My life certainly is in turmoil. So much is happening!

I’ve been handling the arrangements for Mom’s funeral.

My brother, Denny, has been very helpful. I now understand better why he had backed away from the problem of caring for Mom. For a couple of years I had been very disappointed in his “lack of interest” but I now understand that he had problems of his own (his wife left him unexpectedly), and he was overwhelmed by his own problems. And I probably gave the impression that I didn’t want interference. (I have a negative tendency to “take charge.”) It was easier to do thiings my way without consulting him, so he just stayed away.

But he’s been there to help me with the arrangements, and he’s been very cooperative when it comes to the division of any of Mom’s possessions. It could have been a problem had he insisted in a precise 50:50 split of the stuff that’s in the condo. Since we bought so much of it, it would be tough to sort it out and make it equitable. He’s assured me that the condo contents are mine.

John and I have had an offer accepted on a condo which we think will work perfectly for us. There are some minor things which we will want to do to it, but those are projects we can deal with later. For now our only concern is to get everything done so we can move within the time allowed by Hoagie’s kids. (Hoagie was Mom’s husband who died last February. The condo, which was in a “life estate” was for my mother’s use but only during her lifetime. Now it’ll go to Hoagie’s heirs.) They have told us to be out within 30 days. That’s certainly not a very friendly way to handle it, but we are trying to comply.

Closing on the condo is scheduled for October 6th. We will then have three weeks to get settled before we head home.

The condo we’re buying is live-in-ready. The carpet is clean, and it’s empty. Our few pieces of furniture will rattle around in the huge (20 x 22 foot) living room, but we can certainly get by.

I’ll even have a small “office” off the kitchen. Nothing fancy, but we won’t have to have my computer stuff out where it’s in the way. Our music stuff can go in the guest room. The separate dining room will need a breakfront or hutch, but that’s for the future.

Our golf cart will be able to stay clean in the garage. We’ll have lots of room there to store our possessions.