Amanda'sTexas A & M University Commencement August 14, 2010

I had the honor of being invited to Amanda's graduation from Texas A & M Commerce, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. What a thrill it was to see her cross that stage and watch her family beam with pride.

Amanda, you are a testament not only to your family, but to all moms who deal with the daily responsibilities of life: working (sometimes two jobs), children, & husband. Yet, your determination and perseverance was never more evidenced than when you crossed that stage with the Magna Cum Laude medal around your neck. What a delightful surprise. We knew you were going to college, but the magnitude of the sacrifice made by you, David, and your children was never more evident than when you accepted that degree and walked across that stage.

One would think "walking" is for the graduate, but it is more for the family. What a wonderful thing for your children to witness and your mom and dad were absolutely beaming.

This is the third college graduation ceremony I have been invited to attend. I get goose bumps when I have witnessed all three walk across that stage and having this event chronicled in their life.

Additionally, Amanda announced she is beginning her Masters program in two weeks! So we will have another opportunity to see her shine in the next year, or so! Amanda, you have spoiled us and we are expecting Summa Cum Laude next time!

Thank you, Amanda, for allowing me the honor of sharing in this with you and your family.

I am one proud aunt!

Joan

Our kitchen reno

Well, after 20 years of living in this house, ( The very same house I thought I probably wouldn't live in for longer than a couple of years) we are finally remodeling the one room I wanted to do first (in 1991). This is the beginning of our 2010 renovation!

Joe graciously lent his years of expertise and experience to the beginning of this project to incorporate a wall of cabinets on the garage side of the room. This had been a blank wall previously. (Cabinets had been on the other side of the wall in the garage and Chaling tore those out months ago to get ready for our "project")

The middle hole is for the refrigerator. Yea! If we hadn't done anything else, that one thing would have made a difference. The shelf/cabinet is for the little convection oven/pizza baker with room above for a shelf of cook books, etc.

This side has been stained and varnished and we have been using them for a few months now. Of course now they are all stuffed with "stuff" from the rest of the kitchen!

Last weekend, Jacob came over to "help" with taking out the cabinets. Uh, did I say help? In short order, we realized we just needed to stand back and watch him go. In probably no more than 30 minutes (that's pushing it) he went from lifting the counter top up (with little effort) to reducing these 50 year old solid wood and very sturdy cabinets to a pile of rubble outside the house.

Then Chaling went to work tearing out the sheetrock and rotted floor under the sink and dishwasher as a result of many years of probable leaks (even before I got here). The smell of this was awful, but is gone now. All week Chaling has worked on rewiring and floor repair. The plumber has redone the plumbing. We have moved the sink to the corner and added a prep sink in the opposite corner. Every chef needs his/her own sink! That way everyone can play nice in the kitchen! Right?

Now, Jason is coming in this Friday to stay for a while. Charlie has gone back out on the road and will be traveling for the next month. Jason is coming in to lend his brain and his brawn to this little project and I am so looking forward to it. Even though Chaling has worked so hard on this, we do appreciate these guys (Joe, Jacob, and Jason) for doing all they have done and will do. I may get to see this project finished before I leave this planet! ha ha

Well, this is where we are right now. I'll post updates soon!

Luv you all!