sj, I'm glad that you are looking forward to homeowning and it is something you genuinely want.

We bought at the wrong time, for too much money, and for no real good reason than it was what we were "supposed" to do. It's brought us a lot of stress and heartache. So that tends to color my feelings pretty strongly about the whole process= my apologies if I came off as overly negative.

We had the funeral for Tom's mother today- it was only 20 minutes and there were only 7 of us there, but it was very nice and tastefully done. Some lovely flowers and then the funeral director had arranged a tea for us at the hotel/golf course restaurant next door. Met Tom's niece and nephew for the first time, as well as his sister in law.

We'd decided not to try to track down Tom's half brother (father to the niece and nephew and abandoner of many years) so that they could attend without drama- apparently when Tom's half-brother's father died earlier this year, his family had been by the father's side during the end, and then M showed up and ordered them all to leave immediately. Ugh, he's such a horrible person.

I guess we will have to make some sort of good faith effort to contact him re: Scottish rights of inheritance, which I think sucks. Tom's mother bequeathed money to her daughter in law for the 2 kids, and left her half of the house to Tom. Her medical care sucked up all her assets, though, so there isn't much left to be claimed. I just hate for anyone to have to deal with that jackass.

Anyway, the kids are like 16 and 19 now, and they seem really nice. We will be having dinner with them tonight! (Note: do not mention wanting to kick their father in the nuts)

I'm glad the funeral went well, Nora. I've been thinking of you both. I know family stuff can be fraught during these times, so it sounds like you're making the best decisions you can.

Yeah, that's one of the biggest things for me with flylady, the giving permission to do short bursts. Which reminds me, I have to do my 15 minutes declutter yet this morning, and whaddya know, I have about 20 minutes before I need to leave the house (test driving Honda Pilot!) so that should work out just fine!

I shined the sink last night! FWIW.

Nora, I'm glad that the service for Tom's mother was nice. I hope Tom's half-brother doesn't decide to cause trouble.

ND, I am glad there was a nice service. I remember attending bad funeral services and those last in your memories a really long time. It's a terrible way to send a loved one off!

Does Tom have a lot of paperwork to resolve?

Nora, I'm glad the service was nice. I hope relations with the younger set continue to be pleasant, and may you avoid M altogether.

Recovery~ma to JZ and Daniel and meara and anybody else needing some.

And general better~ma to everybody else.

Recovery~ma to JZ

She's actually back at work today. A bit phlegmy but upright.

Nora, I'm glad the services were nice, and that there was no drama to contend with. Hopefully everything else goes as smoothly as possible.

Phlegm is awful...I don't cope well with it. One of the few things I have in common with Sheldon from "Big Bang Theory." (Although I don't have a dropper labeled "mucus"

{{{Maria}}}

{{{Nora and Tom}}}

sj, even though homeowning has had its stresses, I've enjoyed it so much more than renting.