Things that drive a Widow crazy

Really, does it all have to be so hard! I am not even talking about emotionally just the nuts and bolts of dealing with stuff when a person dies.

It all began a few weeks ago when I noticed my checks from my primary account were getting low. I had a whole box when I got back from Europe so I didn't bother to do anything about it. Last year the people at the bank assured me all I had to do was fax in the death certificate when I felt up to it and they would remove his name from the account. Simple enough. Time came, needed checks, thought it was a good time to get the correct address on my checks. So, I called, got the fax number and sent the needed paper work. Today, go to order checks, Christian's name is still on there. What is the deal!

I called, the girl was confused but ordered me checks with only my name and new address but then sent me on to some other bank specialist to get "the problem" resolved. After a long time of waiting in silence, the new lady tells me, yes the paper work has been received and she was going "to look" into the "problem" if I could just wait a little longer. Hummmmm, yes, I will wait, I have nothing better to do, right? (Note, it is finally sunny and warm out for like the first time all summer) So, I wait and watch the sun from inside.
The second lady come back and tells me, his name cannot be removed since he was the primary account holder. Now, if I had died, it would have been no problem to remove my name. Lovely. But this is not the scenario that we are dealing with currently so why did she even have to mention that small detail. Of course she tells me it has something to do with the government. I reply with the obvious fact, he is dead, how could he still own an account? In my mind that statement makes sense and one would think when a joint account is no longer joint, it could just be switched over to a single one but why take the easy route. We all need a bit more paper work in our lives. I mean, I sure do. Give me more papers and numbers to keep track of, please!

The long and short of it is, I have to open a completely new "individual account" so that I am established as the primary holder, get all new cards, info, checks etc... Then when that all arrives in the mail, then I can switch over my money, call the insurance part of the bank and get all my car, house, jewelry policies switched over to my "individual" account and I'll be all set.

This is the stuff that drives a widow to snap like a jack in the box. Life should not have to be this complicated.

The Rat

Last night I came home from the movies to find a neighborhood cat guarding it's dead prey on my driveway. Needless to day, the cat fled and left it's catch behind. YUCK.....

So, I did what any normal girl would do, and left it there. I was hoping deep down inside that the cat would return for his prey and the problem would be solved.

The cat never returned, or at least he didn't return for the rat! So, I was in and out of my driveway all day long and I may have run over it a few times but I really tried to miss it. And not make the killing worse then it was.

Finally tonight I gathered up my courage, walked determinedly to the end of the driveway and scooped up the dead rat into a plastic bag and got rid of the fly ridden thing. I am kind of grossed out that there are rats in the vicinity of my house. But I guess as long as I don't find any inside, I will survive!

The Happenings

:: I just sat down on the couch and have lost all my motivation for vacuuming. I really need to complete that task before I head to bed, so here I am blogging!

:: I'm having a lunch party tomorrow. I've done most of the prep tonight. SHould be a fun afternoon and I am looking forward to time with friends. Too bad it isn't really going to be the best weather for eating outside.

:: I am happy for the rain now that I have fresh sod, it may help with the watering for a few days.

:: I was on Fort Drum today. In some ways/many ways I really miss military life. Every one was being so polite and saying say Ma'am, how is your day Ma'am. Can I help you out with your groceries Ma'am..... How refreshing!

:: Work was a bit crazy today. My IV stats are improving drastically!

:: My friend Heather is coming to visit in a few weeks, YEAH!

:: The dogs don't like not being able to go out in the backyard. Oh well, life is tough sometimes!

::This bereavement stuff just seems to get harder, sometimes I wish I just lived in a movie where the ending is happy. (Failure to Launch is on right now)

::Back to chores... If only the place could stay clean for a few months at a time!!!

Yard Installation

Here are just a few pictures I took this morning before the sod was laid. The flowers are starting to come along nicely.


All this went into my yard! If you scroll back a few posts you will see the before and this is the after. It is so nice to look out and see green.

More Planting...

As I attempt to figure out what to do with all the "decorative" signs Christian left for me, I am slowly putting them out in the yard/garden. I am a bit nervous about having this particular one out since I live in such a vastly liberal area. But Christian really like this one and had it at the entrance to the downstairs in Italy. Perhaps it could be a good warning sign that I have dogs??? Does the beautiful pot of flowers soften the message, maybe???

We had this one hanging in the basement with a set of cycle pipes. I think I might even have the pipes in the garage but that might be a bit much for a house that is inhabited by a girl and one that doesn't even ride/drive a harley.


The pictures don't demonstrate all the hard work I did today. You can't tell but I planted 20+ plants in amongst the hostas this afternoon! I dug up and transplanted 5 bleeding hearts and 1 large viburnum from mom's house, 8 astilbe, 4 clumps of mini iris', 2 digitalis and a few other things that I can't remember the names. Good things I kept the tags. Shade gardens really limit choices. Mom came over this evening after dinner to survey the planting and the verdict, "Looks great! You don't need to buy any more plants." She has so much more to give me from her garden for my sun beds, once they are really to be planted.

Am I becoming, "The Big Dig"?

This view is from my deck, 3 more cedars along the back and wow, the yard looks so big without grass. It was tilled and a lot of top soil was spread. I am praying that it doesn't rain tonight so that I can get the sod put down tomorrow morning.


A new step, an actual step was put on today. So much better.

All these hostas were moved from various places in my yard to make one large "hosta bed". I am going to tuck other things like bleeding hearts, astilbe, maybe some digitalis for height. But the bulk of the planting is done on this side. What a difference!

Martha vs. Liz

This morning, after days and days of thinking I should really get to it, I embarked on the making of the buttermilk blueberry scones recipe that I found in the last issue of Martha Stewart's magazine. I bought amazing blueberries up in Massena and they sat in the fridge for days, If I didn't make them today, the berries were going to be a waste of money. So, I rolled up my sleeves and started. I don't know about others but I find Martha's recipes time and step intensive. So of course it didn't come out quite the same, but you be the judge.

Martha's Scones


VS

Liz's Scones


*******So, although they don't look quite as professional, they tasted GREAT. I really love scones.