News From The Front

I did tell you my October expected great grand babe is a girl.  Right?  I did tell you that.

Her youngest Aunt, my Precious Girl Madeleine, had been taking care of a 90 year old lady at night.  NOT part of her nurses training, just because she wanted to and got $$ for it.  The 90 year old lady died last week and Maddie was upset because, her supervisor told her not to go to work that night.  The lady was in Hospice care and near the end.  Her supervisor thought it wouldn't be a good idea for a young woman to be there when the lady died.  Maddie WANTED to be there and was very upset that she couldn't be.  

Karen called the supervisor and talked with her about it.  "Where did this daughter of yours come from?"  asked the supervisor.  "Most people, especially young people wouldn't want to with a dying person!"

I have often wondered the same thing.  Maddie is an extraordinary young women.   She heard that the lady she stayed with in Guatemala last spring was not feeling well, so, Maddie got on a plane, all by herself and flew down there to be with the lady for the next two weeks.  

I think Maddie is part Angel, sent here for all of us to learn from.  Which makes me have a weird thought that she is SO good, that God may call her back early.   (I told you it was a weird thought).
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The last e-mail I got from Jennifer stated that she had received a GREAT invitation and promotion from her Law firm here in Michigan, IF she would move back to Michigan.  That invitation came with an appointment to our State Capitol where she would work with the Governor on setting up Non-Profits in Michigan.  Apparently she is the expert on that and has been to many conferences around the US and in Europe just for that purpose.

Well, when Eric's father heard about that, he told Eric that he wanted him to take over the father's main office in Manhattan.  The largest office.  The multi-million dollar prosthetic/orthotics office in New York City.  Jennifer let her Law office here know that she would be staying in New Jersey.

Well, I just found out, Eric's father has rescinded his offer!!!!!

Over the last 14 years, Eric's father had given him this offer.  Eric has gone to New Jersey for a month each time--6 times in all.  He always came back here with the declaration, "I can't work with my father!"  One such time, 7 years ago, the moving vans were coming to Eric and Jen's on a Saturday morning to move them to NJ.  On Friday night , we had all gathered at their house, to say Good-bye.  The next morning she called to say they had changed their mind.

That's why last fall, we didn't get too ramped up--until we actually saw them and the moving company drive out of their driveway.

Now this!  Eric hasn't worked since November 2014. Jen has been supporting the whole family.  Pam is so mad she's spitting nails!  She flat out told Jen to, "Move back here.  I've got plenty of room for you and the kids to stay with me!"

I, of course, do not verbalize any opinions, because it's much better that way.
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I am a bit ticked off at my sister.  When I was out visiting her, after the estate sale, not once did I bring up the subject of how much they made, what our share would be, or anything of that nature.  I felt it was up to her to tell me and be fair in what amount she gave me.  

A few days later she called and asked me what I wanted to do with my share.

"I talked with Pam on the best way to set this up.  Either an account in her and your names.  Or an annuity, with both your names. What do you want to do?"

I had no idea how much my share was.  If it was $500.00, I'd take it in cash.  If it was $1 million, I'd set up an annuity.  I wondered why she had talked to Pam about it before she talked to me.

"How much did you make?"  I asked

"Well, how do you want your share?"

"I gotta know how much it is before I figure out what to do!"

She finally told me.  "I'll call you back," I said.

An hour later, the phone rang.  It was Karen.  "Mom!  Are you excited about how much you got from the sale?"

GEEZ LOUISE!  I wondered how many other people knew what my share was BEFORE I did!
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Pardon my language, but things like this really piss me off!!!  

Just like with my son's cancer.  Everyone knew before I did.  Now, apparently my sister talked with my kids to see how they should arrange for Old Decrepit Judy's OWN inheritance.

My share is far less than they got from their grand father, eight years ago.  I would have told them, eventually, but I didn't think it was up to my sister to call them and discuss all this before she talked to me!

It makes me feel that they feel I am so old and senile that I can't make a decision for myself.  One step away from the old folks home where they can control ALL my business.

Of course, I said nothing to my sister about this.  I just like to keep those feelings inside and stew in my own juices.

Tuesday, Susan called again.  "You should put it into a special checking account so you can draw from it when you need it."

"I'd like part of it in cash so I can pay for my paint job, carpet and fireplace."

"You don't want it in cash!"

"Why not?"

"Because you don't want to keep cash in your house!"

"Why not?"

"Because you never lock up your house when you leave and one of your neighbor's could break in and steal it!"

"One of my neighbors?  Which one?  Pearl?  Merle?  John?"

"Well, someone could drive by and decide to break in."

"I have kept cash in this house ever since I lived here.  No one knows I have any money.  All anyone has to do is look at my 18 year old car sitting out in front and know I don't have any money."

"Well.  I will give you cash if you promise to lock up your house every time you leave."

"That won't do any good.  My front door is so flimsy, even if it was locked, anyone could just nudge it and walk in."

"Well, do you want me to write a check?  Or do you want a Cashier's check?"

So we decided.  She would keep my inheritance in her savings account and write me a check for what I needed to get my paint job, carpet and fireplace.  She would write me a check and I would cash it when I needed it.

Yesterday, she and Chuck came down and she gave me a bank envelope with cash.  GEEZ!!

So, now I have cash in my house!  GEEZ LOUISE!!  It is so well hidden that it would take a burglar a month of Sundays to find it.  Susan said, "Just don't hide it so well you forget where you put it."

What the hell?  I am 76 years old!  Not 96!  My mind is perfectly sound and sane!  I even put a note in my Funeral Box so if I die tomorrow, Pam will know where my stash of cash is hidden!  PLUS, I made an Excel spreadsheet with how much the total amount was and when I received the cash AND that the rest is in Susan's savings account!  Printed that out and put it into the Funeral Box.  Each time I take any of it, I will record the date and how much and the total left. I don't plan on spending it, but leaving it there for any emergencies.   GEEZ!!!

I suppose now I will get phone calls from the girls telling me how much Aunt Susan gave me and how am I going to keep it hidden and what am I going to spend it on.

There isn't enough to buy a used car.  I am not going to go out on a spending spree.  I am not going to move to a different place.  I am not going to buy a new fur coat--or even a new wool coat.  I am not going to buy a new couch and recliner (although I sure need them).

AND--if I wanted to spend every last dime, it's none of their business!!!  I suppose if I did take out any more, my sister would call the kids and let them know.  So, once again, my life is being controlled!

IT'S NOT THAT MUCH MONEY, PEOPLE!!!!!  Relax! 

<I still don't know the total sales.  I still don't know what my sister's share was> 

I do not like how people, especially family treat me now that I am older!