Your Thoughts/Prayers/Voodoo Needed

[Temptd2]

I know what you mean, Glenn - when I had to close out my Mom's accounts it was a very big reminder of her passing. It was also about 6 months after she had passed that I did that.

The whole first year is a year of "firsts" - once you get through all them the first time around it IS easier. In fact it's now hard to believe she's been gone almost two years - July 30 will be th second anniversary of her passing.

How nice of your daughter to come do some stuff with you and for you! You raised some good kids there, my friend.

 

[opus345]

The most recent one was removing my wife's name from our bank accounts, and adding my youngest daughter...she will be the "executor" of my "estate"...as "co-owner" of my checking and savings accounts. glenn514

Glen going through much of this after my father passed in October.

One of the things I really appreciate that he did was establishing a Living Trust.

Take a look at what a Living Trust can provide here.

Of course do some independent research on it, but I think the biggest benefit is "Avoiding Probate" i.e. not getting the blood sucking layers or the courts involved. I think it was a couple hundred bucks and it has made it relatively painless to manage the folks financials, bills, and assets.

I now have decided to set up a Living Trust for my wife and I.

Take care!

 

[glenn514]

Sunday was a hard day for me. On the "happy" side was the sixth wedding anniversary of my oldest daughter. She and her husband and their youngest child spent a few days in Boston and out into Cape Cod for the anniversary, while Nathan's parents cared for the other two children at home in Texas.

The "sad" side was the first anniversary of Marie's first massive stroke. I can vividly see her struggling to get out of the recliner in the family room, to no avail. I immediately called 9-1-1. My mind knows and understands that, now that she is "with the Lord," she is singing with the angels, archangels and the whole company of heaven. But my heart misses her so very much.

Two weeks ago, I went to visit Marie's family in central Michigan. My mother-in-law is 89 and is having increased difficulty doing just about anything. But she was glad to see me, and I enjoyed my visit.

Next week Thursday, I am traveling up to Yooper-land to visit my third daughter and son-in-law. We plan to put Marie's cremains to rest in a couple of locations up there that she really loved. That will be another hard time, because we'll do it on our wedding anniversary...which is also my daughter and son-in-law's wedding anniversary! So, we'll put Mama to rest, shed our tears, and go out for a lovely anniversary dinner...with Dad picking up the check!

glenn514

 

[beernbourbon]

Sounds like you are getting on with the things you must do, as well as reminiscing and new memory making. My heart goes out to you Glenn. Relish in the time you spend with Marie, spreading her ashes, I'm sure it will do your heart some good. I don't know if you would have time, or be all that close, but I'm sure @Yooper would be more than happy to see you, if she's not galavanting all over the place, [emoji1]

 

[glenn514]

Yes, beernbourbon, I have messaged Yooper. We tried to connect three years ago when Marie and I were up there, but we just couldn't get together. This time, however, I believe we'll hoist a beer or five together! Anyway, I'm going to try and connect with them.

glenn514

 

[unionrdr]

That sounds like fun! Too bad Marie couldn't be there. Wouldn't mind that trip myself. So enjoy!

 

[jcav]

Hi Glenn, it's good to see a man of such great faith post such a devastating loss, and see how he is progressing through it all. You truly are amazing! I am very happy that you are slowly getting through this and have such a great positive outlook. Thanks for posting, you are a good witness to us all. I will keep you in my prayers brother!

God Bless!

John

 

[Temptd2]

Glenn, I think of you often and am always happy to see an update from you, even though it may be bittersweet - I like knowing you're OK and doing what you gotta do.

Hope you and Yooper and Bob can toast Marie with some of that good homebrew from the UP!

 

[glenn514]

Hope you and Yooper and Bob can toast Marie with some of that good homebrew from the UP!

Thanks! I am looking forward to it very much!

glenn514

 

[Melana]

Thanks! I am looking forward to it very much!

glenn514

I hear she brewed a heady topper clone....

 

[Yooper]

Thanks! I am looking forward to it very much!

glenn514

Me too! Can't wait to see you!

I hear she brewed a heady topper clone....

I did, and I dryhopped it yesterday. I'm not kegging it until about Tuesday, though, so it may not be ready but we'll see!

 

[glenn514]

Today will be filled with both joy and sadness. I have been in Wisconsin's northwoods for several days, visiting my daughter Gretchen, and her husband Joe. Today is their SECOND wedding anniversary! And we WILL celebrate that today. But today is also MY 47th wedding anniversary...the first one without my bride. She truly enjoyed these northwoods trips, and especially enjoyed sitting on the shore of Black Oak Lake, just a few miles west of Land o' Lakes. So, Gretchen, Joe and I will lay Marie's cremains to rest today at Black Oak Lake, a place she truly loved. This evening, we plan to go to an up-scale restaurant nearby and enjoy ourselves...my treat!

glenn514

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

The year of "firsts" is usually the toughest. It takes time to become accustomed to the new normal. May peace be with you, as you have this bittersweet day. I'm glad you'll be with family.

 

[Temptd2]

Revel in the good memories, Glenn, and enjoy your day with your daughter and SIL. Raise a cheer to Marie - she'll love that!

 

[Temptd2]

Hey Glenn, thinking of you! How are you doing?

 

[glenn514]

Thanks for the kind thoughts, Temptd2! All things considered, I think I'm doing OK. Not great, but OK. For some reason, Saturday was a sad day. I got a phone call from my oldest daughter, and I shared with her that I was having a "sad day." So, we both shed a few tears over the phone, and then I was OK. I don't know what prompted it, but I got over it.

