Best/Worse/What I’d I learn Today..Pull Up a Chair,come chat with friends, everyone welcome!

What am I up to? Going through a Will Questionaire, and trying to figure out division of things I want to make a behest of. Other than the replica of my mom's family ring (the other was loose, fell off & was lost, so I had the replica made at a jeweller's), and the selling of my home & furnishings, I really don't have anything. My daughter said she'd be my Executor, and she's my only heir.
I contacted a lawyer about the divorce, and the costs gave me sticker shock. $2,500 for retainer, $371 per hour, $200 opening, and $50 closing costs. My pension per month wouldn't even cover the retainer. As a low-income senior, I just can't do it. Legal Aid won't help, because my home isn't worth $50k, and I rent the lot it's on.
Feeling very emotional today, so just going to have breakfast, coffee, look over the Will Questionaire now, and clean the house.

What am I up to? Going through a Will Questionaire, and trying to figure out division of things I want to make a behest of. Other than the replica of my mom's family ring (the other was loose, fell off & was lost, so I had the replica made at a jeweller's), and the selling of my home & furnishings, I really don't have anything. My daughter said she'd be my Executor, and she's my only heir.
I contacted a lawyer about the divorce, and the costs gave me sticker shock. $2,500 for retainer, $371 per hour, $200 opening, and $50 closing costs. My pension per month wouldn't even cover the retainer. As a low-income senior, I just can't do it. Legal Aid won't help, because my home isn't worth $50k, and I rent the lot it's on.
Feeling very emotional today, so just going to have breakfast, coffee, look over the Will Questionaire now, and clean the house.

Betty, the show I'll be going to is in Grayslake, IL. It's only a half hour drive from home. The next shows I'm planning to enter will be in Schaumburg IL, in early January, another half hour or so drive. That's a new show site, and they're planning on holding some seminars and health testing, plus a grooming competition. Should be interesting.

Big grocery shopping today. Still stocking up so got a lot. Also a few things ahead for our turkey day which will be the 26th. Already have another list going for the rest I need.
Son is coming Sunday to help replace two toilets and I hope hang my pretty lamp at my computer. I bought it some time ago not even knowing if there would be a place for it. Just because it's so pretty.
Over cast today so a bit chilly, If the sun is out we get a lot of heat from it coming in windows and door wall.

Susan, I would just leave things as they are, if he wants official divorce then let him get it…if you have all listed in your will he can’t get anything and/or couldn’t afford fighting for it. Thinking of all this is bound to make you emotional. Hugs

Deb, that is great that the show will be so close to home. All your beauties have all their points though don’t they?

Sounds interesting to have a health clinic for the dogs and grooming? Do you groom your own dogs? They are so huge it must be difficult for you or do you have a spot in the house for grooming. Sharon is a lucky girl she built a room especially for grooming and had it built up at waist high so that she wouldn’t have to bend because of her back but that being said she wouldn’t be able to lift the dogs your size

Karen I’d hate to ask the cost of a full order of groceries, all the little things that we use from day to day you brought those though did you not? Your Thanksgiving is so close to Christmas, don’t think I’d like that. Great that your son’s coming to help you out, two new toilets did you buy the low ones? I did not ask you if you have a sewing room, maybe now you’ll be able to play a bit and not freeze, that’s exciting. A good lamp never hurts near the computer, I haven’t been out at night in so long and tonight driving home from town I could barely see of course it was raining heavily in the darkness I’ll just have to make sure that my travels will be earlier in the game.Do you have any stairs in your place?

Linda Kay, did you have to pay to have your quilts for sale as someone must have to look after them?

