October the last!

 I process emotions better by writing things out and putting a humorous spin on them.
I am (still) in Texas, trying to deal with my (step)Mom's estate. This morning, my sister-in-law handed me some mail for the estate. (Opened... so I can only hope nothing important was lost.)
One item was an offer to better the terms of credit on the Tractor Supply card... which was allegedly canceled several months ago, when I canceled the other (28) cards. It seems there were two TS cards, and I had canceled the second one when it came to light, weeks after the first.
So when this letter of bettering terms came, with the partial card number for reference, I started trying to get hold of them. I explained it to TS customer service. She removed Kathryn from the Neighborhood Rewards program, and transferred me to the credit card department. I explained my concerns that there was maybe still a valid card open in Kathryn's name. We walked through all my credentials and reasons for the call. I am put on a hold until she verifies me.
Then she says, she cannot continue the call until she has permission from the actual card holder... May she speak to Kathryn Beard? 
No, you may not, she is deceased.
Oh... well, I cannot speak to anyone but her. Let me transfer you to someone who can help.
This was pretty much a repeat of the first CC rep (Citibank, your CS reps are inept!). This one gives me a number of the department I need to call.
I called. I was given two phone board options: Report a stolen card / OR Report fraudulent activity.
You must choose one of these options!
I started hitting "0". It kept telling me this was not a valid option... then offered that, if I needed help, press 9.
Explanations are given. Credentials provided. They cannot speak to me without Kathryn's permission.....

I was nearly screaming at them... What part of SHE'S DEAD is not getting through to you?
"Oh? Well if she's dead, let me put you through to Probate!"
Provide all info and credentials AGAIN.
Yes, Probate has them on file, and yes, the card is cancelled. 
I was SO upset. I know they are doing their jobs... but maybe go off script and actually LISTEN to the caller once in a while? If the first person, or second, had actually listened, I could have reached the probate person 15-20 minutes earlier.

I also got back the income tax forms... I cannot figure out WHAT the IRS wants. It's signed.
All supporting documents are included. They say that they cannot accept facsimile signatures. I assure you... I signed. In Ink. Not a copy of my signature,
Awaiting a call from the tax prep guy on what the IRS wants.

ALSO got a notice to walmart stock holders of some sort of lawsuit. I have already submitted paperwork to sell the stock, probably dated about the same day as this lawsuit notification was sent out.

Just another day in the life of an executor.
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Please... get your stuff in order and heirs named. If your designated heir passes before you do... assign another. Please?
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In other updates, Granddaughter Nickole will be moving back to live with her adoptive Mom Glynna in a few weeks. 
Brother Eric is on the bone marrow donor's list to try and replace his non-functioning bone marrow.
Brother Rob was found to have faulty heart valves, as our Dad had. They flap backwards, resulting in fluid build up in his legs, abdomen, and will cause restrictive beating of his heart as it becomes compressed by the fluids. Insurance want to fix this with compression socks. Doc thinks removing leg veins might help.
Rob's daughter Tanya has the cancer metastsized to her bone. 
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Son Stephen (Tommy) and wife Ruby are 10 weeks to the due date of Magnolia.
I was informed of a new blessing due in July. Waiting for the owner to make public announcements before I can reveal the news on the identities.
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A "Visit" Home

 The middle of August somehow marks the end of summer, with Back To School. Despite temperatures in excess of 100*, Summer is gone. With school starting, American Heritage Girls and Trail Life Boys has geared back up. I brought Nickole back to Oklahoma for our troops' Camporee at New Life Ranch. Sam attended, with Nickole as her adult on premises. A good time and chiggers were had by all.

Sam went back to work Monday feeling like he had not had a weekend at all. He's pretty tired. Mr C and I tried to get back into our long established routines, with errands on Monday. I had attempted to bring the house back up to speed over the weekend. Those who know me, know that "Up to Speed" isn't all that perfect. It's still got quite a way to go, and it's mostly uphill. I AM getting better about ignoring things that need to be done and stopping when I am tired.
This trip, I caught the tomato harvest up again- twelve quarts of  tomato puree, three and a half pints of tomato sauce. (*Caught up* doesn't cover the two gallons picked today)

Since my last post here, my brother Eric (Ricky) was in and out of the hospital several times. He appeared to be losing blood, and the fine Docs at the VA in OKC couldn't figure out why. They decided to test his bone marrow. It was discovered that he has Myelodysplastic Syndrome. He was initially elated that he didn't have Leukemia, because leukemia is cancer. 

