to make me cry. That he was a perfect daddy. 

Morgan came over during her lunch break to look for some pictures and it was fun to see her.

Beverly came over after lunch with a beautiful cake. (I took pictures.) She'd decorated the cake cover, and gave me an invitation to my birthday party --- just beautiful. I'll take pictures of it, too. And she wrote me a letter, and I'll have to type it up and save it, because it really touched my heart. 

Andrew and John and Beth all called. Beth had planned on coming to the dinner, but she got stuck in New Orleans. Annette called. Kim sent an email and invited me to lunch. Brittany came to dinner. Skyler wished me a happy birthday when Annette called. Noah got on the phone when John called. Zak sent me a text. Tyler wished me a happy birthday, first thing, as did Barry, and Chris got on the phone when Barry called from the marina. Angela sent me an email Tori called. Kennedy sent me a text. Chelsea and Evan sent a text. Johnny tried all day to call and Mark sent me a text. Valerie sent a text from her and Nick. 

My party was mostly girls --- Beverly, Brittany, Angela, Kennedy, and John W. Beverly treated us all, and we had a fun visit. It made me feel good that they went to all that trouble for me, and took time out on a week night, of all things. Then all of us except for Brittany came out to the house and had the cake that Beverly had brought over, and played a game of nines. Lindsey sent me a Facebook email. 

Before I got ready for bed, I showed Barry my hand, with the opal ring he gave me on my 60th birthday, and said, "I just wanted you to see which ring I chose to wear tonight." You should have seen him smile.

He and Beverly had a lot of fun talking about their hike. 

(Read 3/11/26)

Andrews all about being honest and owning your shit and having the you know what to admit when you've done something wrong. If you don't do that,  then he's got a problem with you.

16-10-07 (Read 3/11/26)

Tyler asking if he could go on my walk with me. He went bike riding with Papa, too. He'd done well on his homework, and his Language Arts teacher was satisfied with our substitute motivator. He made a 98 on his math EQT and he was the first one in his class to see the pattern in the bell ringer. His teacher was impressed. 

Barry is talking excitedly about his hike. His backpack came in and he started packing it last night. It is giving him something fun to talk about and think about. 

Daddy and Kathi made it through Hurricane Matthew last night. The eye came close to the coastline as it moved north, but did not come in. Mark was with them, and they do not seem to have lost power. 

Andrew sent me a text to check on them and see if it was all right to call, and John called me to check on them. 

Annette is healing up from her surgery. 

I think JA is getting more time off with his new job.

Angela sent me a message, and so did Morgan. Morgan and Beth are meeting with the photographer today, and Fairhope has their application, so the date is set! 

16-09-12 (Read 3/20/26)

This computer logged in online, to the home network, just about as quickly as it used to. That's promising. We'll see if it does better than it did on my hotspot, because it kept on freezing up there. 

Second Sunday Supper was last night, and almost everyone was there. We were missing Amber, Kim and Willo. I enjoyed watching the kids as they arrived, greeting each other, heading for the back yard or the game table to enjoy each other's company. 

We celebrated our September birthdays, and Josh was able to be with us this time, so that was fun. We also celebrated Morgan and Brandon's engagement. "What are we going to sing to them?" someone asked. So, we didn't sing. I spoke. Just told them that we were doing this in our usual haphazard way, but wanted them to know that we are happy for them, that we are happy about this, that we loved them both --- and Brandon's face --- just looked like he was happy in the moment, happy to hear the words, in real life. Congratulations on Facebook are good, and short congratulatory words in person are good, but a banner and streamers and a little official congratulations --- that seemed to have an important place, too. I'll have to remember that. 

Kennedy and John W got here early to help me get ready and decorate and Brittany and Beverly and Angela. Tori came but when she went to check on her dad, who was working on Beverly's jeep in the shop, he was bleeding, and she said she'd decided he needed someone to watch over him. I can't remember what she told us he said about his cut, but she said she thought, "Aw, you need a buddy." 

Andrew, John and Rodney, sitting at the table, talking about Dragon Con. 

Some snippets of agreement conversation at the big kid table re: the Dakota Access Pipeline. 

