2019 Joy Journal

December 2, 2019 Barry and I drove down to Firefly last night, stopping at the Mexican place in the Bayou for dinner. It was cold and dark but we spent a little time out on the deck. Mostly just watched t.v. and I went through my Google photos some, trying to get through all of 2019. When I opened the door at a little after 5:30 this morning, the horizon and that first, deep rozy glow of sunrise. It always makes me say, "wow," and is about as good a way to start a day as I can think of.  I spent Saturday working on the Christmas ornaments, and I just about have it, and was able to order them all from the same place. That should cut down on the shipping. I spent Sunday getting organized for December events. I really have a list of lists. ;-) Sunday afternoon I went to the first Sunday Market at Five Rivers and then to the Holiday Market at the History Museum of Mobile. Nothing spectacular, but it was nice to get outside.  Talked to Beverly a little bit yesterday. She a...

November 20, 2019 Had a fun text conversation with Brittany this morning. Tori and Josh changed their relationship status yesterday to "In a relationship." Naturally, that prompted a text. She laughed, and said they had just been out to dinner and realized they hadn't ever changed it back.  Had a little text visit with Morgan last night and this morning. Heard from Shawn. He is planning on being at SSS. Barry and I had lunch at Firehouse yesterday and got to visit with Faith a little bit.  Had a good walk with Bertice yesterday. 

November 8, 2019 Barry and I had a nice evening. Went to Ruby Tuesdays instead of the Mexican restaurant and kept our eating on track. We're going to Firefly tonight. Heard from Andrew. Heard from Amber. She said she remembers baking cookies with me.  Heard from Annette and Skyler. 

October 10, 2019 Barry and I drove down to Firefly last night and as we were walking in from the pier, he saw Fred and Donna and shouted a "hello." We stood and talked over the fence until the moon and stars were out.  Bertice touched base. Got to phone visit with Beverly for a few minutes.  Got to pick Beth up from the airport and visit with her for a little bit.  Yesterday was Davis' first birthday and Morgan posted a sweet video and pictures of his birthday. Got to talk to Faith yesterday. She sent me a text afterwards and said that it was good to talk to me, that it felt like it had been forever. Yesterday was Jaden's first day at head start and the teacher sent pictures of him having a really good time. 

June 14, 2019 Barry talked to Dave Ferrante yesterday and we have just come to great new places in our adventure. Dave told Barry that he has learned more from working with him than with any of his other terminal managers.  And, we're excited. The three owner-operators who wanted to be able to go ahead and buy their trailers can do so. We are on track for getting Donald into his own truck with his own trailer. We've made a decision about running our trucks. I've talked to Derek about getting his corporation set up.  ~Tyler was so mature and helpful yesterday, and loving. I needed to change Davis and so put the changing pad on the front passenger seat. I worried aloud that this might not work too well because Davis is longer than my seat is wide, and Tyler reached in, offering his finger to a crying Davis, "Here, do you want to hold my finger?" And after the change was done, Tyler offered me a diaper wipe for my hands and offered to take the diaper to the d...

June 10, 2019 Barry initiated a visit to Firefly Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon, and that was fun, and we got in the pool together last night.  We babysat for Jaden and James Saturday and Sunday, so we got hugs and smiles.  Some of my posts having gotten multiple positive responses.  Jaden getting down on the blanket to play with James. Got to have a phone visit with Beverly. She and JA had been on a hike they enjoyed.

June 7, 2019 Barry and I drove down to Firefly after work and just set out on the deck for a minute ...he picked up his fishing rod. Time just flies by when we're down there. We went to Bailey's for supper.  Heard from  Skyler. Enjoyed visiting with Tyler on the way to and from his class. Got a text from Angela this morning, with a video. A turtle is laying eggs just outside her office! Got to have a little phone visit with Beverly. She should be getting the schedule she expected, starting next week, and she was signed off on some things that she had to get through, even though they didn't give her much time to prepare.  Heard from Kennedy. She may be over this weekend. I shared a fish article on Zak's timeline and he responded.  Beth will get her CT results one day next week. Heard from Amber. She said she got in a two mile run along the lake!

May 30, 2019 Jamie Franco-Zamudio reacted with a heart to my comment on her post, and Mark and Robin Dannahower and Peggy Lyon liked my comments on Mark's post. I spent some writing time there this morning. Barry and I are going to leave in the morning for BBQ competition in Georgia, just outside of Atlanta. He's kind of looking forward to the even now, and I think we'll have a good time.  Got to see Beth for a minute yesterday.  Got a text kiss from Beverly.

May 3, 2019 Barry and Holly and I spent last night at Firefly. We left here at 7:15 last night and got back here at about the same time this morning. We walked out on the pier. We took Holly for a little walk. We took her to SeeMore and then walked around a little bit. We talked about the popcorn trees in the lowland. And then we sat in the glider swing that is near the edge of the bulkhead and watched the stars come out. As we settled in, I laughed and said, "This is what old people are supposed to be doing." He seemed unsure what to say, so I clarified, "This is what we are supposed to be doing."  Got to voice visit with Beverly yesterday. She had her first day of orientation at her new job. Heard from Kennedy. She'd taken care of getting a flat tire changed and is hoping to come over Sunday to hang out.  Heard from Amber. Had a text from Beth.  Got a lot of errands taken care of yesterday. Shawn and his friends came over to swim.

