I know I’ve been gone from the blog for awhile, like a month. One week I was in Colorado, attending to my brother’s estate. The second week I had no sewing to report and no time to report that I had nothing to report. The third week was just general malaise. I’ll stop short of saying “depression”, but it was a feeling of being overwhelmed and having so many things beyond my control. You’d think that at this stage of life (old, pre-historic) I’d be an old hand at daunting circumstances. You’d be wrong!
But things are looking up on several fronts. Spring is so close, I can almost taste it! At least I think I can - when it stops raining and snowing and the sun comes out.
I’ve had an offer, which I’ve accepted, on the sale of my late brother’s house. The probate docs have been filed and we should be through all the legal stuff in plenty time to complete the rest of the stuff - closing on the house, passing titles on the vehicles (two out of three of which have been problematic). Stuff. I’d really like to call it what it is, so here goes. . . it’s all “bullstuff”, if you catch my drift. But at least that means there is an end in sight to the maintaining of two households this spring. Still have to get through tax season, a mammogram, and an eye appointment. But at least I’ve found a new primary care physician, even if I can’t get in to see her until June.
This past week I’ve really had a lot of time to sew. I only had to dedicate one day to legal/realestate/ tax/insurance and utility issues for my brother. After that, I turned my attention to sewing (and family and friends too). I’m beginning to emerge from my protective winter cocoon.
I finished the last 15 of the 30 blocks (that finish at 16”) for my grandson’s wedding quilt. I’ll do a post next week on that. For now, I’m sewing them together into a flimsy so I can get it to Ruby to quilt in the last half of March.
After the wedding quilt blocks, the next priority was to get caught up on my blocks for green February in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.
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| 3 Gameboard blocks, 1 Rolling Stone block, 2 Switchplate blocks, 45 string blocks |
Once I was caught up with dark and bright green (I’ll save the pastels for another month), I tackled my red scrap bin. Red is the RSC color that Angela chose for March. While nothing is sewn yet, I do have all my planned blocks cut out and ready to stitch.
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| Top: 7 Hollow 9’s, Middle left: Switchplates, Middle right: 4 Gameboards, Bottom: 2 Rolling Stones |
24 comments:
I've missed your posts! Sounds as though you've made good progress on the estate. Are you the beneficiary of any of the proceeds, or just the executor? (Retitling S's car is on the list when I meet with the trust attorney next week.) But on to fun stuff -- you've got another great lineup for RSC this year! Hope you can get more sewing done this coming week.
Yay, you're back. What a relief to have a pending sale on your brother's house. You''ll get the rest done. Remember to breathe, get outside when the weather allows and, of course, sew your brains out.
We're starting to see signs of spring here in western NY. It's sunny today and going to 70 degrees (which I consider too warm for March). Of course, winter's not done with us yet, but at least I can get out and go for a walk without bundling up. Looking forward to seeing the wedding quilt.
Pat
Definitely--recliners often call to me, too hahaha. You deserve all the resting time after this tsunami of "have-to-do's". ;)))
Nice that you have all the reds in place to just begin sewing...take care and have a nice cuppa and a cookie in that recliner...hugs, Julierose
I love your collection of green blocks, hope for spring and soothing color. At least we can have spring inside until the brown grass turns green again.
I hope you will see the end of handling your brother's estate soon. I remember cleaning out my dad's apartment and feeling like I was intruding on his privacy. I'm sure you had a lot of mixed emotions on this journey.
Welcome back! Stitching is a great solution to the doldrums. Ask ne how I know ...
Welcome back!! Life overwhelms us sometimes. I really like your Gameboard blocks. Less scrappy than mine but prettier.
So good to see a post from you again, Cathy! Sounds like things are settling down. Getting an offer on your brother's house has got to be a big relief. I love seeing what you've been sewing - pretty, refreshing green!
Welcome back to the blogosphere! So glad there's a house offer! What a relief! Your greens are lovely & I love the reds all cut out & ready for sewing. It feels good & that is on my task list for the coming week.
