I hope that all of my readers, including my 2.6 liberal readers, will take time to ponder Abraham H. Miller's startling words about his Christian friends...

(Sooner or later you run out of other people's money.)

hat tip: The Papa

Here we are a week and a day after the big wedding and just getting back to "normal". That's in quotes because normal is a family joke here at Granny's House and in our adjacent family households. It doesn't look like what you'd think...

We still have a lot of straightening up and organizing to do, filling in holes left by our bride and putting away some of the decor. I haven't been too obsessive about it, as we still have big changes coming. Kristen and the elves, who are quickly growing out of elf stage, are moving out on Saturday and will be setting up their new home in Fort Worth. Sad as this makes me, I'm rejoicing with them that all the week-long separations are over and their family can be together full-time.

Have I mentioned how good it is to be rid of Windows Vista? The new computer is fine, but I don't have many new bells and whistles so it doesn't seem all that different...but oh, how I love you, Windows 7!

But in case I haven't said this yet, I am sincerely hoping my new HP survives me. I can't even tell you how much I detest switching computers. Every program, every application, every database has a different 26-step process for transferring it to the new computer. And two of those steps generally involve writing the help desk at the developers and promising them your firstborn child if they'll just find a way to magically get it all transferred. No, external hard drives and "Easy Transfer" cables have not been the panacea some promised me. I'm still dyin' over here.

And in other techy news, I continue to enjoy my new iPhone 4. NOW I see why so many people love their iPhones while I hated my old one. And I mean hated it almost from the month I got it. Now if we could just get 3G to work in San Antonio, that might help, huh?

I finally finished a book last week (see sidebar). My reading has been awfully sporadic this year, and I won't complete nearly as many books as I normally do in a year. Even with my Kindle, which is most of the time in the hands of my traveling husband, I haven't done all that well. This will be on my New Year's resolution list. Yeah.

School took a hit during the past three weeks, but because we got such an early and successful start this year, I'm not beating myself up. Tim's freshman year is perking along and I'm enjoying the increased one-on-one time with him.

Okay, I realized a couple of days ago that I will be traveling, as in AIR travel, on the morning after the election. How could this political junkie have managed to schedule THAT? I will need to be at the Honolulu airport by around 10 on the morning of the 3rd for my flight home, which leaves precious little time to catch up on late returns and close races. Ugh.

Don't ever, EVER go to Maggiano's and not get their Crispy Zucchini Fritte. I'm here to tell you that would be a very bad idea.

Every one of those Sister Wives deserves her criminal husband. Sheesh.

This weekend, The Papa and I had the pleasure of being with our church family, and I do mean family, at a retreat in the scenic (and cooler-than-San Antonio) Texas Hill Country. Meticulously planned and exquisitely executed by our deacons' wives, it provided a welcome refreshment for more than 80 of us. We came home after the first night, as John was tasked to preach at the worship service for the group who stayed behind, but even so we had a glorious taste of what "retreat" means  :-)

TOMORROW is the first day of early voting in Texas. As soon as the day's schoolwork is finished, I will be at the polls casting one of the first votes for the firing of the majority and the reinstatement of common sense (See Atlas Shrugged, please.) No one will be more glad than I am to see Nancy P. collect an unemployment check. Okay, well, collect a six-figure pension. But still.

If you're one of my friends in Texas Congressional District 23, VOTE QUICO CANSECO!!

Hoping you have a most excellent week, savoring the blessings of God's grace!

The strings played from a platform built for them and placed behind the deck...

The guestbook table...

Here is CJ, getting ready to walk outside...

...and the two of the four flower girls, waiting somewhat patiently...

Erin and Piper, getting ready to deliver roses to the mothers.

Abigail and Carrie, spreading the bridal path with flower petals...

This is a priceless shot of Tony, getting his first glimpse of his bride and unable to stop the tears...

Mother and uncle of the bride, singing as the couple took communion together...

Tony and CJ walk back down the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. Tony Longenbaugh.

With her four flower-girl nieces!

And with the proud parents...

Here's an easy way to do your homework before going: a sample ballot with all the names so you can research backgrounds, positions, voting records, etc.

And if you're still registered to vote in Texas but have recently moved or will be away for an extended period, here's information on voting by absentee ballot:

And He wasn't through with me yet, and I hadn't even reached the doors of church...a second "piercing" as He stopped me in my tracks to ponder the lyrics of this song...