Old Age, I decided, is a gift.

This was actually an email I got from a friend...........I believe it speaks loudly to me. So, I decided to copy and paste an email on my blog. There is a first time for everything I guess!


I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have
always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body,
the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am
taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror, but I don't
agonize over those things for long.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving
family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've
become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself.. I've become
my own friend.

I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making
my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but
looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be
messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before
they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until
4 AM and sleep until noon?

I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 & 70's,
and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love .... I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging
body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to,
despite the pitying glances from the jet set . They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just
as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not
break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when
somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what
give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never
broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being
imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning
gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep
grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died
before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about
what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even
earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I
like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but
while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have
been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every
single day. (If I feel like it)

Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band

Tonight I had the pleasure of going with Joanne McCay and Sheryl Stephenson to Cypress Community Church (which by the way, is the church where I got married) to see Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band. We went and had pedi's and mani's and Sheryl got her hair cut, and then we had a fabulous dinner at a place I use to eat many many moons ago, called "Clementine's". They use to be a burger joint with the best cheddar cheese soup EVER, and now they are a little more "up scale". But, Becky A............I FINALLY got my boiled shrimp!

Anyway, back to the Big Phat Band, truth be told, not following the jazz scene, I had never heard of them.............but man can they blow! Kind of a combination of big band and jazz.

Watching them brought back a lot of great memories of good times I had being a full blown band nerd, in high school and my earlier college year.

There are several clips of the performing songs on YouTube......... I hope you enjoy, because I know we sure did!

Thanks Joanne for a great time!

Rob and Cindy

I have talked in past blogs about friends and family and about friends who become family. I have yet to mention Rob and Cindy Schmid. Yep, I spelled the last name right, it is NOT "Schmidt".........the "t" is not there on purpose. Anyway I met Cindy I believe about 15 years ago, we were both band booster officers. Cindy and I chaperoned a band trip and I think we actually had more fun than the kids did. I remember being asked by the band directors to "keep it down a little" at an outside dinner! A terrible tragedy fell on one of our band directors, and as officers, we ended up putting in more time than normal. (I will not elaborate on this tragedy more)

One thing leads to another.........

Then a few years later, a tragedy happened in my life, and for what ever reason, I turned to Cindy first. We were friends, but, nothing like "BFF". I have since told her, I think I turned to her first because she was "safe". (I will not elaborate on this tragedy more either).

One thing leads to another............

At some point, Cindy and her husband Rob,their son Taylor, Catherine and Jessica and I start doing some "adventures in dining". We went to a Persian restaurant (smoked a bong!), we went to a Russian restaurant (had borscht) , we went to a Brazilian restaurant(most expensive meal I have ever eaten, and one of the best), and we went to an Asian restaurant(they served us a fried fish with his head still attached, sitting upright on the plate like he was swimming and it had a red sauce poured over it, it looked like blood....I did not eat that). Several of these were very international experiences. When we went to the Russian restaurant, we had an authentic Russian dine with us. He worked with Rob and Cindy and was here in the US learning to be a fish farmer. (Oh, by the way, that is what Rob does for a living).

One thing leads to another.............


When I went white water rafting in Colorado, I rode with them all the way there and back. Now, if you have ever been in the car with me for any length of time, you know that can not be an easy thing for them! I HATE riding in the car. They graciously let me ride in the back, with all of my pillows and sleep all I wanted! Possibly more important than that, they let me listen to HOURS of John Denver as we were leaving Colorado! Now, that IS friendship!

One thing leads to another.................

Through them I have met some wonderful couples, with whom I have since camped and kayaked, and canoed and spent Fourth of July and New Years and birthdays with. They call their group the "EGGS".......which is the last name initials of the core families who camp and canoe together (Elbert, Goetzman, Garcia, Schmid). (They all have sons who have since all become Eagle Scouts).

One thing leads to another.................

One year, Cindy, Becky (see older posts) and I took a road trip and drove to New Orleans just to eat at Emril Lagassi's (spelling?)restaurant. Now I have known Becky seems like forever, and by now, I have know Cindy really well, but, these two do not know each other at all. Often, mixing friends can be like mixing oil and vinegar. Truth be told, I wondered how it would work out. Catherine, being the wise old soul that she is said "Mom, how can anyone not like Mrs. Schmid ?". I thought it was funny in retrospect that she did not say that about Becky! (and I of course told this to Becky). We had a SUPER time! And, again, being the friends that they are, they let me ride in the back seat with all of my pillows!

