First matter of business, today is Happy Un-Anniversary! 36 years ago today I married my children's mother.

I demand dna tests.

Just kidding.

I had mentioned a few posts ago that I had reluctantly entered the 21st century with a new smart phone. I feel I need to share with you the rest of the story.

For about the last year, I had been infatuated with the "phone" technology. In fact I had even discussed this with Pepa.

In January of this year, I had taken Pepa to the Dermatologist in Abilene (Pat and Memama had gone to Plano to check on Betsy). On that trip we had gone to a builders outlet and purchased new lights for Memama's kitchen and kitchen table, and on a whim, Pepa decided to buy a new stainless dishwasher as well. As a reward we went to Lytle Land and Cattle Company to reward ourselves with a belated birthday celebration for Pepa. Our little waitress was excellent.

We returned home and Jake and Lindsay came out and installed one of the new lights, while the following morning Jason and I removed the old dishwasher and installed the new and later put the remaining new light in.

A few days later we had one of the worst ice storms in recent history and during this time, Pepa called me and told me that his refrigerator had gone out and we needed to find him one. Of course he had a definite idea of what he wanted. It had top be white and it had to fit in an opening that is not standard and it had to be a certain height.

We finally ordered a new refrigerator only to have it back ordered and when I asked for our money back they began to wheel and deal for a floor model. We closed the deal and the following day Jason and I picked up the new refrigerator and brought it to Memama and Pepa's house.

We removed the old unit and installed the new one, hooking up the water for ice and chilled water. When we were done, we removed and Jason disposed of the old refrigerator.

The following day, Jason and I were back making an adjustment on a light cover when Pepa called us both in there to his recliner. He was telling us to look at how nice the new stainless refrigerator and dishwasher looked in the brightly lit kitchen.

About this time he reached over to the table by his chair and picked up his wallet. Jason and I both were already shaking our head and backing away.

I told Pepa, "You are not going to pay me for helping you and Memama."

He was obviously prepared for this as he responded, "I'm not paying you for installing that stuff, I'm buying you a new phone. Jason can get him a new phone too, if that is what he wants to do."

I was unprepared for his argument as he handed me two crisp $100 bills. I placed the two bills in a Roscoe State Bank teller's envelope.

Of course it was less than a month later that we lost Pepa.

For six months I have carried my phone money in my pocket. I would look, but couldn't get serious about buying. Until a week ago. I decided with service changes that it was do or die time with the phone shopping. I went in and made my selection, they began tabulating my bill and took the phone to the back to down load my numbers, pictures and files into my new phone.

When it came time to pay, they asked "Will this be Cash, check or credit card?"

I found myself answering "Check."

I couldn't spend my Pepa money. I guess I don't want to lose that final connection.

I am still carrying my two crisp $100 bills. I don't know what I will do with them. If I will ever be able to spend them, or if I might use them in an instance of "pass it on".

But for the time being. We are joined at the hip pocket!

FATHER, thank YOU!