This message was edited Nov 11, 2022 6:02 PM

Betty, i have a sewing room it's just not together as yet. Trying to get to things in order of urgency. Plumbing needs attention next, just about every bit of it. Two baths and kitchen. Seems every thing is leaky Two toilets we bought are th same as we bought in TN. They are very nice, ones here are very old, One leaks and the other doesn't want to flush properly. Plus they are very uncomfortable and hard to clean.
Man we bought from never lived here, had it as a rental. There are enough pluses to make it worth the negatives. The flooring is beautiful hard wood. Others we looked at had ugly carpet in poor shape.
New neighbors speak no English but smiles go a long way. When we pulled in with new toilets, they were out front with family company. As soon as Walt started to unload them, the man snapped his fingers and sent a couple of young men over to help. They are newly arrived from the mid east not sure exactly where.

Well that is a plus having good neighbours, maybe you can help them with English r rlanguage. Plumbing is one heck of a big job, not bad if you have someone to do it. Pleased to hear you will have a sewing room, even if you rarely use it it’s there when you are up to seeing. How far are you from Frankenmuth.

Deb, here is a photo for you

Rained quite a bit, I’m back to timing the sump pump. Grr every house has some type of issue..bought lights for the outdoor trees, hoping to get them on this weekend before the snow arrives.

Maybe i can’t slee because Ziggy. Is laying on my legs..
Looked at the photo right over ziggy’s head. Is a dogface, can you see it?

Betty you gave me my morning chuckle. I see the dog's face very clearly.

I just lost a chatty post will BBL later to recreate.

Betty, I am surprised you are still teaching the kids, with all the pain you are in. That stained glass is beautiful.
No, I didn't have to pay a fee to enter the quilts. They are pretty secure there.. No, I haven't been to the show yet.
Susan, praying for you and that your divorce goes smoothly. Here in Texas, we have a form we can get from the courthouse called do it yourself divorce. If both agree to the divorce, both sign the papers and it's done. $50.00.
Karen, praying you can get everything repaired and get settled in soon. Glad to hear you have friendly neighbors.

Wow!! Reserve Best In Show!! Way to go! Congratulations to her on that win. Is her dog that won related to her Inuk?

Karen, your neighbors sound like keepers!!! I do miss some of renters we had in Othello. 2 of the renters over time were very helpful married men that lived alone while working out of town. Dave went home every weekend. Zu was waiting for all the paperwork to clear to move his wife & child here from China.

Linda, here's praying you get good sales and enjoy the quilt show when you get a catch to see it.

Susan, if there anyone you can turn to find alternatives for the divorce? A low cost option? Is there any kind of social services that can guide you to the right place for help?

I have a 10 x 15 foot bedroom with the tiny closet. The "everything room" is about
14 1/2 x 22 feet, there is a bathroom 5 x 8, so total just over 500 sf. The single biggest draw back is no decent sized sink with good counter space. I am considering putting a drop down table to connect to the bathroom counter so when I do dishes or food prep I have more room.

The cost of starting over with groceries will be a bit overwhelming I am sure! When I moved my pantry to my "apartment" I rehomed a lot. When I move into the full house again it will take some cash to replace the basics. Currently, any "baking" I do is at Marie's. I have flour & sugar but some of the other stuff I have not even bought.

Marie came over yesterday late afternoon to help me with the dress but our SIL Sharon came early morning and stayed until Marie had to leave so no progress on the dress. Oh well.

Betty - I'm going to call Victim Services & see what they can help with. Part of the reason I need him out of my life is because He's in bankruptcy, and I don't want anything to do with his finances. He'll never file for a divorce because he can't afford it.
I'm settled in my mind, with the making of the will. I know what I was to give to my daughter, and other than my last name, there is nothing and no one in the will with the same last name.
I'm doing some finalization of the Silent Auction for the Senior's Society. I spent hours last night making bid sheets. Now I need to upload more pictures to our site, and then take items to the Centre. busy, busy, busy lol Next year, if I can't get some help with the Silent Auction, we just won't have it. I can't do it all, and shouldn't be required to.

Susan my first husband was a real jerk about the divorce. I had left him 4 years before I even started the divorce process. You will know how long ago that was - the divorce cost $300. When the baliff tried to serve him with the divorce papers so I could go to court he managed to deliberately make himself invisible. I was trying to be the better person and not have him served with the papers at his school - he was a HS teacher. Finally the baliff said he would try 1 last time but after that he would drop it. Reluctantly I told them what school he taught at in Sudbury.

