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." 

16-10-31 (Read 3/1/26)

I had a good weekend. 

Beth came over Friday night. She brought the fixings to make spaghetti, so we had supper and then watched "Bad Moms" together. We laughed a lot. And she spent the night, so we got up the next morning and went to Waffle House for breakfast. 

~Noah, something about girl gossip. The hike. 

Tyler and I went Saturday and got his hair cut and we did our grocery shopping for the week. Saturday night we went to the fair with John and Noah. 

~ John, as we sat on a bench talking and watching the boys as they waited  in line for a ride, re: Tyler, "and a kid that I love." 

Noah spent Saturday night with us and we got up Sunday and went to Graham Creek preserve and Beth went with us. We had a picnic and took the two mile hike. It was fun, but I wouldn't drag the whole family over there. The hiking trail is more like a farmer's roads around the edge of his fields. Beth said it was like we'd run out of gas and were walking to the gas station. ;-) But, we did see some pitcher plants. 

I did a lot of just hanging loose this weekend. Just messing around on Facebook, and not really doing much of anything. 

Annette and Brittany finished their race in Texas. 

Beverly got to have a massage at JeJung spa and she enjoyed hers as much as I enjoyed mine. 

Daddy called just as we were starting our hike Sunday, so Tyler, Noah and Beth all got to talk to him.

Beth said she thinks we ought to go cook Thanksgiving dinner for them. 

Just standing back and watching Noah and Tyler walk the hike, talk at the fair...

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. 

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

Barry and I took a walk last night --- 3 or 4 laps around the yard. He said we could do that every night, and I'm pretty happy about that. That's been on my wish list for a long time. 

Got to visit with John and Noah a little bit when they brought Tyler home. 

Kathi responded to my text. They have their power back on. 

My little climate control thingie seems to be working jsut fine. It wasn't cold when I came out this morning. 

Barry and I did the kitchen together last night. 

I'm getting to have a writing day. :-) By that I mean that most of the day is devoted to writing. It isn't quite like being in Iowa, as I have to work around some things, but I'm in pretty good shape work wise and HH admin wise. My writing and my civic duties may kind of overlap. Spent part of my writing time writing Jeff Sessions, who has indicated that he doesn't really know what Trump meant when he said that he kissed women without even asking them, etc. 

Annette said she got Skyler registered and setup at Theodore, and that Skyler seemed really happy. 

Angela sent me a message yesterday and so did Brittany. 

Jaden weight ten pounds, ten ounces. Chelsea posted a picture yesterday of him propped up in the corner of the sofa and not falling over. 

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

Angela and I get to order her graduation things today! She and I got to have a little visit Saturday. (She drove up as I was walking back from my little storage shed.) Her professor is going to get with her today on some volunteer opportunities that may gave her an idea of what she would like to do as a career, for focus on graduate studies, since her professor would really like her to do that. Angela said several times that she wants to do something that helps people. 

Brittany had a lot to do yesterday, but she came to Second Sunday Supper. 

Andrew playing with Daniel. 

Skyler made cupcakes and brought them for one of our desserts. 

Annette brought corn and got the silver ware out. 

Beverly brought some lima beans and she and Beth got the table ready. 

JA walked out a little bit after dinner started and Beverly was so happy to see him Beth thought that Rodney had shown up for her as a surprise. 

Angela liked her birthday present. (wind chimes I bought in Florida at the Fort Pierce farmer's market) and I found out that Brittany likes wind chimes. 

Kennedy made green bean casserole and spinach / artichoke dip. 

Morgan took care of the rolls. 

Annette said she got first dibs on Jaden because she didn't get to hold him last time. 

Evan, Chelsea and Jaden were here for just a few minutes. He said he felt nauseous; Chelsea needed to get some sleep before her shift, too. 

Noah gave me hugs. 

Barry got all of the towels washed, dried, folded and put away. That kinda gives me a shot at having all of the laundry done by writing day. :-) 

Chris got up and helped with the Saturday night dishes. 

Andrew carved the turkey. 

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! 

16-09-10 (Read 3/26/26)

Brittany: 

ADULT KIDS...How well do you know your MOM? Copy, paste, and fill in the answer.

Then tag her to grade your answers:

1. She is sitting in front of the TV, what is she watching?
- The Real Housewives, Deadliest Catch, Spartan Races, or Flipping Out!

2. Usually what dressing does she eat on her salad?
-Light Ranch

3. Name a food she hates:
-Tomatoes

4. You go out to eat and have a drink, what would she order?
- Unsweet tea, a salad or a rap, then something "calorie worthy" for a dessert!

5. Favorite music to listen to?
-Anything upbeat

6. What is her nickname for you?
-Princess, brattney, the list goes on! 😂

7. What is something she could collect ?
-Dogs

8. What would she eat every day if she could?
-Sweets

9. What is her favorite cereal?
-She likes granola better!

10. What would she never wear?
-Something that made her look old.

11. What is her favorite sports team?
-She doesn't care about sports, just Spartan races❤️

12. What is something that you do that she wishes you wouldn't do?
-Miss work outs 😝

13.You bake her a cake for her birthday, what kind is it?
-The confetti cake but no icing.

