I had an uneventful flight to California yesterday, and Marcela was there to pick me up.  We headed to lunch (at a deli, with lots of Chanukah decorations), and started the reminiscing about Steve right away.  It turned into a busy afternoon (several workmen at the house) and evening with friends Idrisi and Tati.  (Steve was like a son to them, and it was their daughter's wedding that Steve and Marcela attended in Canada just a couple of months ago.)

She wanted to start working on some closets (we definitely made progress there) and also Steve's office (that's the huge room upstairs, with lots of equipment) so we will be busy this coming week.  

Elena is having her wisdom teeth out on Friday, so she will be here at the house so we can nurse her through the weekend.  

Steve's memorial service is scheduled for New Year's Day here in the backyard, so one of our errands today is to arrange for chairs (and a tent?) to be delivered.  She's expecting a sizeable crowd, around 50 people.