Here comes the smudgestick...

When your father remarries, does that person automatically become your stepmother? And what about step-grandmother to your children? What is the protocol around this? My babysitter called me with this same question as she was helping my 4 year old daughter do her thank you cards. Should she address it Grandpa and Lucy? Grandpa and Grandma? "Grandpa and Grandma-Lu" is what I suggested, it seemed appopriate..even though Melanie has never met her new step-Grandma! Such a strange situation...all good, but odd. They will be coming to NY soon too, so Melanie will finally get to meet "Grandma-Lu"!

My Dad and his girlfriend of more years than I know for sure, got married in Santa Fe on May 7. My oldest daughter, Samantha was the flower girl. This was not a traditional ceremony by any stretch of the imagination, but Sammy did play a rather traditional role. And aside from their talk of reincarnation, they had rather traditional vows. Although, I'm not sure how many weddings begin with a smudging, and end with Bob Dylan's "The Wedding Song" immediately after the wedded kiss. Or how many ceremonies are performed by a priestess named Cookie?


Samantha and Lucy getting the flower girl basket ready:


Daddy's little girls:


Daddy and all his girls:


My Dad and his female clone:


Exchanging vows: