Continuing my estate chronicles… met with one bank on Dec 31, and they said they’d close the account and send me a cheque made out to the estate, 20-25 business days. I called the estate dept to follow up and she’d tell me nothing, said to call the branch. Account still open, still fees charged.

Got the kiddo registered for five weeks of camp at her fave dance studio. Now fingers crossed we get the last few weeks at theatre camp. We love the arts!

I have today off. I need to update all of my spreadsheets for mom’s estate stuff. Time to prep some chili for this week’s lunches, and maybe a bit of shopping.

During Covid, we started celebrating the kid’s half birthday just to add something fun to February. Now it’s tradition. It also would have been my sister’s 51st birthday today, so we think of her as well.

The roads were surprisingly clear my whole drive in today. The sidewalks were mostly clear, except where you have to cross intersections. Fine for those of us able bodied, but not for those with mobility challenges.

Had anyone used the kobo Clara colour for graphic novels? I have a black and white kobo that I use almost exclusively for library books, and the kiddo is interested in a kobo. She also reads a LOT, mostly graphic novels. I’ve read reviews, but curious of any pros or cons with Libby.

Round one of shovelling done. Considering I picked my kid up at 12 and it had barely started, that was a lot down already.

I went for a walk in my subdivision. There are a lot of trucks with men in red shirts coming and going. Love the Sunday morning energy!

I'm trying to add little pops of joy into my days. I saw that the local bakery had 2 for 1 croissants today, so I went on my morning break and just had one for an early lunch, and it was so good. Packing one with soup for tomorrow's office day lunch.

It’s my first day back to work since Mom passed. I’m not ok today. Some days are good and some are bad and last nights sleep was terrible, filled with panic. But, today may turn around yet. My coffee is good. I woke up. I get to wfh. I can spend the day sorting through emails from Dec until now.

My new socks from @dianachard.bsky.social came! Thanks so much! They fit perfectly. J said she thought I bought them, and that I should have said my feet were her size so they’d fit her instead.

Trying to get $19 from cancelling Mom’s apartment insurance has been an exercise in frustration. ‘Please issue a cheque to the estate of ….’. They then send a letter saying they credit card on file was rejected for the return. Ya, she’s dead and it’s cancelled. Ok we will issue a cheque.

I head back to work next week after my leave. I am both ready to go back and not ready at all. I’ve been enjoying this last week or so with less on my plate. Only another 6.75 years until retirement!

Headed out to try to do the one last BIG task before I head back to work. Time to talk about a headstone. Last time I did this WITH mom, five years ago, for my sister. This time I am going alone.

Last night my mom was in my dream. We were going somewhere on a trip or something, my aunt and cousin were there too. It was to celebrate my mom. It was so nice. She’s been in my dreams the past few days. Also so sad to wake up and realize it was just a dream.

I was going to ease back into the gym today. Got changed, was getting my backpack ready and realized my indoor shoes are at the office. My outdoors are just too dirty. Ok, change of plans, Go buy new sneakers. Car won’t start - battery issues due to cold. Ok! Home day it is.

Handed over the keys to Mom’s place yesterday. I now have time to rest and adjust before I go back to work. Made myself sushi for lunch. It was not pretty but it was tasty and fun.

It’s crispy out there today. What a day to discover that I must have gotten rid of my long johns due to not wearing them often.

The snow plow woke me with a jolt at 5:20. So a nice, quiet coffee it is.

When are we predicting that they will cancel school for tomorrow? Will they wait until 6 a.m. tomorrow or will they make the call tonight? I feel like we all know there will be no school tomorrow.

All cleared out of moms apartment and cleaned, just need to go back after the storm to do the out inspection and hand over keys. It was a lot of work but also an honour to be the one to take care of this for her. Glad I have tomorrow to grocery shop and get crafts for maybe two snow days?

Ok so I guess I shouldn’t book the out inspection for mom’s apartment until Wednesday in case I can’t get out even Tuesday? Going over to finish cleaning today, but the landlord doesn’t book inspections on Saturdays. Fair enough, he deserves his weekend!

I’m so close to having mom’s apartment all cleared out. I was bringing home some stuff to get rid of here and dropped a tv on my foot trying to bring it in the house. Fingers crossed this isn’t what gets me to rest. I swear I was going to rest next week once out of her place! I still have to clean!

Once our IWK appt was done, the kid and I had to get back to HSC where we were parked. Walked to SGR and hopped right on the #1 within minutes. So efficient (and lucky timing). I miss living in the city some days.

My husband is stuck in an elevator at his office. He was supposed to pick us up at the mall to drive us to IWK appt.

‘I can help you next week, just let me know when.’ Ok I will be there Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9-2. It’s now Wednesday at almost noon, and I’m still working alone.

Everyone has everything they want from Mom’s apartment. Today I have to go see what I need to dispose of, and keep on cleaning. After the snow, parking will be a mess. I didn’t get all the stuff off her patio yet. Any recommendations for disposal services?

Our power is on but it went out long enough to reset the clocks and turn off my white noise machine which woke me up. So early, quiet coffee it is. Or was. Coffee is almost gone now.

I’m not rude by nature, usually a people pleaser. But I just got parked on the street by my mom’s apartment after dropping a load of stuff at Mission Mart. Her neighbour pulled in and asked if I was going to be long. I shrugged and said a few hours. ‘Well that’s my spot,’ she says.

Going to take the headphones and go clean at moms today. Time to pack up the rest of the kitchen and will tackle cleaning it today. I’m sure she didn’t move her fridge or stove for the 12 years she lived there. Going to be gross.

Today’s coffee was magical. It was hot, perfectly strong, and did everything it could to start my day off on the right foot. Ten out of ten.

I had a terrible sleep, and made a not so great coffee. But! It’s still coffee, and it’s hot and it’s (very) strong and the cat is purring away on my lap. Not a bad start to Monday.

Just went to the library to print a death benefit application and the woman behind me told the staff that her mom passed two weeks ago, and the staff said her mom passed two years ago today. I really wanted to interject and say that mine just passed too. I didn’t. But I felt part of a club.

Kid woke me at 4 to tell me she couldn’t sleep. She immediately fell back to sleep. I did not. Brain spinning with everything I need to do today. Yawn.

Doing a few hours of cleaning out my mom’s stuff, and cancelling her license etc. There is so much to do. But bit by bit it will get done.

Ok guys. I’m at Moms apartment sorting stuff and I found my Cabbage Patch Doll adoption certificates.

This would be nice. We shall see.

I slept without a panic attack or nightmare last night! That is cause to celebrate. I had a massage yesterday and then spent a few hours making phone calls dealing with mom’s estate and accounts. Maybe checking off some to-do’s helped. Lots more to do today.

I’m so happy coffee exists. It gives me something to look forward to when I get out of bed each day. This time of year is tough otherwise. Dark dreary mornings are not my fave.

Today we’re making gingerbread cookies. It’s the one thing my kiddo likes to make every year. I did not get to it before Christmas, but we’re doing it today. We will pass on making the house this year. Cookies will do.

Well I guess I should add my pic too.

Lost count of how many nightmares woke me last night. The last one ended with an anxiety attack at 5:30. But then I made a fantastic cup of coffee and now sit in the quiet before my kiddo wakes.

I’ve been at moms apartment all morning trying to get stuff sorted. And holy heck it’s a lot to do. I have been busy the whole time but yet feel like I’ve done nothing.

I bought myself a new mug for Christmas and it is bringing me joy today.

My mental break from estate stuff is over. It was good to take a few days off but I’m back into ‘must be done’ mode. Making a plan for the coming week so I have set tasks each day and don’t try to do too much.

Now that my pour over coffee advent calendar is done, I’m hoping to make the move away from my Keurig. Today’s coffee was a success using Fog City coffee by Java Blend. I think that advent calendar and the new kettle, grinder, and pour over dripper were my favorite gift I gave myself.

Our leftover turkey dinner has been had. Gifts are all opened, and we have zero commitments for the rest of the year. Well, maybe one or two sets of plans.

Kid has been awake since 2:45. I also couldn’t sleep as a kid at Christmas. No threats that Santa won’t come here though. Instead we had a few sleep stories and now she’s reading in bed while I drink my coffee in her room. Yawn.

I am not doing any estate stuff today. So instead, I’m overthinking. Years ago, she started doing Christmas Eve open house. She’d have rolls, meats, cheese, veggies… any family and friends could stop by. I missed it last year due to the snow.

I went for my walk, @kimisayswhat.bsky.social!