We had last minute guests for Sunday dinner.  Mike and Denice came over...first time in a long time.  We enjoyed getting some time to visit.  They couldn't stay all afternoon, since Denice and I both had to do some meal prep for the funeral on Monday.  Sister Merle's funeral was at 10:00, which meant an early start to the day.  I got my food ready and left the house around 9:00.  I sat with my aunts.  It was hard on my aunt Coez.  She just buried her son on the 5th of Nov.  I left right after the funeral to go help get things ready for the luncheon.  By time we got everyone served and then got the cleanup finished it was about 2:00.  I'm really going to miss Merle.  She was such a sweet, postive lady!  But she had lived 88 long, hard years.  Her passing was quick...she died 3 days after surgery for a ruptured appendix and bowel obstruction.  During surgery, they also found cancer, so I'm thankful that she didn't have to suffer through that.

Wednesday, as I was fixing some lunch, I glanced out my kitchen window and saw a 2 foot long iguana on the wall.  Took me by surprise, to say the least!  After making sure it was real, and not a joke someone was pulling on me, I called Rick.  He got very excited, but wasn't getting off for lunch for another hour.  So I called Dennis to see what I needed to do to catch it.  I got a net out of the garage, along with the lid to a rubbermaid tub.  Then I grabbed my camera and went out the back door and snuck around to the front.  I took a couple of pictures and then crept up for the capture.  I was afraid that the lizard would "bail" when I got close, but he just clung to the wall as I put the net over him.  I couldn't "scoop" him off with the net, so I grabbed him with my hand (net still in place) and pulled him free.  I put in the rubbermaid tub, put a baking rack on top and weighted it down so he couldn't get out.  Not long afterwards, Rick came in and started messing with him.  He was a beauty!  I knew that I didn't want to keep him, but I figured someone would like having him.  It took me a couple of days, but I finally found him a good home.  He was an interesting "houseguest" to have, but it is nice to have him somewhere else!

Doctor appointments and funerals

So much on my mind after the week.  My oldest cousin passed away last Sunday.  They had discovered that he had advanced cancer in his lungs and throat about 3-4 weeks ago.  His mother, my mother's oldest sister, lost her husband almost five years ago and now she has lost her oldest son.  I don't know if a mother is ever prepared for that.  He was a veteran, so they planned just a graveside service at the national cemetery in Arlington for Friday.  We planned a dinner for all the family for Thursday night.  I had booked the Cool Community Center, because they don't charge for using the facility for funeral related meals.  I was supposed to meet someone with the key at 5:30 that afternoon.  By 6:15, all the family was there, the food was all there, but no one with a key had arrived!  My cousin's son was able to find us another facility at the last minute, so we all changed location and quickly got things set up and started serving.  I had to leave at 7:00 to pick up Ricky and leave to go to Paris.  I was pretty frazzled by that time!  (It turned out that the lady with the key was running late and didn't have my phone number to call and let me know.)

Tuesday morning, we learned of Sue Avaritt's passing.  Such a loss!  Ricky and I drove up to Stephen and Mandy's Thursday night, and then the four of us drove to the funeral together.  I'm glad we arrived early, because there were many people left standing in the foyer.  Such an outpouring of love and support!  My heart goes out to all of the family for their loss, but especially to dear Kenneth.  Sue was the love of his life (after his love for the Lord) and he will be so lonesome without her!

Aside from the sadness of the occasion, I enjoyed mine and Ricky's trip.  He entertained me all the way to Stephen's house.  That boy can sure make me laugh!  I also enjoyed being able to spend the day with Stephen and Mandy.  After making it back to their house last night, we met up with Gary and Doris and Gray and Vicki for Mexican food.  I always enjoy our time spent with them!  The trip home was tough after that though.  Rick was exhausted and slept the rest of the way home, so I had to sing along with the radio for the next 3 hours to keep myself awake.  It was a struggle after having gotten up at 5:00 that morning.  We made it home at 11:30 with no mishaps, though.  I  was SO happy to crawl into my bed last night!.

Tuesday evening, we were invited to eat supper with the Browns.  That was a treat!  We always enjoy visiting with them and listening to Thiess' stories.  Gina always prepares a wonderful meal, too! 

I ended up back at the doctor on Wednesday.  My first treatment of antibiotics didn't clear up my urinary tract infection, so I'm on a second course of treatment.  I go back in two weeks to be retested to make sure it clears up this time.  If not, they will send me to a specialist in FW to see what is going on. 

James and Renee are having a cookout at their house tonight...using up the hamburger patties we had leftover from our meeting.  I look forward to a relaxing evening of fellowship and fun!  The weather is perfect for sitting around outside.

Rick has a few people from his work who are supposed to be attending Highway tomorrow with us.  They are wanting to come listen to him speak.  He is hoping that one family, in particular, will be interested enough to start studying with him.  The man used to attend the church when younger and has been wanting to start back.  The 13 year old daughter has also been wanting to start going to church.  Ricky has become pretty good friends with the family and is trying to be a positive influence towards them.  I hope that we can help lead them to the truth.

My verse for today is in memory of dear Sister Sue Avaritt:
Pr 31:10  Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.