Catching Up

Well, what a week!  We said our final goodbyes to Gram on Thursday and it was a great service with lots of hugs and expressions of love from friends and family.  Stan sang three songs, and they were all amazing.  The neighbor, who we didn't even realize had been at the service, came over yesterday and told Stan what a wonderful voice he had.  All the songs were ones that Gram had held dear-"How Great Thou Art," "In the Garden," and "There's a New Name Written Down in Glory."

Afterward we asked the people at the senior center if we could do an impromptu dinner for the extended family and they said an enthusiastic yes.  We loaded up on Costco rotisserie chickens and a bunch of salads and gathered there to honor the great lady one more time.  She would have loved watching all the commotion, especially the noisy great-grandchildren that were everywhere!

We made sure that the two uncles that are left were invited, as well as a couple of cousins.  There was an empty place at the table, but I am sure glad we made that connection with each other.

Stan's two sisters with Uncle Bert, Gram's youngest brother.  This has been really hard on him, he and Gram were very close.

Now on with regular life, and all it has for me to deal with.  Gotta pick up our taxes today, had the dogs to the vet this morning for their yearly, and am leaving to get an oil change in an hour or so.  I have an eye appointment in two weeks, and have to schedule a physical soon as well.  My sis and I had a long talk last night.  She is on SSI and Medicaid and I have been managing a special needs trust for her from money our mom left us.  She has a hard time grasping things and loves to spend money, so I had the job of explaining to her that if she continued this way for much longer there wouldn't be anything left for her old age.  The broker had to transfer some money to cover her "purchases," and now wants to know where to go from here.  She could just spend it all down, it's not a fortune, but if she did she would be right back to square one with only her disability for income.  It was hard for her to take, she needs to think on it for a while.  I need to arrange to get power of attorney soon, because I fear she won't be able to make some of these decisions for herself before long.

She has TWO storage units loaded with stuff she has bought and probably will never need.  She is definitely a hoarder and needs my direction.  She got the second unit when I threatened to drive over and clean out her house.  She lives 60 miles from here so sometimes it's hard to keep tabs on her.  I think there will still be a major clean-out with a massive garage sale-what the heck does a single person who doesn't even drive need with two storage units?  All stuff I will have to deal with soon.  Didn't sign on to be my sister's caretaker, but I think that's the way things are going to be.

Okay, hopefully tomorrow I will have a pattern ready to publish.  I designed a knitted Easter egg, one you could stuff with Robin Eggs or little chocolate ones.  If I stay on track I might have that ready!  Then back to the trip.  I need a walk down memory lane to keep the trip fresh in my mind.