I asked Barry to make the beans, and he did, and they were a hit. 

I used Crazy Jane's Mixed Up Pepper in the macaroni and cheese, and I really liked that. 

Skyler to Noah, as she left, "Be good in school!" 

Annette, coming up behind me as I was at the counter, hugging me, telling me how excited she is about the Purple Rain tickets, "But thing I'm most excited about is hanging out with you guys." 

Brittany's planning on get a double masters --- Business, and Coastal Engineering. Her engineering professor can not only get the Coastal Engineering master funded, she can arrange for Brittany to be paid while she's working on the project. 

Chris helped JA get Beverly's jeep fixed. 

Jaden came to his first official (unless you count the Alabama game at Beth's house) family function. Lots of cuddling and pictures. Beverly took him immediately, and held him until Chelsea was through eating, and then got her own supper. My camera has disappeared, so Brittany took pictures on her phone. 

Friday night, Barry and I went to a Black Jacket Symphony "Hotel California," with Beth and Rodney. They'd gotten tickets for us and his mom, and his aunt Susie and Uncle Jerry. So, we all went to supper together and then the concert, and had a a good time. 

Beverly, re: Chelsea, after they'd watched the game together at Beth's house: "She handled us all really well. I was really impressed." 

16-08-11 (Read 6/18/26)

Andrew helping Morgan with her work project.

Shawn very talkative last night.

Andrew checking on Nana ' s birthday.

Annette "just needed that hug I got yesterday. "

Brittany came out to visit and brought Skyler.

Visiting with Morgan.

Morgan's boss wanted her to make some changes to their website -- a form for their clients to use. When she hit a roadblock, she sent out text to the family she thought could help her, and heard back from Andrew. She said he was a big help. 

Shawn was very talkative last night. 

Andrew checking on Nana's birthday. 

Annette, "just needed that hug I got yesterday." 

Brittany came out to visit and brought Skyler. 

Visiting with Morgan. 

16-08-30 (Read 6/24/26)

In better news...

I got to hold Jaden Connor yesterday. 

Shawn is passing everything, and currently has two A's and a B. 

I got Monday's work done on Monday, even though I didn't get out to the office on time. That means I have a chance of doing Tuesday's work on Tuesday, and I'm happy about that. 

Andrew answered my text.

Beverly and JA got me some Buttershots. A big bottle. ;-) .

Faith came to Goodtimes and didn't have to babysit after all. 

16-08-22 (Read 6/24/26)

It feels like it has been a long time since I was able to log in and Joy Journal without a great deal of trouble and worry over internet usage. I honestly would have to look back to see how long, but long... The boys got off to school all right this morning. Tyler got himself up and remembered his belt, so that was good. 

I painted my trunk pink and I think I'm going to like the way it looks. I found a little chair to bring in here that I think I'm going to like. I haven't decided whether to paint it or put a cushion on it. 

This is my first morning having my writing time in my new writing room. 

Beverly and I watched a documentary together yesterday afternoon, about Robin Williams. 

She, JA, Angela, Tyler, Barry and I, went and had lunch together. 

Andrew got both of my birthday messages. We got to see him and Annette yesterday. 

We got to have lunch with Morgan Friday. She and Brandon have their loan and construction work has begun! 

16-04-06 (Read 7/16/26)

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." 

16-03-28 (Read 7/16/26)

It's just that I feel drowsy. I woke up feeling like I'd had a deep sleep, though. Woke up at 4:40 and didn't really get much rest after that. Maybe that's why the drowsy. Anyway, I started a load of towels, so we've gotten a head start on that. 

The boys got off to school without any trouble, and so that was good. 

I got out of the house and headed this way on time, which is good because I really need to get my workouts back in place. We've filled the living room up, so I don't really know what I'm going to do on rainy days, but I'm going to have to think of something. 

Andrew came out Saturday and made some more things for their Spartan workouts. We got to visit some, and get some hugs. He helped us clean up the shop and put the plants away before the rain. 

