Hope all of you are having a very merry HanaChristmaKwanzaDon.

Or Festivus. (Ok, Festivus was on the 23rd, get over yourselves.)

Or whatever you celebrate back on your planet.

There are some big changes afoot here at Chez Templin, and I imagine a few of them are going to be quite entertaining.

As of January 2nd Pam and I will be parents to a 17 year-old girl. I won’t – yet – go into the details, but let’s say that this was her decision, not ours, and as a result I tend to think this isn’t just a temper tantrum. We’ve already filed with the attorney and papers are being served. Her mother says she will go along with this; it will certainly be easier on us if she does.

(For those who don’t know the afore-mentioned 17 year-old is my daughter, Allison, from a previous marriage.)

It’s going to be an interesting shift around here. Previously the oldest child, Phillip, was 9. There is a large difference between how you handle a 9 year-old and a 17 year-old. After all, she only has a year to go and she could actually join the Army.

One of the first things will be to get her a drivers license. (What? She’s 17 and she doesn’t have one? Long story.) And none of this, although I see nothing wrong with that behavior in a parent. It’s just that my gut says it won’t be needed.

So expect a few more interesting stories as we try to cope with the new arrival.

And wish me luck and a lot of patience.