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. 

16-10-17 (Read 3/5/26)

I sailed in to this weekend from a week that had gone much closer to plan than any week prior to that. Writing and Community both had their days. I didn't do any HH bookkeeping, and I hadn't done much exercise, so I included them in the weekend as a way to give this week its best chance. It made me feel good to get the mail open and the bills paid, and I enjoyed the few hours I spent in the yard. Also, I liked the way things looked when I finished. So I just feel pretty good about my life right now, at least with respect to my pulling together pieces that matter to me at this point. 

Morgan had a luncheon Saturday to formally ask her bridesmaids to be in her wedding. Buffy Covington and I got to visit with each other a little bit. She, Beth, Dana and I all sat at the same end of the table and just had a good, friendly visit. 

I have some pictures and Morgan's words in the Facebook Joy Journal. 

Amber was there, so I got to see her and visit with her a little bit. 

Chelsea came over last night and so we got to play with Jaden for a little bit. 

Tori came over and visited with us for a little while and she set Barry's new fitbit up for him. We played a game of nine's and she beat me. 

We got to go to Noah's archery tournament Friday night. Chris and Tyler went with us. I have some pictures. 

Noah tap tap taps us when he hugs and Barry told Tyler he needed to take lessons from Noah. So then Tyler came back to tap-tap-tap. I told him that wasn't necessary, they were all unique. 

Brittany asked Morgan if she was doing anything Saturday night, and Britt said he sounded kind of like she needed to do something. I loved that Britt asked, and that Morgan understood. 

I talked to Johnny and Kim, Saturday I think, as they were driving back to Vero. 

Noah is just getting so tall and had that whole grown-up thing going on with him. Not elementary school anymore. 

October 6, 2016 (Read 3/12/2)

Tyler got up and off to school on time. He listens closely when I talk to him....maybe, now that I think about it, listening to me the same way that I told him I try to listen to him. We did the kitchen together last night. 

The temperature has dropped just a little, just enough to let you know that we are headed into fall, just enough to let me know it is time to take Tyler and get some long pants. 

Daddy's voice sounded strong yesterday. 

Some of the berries on the holly bush by the pool have changed color. It is striking even from a distance, even from the kitchen window. 

Beverly and JA played cards with Tyler and took him on a bicycle ride while we were gone. 

Chelsea came over yesterday and brought Jaden for a little visit. 

Angela sent me a Facebook message yesterday, and Monday. She got a reminder to order her graduation announcements, and that was fun. 

Tori said she and Josh are going to Arkansas to go camping, and she's excited about going to a new place. There's a river for Zoey to play in, so that should be fun. 

Kennedy came over a visit last night and we had a good time. She helped Papa set Cirrus XM up on his phone, which took her at least 30 minutes. He had to get logged in to his Facebook account, which was really quite a feat. When she was done she said, "Just don't ever, ever log out." 

In Brittany's internship she has been working on a project with Daphne Utilities. It went into it's test phase yesterday. Her name is on the sign and everything. See FB Joy Journal for details. 

Evan came over to check on Granddad. "How's the man?" he said, in case we hadn't told Tyler yet. 

16-09-05 (Read 5/18/26)

This is why sisters are the best..

Tori I think someone stole this from baby Kennedy's room 😂

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. 

16-06-28 (Read 6/29/26)

Tori happy with her ring tone.

Date may be wrong, but Tori and Josh were home for the weekend. I have her ring tone set for a Harry Potter thing. I got her to call  me so she could hear it, but didn't tell her what it was. As soon as she heard it she started laughing and said,"That's perfect! That makes me so happy!" 

16-07-8 (Read 6/29/26)

Shawn, at the doctor's office. Visiting. Telling me about how he and his friend stay up late, looking at the ceiling, in the dark, talking about life. He talked about trust. He talked about Destiny. Love. That he thought he felt it before, but that this felt different. That he and some friends had been watching a show on t.v. and they said something about what of the characters being hot, and he said, "I can't look at her like that. I have a girlfriend." And that he'd been proud of himself for that. 

Tyler noticing that I stepped off the curb carefully. (The back of my leg hurts.) 

Angela's text, July 6, "I Graduate December 10," and then five various happy, smiling, grinning emoticons. 

Tori's website is going live. Angela said it involved some new technology, but I've already forgotten what it was about. Tor's text to me said that She was really happy with it and that her team seemed happy with it to. She said, "I had to do a client presentation today, a small one, but they still make me nervous. Went well though." When I read that, my mind jumped to her first words "Would you please move the table in front of the t.v." I texted her that, and we both laughed. 