I woke up with an engorged tick in the middle of my back. I had a terrible time pulling it out. I finally remembered I had eye brow pluckers with long handles. I can really feel it - it smarts.

Betty I did my grocery shopping at Foodland - ouch. I did buy a couple of bags of Reisens and 2 bottles of Diet Pepsi. Only meat was hamburg. Milk was almost $7 for 4L. It was $139.00. Salad makings costs were out of this world. I just bought a bag of Compliments Garden salad. And yes no lettuce.

LK 6 quilts... wow. When you all talk about quilts I think about our Barb. Sure miss her. When we all visited Thea and Bernie in Ottawa of course we visited a fabric store. They were talking about fat quarters and other such thing ...lol I went outside with Bernie and Norm. Betty did you know Norm passed ?

I need to bath Zeke - he rolled in something while we walked. I can't smell anything so its not smell that is bugging me but his fur is all matted and sticky.

Deb I hope you had a good outing.

I ignored the wood pile again today. I'll put in a couple of hours tomorrow but that's about all my back will handle.

Sorry to hear about Norm passing. So sad.
Milk is about $3.75 here. Fruits and vegetables are outrageous. $6.00 for a 5 pound bag of potatoes.

Evening, oops, just a minute, while i remember will rush downstairs and get the pie, not sure it’s strawberry/ rhubarb or cherry am hungry for something sweet.

I’m back, pretty cherry decorated pie, not sure I want to thaw it out to eat but will lol

Bath is running so will come back after my bath to chat..

Have a few minutes..bankruptcy Susan has absolutely nothing to do with you, aim in that field and get that question asked often.

That is a lot of quilts up for sale Lindakay, you’ve been busy these past months,hope you sell at least a few of the,..economy not the best for people buying but I’ve heard by people that more people are encouraged to support the local artisans..hope same in your area.

Glad you didn’t overdo Dianne, not sure what your weather is like but know the sky here sure looks like there is snow in the forecast

How am i still teaching, i ask myself that often.. i do enjoy have kids in the house, with my chairlift, resting most of the the day I just take my meds and endure..doesn’t take the pain away even if I’m just laying or sitting. What gives me the most pain is having a bra on, have to wear the lightest of tops, driving kills me..we all have our health problems. The dizziness is still there but almost gone, just have to watch quick moves.

Deb, I’m not sure, i think that Inuk might have been related down the line..wonder how she did today.

Dianne, must be quite the job washing Zeke..i remember Sailor going through remains of a dead animal, pretty mad odour.as for Foodland Only buy what I can’t do without or I’d they have a sale..too expensive for me. I like those pkgs of cabbage salad with cranberries, raisins and nuts included, $7 might sound expensive for a little bag of salad but when you see prices of veggies it’s a bargain.

Susan, you take so much on, think others should be helping out and have it as a group adventure.

Sorry Pat you didn’t get your dress done, clock is a ticking. That is a fair amount of space you have

Jello and bananas along with a hot chocolate then bedtime

Debbie, Best as Show

Betty we are about an hour and 20 minutes from Frankenmuth. Will take a ride up one of these days. Like to go to the cider mill too. Our favorite is very old, still runs by water power.

Made meat loaf for dinner tonight, finally. We haven't had it in nearly 4 years. No one but us would eat it. We've had pork chops and sauer kraut too same reason.

I remember being at the grocery store, the clerk looking in the grocery cart and saying to my Mom, "Elmer's out of town hunting, huh?" LOL We got to eat all kinds of stuff that Dad didn't like when he was gone
Sorry to hear of Norm's passing, he remarried a while back didn't he?
Dianne, ticks gross me out!! We have them here too but I don't venture into likely places.
Susan, I hope Victim Services has some good resources for you.
Stanley never misses a photo op. My bedroom.

Morning, talk about cold out there, went to back shed for another tote and cut some cedar and froze..snow is a coming. Thought I would drop in before the day passes on and I don’t get to it.

