PIB -- I'm glad the memorial service gave you a chance to both say goodbye but also to reacquaint with some old friends.
As for the cooking...h and I just bought our first crockpot a few weeks ago and I christened it yesterday! Made a delicious vegetarian lentil stew (sweet with molasses but spicy with cayenne!). I couldn't believe how the "all day" cooking required NO effort on my part!
Sage
Relax. Appreciate. Be calm. Laugh. Enjoy. Be secure. Be loving. Be loved. Don't personalize. Don't ASSume. Accept. Be grateful.