Learned a couple of Life Lessons this past week. Unfortunately, they're not "Good" lessons. Good in "Hey, I won a bazillion dollars!" sense. So, no, not that type lesson.
As most of you Readers are aware, my Sister passed away almost exactly 3 months ago. She had lived in our old house on our property for a few years. We'd had a hail storm a week or so before and her roof had been damaged. We'd scheduled a roofer to fix it. That morning, he called to say he was on his way. I let Lisa know and she asked if he'd need to come in the house because she wasn't feeling well and was going to lay down and take a nap. That was all via text. I didn't think anything of it. Until I got the call from her roommate that afternoon saying that she had died.
Well...scheiße!
When we started doing the required "Things" after that, we did a very serious look through the house to try and find a will or other instructions. Nada.
So, I called our lawyer to see what we needed to do. Folks, the process is called "Intestate". She also advised me that the process "could take a while".
Nothing has happened yet. The county lawyer appointed to the job is supposed to contact witnesses who knew Lisa and find out about any people that might be entitled to her assets. We provided her a list of potential people that met the requirements quite a while ago. Like almost 3 months.
None of the folks on her list have been contacted yet.
Frustrated, I emailed our lawyer last week and asked what the ramification would be if I just said "To hell with it, I quit!.
Almost immediately after I hit send, I got a call from our lawyer. She apologized and said that when she said "could take a while" she meant that the process has been known to take up to a year!
Well...scheiße!
So, my advice to all y'all is "If you truly hate your family with your whole person, don't take out a will. Not having one will make their lives truly a living hell."
I was talking to my Brother a while ago after her death. He asked me how things were going. I explained all the above to him. He got real quiet. At that point, I think Lisa put a thought in my brain. I asked him if he had a will.
"No, I didn't want to think about it."
I may have used some strong language in addition to the "Get a Will" statement.
He called back a week later saying he'd had one written, signed and filed.
So...If you haven't got a will (or a trust) get one!
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| Mrs. J, Lisa and LJW in happier times |
On to the next subject.
I've written several posts about vacations we have taken, literally around the world. Pictures are required of course. Many of those included these folks.
Yep, those are our winemaker friends, Gary and Kathy. Lately, Mrs. J has been working very hard on setting up an Australia & New Zealand cruise for next year. The Kids, Grand kids (including, expected next month, Grandson #1) as well as Gary and Kathy all had ponied up the down payments. Excitement was mounting.
Then a couple of weeks ago, we got this email.
Initial prognosis wasn't good but Doctors said he could expect to live for 6 months or so.
He passed away Wednesday morning.
Well... scheiße!
Suffice it to say I'm having a very hard time staying positive right now. Projects in the wood shop help, so I've been busy.
And to end on a high note, the Pixlar triangle I mentioned last week is complete. We've scheduled another work visit to College Station week after next. Delivering it will be fun.
On a similar note, Miss B received a chair that can be attached to the table. She can now be part of the discussion.
After a slow (very early) start, she's progressing nicely and her personality is a hoot! Now if we can just get Dad, Mom and Daughter together in the same part of the world...Well, things will be better.
Life's short. Live it while you can!
Peace out y'all.