Beverly and JA made an Easter basket for us, but when I sent her a text to thank her, she said, "Wasn't me. Must have been the Easter Bunny." Tori and Josh brought it over and left it on the dining room table while we were in the pottery barn. When they told Beverly where'd they'd left it, she said, "They're going to know that the Easter Bunny couldn't get inside." Tori protested that the back door was open. Josh said every big Easter Bunny he'd seen had been magical. 

Beverly seemed especially happy yesterday, and she said it was because she had all three of her girls together. 

Beth, Morgan and I had a sweet time ordering Morgan's graduation announcements. 

Evan and Chelsea stopped by. 

I got to visit with Angela, Tori, Kennedy, Josh and John while Beverly and JA were hiding their Easter presents.

16-03-23 (Read 7/16/26)

Had a nice Facebook email conversation with Andrew yesterday. 

Heard from Tori and Morgan and Angela.

Ange said she always has fun at Second Sunday Supper.

Barry got the builder to come by re: the writing shack, and he's encouraging me to go ahead with it. With the price the builder gave us, I can't make good sense out of it anymore, but it was sweet that Barry thought I should. 

Shawn hugged us good night.

Evan and Chelsea came by. They're going to stay on the houseboat for a while. 

Beverly stopped in this morning for juice.

16-03-19 (Read 7/16/26: Andrew and Daddy both dismayed at Trump's victories.)

Lunch with Andrew
Politics with someone sensible.

 Andrew came out to work on a weight for Annette to use in her Spartan training. He and Barry worked on it in the morning and then Andrew treated us to lunch at Taste of Thai. 

He said he and Granddad had had a nice visit --- discussed politics. They were both dismayed at Trump's victories. I mentioned that Donovan was for Trump, and later Andrew said that made him think of something that Granddad had said ... that is was nice to talk politics with someone sensible. 

16-03-17 (Read 7/16/26)

I don't have to wash any more laundry this week, so I won't be worried about that when Tori is in town this weekend. The tub is clean. The bathroom counter is clean. Those things usually haunt the weekend, too. I got Wednesday's Wonderland work done on Wednesday, so if I get 5 hours in today, I should be able to do month end. Friday, I'll take Shawn and we'll put in some job applications. 

Delivered the HH taxes paperwork to Taylor, and tied up the loose ends. Course, this morning turns out there's another one, but it should be easy to resolve. 

Tyler, being very affectionate.

Shawn sent me a text --- "I just took my US History EQT and and it was super easy. Glad you made me study the dates on the packet." 

Andrew "liked" the picture I shared on Facebook --- astronaut selfie wearing Star Trek uniform. 

Beverly stopped in to give me a hug this morning and I'm going to get to have lunch with her and Angela this morning. 

We saw our first growth on the new potatoes in the garden, and everything else that we planted last weekend has gotten bigger. Last night we planted some more corn. It was just nice being in the garden together. 

I found the lids to my coffee cups --- stashed inside a different cup. I'd started to get kinda sad about those lids. 

Had a nice visit with Cindy Rentz. 

16-03-01 (Read 7/15/26)

Sparrows an actual bird.

Tyler, pouring cereal into his bowl. "I wonder how many feathers it would take to make a pound." We talk about the variables. "A peacock's feather would weigh more than a sparrow's," I say. He nods, then says, "Wait! A sparrow is a little a bird?" I nod. Excited, he brings me up to speed. "There's an actual sparrow in Pokemon. Maybe they named it after the real bird."

Andrew liked a post I put on Skyler's page, about karate. 

Beverly stopped by to give Papa his shot, and she visited for a minute. She seemed so happy. She'd had a good day, and they had a great time on their camp out. 

Beth's day went better than she expected it to.

Shawn is eating breakfast and making his bed. 

16-02-27 (Read 7/14/26)

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." 

16-01-11

The total amount of time the kids invest in coming to SSS is a lot!

Sean gave us a big hug and I thank you for his bath and shampoo and deodorant stuff.

Annette, checking on my mac and cheese, taking care of the rolls.

Morgan, going to get ice. 

The bunch of them, standing in the family room, laughing and talking.

Annette, at the table, talking about their inner tube rides. Andrew, and his ride into the brick wall and flip. 

Just a lot of easy happiness. I settled down and enjoyed. Did not hurry.