I wanted to know what myelodysplastic syndrome was- so I looked it up. It's cancer. There are a lot of treatments available- and even a cure is possible! The cure is a bone marrow transplant- effective about 80% of the time in patients that are 48 and younger, and have no other major health issues. My brother doesn't fall into that 80% effective group. He has at least 5 other major health issues, not counting his age. (Well over 48!) His best chance at a donor is a sibling, followed by his child. The donor must not have any major health issues. Rick, Rob, and I are the siblings. Rob is out due to several major health issues. That leaves me among the siblings. I am willing, if we are a close enough match, and IF they will accept blood from someone out of their target age range. (The national donors list removes donors when they reach 61. I am... older than that.) Donors are ruled out, even if they are a match if they have: Pulmonary disease, Heart disease, Blood Clots, Diabetes... which both my brothers have. I know Eric and I have different blood types, but I am in a group known as "Universal Donor", and was told he is in a group known as a "Universal Recipient".

I got a message from my eldest granddaughter yesterday. So proud of Alana! She was planning how many invitations she needs to order for her COLLEGE GRADUATION! in December. For some families, College Graduation is the norm. In my parents families, it is not. Alana isn't the first to attend college, but she is the first to be a college graduate.

I am not going to be home for long. Nickole and I have eye exams on Sept. 5th, and then we head back to Texas. I'm in the final lap of getting the estates settled. I have to have an appraiser out to give property valuations for future tax purposes. Get property deeds changed. Fill out documents and jump hoops to have stocks sold and added to the estate account. Finally, taxes estimated and paid for next year. Once this year's taxes are filed (Early in 2025), the estate will be settled.

At least one of the pieces of property has been in the family for 111 years. Not long, as history would count. VERY long as family generations go. That is seven generations that I am aware of.

Thank you for continued prayers for my niece Tanya.
For Eric and Robbie and their health issues.
Strength and a sound mind for my Mom (and I!)
that estate finalization goes smoothly.

This is a season!

 Life goes in seasons.

 I remain in Texas, still not finished with the Estate stuff. I went home to Oklahoma at the end of July, for about five days. My flowers were all blooming beautifully. Mr C had been freezing ripe tomatoes, so I got 10 quarts of them canned. I made several kinds of jelly, and finally got to see the neighbors' produce stand. The 3rd of August marked Tom and my 40th anniversary. He came down to East Texas, as did Daniel and Sarrah. It was a nice weekend.
I have had trouble sleeping at times (which also occasionally happens at home). I am still figuring out what to do with insomnia. After tossing and turning for over an hour, I opened my phone and watched funny stories on facebook. I tried again to sleep. Even tried re-doing the bedtime routine. Nope. NOT sleeping. So I got up for a cup of tea. Prayed for various folks. When it became more morning than night, I switched from herbal to caffeinated tea. After that, more facebook scrolling. I decided I could be quietly productive by cooking. I seasoned a package of (on sale!) chicken legs, and have them roasting. Once they cook and cool, the bones will go into a pot for bone broth, and the meat will be turned into something for lunch.

Nickole is friends with the girl next door, who is slightly younger than she is. The young lady and her brother lost their Mom back in December. It's a tough situation. Both kids are very sweet. The family they live with is *sort of* related to us. My step- Mom's cousin was the step-grandmother to the husband of the family. The kids are somehow distantly related to the wife.

In other news: my niece that was diagnosed with breast cancer is undergoing treatment. The diagnosis was not quite as grim as originally thought- she does have a  fighting chance to beat this!

My Mom and I are planning to go visit Christopher this weekend. It's about a two and a half hour drive, and since I live more than 300 miles away, we are allowed a 4 hour visit. I have tried to see him when I can. Sometimes, it's a cluster of visits over  few months... but other times, years have passed between occasions.