March 15, 2019 We have plans to have supper with Zak and Vivian at Quickley's next Thursday. :-)  Bertice said that she is so glad that I am in her corner. Got to talk to Daddy. He seems to be on-track for healing.  "Noah ended up doing one of this trick things where he gets the ball onto his back and kicks it up, so that was fun to watch it play out in a game." Barry offered to take me to the restaurant that is where Hungry Owl used to be, instead of going to get sushi.

February 25, 2019 Andrew: California is the most racist place I've ever been, and when you consider where I'm from, that's saying a lot. The Spanish and the Asians and the blacks don't even acknowledge each other, and don't have anything to say to each other --- that is good. I come in and say, "Hi!" to everyone. That confused them. When they need something done they come to me because they don't know which contractor to call, and that isn't even part of my job. They all bring in food, but just for their own little group. I'll bring in ten dozen doughnuts and get on the radio and tell them we've got doughnuts and they're for everybody. .... When he calls for help, he gets more than he even needs. He needed to move his equipment to another location, way on the other side of campus. He asked if a couple of people could come help him. So many people showed him, he didn't even know how many. He said he was literally just handing each ...

February 22, 2019 I'm just so happy today! Angela and Tori have a trip planned home for the first weekend in March and Beth is coming home the third weekend. We'll have Second Sunday Supper the second weekend, so there should be lots more family time than we've had in January and February.  Had some voice visits yesterday with Beverly, Angela and Tori, and Beth, so my heart is much happier.  Got to talk to Daddy. He won't know for sure what is wrong with his Achilles tendon until he has an MRI and follow up doctors appointment next week. But we laughed together, and he told me about a note that they'd gotten from Kennedy that made them very happy.  Kennedy and Barry are going to Pensacon today. Beverly said it is all Kennedy has been able to talk about. Vivian and Zak are in Denmark and having a good time. Viv posted a video with her laughing in it and Morgan said she'd had turned the volume up and listened to it again, just to hear Vivian's laugh....

February 14, 2019 Barry and I drove down to Firefly last night. The pier is about two poles away from the deck, and it was exciting to see that progress. You can see all the way around the point from that far out. We went to the Pelican for dinner and I asked if I could put the Serve It Up With Love tennis card on their community bulletin board. The lady was very kind and lent me some tape and didn't seem put out at all.  The tennis meeting went well. I'm not sure I handled the "pick the colors for the T-Shirt logo" just right, but I think overall people were pretty happy.  Beth seems to have had a good visit and made it back safely to Houston.  Kennedy drove over last night and will be with us till Friday night.  Sent Andrew a text letting him know that I'd heard from Mark about their visit in California --- that Mark had said he's a fine young man, and considered his time with Andrew to be his birthday present -- Andrew said he'd enjoyed the ti...

I finished my little art book! It was a surprise because I hadn't looked ahead to see how many pages were left. Mission accomplished!  Barry and I went to the Brazilian steak house last night. We think next time, we might just do the salad bar. There is really a lot on it. Monday nights are comparatively quiet, which made it nice.  Beth came over at 8:30 yesterday morning and the three of us rode down to Firefly and enjoyed the pier and beach. There was a place in the sand where bird tracks and puppy tracks came together and looked like it had caused one of them to make a big wet spot. That cracked her up! Morgan met us at Waffle House for lunch. She usually goes to see Davis, and usually goes to her car to feed him, and it was rainy, so she didn't really want to do that.  Evan and Chelsea came over last night with the boys, so we got to hold James and play with Jaden. Evan said his managing shifts had gone well, even if it did include a small setback. (Something ...

January 24, 2019 Barry and I had a nice, visity coffee time this morning. It really helps, I think, for me to have delayed my deadline for leaving for the writing shack from 7:35 to 8:35. Just more relaxed. And, I was right: I was able to unload and reload the dishwasher, neaten the dining room table, wash my face etc., in that extra hour. So, the house is done. And when I look in the mirror, I'll have eyebrows. ;-)  Heard from Tori last night. They were getting ready to watch a movie.  Kennedy said they cancelled some of her classes, so she got ahead on her assignments and may be able to be over here earlier than she had originally thought.  Jaden loves his brother!  ❤ ❤   # jadenconnor # jamescarter 30 You, Beth Allen, Angetorken Reed and 27 others 2 Comments Love Show more reactions Comment Comments Melissa Broadus-Tillman   How sweet  💕 Hide or report this ...

February 7, 2019 Angela saw the picture I posted of the tulip tree in bloom. She said she loves that tree. Did I tell you I got a text from Tori? She said the day before had been pretty busy, but was having an easier day. Got a text from Kennedy. She's planning on coming over and spending tonight at Phew! and tomorrow here with us. Zak's post on Vivian's picture: Zayuum Barry and I ate supper at home --- I cooked, and then we got off the property --- he wanted to go to Michael's, so that gave us a good thing to do. 

January 18, 2019 Barry and I had a nice time over our coffee this morning. It is nice not to hop up and be pressured to get started on the day.  I didn't send any of my weekly postcard texts until yesterday, but I had little visits with Brittany and Amber and Abby and Kennedy and Morgan and Vivian and Annette and I heard from Skyler. Angela and Tori called, and Papa and I both got to talk to them.