One thing leads to another.................

When Catherine was a senior in high school, she decided that Rob and Cindy needed more of a special designation than just friends, so she declared them her "God parents". She even thanked her "God parents" in her salutatory speech at her high school graduation.

One thing leads to another.................

When Jennifer married this past December, she asked Rob to be the master of ceremonies, I guess you could say. What ever it is you call the person who keeps things at the reception moving forward. She asked Cindy to be in charge of decorating the reception area. The hours Cindy spent planning and creating and designing and building was beyond words, even for me. This couple, these wonderful friends, took more than two days of their lives to travel and work and be a part of my daughters special day. They worked their tails off, and without them there supporting me, well, I would not have made it.

One thing leads to another......................

I love this wonderful, fun, exciting, adventurous couple.

Rob has applied for a job near San Marcos. He would be perfect for this job. I work hard every day, trying to be the friend to them that they have been to me, by praying that he gets this job. It would mean they move away. It would mean a big hole in my life. It could mean the world to them.

So, if one thing truly leads to another, my prayers will lead them to this job, a new town, new friends, and new adventures.

This is for Catherine

My Montage 2/29/08

Little Kids Can Sure Make a Big Mess

Last night when I was putting the freshly cleaned crib sheets back on Mia's bed, I had some random thoughts. No one asked, but I am going to share them anyway.

Little kids can sure make a big mess. When Grammie Hegar brought her over, she had already wet her diaper so much that is soaked through her jeans (Mia that is, not Juda). So, we started off with dirty clothes. Then after supper and a snack, we got our shirt, jacket and other pants we had put on dirty. I changed the jacket and shirt, but, due to lack of clothing at my house, we had to wear the dirty pants to bed.

Mia went almost two weeks using the potty, and now, not interested. Normally after she poops, or even has an obviously soggy diaper, and you say, "Mia, lets change your diaper." she says, "No, I fine." and trying to change her diaper can be a battle. I will NEVER understand how wearing poop in your pants is fine! Anyhow, yesterday morning when she woke up, this was the first thing I heard on the monitor " GG. I have wet diaper!!!" (this was hollered pretty loud, I might not have needed the monitor). So, I go in her room, and "I have wet diaper" may go down as the understatement of the week/month/day/year..........everything in her bed was soaked. She felt and smelt like urine...........needless to say, I ended up with a full load of laundry from one night of Mia.

Not that I mind....But, Little Kids Can Sure Make a Big Mess.

It Goes Without Saying

I suppose I should mention that I have most of my voice back. The high "excited" register is not back, but everything else it. I suppose that goes without saying, since I posted a conversation with Mia.

A Good Day for Grandma's

I got to spend some time with Mia today. She actually came over from her Grammie Hegar's to take a nap. Right after her 3 1/2 hour nap, we walked down to Memaw and Granddad's. We played cars and toys and had peach yogurt for a snack. Mia was in a great mood. Then Jennifer came out to pick her up. In all fairness, Mia was not ready to go home. Since she had only napped at GG's, she still wanted to "go to GG's for a wittle bit". Thank goodness her mom and Rex had nothing planned, so............Mia is getting to spend the night! This is our first time. It was a blast! We played, she pulled out every toy she has here, and we watched Bambi, and she always says "Oh, no, GG, what's gonna happen?". Now, understand, she has seen Bambi, or what ever movie, SEVERAL times, enough to know what is going to happen, but its still funny that she gets so concerned.

Later in the evening we had this conversation:

Mia: "You GG"
Me: "Yes, I am GG"
Mia: " My name Mia Hegar"
Me: "Yes, your name is Mia Hegar"
Me: "What does Cindy call me?" "What is my other name?"
Mia: ......just looks confused here and says nothing......
Me: "My other name is Jami, Jami Dauphin"

I do have a point of this story. Hang with me a second.

So, a few hours pass. It is bedtime. I have put Mia in bed and I am searching for her warm cuddle blanket. I leave her in her bed, light is still on, and door open, and I tell her I am going to look for her cuddle blanket. I am in my room searching my bed for the blanket and I hear Mia holler "Jami Dauphin!"