Pat, Stanley sure looks regal sitting on that beautiful white quilt..love your room.
What is on your agenda today, your dress right? Lol

Karen, had to laugh, sounded like you and Walt are kids and while mom and dad are away you are eating all your favourite candies..now meals will all be to your liking.
You are about as far from Frankenmuth as I am from Toronto, nice drive when roads are dry..sure did enjoy the meal we had at that restaurant when we gathered..

Sharon was saying she had supper alone at Cracker Barrel last night, was a l9ng wait, in meantime she took pictures of the Christmas decorations for me to pick one..only one I would have liked was the acrylic deer but not at $399 USA. Don’t remember merchandise being so expensive. When she went to pay for her meal someone had already paid for it..was a nice treat!

Started this post quite awhile ago, Kyle dropped in the an hour, always nice to see him.

Going to have a coffee then go do the outside light, it’s freezing now but not in the minus digits so best i go out now. Will multi task, while i have my coffee I will slice oranges and lemons and get them in the oven

First fire of the year !!! I checked back on my 2021 calendar and last year it was Nov 11. I can just start to feel the warmth moving through the upstairs. Zeke is freaking out - he has never seen the wood stove lit.

Watched PBS from Seattle last night and it featured The Doo Wop Project. It was excellent. Man the 5 guys had all the slick moves and voices to match. Apparently all of the guys played Frankie Vallie on a stage production at some point in time. They have been a group for 10 years.

It's been a wet snow off and on but it is not sticking. I have so much to do in the house other than giving the TH a second walk I'll be inside.

Yes Norm did remarry. Barb took such good care of him and he of her - he was probably lost without her.

Stanley sure looks like he owns that bed Pat.

Oh Karen I love meatloaf. What other foods will you and Walt be able to enjoy now?

Stay safe and warm everyone. Other than Sharon who probably needs to stay cool.

Oh Dianne, everyone’s roof is covered with snow..had my thermostat at 73 but can fill the temps drop. Sharon is coming home from USA dog show, she is on Canadian side near Hamilton, says traffic is almost stopped from storm..hope you are not in its route.
When we spoke about food, have you ever purchased Marie Carpenters frozen meal..well actually family meals at Walmart. i paid $8 for the 3 meat lasagna, on 3rd healthy meal so works out a cheap meal, to me as good as home made....next time I’m in Walmart I will pick up her scalloped potatoes.

Before you know it Zeke will be laying in front of the fire enjoying the heat.

Yes I did know that Norm had passed on, he is with his sweetie now.

Promised myself to sew edges of Santa hats that but nope, didn’t get done, wondering once I eat if I could possibly get the nervy to do it but highly unlikely

Keep hearing noises, not the fruit slices i have in oven, wonder if i turner dishwasher on and forgot to do a regular load and have it on the 3 1/2 hr cycle.. losing it.

That's quite a Sunday to do list. What are the fruit slices for?
It was 36 this morning, 56 this afternoon. Looks like our cold Temps are arriving quickly.

$400 for an acrylic 1 deer??? YIKES! I have found any of the Marie Calendar stuff that I have tried has been very good.

I am so glad I finally got the silk plants OUT of my bedroom so Stanley can enjoy my bedroom again!! The little stinker is chewing on that BIG pink flower on the top of the black cabinet. I hate to think I have to eliminate it too. For now, he doesn't get up there very often and I am spraying him with water when he starts chewing on the flower. He is a smart boy, he KNOWS he is not supposed to chew on it. Whether he will continue to do so is up to him. He does NOT like water.

I have room in the garbage cans so I am going to go outside and do a quick prune job to fill up the can. It's cold out but I don't expect to be very long. My roses look awful and will look much tidier soon.

Yes Pat, unusual for Cracker Barrel to sell such things, Sharon said although it’s acrylic it look like cut glass.

