2019 Joy Journal

October 3, 2019 Remembering Debbie, Annette's boss, saying that the way Annette talks about me almost makes her want to cry, it is so loving. Angela came over to visit last night and she just seems so happy.  Had a little text visit with Tori. Her work is participating in inktober or drawlloween, and so she sent me  a picture of the bat she colored on her dry erase board. She said drawing it was fun. Heard from Autumn and have some times and dates set for picking Willo up. 

December 25, 2019 The happiness on Annette's face when she saw her ornament and said out loud we send each other emoji

Walking to the office yesterday and slowing down, realizing that no one has a right to expect me to be in a rush. I don't have employees that I have to care about but I'm modeling for anymore. Beth took me to the Cheese Cottage for lunch, for my Christmas present, and Morgan came too, and we just had the nicest visit. 

December 25, 2019 It was a joyful Christmas Eve. We were missing some folks, but I think that is probably going to be standard from this point forward. It was a houseful though, and I think that everyone here had a good time. Ashlyn, Brook, Karley and Gabby were all with us for the first time. It was our first time meeting Ashlyn, and we were happy that she came. Zak and Gabby came a little early and for a while it was just the three of us, Gabby and I had a nice visit and I got to know her a little better. Then the three of us and Tori wrapped the last Saran Wrap ball.  Barry fried the turkeys. He had called Chris to see if Chris could help him. Shawn was at Chris' when he called. Chris couldn't, but then Shawn called Barry to see if he could help. So, for awhile, Evan, Zak and Shawn were in the shop with Papa, frying turkeys.  Tori and Josh helped me do one of the Saran Wrap balls. I just kept making choices with a focus of being relaxed for the Christmas Eve ge...

December 30, 2019 I'll have to work my way backwards to Christmas, I think. This morning --- this morning has been very good. I just started on the morning feeling happy --- so much of the transition work is behind me. We are just so, so close to being through with the biggest block and with the biggest changes. Once we're over this hump, very little will change over the next five years. I can adjust to the changes and then just not have to worry about it too much for awhile. I feel exuberant, knowing that the things I add to my plate now can be things that I choose for personal quest and happiness. Beth and Morgan and I just had the most wonderful visit at the Cheese Cottage. It is what Beth did for me for Christmas and we just sat outside and sipped wine and ate our cheese board and visited heart to heart.  Enjoying time with Beth and Morgan.

Morgan, when I said "clean kitchen and everything..." something to the effect of having her own kitchen ... "let me just neaten this up for her. "

December 9, 2019 I have ordered some reusable straws that I think will work --- they are metal, but have a silicone tip. Since Barry and I usually just drink water, I don't think they'll require that much cleaning.  I also found some reasonably priced non-styrofoam "to go" boxes and have ordered them. We can use them for SSS, and I can just take my own when we go out to eat. I ordered some plates as well. Paper may be disposed of significantly easier than the Styrofoam, but producing it has some negative effects. I'm going to think about getting some Melamine plates for Second Sunday Supper.  So, I feel happy about those things. The house has been neatened. The laundry is almost back in order. If I get Monday's laundry done today, I will be back on even keel.  Angela and Kennedy came over yesterday afternoon for a little visit. Angela said the Synergy party went well --- her boss and all of the guests seemed happy. Kennedy is winding up her BFA --- f...