14. Favorite animals?
-All animals 🐶🐱

15. What could she spend all day doing?
-Saving animals and working out

16-09-03 (Read 5/15/26)

Annette: The struggle, LOL

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. 

16-08-15 (Read 6/19/26)

Shutting the writing shack door behind me.

Annette,  favorite thing,  camaraderie. (I asked her what was her favorite event in the sports thing they do.) 

Skyler wanting to come swimming because Faith was here.

Text from Angela.  Excited about her opportunities.

Ceiling in writing shack looks good!

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! 

16-07-11 (Read 6/26/26)

We had a nice Second Sunday Supper. There weren't as many of us as usual, but those of us who were there just relaxed and laughed and talked. Laughter at both tables. 

My baked macaroni and cheese turned out much better than my mac and cheese has been lately, so I was happy about that. The roast scared me because I can't find the cut I used to use. Used chuck roast, but dredged it with a mixture of flour and the powder part of the onion soup. Really exceptionally good, so I hope I remember that. The pans of rolls work better than having to deal with cookie sheet, so I'll go back to that. Still have to figure out how to use the rice cooker. 

Today is Andrew and Annette's anniversary. I thought (my book says) they married in 98, but Facebook says 97. I went to the house to try find pictures or something. Looking through the 97/98 pics was so much fun. Such happy days. I remember that they were busy, that there never seemed to be enough time, that sometimes I felt like I had more time to prepare than others, but looking back I can see how much happiness percolated up in all of that. 

Beth is feeling better.

Morgan moved out of her apartment. She and Brandon are going to live with friends while their house is being built. 

Brittany and Patrick sat with us, and in part of the conversation they talked about going out with friends and going downtown. Patrick hadn't wanted to go --- doesn't like crowds, feels pretty sure someone's going to make him mad --- there was laughter and its wane his words, as he glanced at Brit who was sitting beside him, "watching out for her the whole time." 

Beverly, Ange and Kennedy made it home from the Boulder trip today. John came to pick Kennedy up and was sitting in his car in the driveway. We waved. I turned back to wave again as I got to the front of the car ---- and he got out to hug me. 

Noah, re: the chocolate that was all over him: I have an explanation.

Skyler texting Faith to tell her that her friend Sylvia was coming.

16-06-03 (Read 7/3/26)

Sand toys

Walking by the sand toys in WalMart. Remembering when Annette used to stock us up each summer. 

16-06-01 (Read 7/6/26)

It's a wrap! I just picked the boys up for early dismissal from school. Tyler had a test, and his teacher told them yesterday that as soon as they were finished, they could go home. 

I feel good, and strong, and successful and happy. It was fun to carve out the days off for the boys, to tell them  on our ride home that I was pleased .... that maybe we needed to improve a little on HOW we were doing the chores, but that they didn't make DOING them an uphill battle. that they'd pulled their bed covers up each morning almost without exception, gotten off to school.... time for a good clean break....a refreshment. 

Annette and Morgan are helping me plan SomeTime in the Summertime. 

Angela came out on her lunch break yesterday to get the camping gear together. She had a checklist.... little squares. Had to change them to circles because the boxes made Beverly feel boxed in. 

Kennedy and John stopped by for a minute.

16-05-24 (Read 7/6/26)

Goodtimes had some really nice spots in it. 

Annette and Brittany in the pottery barn.

Annette and Brittany in the pottery barn with Papa. 

Kennedy and Papa, as he showed her how to do their project.

Kennedy and Brittany, visiting over Kennedy's project.

John, waiting patiently, but also looking forward to doing his. 

Four of the littler ones, painting the corn hole boards. 

Visiting with Morgan, sitting on the glider out by the pool. 

Little visit with Brittany, sitting in the sun. 

16-04-21 (Read 7/10/26)

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. 

16-03-18 (Read 7/16/26)

Shawn started doing some of his research last night. 

Barry and I planted four more rows in the garden last night.

I reconciled the business bank accounts last night. 

I got an email from Daddy. 

I don't have to do any laundry today. 

Beth said they'll be able to stop by Sunday.

I found the suggested palettes for the color I have painted in my writing shack. 

I got a good night's sleep. 

Tyler's handwriting was careful with his "d's" 

The azalea is in in full bloom, although it surrounds some other plants that are not. I'm going to have to think about what to do with that. 

Annette had a good visit with her doctor. She has to be careful with her stretching, but other than that, she's good. 

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

Well, to be honest it was a fairly regular day as far as joy things might be concerned. 

Annette and I talked a little about the Easter presents. 

Shawn's history teacher had some nice things to say to Shawn. 

Beverly and I had a short phone conversation. She said she had a really good day. 

I just --- I don't meant to tell you that I had a bad day, and all of the regular things apply. I was really, really tired though. 

16-02-28 (Read 7/14/26)

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.