Someone on a craft post showed places Karen that is very similar to Frankenmuth, forget the town name, Dunbar or something in Pennsylvania.. maybe one day

Cat sure do not like the spray water bottle, am sure it won’t take long for Stanley to learn.

Lindakay, the dried lemon and orange slices are to help with Santa hat embellishment.

Sharon just got home, now it’s the jacuzzi for her/bath and bed.

Where her big sister is hoping also

Lovely dog that Sharon has. No wonder he's a winner.
Betty - I don't know about ON law, but in AB, if he doesn't pay his Bankruptcy fees, I'd be on the hook for them. A lawyer here told me that, and so did the RCMP.
The amount of $$ I quoted for retainer, etc, is already with 25% off! That amount would be with my never contacting the lawyer for anything. I'll talk to Victim Services, and Senior's Outreach (a senior's "help" organization). If it's not contested, and no arguments about the division of property, it should be straightforward. If he wants to fight for more, I'll just lay it out on the line - it will take TIME and cost MONEY for him. Waiting a year means it can go through uncontested. If I'd done it earlier, I could have claimed adultery & assault & he wouldn't have liked that - it would drag on, and drag him through the mud. I'm actually being the nice person here, too. I understand what you mean, about being the better person.
SO sorry to hear that Norm had passed.Glad he found some time with a new relationship after Barb passed away

Storming here, climbed into bed, put fireplace on and i’m listening and enjoying the sounds of wood crackling, have a 1 hour timer on it..

Got a call from my BIL Robert, a good friend, actually Greg’s Godfather died this morning.

Melanie sent we an update as well, her friend who is a nurse sent her this

“ Hi Melanie, can you let Greg know that Neil passed away this morning.
Things haven’t been good for him that last couple weeks, he had C. difficile from medications he was on & was in hospital for a week, then they sent him home with IV & Friday was his last dose of antibiotics he still wasn’t doing so well & this morning @ 7:00 he went to hospital by ambulance & then they were going to run a few blood tests & then were going to take himto go for a cat scan & when they went to get him he passed away @ 10:55 am. The doctor said his heart just stopped.”

Neil lost his wife Lexi about 2 years ago, shortly after he won a million in the lottery.i also heard that recently his sister Bernita had a stroke a few weeks ago, can’t speak and their sister has Alzheimer’s (she was head nurse at midland hospital) so lots of bad news all at once..Neil would have been 80, he and Roger grew up one farm away from each other…that family had such a hard life..Neil’s dad was losing farm after the war, couldn’t take it so hung himself in the barn…big sigh

Susan I am sure you will have it all worked out..think at this time of year everything is so much more emotional.. add taking on so much to keep yourself busy is a tad too much and overwhelming

Sorry to hear all the sad news Betty. Will keep them all in our prayers.

Morning, just need to shovel the steps but first I have to find my shovel. Last week i picked up all garden shovels/hoes/rakes but did not remember to take out my shovel..will go find my winter boots and go to back shed and get one, at same time can bring in another Xmas tote.


In addition to Neil’s death, i messaged Theresa, Jeff’s godmother, she told me Neil had been at her silk’s funeral 2 weeks ago..here is Theresa’s update..


“She was a young 81. Always on the go. She was married to my brother Morris, he passed 10 years ago. She had a few issues with her health. Went to emergency with her daughter , sent her home with antibiotics her daughter called 911 went to RVH she wasn’t responsive. She got sepsis & passed away 2 days later. It was a shock.”

Is sepsis contagious? 2 lost to same thing?

Sitting here folding a load of laundry, feels so nice and cozy, each piece so hot, i could just cuddle in it.

While it was waiting for it do dry I cut up the specialty glass I bought to fire little Xmas trees I will make as decorations, if, I remember how to do it I’ll have a dozen made.

Keep watching the clock, want to call the $$ store to see if they unpacked their Saturday order and if they have those dusters I need for the childrens craft day Dec.4th. If they have i will drive into town right away.

Besides that I will work on the kayak and get one panel of back deck up

Beautiful trees Betty.
Sepsis is an uncontrolled infection. Once it gets so bad, there isn't much they can do.

