Not much happened today, but I do have a few miscellaneous thoughts to put down.  So, excuse the haphazard listing of items, but that's how it has to be tonight:

--The picture with this entry was taken by Rick on Thanksgiving Day, using his cell phone, probably our last one of Dad.  Obviously, the picture is not of the greatest quality, but it DOES show our Dad in good spirits and with his usual smile on his face.  Thanks to Rick for sending that to me.

--Although my cough is a little better and the eye infection seems to be improving as well, today was not a great day with regard my illness--that coughing really gets to me, giving me a headache and aches all over my body.  Thankfully, though, things are getting better.

--Sandie and I worked most of the day on getting out "thank you" notes to people who did anything at all to help us make Dad's exit from this world the kind of service that he would have liked--those who gave flowers, those who had Masses said, those who brought food, those who treated Dad at the Manor, at the doctor's office, and through Hospice, those who did anything at all at the Mass (readers, servers, singers).  Between the two of us, I think we got all of that done today, but it required a lot of back/forth e-mailing so we could get everything done accurately.  I think we succeeded with that.

--Paul contacted us about contacting the Social Security Office, too.  This is not my area of expertise, but we're working on that as well.  Dying is difficult; I had no idea!  But we'll get it done because that's what we have to do!

--Supper tonight was courtesy of Steve and Ann again, using some of the rib eyes that they gave us for Christmas.  They were delicious, and we added a side of peas.  Randi also made a salad to add to her meal.  Lunch today came from the hospital--roast beef, gravy, creamed potatoes, and a salad.  I think I may have mentioned before how the price for this meal is excellent, and the amount served is very sufficient for a meal.

--Tomorrow, we have to go to the Toyota dealership for our 15,000 mile check.  This is scheduled for 2pm and is supposed to take about 1 1/2 hours to 1 hour forty-five minutes.  Guess we'll see how accurate that estimate is when we go there tomorrow.

--Sid gave me a little digital album for Christmas, and I had to call Josh in Colorado to help me set it up.  We had a problem and couldn't get the pictures to download (or is it upload?), and since I had to leave almost immediately to see about Dad, I just got back to fooling with it this afternoon.  Guess what!  I got it done!  I was so excited; of course, we'll see if I really knew what I was doing when I decided to add other pics and/or delete some.  I am NOT technologically inclined, as you surely know by now.

--Sid also gave me a set of Bose earphones, which I can't wait to use.  I don't think it's a good idea to use them while driving, though, because they really do seal out the outside noises, and I think it might be a good idea to be able to hear some of the sounds outside my car--like sirens, for example.  I'll use them when I'm a passenger and when I'm sitting atop the tractor later on.

--One of Sandie's crocheting "buddies" sent me a little angel in memory of Dad.  I thought that was so sweet, and the little "lady" is sitting right next to my computer as I type, keeping an eye on me, and, hopefully, watching over me as well.

--That's it for tonight!  Hope you had a great weekend and that the coming weeks brings the beginning of a New Year filled with all that is good.

"The absolute value of love makes life worth while, and so makes Man's strange and difficult situation acceptable.  Love cannot save life from death; but it can fulfill life's purpose."          --Arnold J. Toynbee