AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 9, 2005 — I get up and decide to just wash my face and brush my teeth. The shower here is less than pleasant. (I'm spoiled by my spacious one with consistent water temp once it warms up.) I talk to my cousin's wife and she says the move is for eleven o'clock. I go over to Dad's. He brought fruit, tea, hot chocolate mix and some other snacks and has had his breakfast. I watch the news and then tell my dad I want to take a walk. I walk down Hillcrest and back through an alley. I didn't bring the camera or I could have gotten some interesting shots I think.

I go in a few places...a University bookstore and then, in Synder Plaza, a toy shop to buy a toy safe and a small toy for my nephew's birthday. I walk through an antique store. I see some interesting bone spoons but I'm not really in the market for anything. I'm downsizing after all. At home, FFP is delivering a limited edition print and a glass sculpture to a silent auction for a musician with a back injury.

The air is brisk and I feel good after the walk. I tell Dad that we will drive in the direction of the Forum and find a coffee shop for a snack while we wait for a call on the cell phone about the move being complete. In fact, I get the call when we are in sight of the Forum. "We are almost there," I say. We park and go in and find the room. My aunt gets to go to lunch. My cousin's wife puts her things away. After the lunch, we visit a bit and then she goes for therapy. We go over to Panera on foot and eat a big panini sandwich. (Dad saves half of his but I haven't had much to eat and I eat it all and the chips and part of Dad's chips.) We go back and visit until it is time for dinner for my aunt. We go back to Synder Plaza to an Italian joint and have soup (me) and salad (Dad) with a big thing of cheese focaccia bread.

We go over and visit briefly with the cousin's wife and entourage and then go to my aunt's apartment.

I flip through the channels. There is some kind of cable service but no guide so you just flip and see what comes up. I find the UT Women's Basketball game and then various other things. I head back to sleep next door.

I watch TV (how do they find so many mindless things?) with the kids and my cousin's son helps me work a couple of crosswords. Sleep.