Well, it made me laugh and smile and just want to hug her more. Of course, I am a grandma........I get mushy over every little thing she does I think.

The Wedding

I think this works. Here are the pictures from the wedding! But I am not sure if there is sound....oh well, maybe someday I will figure out what I did wrong....can I say that the pictures say it all!

Or you can go here and listen to the music as well.

Free MySpace slideshows, photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

It's Been 5 Days

It's been 5 days since I could talk. I am no longer amused. I tried talking to Catherine last night on the phone. She said I sounded like "Stevie" from Malcolm in the Middle (a TV comedy show). As usual, with Catherine's knack for getting to the heart of a matter, I realized that is EXACTLY who I sounded like. Then I could not stop laughing, of course, no sound was coming out, but I was laughing

Someone Must Have had Their Prayers Answered

Ok, I would like to know who prayed that I would "just be quiet for a while"? For the first time in my life, I have laryngitis. I find it more amusing than anything.....it has however made me wonder, how do people who are mute, or deaf for that matter ever order fast food? I tried to order my usual Sonic Large Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper (during happy hour of course) today, and the young man said "Could you please pull up to the window?" Even after pulling up and trying to speak face to face, I didn't get what I wanted! I could not however blame him.

Back to prayers...... you would think that I had one of mine answered ( I did not pray for this, and it's getting kind of old). I can not taste a thing for over a week now. Jennifer keeps fussing at me saying things like, "Mom, why are you eating that chocolate cake and all of those calories if you can't taste it ?" and my response is "Jennifer, why do you keep fussing at me when you know I don't listen?",.....the reason for both is, of course, HABIT on both of our parts! I bought this particular chocolate cake at a church auction. It was a homemade chocolate cake that looked like it was going to be at least three layers, probably four, but it was two huge layers, with chocolate icing, and a light green creaming filling. The top and sides were generously decorated with Andes chocolate mints. It looked wonderfully delicious.......and I could not taste a thing!

80 Years Young

February 2nd was my Mom's 80th birthday. I think there is something taboo about telling a "ladies" age, but I also think when you get to be 80, you should be proud you made it! My Mom and Dad have more than "made" it, they are VERY young at heart and spirit. I asked my Mom what she wanted to do to celebrate her 80 years, and of course, as is typical of my Mom, she said nothing........except, she did say, the only thing she really wanted was to have chocolate cupcakes, so Mia could have one. I fixed grilled cheese sandwiches, one of the few things my Mom will eat, and chicken and dumplings, for those who wanted a little more substance (although I think the grilled cheese sandwiches were enjoyed by everyone more than the chicken and dumplings), and then we finished off the meal with cupcakes for Mia!



Happy Birthday Mom (Memaw)




Neat and Tidy is how it all begins





A Little Chocolate is good for the soul



Is it good for the face, neck, forehead and shoulders as well?




Good call on the cupcakes Memaw!

What do you suppose she is "hinting" at?

So today I get this email from Catherine, and all it has are these links:

http://parentingteens.about.com/od/carepackage/a/care_packages2.htm

http://www.epinions.com/content_4062683268

http://www.parent.umn.edu/carepackages.html

http://www.gardenandhearth.com/Gift-Baskets/College-Care-Package.htm


Of course I sent a package off today! You don't have to hit me with a 2 X 4 !!

Dream Come True

When I graduated from college, I received a "scholarship" from an organization that I was president of on Campus, AITP (Association of Information Technology Professionals) to be exact. They are a professional organization, and sponsor student chapters at various campuses. Anyway, I think my professor put my name in for one of the scholarships, and I got it. The interesting thing is, I was graduating, and so I tried to give the money to the student chapter, but my professor would not take it, he said the students needed to learn to earn their own money and not have it given to them. So next, I thought about applying the money to my student loans..........that would have been way to practical, right? So, obliviously what came next was, take a cruise! My dear friend Becky Adams and I have talked for many years now about going on a cruise "someday"(she reminded me on the cruise that we have been friends now for 31 years! eek gad!!). Anyway, in August, Becky got to retire from being a prison warden. She put in 27 years working for the state.

End result, Becky and I went on our cruise.

We went for 7 days out of Galveston. Sailed on Carnival Conquest to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. We had a great time. I will not go into many details, except the water is unbelievably blue and clear. I would spend a full week in Grand Cayman if ever given the opportunity.

