We've had a very hectic week since we got home from Florida. But first, a lovely "Celebration of Life" service was held for Bill's mother. There was laughter and tears as moments were recalled by various family members. We also enjoyed seeing family members we hadn't seen in a long time.

While we were gone our refrigerator went out so we had that to come home to. While I went to work, Ryan, Bill and our friend George, got the old fridge out, about an hour before the trash pickup came, so it is gone. Bill measured the opening and we started searching online for a new one. We discovered that they don't make small ones anymore, which led to having to remove an overhead cabinet completely. All of the side facing and trim work also had to come off! Went to Sears and looked at the ones they had and picked one that would fit in the opening with 1/2 inch to spare.

When it was delivered Saturday, the delivery men were not happy that they had to take the doors off, but old houses come with narrow doors, and again, they don't make small appliances anymore. Finally got it into the kitchen, the doors put back on and it won't slide into the opening! That's when we discovered that the lower cabinets are not square! It still needs to go back about 3 inches, but it will be fine where it is.

Bill was very tired after doing all of that and then we had Harvest Dinner and Praise Service Sunday after church. He's rested most of the last 2 days but seems to be a little perkier today.

We're going to Emily's for Thanksgiving this year. Looking back over the past 2 years, we have so much to be thankful for concerning Bill's health. Just to have him with us still is a blessing. Dr. Burnett told Emily he didn't know why he was still with us. We know that God still has a purpose for him to fulfill.

Well, don't want to get too "sappy" here. Happy Thanksgiving to all who visit here. Stop and take a moment to count your blessings, even the little ones you don't think about. We all seem to remember the big ones, but the little ones such as a good night's sleep or the sunshine are things we sometimes take for granted. They, too, are a gift.

We have made it to Florida. Bill saw Dr. Lan's nurse practitioner yesterday and he said everything looks fine as far as the surgery went. The incision is healing well although he doesn't want him to lift his arm over his head for another 4 weeks. He explained a little more about the new pacemaker. This one is beating his heart for him 99.9% of the time, which is what they want. This is another reason Bill is feeling better. He cleared him to travel but to still rest more and start walking a little.

We stopped south of Atlanta last night. Hit Atlanta at rush hour, in the dark, in the rain. Ronna, if you're reading this you would be proud of me. I drove through it just like I was doing it every day! I went to bed early and right to sleep since I had been awake since 4:15 yesterday morning.

We both woke up about 6:30 this morning, Bill coughing with a fever. I drove most of the way today and he catnapped. He took over right before Tampa. We got to the hotel about 2 and got checked in. Our room is lovely with a balcony. It overlooks the highway, but that's ok. We're to be at Shirley & Don's about 5:30 and then a birthday party for Kim's daughter Amanda this evening, but we may not go to that. We are both tired and the stress will really start for Bill now. And since he will be stressed, it goes without saying that I will be stressed also. He's snoozing now so I know he doesn't feel well since he never sleeps in the daytime unless he doesn't feel well.

The van is gassed and washed, we've been to Walmart, laundry is still in the dryer but the suitcases stand ready to be packed. I think we're just about set to head out in the morning. Hopefully we won't be held up in Memphis long and can get on the road. It's going to be a long 2 days drive with leaving so late, and a stressful week-end.

Keep us in your prayers as we say goodbye to Bill's mother.

We have had a very good week, all things considering. We are both sleeping well and getting right up ready to go about 6:30 (although I slept in until 7:30 this morning). We have all of our plans made for Florida. The memorial service is going to be Saturday so we are leaving Weds. right after Bill's Dr. appointment in Memphis. Hopefully we won't be there long. I'm hoping we get back on the road by noon.

Bill has said several times that he's sorry his sister has to do all of the arrangements herself, but I think he realizes, at least I hope he does, that he cannot be there to help her and it would do no good to anyone if it should cost him a setback. She also wants us to stay about a week, but I told Bill I can't stay that long and he doesn't need to stay that long. I've reminded him that Dr. Burnett told him not to make any long strenuous trips. He probably wouldn't like him making this trip, but he would understand it. Plus, we are still keeping our plans to go at Christmas so they will be able to reminisce then. They (Don & Shirley) will have to understand that I do have a job and we are gearing up for tax season.

Bill commented tonight after church that he has not been getting winded after walking. We've been to Walmart and he walked all over with me. Usually he has to sit and wait on me, but he didn't the last time we were there. He was also walking at a faster pace than I was. That's another sign that the procedure and new pacemaker are working. One thing he does do though is fall asleep while watching tv and he never used to do that. Kind of makes me think of what Pearl was doing when she would have one of her "spells" that would land her in the hospital. I'll just keep an eye on him.

All for now. I know we're in for a rough few days, so keep us in your prayers while we travel.

We've had a very sad ending to our homecoming. Bill's mother passed away Sunday afternoon, moments after she spoke to Bill on the phone. She had been hospitalized Saturday and they thought she had a bronchial infection and a urinary tract infection. We think now that the bronchial infection was probably fluid build-up around her heart and the urinary tract infection was due to her kidneys shutting down. She told Bill that they were going to change her pacemaker and she would be home Monday or Tuesday. She then said she was tired so they hung up and his sister called about 30 minutes later and said that she was gone. Although we grieve for her, she was 94 years old and had lived a full and good life.

Bill is handling it pretty well now. It was difficult for him to call the kids and tell them and he wouldn't let me do it for him. But today he is much better with it. She had already planned everything and is to be cremated, so the memorial service is being held later than a funeral would be so that Bill can travel. He spoke with the doctor's office this morning and they've scheduled his post-op visit for as early as they can. He also feels sorry for his sister since she is having to do everything by herself. And intellectually he knows that he can't push himself because that won't do anyone any good and his mother would have hated it if she was the cause of something happening to him. But, emotionally it is different.

Well, that's it for now. There may not be another post for awhile. Just keep checking back periodically. Thanks again for the prayers.