Sep 25 - family day

We've basically been gathered as a family all day. An errand here and there, some phone calls, but no major activities.

Liz had to go back to Chesapeake Beach MD but will be returning. I understand that she's going to take off additional time to be with Sara for the next while. That will definitely help. Susan, David and we are here for the duration. Sheryl is coming tomorrow, driving down from Quebec. Stef, Aaron and Lauren are driving down from Oakville tomorrow. Arlene is going to fly in, as long as she can find reasonable flights. Sandy talked to Angelika today who is in Toronto. Sara posted the service time on Facebook, for their friends and has let a sub-group know about the viewing.

We've been giving Jeffrey's wireless a workout, with all the smartphones and laptops. We've also been playing 4-way skype, with three of us here on the service and Kim in Barrie connected as well. The multi-caller facility works well. I also got Facetime working on my laptop, since it's a Mac, and connected first with Jeffrey's IPAD and then with his iPhone. Why didn't we do this before ? I don't know. jeffrey and David have been using Skype family-to-family, but not us -- very slow up north and just didn't get around to it. We'll be getting an upgraded service next Spring, for less money -- believe it or not -- and that should make these things work even better. Who knows, we might actually be able to use VOIP !

I made a couple of errand trips -- got my hair cut, got a salad at Giant (side by side) and WalMart for motor oil but didn't find that, did find vitamins -- forgot mine up north. Everything is pretty close here -- not like up north.

Jeffrey and Sara talked to the Minister re the service on Wednesday so that's set. There was some last minute screw-up with the paperwork delaying Alex's transfer to the funeral home, but that's been remedied. I was worried that this was going to be as difficult as finalizing my Mom's arrangements when my Dad was transferring her from Mexico. That was a nightmare. The precise cause of death won't be on the paperwork until after all the other tests are done, but that won't change the arrangements.

Emma keeps everyone amused. She loves having everyone around, having a choice of audience.

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Dinner is over. Mac and cheese ... actually home-made shells and cheese, plus the noodles / soya sauce / pork from last night that we finished up last night. The neighbor that brought that over also provided some fresh veggies / crackers / cheese. Whew. There's quite the community here.

It's 8:30. I'll run out of steam soon. David is staying with us at the Best Western ... he wasn't sure at first whether he'd stay here or there, but I think that it's easier all around if there is one fewer bodies here. I'd guess that Liz will be back tomorrow.

Another day done. Onward.