The one thing I REALLY wanted to do, that was an extra fee was to swim with the dolphins. We got to kiss them, be kissed by them, hold them, ride on them, and be "foot pushed" by them (they push you on the balls of your feet and you get up in the air)...........this experience was so way cool, I have to call it a dream come true.

I have a video, but I do not know how to get it on the computer so I can add it to my blog. When I figure that out, I will add that at some point.

Canada Oh Canada

Jessica went with her boyfriend, Tommy McCay and his family to Canada the day after Christmas. They did not come back until January 2. Tommy's mom, Joanne, is Canadian, and they have a family cabin there. Jessica said they had a great time, and as you can see from these photos, it was beautiful. Oh, and I would also like to add that I have never seen Jessica happier than when she is with Tommy, this will be evident to the reader when you look at some of these pictures.



Isn't it lovely?



Isn't she lovely?



She thinks he is lovely




Aren't they lovely?




Pretty as a picture in White (she said this was her "serious" face!)

I have had a Break Through!

Today was a big milestone for me. I like to think that I can learn, and that I am open to new ideas and such (my kids would tell you I am hopeless in this area,but, again, I hope they are wrong). I blogged about being sad and concerned that Mia would get confused as to where her "home" is. I have talked of my sadness that this will no longer be her home.

Today, a breakthrough!

Christina came to pick up Mia. Christina is Mia's daddy's fiancée, and soon to be Mia's step-mother. She has been in Mia's life very early on. She is sweet and dear and she loves Mia and Mia loves her. You can tell from the way they interact.........sorry, once again, I digress.

Anyway, Christina (CC) came to get Mia and Mia was very excited to see her. Mia even said she was "going home" with CC. Specifically she said "I go home with CC". At first, I was taken aback with her calling CC and daddy's place "home". Then, I realized, well, why is her dad's home not as much "home" as her mom's place. And then, I realized there is nothing wrong with having more than one home. I even went to Wikipedia to see what that definition was, and here is what I found:

"the concept of home is broader than a physical dwelling. Home is often a place of refuge and safety, where worldly cares fade and the things and people that one loves becomes the focus"

WOW............isn't that awesome I realized. Mia has several places that she feels safe, and where her worldly cares fade, and where people that she loves and who love her are the focus...........

I could not ask for more, and now, with this breakthrough, I could not be happier!

The Wedding

I think Hillary Clinton said "it takes a village to raise a child"..boy, I hate that I even have her name in my blog, maybe I will edit this later, but anyway, it takes some very special friends to have a wedding.

For starters, let me mention Becky. Rebecca Jane Adams. Becky has recently retired from being a warden at the women's prison in Gatesville, Texas. (she was the first woman to ever get "warden of the year" in the state of Texas). I mention that here, because she hates me making a big deal about it, but golly, it was a big deal, right?!.........I digress..... anyway, Becky drove over 2 hours on Friday morning to help decorate Fischer Hall for the reception. She went to the church to help decorate there, and then in the evening, she drove over 2 hours home, only to turn around Saturday, and drive back, attend the wedding and then haul a$$ to the reception hall to help get things ready, and then once again, drive over 2 hours home. WOW!!!!

I have some very huge thank yous to a very special couple, but, I am saving that for later, an entire blog entry dedicated strictly to them. Just know, without Cindy and Rob, the reception would not have been the same, and without their friendship, I would not be SANE!

I still have very few pictures of the wedding. I have been waiting to get a bunch to chose from before posting on the blog. I am 48 years old and my patience is, well, lacking..........so, here is what I have for now.

Jennifer's dear friend Jackie, from Colorado was unable to make the wedding, so, she is not pictured here with the bridesmaids, but I am sure she was with Jennifer is spirit. Those women dear to Jennifer that stood beside her are:

Jessica, Catherine, Leah, Christina, and Jenny





Without access to other pictures I can not post photos of Rex and his "best men".

My dad gave Jennifer "away". He looked dashing if I say so myself, but again, I do not yet have those pictures, but here is a picture of my mom and dad dancing at the reception.


They have been married 60 years and they still can "cut a rug" !

Jennifer and Rex were very fortunate to have their dear friends be in attendance. Jenny and Joel here from Salt Lake City (their twins were with grandparents) and Kristi (use to be Kinard) (Kristi and Jennifer home schooled together and shared a really cool "dress up" birthday party years ago).