Youngest son came yeaterday to help with a few things, First he hung my new to me lamp. When I bought it at auction, I had no idea where it would go as we didn't have a house even found. It's perfect for over my desk. Quite big about 24 inches across.
They got one toilet chnaged out and then we had dinner. After went to do other toilet, opened the box and it was smashed to bits. Walt is exchanging it today and son will come back to help get it installed.
Trying not to rely on kids too much but if they offer, we are glad to accept. Walt is very unhappy he cannot just do as he always has.

Just came in from doing the tango with the leaf blower for a couple of hours. Still have to tackle what's left to move and stack of the wood pile. There's about 3 - 4 hours work left there. I love being outside so enjoy myself even if my back doesn't.

Karen your lamp is beautiful. Love the colours.

Pat is Stanley like Zeke ? Zeke will deliberately do something he is not supposed to and looks over his shoulder to see if I am watching.

Zeke had his bath yesterday just not in the tub. Betty made me a pouch awhile back and I carry all things the TH might need in it - treats, brush, a small scissors, gauze, tape and a small bottle of shampoo. I carry it with me when the TH and I walk. So Zeke was splashing in the lake, I had my wellies on so gave him a bath right there. Some otters came over to see what was going on. That was cute!!

Betty don't you go crazy and cart in more than 1 tote.

YIKES!! What temperate is it at your home Dianne, I am shivering at the thought of you in the wellies giving Zeke a bath!

LOVE those trees Betty!! Tell me you don't have to climb a ladder to put up the screen/wall on your patio.

Karen, no wonder you bought the light before you had the house, it's GORGEOUS! Sorry to hear about the broken toilet. I am glad you got one of them installed!

Susan, I hope Bob does the smart thing & does not contest the divorce.

Linda, praying that things continue to improve for you & Todd and that you will get good response for your quilt sales.

Sharon, I hope your family's health is improving and you can once again enjoy their company.

My day plan just went out the door. A friend called; she needs a ride to her MD appointments & I don't have the heart to turn her down. Somehow, I'll get it all done, just might not be all of it today.

Karen, that lamp is beautiful..
Dianne, please be careful stepping into that cold water.
Bless you Pat for helping your friend.

I called Victim Services & they gave me a support ph# to see if AB Works can give me Income Assistance, because I sure can't afford a lawyer. AB Works can't help me and suggested I work out a payment plan with the lawyer. If Legal Aid won't help with an uncontested divorce, I'm stuck & don't know what to do next. I put a call through to Senior's Outreach to see if they know of an option.

Praying you can get some help.

Susan, I found this on Google.
See if it can help you.


https://divorce.legalzoom.com/canada/?coupon=adwords&utm_campaign=states&gclid=CjwKCAiA68ebBhB-EiwALVC-NvjS3lPh13lNybsiuL1nWSCiul_rltM5VS9cDwzyuxTGP0qfBBGiQRoCIlgQAvD_BwE

Or this one.


https://www.self-counsel.com/alberta-divorce-kit-download-version.html#:~:text=Yes%2C%20you%20can%20do%20your,your%20spouse%20are%20in%20agreement.

Got our first snow overnight. The grass is covered, but streets are just wet. We're supposed to get 2-5 inches by tomorrow morning! It's just beautiful outside!

Morning, Pat and June will will arrive shortly so I’ll have to come back and Re-read.

It’s cold out there, Ziggy made it to the back deck stairs and changed his mind, in he came..not a winter cat.

Yikes Re sepsis, Lindakay, will go read further, that is 2 people I know that died going to Midland hospital in last 2 weeks.big sigh

Always seems Deb we have same weather, do you have snow tires on your vehicle, distance to your work right?? One of the good things about Covid if you can call it that was the working from home..do your dogs enjoy the cold snowy weather.

Love, love your lamp and your work desk, i can imagine you typing there with a smile on your face..about a decade ago I bought one almost same, was cracked in a few places so I took apart and it is on my cement bench..

Girls are here, be back