These are the thoughts and observations of me — a woman of a certain age. (Oh, my, God, I'm 65!) I'm single. I'm successful enough (independent, self supporting). I live just outside Chicago, the best city in the world. I'm an aunt and a friend. I feel that voices like mine are rather underrepresented online or in print. So here I am. If my musings resonate with you, please visit my blog again sometime.
Monday, October 01, 2012
It's raining
I'm using my "Rainy Day Fund" to help my sister hire an organizer so we can vacate our mother's house in a timely manner and then, on November 16, I'm going to LA to see my oldest friend for the weekend.
I have always pretended that money wasn't there, figuring I'd need it some dark day if I'm laid off. But that might not happen. And my mother did die and we do have to get out of her house and I need to laugh. And my birthday this year falls on Thanksgiving Day. I can't begin to imagine what a horrible day it will be. Two major events -- one day -- no Mom.
My kid sister is overwhelmed and simply frozen in place. I know she's mourning. I know she's scared and sad. I am, too. But she's gotta suck it up and get this done. There are legal ramifications if we aren't out of there on the date the reverse mortgage lender says. I have been putting off talking to them to give her more time but I simply can't keep stalling. It's bad for my stomach lining and it's not wise financially or legally. So she just has to get on the stick and hire one of the organizers I sent her information for. Thus far she hasn't been able to bring herself to even phone one. She needs help getting the estate sale and I'll assist her but she's got to hire someone.
Yet last night my oldest friend had me laughing because she ran into Jane Fonda ... and Jane Fonda didn't know her. Logically, there is no reason for Jane Fonda to know my friend. It's just that Jane's been such an iconic presence throughout our lives and looked so familiar that for a moment, my friend expected Jane to recognize her and say "hi."
We somehow decided to have a slumber party with Jane, Jennifer Aniston and Maria Shriver -- other women we think we know and like but who don't know us. I loved the thought of the five of us sitting around in jammies, talking about boys. And we agreed that Jane, Jen and Maria have juicy stories to tell.
Anyway, it was fun to laugh. I need to laugh. And I can't just keep talking about my mom's passing and her estate over and over and over.
So I'm using my Rainy Day Fund, first on an organizer and then on an airline ticket. And in 7 weeks, the house should be empty and I'm off to LA. Seven weeks ... I can get through that.
It must be such a sad and stressful time for you. I am so sorry.
ReplyDeleteYou paint a nice picture of the celebrity slumber party.
I know it's adding stress on top of stress to dip into your rainy day fund. All I can suggest is to think ahead to how much easier it will be when the house is empty and taken care of. I'm there with you in spirit.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delicious slumber party! It's such a good idea to hire help. I hope your sister can move through her grief to get her work done.
ReplyDeletebe thankful for the raining day fund..and really who cares what you use the fund for..
ReplyDeletelife is to be enjoyed