My dear friend Joyce Schoepf (Jenny's mom) kept the twins during the wedding, and then tag teamed the other grandparents, so she could come to the reception. The team work by these families was really appreciated! Thanks Schoepf/Hunt families!



I won't keep on much longer (who wants another "War and Peace"?), so this last photo you might have to look at closely, but this was the "bride and groom's first dance". It is so symbolic of their marriage, because, right in the middle, hugging the necks of them both, is Mia.........Perfectly Mia.

Conflict of Interests

What do you do when you have two huge things you want to talk about, because they are all you are or have been thinking about, and they are going on at the same time. My two issues are :

1) Jennifer got married yesterday, this is great big huge wonderful news, not to be dismissed as small or insignificant.

2) Mia is moving out and into a new home.

So, for this blog entry, I have made the decision to talk about Mia (shocked, right?) I do not currently have pictures of the wedding to post, I will soon, and the wedding happened yesterday, and the Mia issue is happening now, and besides, the name of the blog is "Perfectly Mia".

So, my Mia issue.

Tonight, Mia was suppose to stay with her dad and CC. They were suppose to keep her while her mom is getting married and having a short temporary honeymoon (the big one comes January 3). Anyway, tomorrow night Mia will be with her dad for Christmas Eve and morning celebrations, and then Jennifer and Rex will pick her up and come here for Christmas celebrations, and then she will go "home" with Jennifer and Rex to there new "home" in Tomball.

Hang with me, I am getting to my point.

I have been away from her really since Wednesday night. She stayed with her dad from Thursday through today (again, wedding issues). I am home tonight, and so tired I can hardly think, but, I realized how much I missed her these past few days, and how, tonight, well, tonight would be the last night I could call this place, my small house, her home. Tonight it is home, but hereafter, she will be coming to GG's, and not "coming home". I called her dad and asked if I could come and pick her up and have her tonight. It worked perfectly, because they had things they wanted/needed to do in the morning, and I got to have Mia home, one last time. Home, with me, and not just here visiting me.

I will enjoy the visits and I will enjoy the time together becoming maybe "more special" and not just daily routines, but, and this is a huge BUT...........I will miss her beyond words, and so, tonight, for just a while, I will be sad and maybe, just maybe, cry over losing this firecracker of a kid to her new home. I think I am entitled.

I am tired, and so this will be my excuse for being so emotional. I am going now to have a good cry.

I love you Mia. I miss you already, even though you are sleeping in the next room.

Oh so Wonderful

Those who read this, who have older children/young adult(s) will understand what I am about to say (well, you would if I had a knack for writing eloquently, which I do not, so you might have to wing it).

From the moment of birth, we love our children beyond words. Until you become a parent, you have no clue.....sorry, but you don't.

Our children begin life pooping in their pants, then they learn to poop on the potty, and then, when they become teenagers, they might just poop on you. Not literally, but figuratively. The odds are at least, at some point, they will talk to you like you are poop, and treat you like you are poop. You handle it as best you can, because like when they are babies, and they poop in their diaper, you do not love the poop, or cleaning a dirty bottom, but you love the person who did the pooping. Same thing with teenagers. We do not love the poop, but we still love the person talking, or treating us like poop.

This all leads me to my point ( I warned you I was not eloquent)..........

All of the poop, if you are lucky, becomes fertilizer. Wonderful, life enhancing, enriched poop. And if you are lucky, you will see the fruits of your labor, and the oh so wonderful product that is produced as a result of this fertilizer.

I have been really lucky. The poop from my kids has been minimal. Going in cycles, but on a scale of 1 to 10 on stinkyness, the average rating would be a 3 or 4. I mean, there have been spikes here and there, but on average, low on the poop scale. So, how lucky am I that the product(s), the end results, have turned out to be Oh so Wonderful.

What makes me write this entry specifically today, and now, is that in the past two days, Catherine has said two of the most kind things to me that I may have heard in my entire life. Two of the kindest, yet, simple statements, actually "texted", to me, that make me say, my life is "Oh so Wonderful", because I have experienced poop, and I have lived to see the wonder of it.