I'm heading out in a few minutes to go practice for playing for worship this Sunday. Then, I need to stop at the grocery store and get some Kaiser buns for my homemade Italian beef for dinner tonight! And I think I'll have a bottle of homebrewed stout with that dinner!

glenn514

 

[soccerdad]

Italian beef for dinner tonight

almost makes me miss Illinois .. but I never miss it in the winter

glad to know that you are doing (reasonably) well

 

[beernbourbon]

Thanks for the kind thoughts, Temptd2! All things considered, I think I'm doing OK. Not great, but OK. For some reason, Saturday was a sad day. I got a phone call from my oldest daughter, and I shared with her that I was having a "sad day." So, we both shed a few tears over the phone, and then I was OK. I don't know what prompted it, but I got over it.



I'm heading out in a few minutes to go practice for playing for worship this Sunday. Then, I need to stop at the grocery store and get some Kaiser buns for my homemade Italian beef for dinner tonight! And I think I'll have a bottle of homebrewed stout with that dinner!



glenn514

Yep, you'll have those days, my friend. Random, no darn good reason, why the heck did I suddenly think of that..... And the tears flow.
Dinner sounds good, especially with a stout. Of course, pretty much any meal is great with a good homebrew, right?

 

[Temptd2]

Thanks for the update, Glenn! It's not surprising that a bad day will roll through every now and then, or a sad day - you're still processing your new "normal" I'm sure.

Your dinner sounds really good!

 

[glenn514]

Thanks, again, for all the kind words of caring and support. I am most definitely still processing my "new normal." As I've stated before, this is the first time in my almost 70 years that I've lived alone. And it sure does take some getting used to! And I have not touched my late wife's clothing or her crafts or her dresser...nothing. I know a time will come when I will be able to do those things...but not yet.

One thing I have discovered is that I really miss having Marie on the motorcycle behind me. This year, I've ridden the bike once...from the repair shop home to my garage! I didn't trust my left leg when I had cellulitis in it, but that's all cleared up now, and I still don't have any interest in going for a ride.

And a quick comment on my homemade Italian beef! I work really, REALLY hard at making it...NOT! I use my slow cooker, cut up about three pounds of beef chuck roast, add one package of Louie's Italian Beef seasoning, and add enough water to cover the meat. Let the slow cooker work all day, and by dinner time, the beef is tender, juicy, flavorful and oh, so damn good! If you want some, but can't find it in your grocery store [in with the packaged gravies, rubs and other envelope-packaged spices], give me a holler, and I'll send you the address of the company right here in Illinois!

Again, I do appreciate your words and kind concern. They help me wrestle with this "new normal."

glenn514

 

[Temptd2]

And a quick comment on my homemade Italian beef! I work really, REALLY hard at making it...NOT! I use my slow cooker, cut up about three pounds of beef chuck roast, add one package of Louie's Italian Beef seasoning, and add enough water to cover the meat. Let the slow cooker work all day, and by dinner time, the beef is tender, juicy, flavorful and oh, so damn good! If you want some, but can't find it in your grocery store [in with the packaged gravies, rubs and other envelope-packaged spices], give me a holler, and I'll send you the address of the company right here in Illinois!

:

Next time - try adding beer instead of the water, and often I throw in a few pepperoncinis too. REALLY good stuff!

 

[glenn514]

I had some fun this afternoon, perhaps at my late wife's expense. For whatever reason, I ended up trying to find something in our spice drawers [TWO full kitchen drawers] of in the cabinet [another spice "stash"]. And then I wondered: did I really, REALLY, R-E-A-L-L-Y need FIVE open containers of ground cinnamon, or THREE open containers of Cajun seasoning, or EIGHT boxes of round toothpicks? No, I didn't think so either. So, after consolidating and pitching a few things, I got rid of almost A DOZEN empty plastic bottles of spices along with some other stuff, like home dehydrated Fresno peppers. While I am not done with the cabinet yet, I have begun to make headway. And I even laughed and shook my head! Thank you, Marie, for making me laugh today.

glenn514

 

[beernbourbon]

Nice! Glad to hear of you laughing again, Glenn.

 

[Temptd2]

Nothing cleanses the soul like some reorganizing and tossing out of non-essential spices! Good for you, Glenn. I am sure Marie was laughing right along with you today.

 

[unionrdr]

All you needed to complete that scenario was a 6'r of HeliYUM-

 

[jcav]

That's great Glenn!

John

 

[glenn514]

I am currently in Texas, visiting my oldest daughter, her husband and my three grandchildren. Today, I drove from Mansfield, TX [near Ft. Worth] to Bryan/College Station [closer to Houston] to have lunch with my youngest daughter, the Ph.D.! This is my second solo trip from northern Illinois to Texas, and I'm getting used to it. And I guess that's what is happening with the "new normal." I'm getting used to it. But this past Sunday in many Christian Churches was "All Saints Day," a day to remember those of faith who have gone before us. And I really missed Marie. One phrase of a hymn for All Saints Day states, "...we feebly struggle; they in glory shine." Indeed.

glenn514

 

[beernbourbon]

Great to hear, Glenn! Keep on keepin on!

 

[Temptd2]

It's great to hear that you are developing that "new normal" - it's a good thing. Remembering Marie is natural and missing her even more-so. But moving ahead with your life is a tribute to HER and I'm certain what she would have wanted - so go, visit your kids/grandkids, and enjoy your life to the fullest extent possible!

 

[unionrdr]

It's like they say, you never forget'em...it just gets easier to live with.