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. 

16-10-24 (Read 3/5/26)

Second time this morning that my phone has crashed. "Can't find your SIMS card." I'm really just going to have to go to the AT&T store. 

The temperature in the writing shack seems to be going down instead of up, and I can't find the instructions. I need to finish setting things up. I feel reasonably certain that it is here somewhere. 

We had Goodtimes, and Beth was here, so I was happy about that. Zak and Vivian came, they played a couple of hands of Stewardess with Beth and I. Lots of laughter. 

Michael and Faith made brownies. They've really got that down pat, now. 

Morgan, Angela, Kennedy, Tori, Josh, Beth and Beverly gathered in yard, along with all of their puppies. It was like a new generation of Goodtimes, only with puppies. 

Zak turned on the football game, and Barry and Brandon talked about one of the games. 

Michael, Faith, Noah and I played a round of Stewardess at the start of Goodtimes, and with the exception of Daniel, at that time, we were the only ones here. Noah said, "Some of my cousins are late." 

Chris stayed and got the go-cart running, and they had a lot of fun riding on it. Faith and Skyler talk to each other a lot about Goodtimes. 

Autumn brought Willo, and she had a lot of fun. 

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. 

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

So, we had Goodtimes yesterday, and four of the Big Girl Cousins showed up. They were a little later than the little kids, and settled in at the dining room table, playing cards, although Morgan spent most of the time sitting there and holding Jaden. 

Willo accidentally popped Tyler's ballon, and was crying because of it. When he came in to the room, he noticed the popped pieces on the desk. Willo got up from my lap and went and told him that she had popped his balloon on an accident. He hugged her and then picked up. 

She said that she is learning a lot in school. I asked her if she could spell my name, and she said that she couldn't but that she could spell her name. 

Brittany, as she was leaving, "I needed my big girl cousins today." 

Skyler walked in with a plate of dessert that she had found on Pintrest and made herself! 

September 19, 2016 (Read 3/14/26)

Well, for starters, the household bookkeeping is caught up. I have ten household administrative duties I have to handle, but the basic bookkeeping is current, and I haven't been able to say that, to feel that, since last April. 

Barry and I worked on the pottery barn and it is much more pleasant place to be. We got off the property and went to Bass Pro to look for a backpack for his Appalachian Trail hike. We went to the Dragonfly festival. It was massively overrated, but I don't have to wonder now. We were both pretty happy just to be off gallivanting together. 

We went over to Beth's last night since Rodney left this morning for his new job in Dallas. It isn't a permanent position --- most likely will last six or eight months, but should be very good for them financially. 

We got to see Zak and Vivian, but missed Morgan. We got to see Beverly, and JA and Angela. We missed Kennedy there, but she did come out to see us at the house, and she and John and Barry and I had a good visit. Laughed a lot. Kennedy brought me over to Phew! to see a spider that was busy weaving its web. It was a big-bellied spider! 

Beth and Beverly are going to go with me to Green Drinks. 

Beverly and I are going to try to take an extended walk Wednesday. 

Even Wonderland is in really good shape. At least at my desk. I think Virginia's may be overwhelmed, but I don't know for sure. 

I just haven't had a week like this in years, where Wonderland and household were at manageable levels, and I could do some of the other things that I want to do. 

16-08-29 (Read 6/19/26)

Just enjoyed yesterday, and ended it feel happy --- a sense of well-being. Katelyn, the little girl I've been following on Facebook, had a good week, and is getting stronger. Tyler and I had some good talks. Autumn brought Willo for Goodtimes and we've given her the dates for them through the rest of the year. Faith and Skyler picked Willo up in the pool and played with her, and Tyler played with her a lot. (Tyler said more of the big kids need to come to Goodtimes because his brother just stays in his room, or tries to play with the little kids, which isn't much fun for him.) And we did have big kids yesterday! Angela, Tori, Kennedy, and John W were all here, and we played "Nines" together for a little while, and then Tyler joined us. Zak and Vivian came by around 4:00 or 4:30 --- they had come earlier but somehow missed us --- must have been right before noon --- they didn't see any cars, so I told them mine is usually in the pottery barn now. Vivian and I made up a potion for her grandmother --- played with the essential oils for a little bit --- and I made one for Zak, and Kennedy and I got to refill her Itzahug. Annette hadn't been sure if Skyler would make it, whether or not they would be back from their time in NOLA with Annette's mother, but they were, and so we did get to see her. John was my playground duty, and he sent me a text to let me know they were running a little late. He and Noah got here after we were in the pool, and sat together on the glider at the deep end of the pool. It was fun to watch them sitting there together, talking. Noah was sitting at the table later and when I walked by, he put his arms around me and gave me a big hug. Angela wore her new shirt --- the one Kennedy designed for her. It is so wonderful! Barry cooked a big pot of beans while everyone was here, and had fun feeding them all. 

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

John W got out of the car to hug me.

He was parked in the Phew! driveway, coming to pick Kennedy up after her trip to Colorado with Beverly and Angela. I waved at him through the window, and then again as I passed the car, and that's when I saw that he was he getting out to give me a hug. 

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. 

16-04-26 (Read 7/9/26)

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. 

16-03-28 (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.