Back by Popular Demand

I still have a whole lot to learn about blogging. I originally wanted to post the videos of Mia's birthday, and then have a separate slide show. I some how ended up with them connected together. In addition to this error, apparently my music selection for the slide show was not so popular. It is my taste in music that limits my choices. I just could not find a Whitney Houston, Wynonna Judd, or Vince Gill song that worked. I did however change the John Denver selection. The song playing is called "For Baby (for Bobbie)". I hope that makes the music critics happier. Oh, and at the request of Catherine, here are the birthday videos again.

Blogging and Blabbering

Catherine informed me that she writes more on her blog than I do mine. Maybe, but, I tend to blabber (is this word still used in society today?), and since I blabber, I try only to post a blog when I have something to say.

Today here is what I have to say............

It is cold and windy today. My house is cold enough that I am actually a little cool myself, and for those of you who know me, well, this is VERY unusual. I do not want to turn on the heater, because I sleep better when it is cold, BUT, I have Mia tonight, and I do not want a Popsicle for a grand baby, so I think I will put a little heater in her room while she sleeps. I am cool enough that I got out my house shoes, but I am not cold enough to want to keep my socks on AND my house shoes.

I am making chicken salad to take to a Christmas party tomorrow. The chicken is cooking. I am boiling enough chicken that I will also make chicken and dumplings for later. I bought croissants today while out shopping and I am going to make the chicken salad with grapes and pecans..........yummmm.

Speaking of shopping.......today I pulled a marathon. I got my car inspected, I went to Payless Shoes (wedding shoes for Mia),Hobby Lobby (wedding decorations), Big Lots(more wedding), Garden Ridge Pottery (more wedding), Costco (more wedding and some gift items), then Toys R Us (wow, was this a crazy place to be, but I got Mia some gifts here), and then I went to Sam's Wholesale (more wedding), then Office Depot (more wedding, yes, even here, and I also got a gift item) and then Bed Bath and Beyond (gifts here), and then Home Depot (looking for Rosemary Christmas tree and they were sold out). I should have visited a bank to get a loan to pay for the day.

I came home, worked very hard at unloading the car, and then Mia's dad brought her home, so we played and ate a banana and took a bath and then played some more, brushed our teeth and then off to bed.

Now, back to the chicken salad. It is cooking.

I have work to do for my business, and presents to wrap, but I also have a movie I want to watch, so, I am torn, be responsible, or be a slacker. After battling the crowds in the stores and the crowds in traffic, I think I will be a slacker! I could say I am making chicken salad, wrap the gifts AND watch my movie all at the same time........like fishing, I think fishing is something you can SAY you are doing, but really be doing nothing at all. You know, sit in a chair, throw your line in the pond and contemplate the meaning of life. But when someone says, "what did you do yesterday?", it sounds so much busier to say, "I went fishing", than to say, "I sat in a chair outside all day and contemplated life". I like to fish.

The wedding takes place one week from today. In fact, this time next week, Jennifer will be Mrs. Rex Klentzman, and I will have a son-in-law. Pretty cool I think.

I wonder how Mia will make the transition. I have talked before about how much I will miss her, but the other side of that coin is her missing "home". I know, I know, "home" is where your family is, and her "home" will be with Rex and Jennifer in Tomball. I just remember when I had to move Catherine from the only "home" she had ever known, how hard it was on her....(see her blog for more insights to this). Jennifer said she and Mia will come out often at first. Of course babies are so flexible. I guess when she gets a bed there and her toys and clothes there, she will see that is now her "home". I jokingly told Rex that I talked to Mia about "mean old Rex" taking her away from here. I didn't. Rex will be an awesome father. I have already seen glimpses of his patience and love for Mia. She really will be blessed to have him in her life, so there is no such thing as "mean old Rex".

Rex is at his bachelor party tonight and Jennifer at her bachelorette party. They are both in Austin, and yet not at the same place. I do not think I had a bachelorette party. its been too long to say for sure.

Oh, one more random thought..........I know it is often said that Christmas has become too commercialized. But I actually like buying gifts for friends and family. Sure, sometimes coming up with something to get them can be really hard (my brother for one), but, I like the expectation of seeing their face when they get their gift and hoping that they A)like it, or B) don't mind taking it back to get what they want. I do not mind if someone returns my gift. I would rather they had something they wanted than not. So, if I ever give you something and you do not want it, for WHAT EVER reason, please, feel free to ask me for the receipt!