It's so good to hear from you again! Please, don't be ashamed. Losing a brother, and getting all the legal stuff done is overwhelming for anyone, regardless of age. I work with lawyers and we see SO many people falling apart when they understand all the tasks an executor needs to do. It's not something they were told when they accepted the job. Take the time you need and enjoy the recliner. You deserve it. Love your green blocks. Enjoy the sun (whenever it decides to show up). ;^)
So nice to have you back again with us! You have been dealing with a lot, but you are amongst friends here, so relax with the cat on your lap for a while. Stitch, stitch, one block at a time, love your signature string blocks too.
Hurray, you are back! Take your time. . estate stuff takes longer and is more involved than one would think. I hope the settling goes well and there isn't angst about his final wishes.
Glad to see your posts again. I’m glad things are progressing on the Colorado front. I’ve been slow to get back to the sewing machine. I like seeing your future red blocks.
Hi Pat! It’s good to hear from you! I’m grateful that spring is on the way and that my time spent on legal (brother’s estate) things is not all-consuming anymore. There are still things to do, bills to pay, and a few weeks to wait, but we’re “over the hump” now. Oddly, though, I didn’t feel much like sewing today, even though I have only six seams (three long, three short) left to sew on my grandson’s wedding quilt. I can do those tomorrow!!
I’m once again in the recliner as I type. No ambition today, but that’s OK. I did a lot yesterday and will do more tomorrow. But today? Some reading and soaking in some sunshine!
That is so true about the “intruding” feeling you mentioned. I was surprised (as was my cousin and my brother’s friend) at how neat and clean Steve’s house was. After we cleared out his things and got it listed, it sold (well, offer made and accepted; we’re now under contract until the beginning of May) in a heartbeat. Small blessings! Luckily, the guys handled the really personal stuff, like his intimate clothing and the recliner he died in), etc, so I could focus on mementos, paperwork and photos and arrangements.
Thank you, Libby! I’m with you on the good vibes from sewing!! Take care! xo
Thank you, Sara. I am really enjoying the gameboard blocks. This year I’m trying to focus on using more of my larger scrap chunks, so blocks that have more and larger pieces are one of the reasons I selected Gameboard blocks and Rolling Stone blocks. Of course, I’ve added Hollow Nines this month as well (to use some overflowing 2.5” squares) and there are always strings and crumbs.
Thank you, Diann. I’ve most caught up on blog reading and figured it was time to pull myself up by the bootstraps and get back sewing and blogging. It’s been nice to get caught up with my RSC colors. I’ll actually have new things to share on Saturday!
Thank you, Sue! Hey, will you be attending any Worldwide Quilter’s Day events in your area on the 21st? The Salt Lake area groups will be at the Sandy Senior Center all day. If you’re in the area, stop by! We’re actually having our Quilts for Kids gathering there as well. I can hardly wait!! Hope all is well with you and your family.
Thank you, Chantal. It’s good to know that I’m not the only one who has a hard time coping well with all the duties of executor. Especially after major surgery and a second death in the family. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, though, and I’m hanging in there. I just miss the “old normal”!
Thank you, Jenny. I know you’ve been through it all as well, and I remember wanting to just fly across the world and give you a big hug (as if that would help). But the kind words from friends mean so much. This is such a lovely community!
Thank you, Terry. All is going well with the estate and there are zero conflicts within the family. My never-married brother only had one son who predeceased him by two years, and I am the only sibling. We have two cousins; one who was left a hot rod and the other who didn’t want or need anything. The emotional part has been the hardest, especially since I had major surgery (and a long recovery) just days after he died. It was a brutal winter, but the worst is past, and I’m still standing!! We are stronger than we think! xo
Hi again, Judy! Hey, I meant to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed your SAHRR quilt. Are you going to finish it for the parade? Hope you and Mr. busy are doing well and that spring arrives there soon!
It's a huge job dealing with an estate and when I/we did it, we weren't dealing with a house sale because my Dad was living with us. He still had his car but it was old and I just called the Kidney Foundation and they happily came and took it away, plus we got a tax receipt. Not sure what they ended up doing with it but at least it was gone. I can certainly understand why you would have no time (nor the mojo) to do any sewing. Take time for yourself my friend - the other stuff can wait.
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