{{{Aims}}} That really sucks, I'm sorry. Are you having a good birthday otherwise?

It's been an awesome birthday! I painted, hung out with friends, got lots of cupcakes and even cake at church. It's been fantastic.

But my mommy hasn't called.

So, I talked to my sister and I called her answering machine and sang happy birthday to myself. Hee hee hee.

Happy birthday, Aims!

Happy birthday, Aims. I, too, would be cross if my mom forgot to call for my birthday. I shall aim my grump her way. I've got spare grump right now.

Olympic Booty Appreciation.

I'm not seeing booty. Lots of junk, but no booty.

Happy birthday Aims! I always call my mom on my birthday to wish her a joyful anniversary of pain ;)

I've been nudging my parents twd estate planners for the last year. What really kicked that in action was having one of the TIP volunteers (Trauma Intervention Program) come out and talk to us at work. These saintly people get called out all hours to hang with recently bereaved folks, like people who lost their house to a fire, or their loved one to an illness, or anything else that would send a normal person into total hysterics. She talked about many things, but I came out of there with a list of questions to ask my parents. Losing a loved one is devastating. Having to make funeral plans? I can't even imagine. So being the ruthlessly pragmatic (and somewhat morbid) person that I am, before my last trip East to see the parents I sent them each an email questionaire. No, really. With questions about the financial stuff (like who is executor of their will, where can I find a copy, where are all the financial account numbers and passwords) and the other stuff (like where do you want the funeral, who to invite, what kind of music to play, what kind of food to serve, specific instructions about donation/burial/cremation druthers.) None of which was designed to freak out my parents, but sort of a conversation starter about what THEY want after passing, so I can know for sure that I'm doing what they want. If they even have druthers. My Dad, bless him, has a very thorough will and advance medical directive, but hadn't ever thought about memorial service and just wants to make sure all his poker buddies get the invite. Mom, OTOH, has lists of music and things that she appreciated at other funerals, so that's nice to know. I am glad that I gave them advance written notice before just starting a conversation over dinner, Mom was a little unnerved at first but about a month later had a total brainstorm of ideas.

Aims, if it's any consolation, my mom sent a card when they returned from a trip. Card had a check in it, which wasnt for much, but it was a nice thought, but the check came with a note detailing lunches she'd bought for HPF, plus another $30 I owed her for something else. She'd pro-rated the check. I got a bill for my 40th birthday.

Good thing I also got a rocking time with friends, courtesy of DH.

Happy birthday, Aims!

Did you compose the questionnaire yourself, erin?

Before my parents took their second honeymoon/retirement celebration trip to Australia they put their affairs in order and told my sister and me where to find the relevant paperwork. Not that they were worried about the bazillion poisonous creatures awaiting them in the outback, but they had to do a bunch of fiscal rearrangement for retirement, and they figured they may as well get all the wills, living wills, and whatnot in order. When they tried to discuss it with my sister and me, big sis refused to have the conversation. Which, I expect, is how I ended up Dad's executor, in spite of never stepping foot in a lawyer's office or handling much in the way of money before then.

I keep meaning to put my own affairs in order, but never have. Maybe when I'm back home next week I'll look into it. My living will/DNR-type stuff is more of an issue than distributing my relatively few shiny nickels. But my parents' forethought in that area really did help during a stressful time, so it's probably a way I can be kind to my niece 40 years down the road.