Got to hear from Brittany and Morgan this week. Brittany's leg is healing and she should be back running in a couple of weeks. Morgan and Brandon are moving out of their apartment today. 

Kennedy and I had a fun conversation about a book I heard about -- 10 sonnets written so that the lines are interchangeable. 

Evan and Chelsea came for dinner Tuesday, and we had a nice visit. 

16-04-11 (Read 7/16/26)

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. 

16-04-22 (Read 7/10/26)

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! 

16-04-21 (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. 

16-03-28 (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.

16-03-22 (Read 7/16/26)

Tori customer appreciation award.

Tori received a customer appreciation award, which also got her a nice bonus. 

16-03-09 (Read 7/15/26)

Tyler has started setting the microwave alarm when I forget to. We started talking about summer, and he mentioned getting the phone number of some of his friends. 

Shawn seemed like he was in a good mood, and he ate his breakfast. 

I got to have lunch with Beverly and Angela yesterday. They both seemed to be having a good work day. I got to me Lisa, one of Beverly's co-workers. Lisa was actually there with her mother, who also works with them. We were seated, and saw them as they went in. We saw them as they left, and they joshed about lunch hour being over. I said, "They're with their mama. Lunch hour's over when Mama says it is." They laughed and said that "Yep. Beverly was just like her mama." I got a kick out of that. 

Angela liked her elephant.

Tori sent a text --- she had a happy day, and we're talking about planning a hike the next time she's in town. 

An email message from Morgan. 

Made my first batch of yogurt last night. I'm kinda tickled by how easy it was. As a side note, I won't have to drive all the way to Target for it --- just once a month or so for the starter --- and I won't be dealing with as much plastic. Just my own glass jars. 

Had a nice visit with Kathi. 

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.

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

Tori so excited about being here for a Goodtimes.

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

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." 

16-02-10

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.

16-01-29 (Read 7/14/26)

Yesterday was just a lot of fun. First of all, the ATA audit was not as confrontational as I had sometimes thought it might be. They might come back and question some of our answers re "use" of owner-operators, but yesterday was not awful. She said my spreadsheet was "awesome." 

And we got to Skype with Tori and Josh! Skype never worked at all when she was in the dorms and we really hadn't tried since then. I had to get set back up and so did she but it worked!!! She enjoyed her day at the zoo. Worked in the petting zoo and seemed very happy about it. She was pushing her wheelbarrow and ran into a giraffe! She was part of big group online meeting at IBM. I asked her if they knew yet that she was the most important one. She laughed ... said the leader did say that he had heard some good things about her. 

Beth and I had a nice, long phone conversation. Those are kind of rare, and so I was happy to have the time with her. She'd had a bad day at work, and so I made a jar with a prayer and put the bad people's names in it. She got a kick out of that. 

Did I tell you that Tyler asked the girl to the Sweetheart Dance and she said, "Yes?" 

Shawn was happy at suppertime, and we all had fun talking together. 

Kennedy and I are emailing each other every day! She said she'd been meaning to get a pen pal but just hadn't gotten around to it. 

16-01-13

Tyler running to me from the bus. I went to a CAC meeting and ran errands, and so was just heading out to the office when Tyler's bus pulled up. I waited to say, "Hi!" to me, and he ran to me to hug me. 

Shawn: I saw the funniest thing today. .. Papa and Holly rolling on the floor!

Beverly called me. "Peek a boo!" She and JA are sick, so we can't have any Facetime right now, but we got to phone visit, anyway. 

Skyler ---- thing for her friend....Sylvia Josephine ... And it says 74 reasons why your my bestfriend and when you need a smile

You don't have to add it.  I know now. Tyler gave her Holly her bath, dried her, and put the wet towel in my dirty clothes basket. I asked him about it, and he said, "My bad." I said, "Well, it wasn't part of your instructions." His list is pretty detailed, I guess, because he said without malice or sarcasm, "You don't have to add it. I know now." 

Had a fun little text conversation with Kennedy. She said, in response to my "I don't really have anything to talk about," "Luckily we're both so interesting we can just create conversations out of thin air." She said she and "the sisters" talked about making the aquarium their thing to do together. 

Tori told me that Zoey had a BLAST hiking. She said "That dog is a hiker for sure. She ran circles around us, breezed up and down hills,  and jumped around in all the creeks. She and Bentley were just having a grand ol time. It was fun to see how happy it made them. Bella had fun at first too, but did Sissy tell you about she got too cold?"...Bella was shivering a lot, so Sissy stuck her in the jacket and she rode like that the rest of the hike. She seemed pretty content with the arrangement.