Thanks, San - I’ll let this holiday pass for this year.

Oh gosh, San, I’d never again move to be “closer” to the kids when they beg me to - they moved within 3 years of my “this-will-be-my-last-move” - In truth, I didn’t base my retirement move on their urgings, just thought it would be nice to be informally accessible to one another again - that doesn’t work out as easily as it once did, IMHO, and I did consider that b/c there were “new” family members involved, of course (SILs for example). What I did not pay enough attention to was that when my daughters came together, it took them about 3 days to drop the surface tension in the kitchen, etc. I blithely ignored it, but did notice it. Never in my wildest dreams did I think such would include me, with the SILs who take such control of the family food and kitchens, and … money! It’s a “Southwestern male” thing, I think… but with well-educated wives, it surprised me, no end. Interestingly, many of us noticed it in grad school in Cambridge when a couple would move in from TX and OK, or NM - and that was a long time ago. We so pitied the “wives” HA! Well, you’re pup is a sweetie, and you are too for making your home his, too. I have a (single) daughter in the Woodlands - she bought her home there about 8 years ago. It’s the last exit before Spring on I-35 to the west, I think. At least to the right. LOL I was going there for Christmas, but had to make some other “runs” out of state and to Dallas in late November, so thought I’d hunker down a bit. The NM contingent is coming over the 1st. That will be a delight - a granddaughter that has taken her grandmere’s heart - a “Ms. Creative-One.” ;-)) And, she knew it at age 2, would even telephone me, “We’re coming, Grandmere - done worry - I OK!” By 3-1/2 she was speaking 4 languages, and signed before speaking herself! No one can figure it out, but I’ve just advise, “leave her alone - just love her!” Hate to tell her Mom (my first ‘youngest” before the Houston one came along 6 years later!) but she was just like her. Never asked a question, only made statements - including, “Don’t hurry, Mama - I’m not going to school today, thank you. I have library books I want to read (age 7!).” See what I mean! Sheesh. Needless to say, not one of them appreciates (or won’t admit) the hell they put me through.