Mr C and I still don't know what we are going to do about the property I've inherited. Nothing, for now, is the plan. Several of our kids have ideas on what to do. After the cattle round up for sale... I don't know that cattle ranching is something we ought to pursue. We are getting somewhat old to be out there dodging angry bovine. Maybe plant timber? Bees are a thing, but we need better knowledge of their care, and harvesting honey. Maybe fix up the barn (One of them?) and put a cottage on it, and rent to traveling horse people as an airbnb? Add several cabins and make a little resort? (There are places to hike, creeks, ponds, fishing). Sell the whole place outright? (I found a deed to part of the property. It has been in the family since 1913). Right now, I really don't WANT to sell.

Prayer requests for now:
Health for my Mom, and brothers.
Niece to be cured of cancer.
Various family members to take care of situations that make inheriting difficult.
Mr C to be able to retire.
Healthy baby and safe birth for the family members that need it.
BIL to improve health.
SIL(s) financial situations, and healing.
Wisdom to deal with family members in trying situations.
Thank you !
May your day be blessed with peace, joy, and unexpected treasure.

Almost a year. Time Flies Like an arrow. (Fruit flies like a banana)

 Gosh. What a neglectful blogger I have been.
Since last August... Wow.
It has been a trying year for sure. Mr C and I still have Nickole. Beckyhadababyit'saboy! (Very old joke from a TV commercial... about long distance rates!) Daniel got married. Samuel is dating a sweet lady. Mom Rose had a cancerous growth on her hand. Stephen T. is in Honduras on a missions trip, only recently back from Peru!
Kathie passed away in May. I have been at my Mom's since then, helping her, and working on my Dad's and Kathie's estate(s). That was only made court official last week. 
I am always just sure things are about to settle down, just ahead after X event. 
I expanded my flower bed this year, with Mr C asking if I was going to be there to take care of it. I was sure I would be. I am not.
I have been home 3 days since the 6th of May. Since then, my brother Rob has been hospitalized three or four times. Brother Eric at LEAST twice. Mom Rose once. She had outpatient surgery on her hand. BIL Bob has been hospitalized once since then. All of them have been at death's door.
I just try to keep on keeping on.
Nickole has learned how to navigate the airport and flown solo a couple of times now.
Yesterday was one of those times. Her trip got her as far as DFW... where a world wide computer glitch left her stranded. I drove to DFW and got her, then we went to see my Aunt Jean (91) and cousin Jeanie. It was a good visit. Nickole and I took the longer route back to Rose's... opting to go north to 380 and across 50+ miles of traffic lights and small towns, rather than face I-20. 
We got back moments before Tyrel and Darren arrived at Rose's... so that we could get many of Kathie's cows to the sale barn for tomorrow's auction. Robbie is not in good health/ full strength. Nickole is pretty much scared of the cows. Ty, Darren, and I sorted and chased, chased and herded three loads  (Small trailer, small loads!) of cattle today. It was a learning process. We got the first load about halfway? and had two tires blow out on Darren's trailer. That led to figuring out how to change tires on a fully loaded trailer on the side of the highway. In the rain, if I failed to mention that part. Mom Rose came and got me, I loaded a jack and accoutrements to the truck, grabbed Tyrel for strength... and headed back to the stranded trailer. A good Samaritan had stopped. He was local. Went and grabbed his jack, and he and Darren had the two blown tires off and loaded into the fellow's car as I got back. The guy took Darren to the nearest tire shop and waited with him while new tires were put on the rims... then he jacked the trailer back up and helped Darren put the tires on. We all stood by the roadside and had a prayer time before going our separate ways.
Becky texted me that she had looked up our Good Samaritan.
He was a famous football player-  Stanley Richard. He had been a first round draft pick, playing for  The SanDiego Chargers, and Washington Redskins. We had no idea who he was while he was helping us. We are grateful, Stanley. After we got the first load delivered, we got a second load on the trailer. Sorted through several we are keeping, and while Rob and Darren delivered those to the sales barn... Tyre and I managed to get a third load of most recalcitrant, older cows with ATTITUDE into the loading bay. Once Rob and Darren returned... we got the third load onto the trailer. I went with Darren for this load, so Rob could get home. I am exhausted. Pretty sure I'm gonna feel this tomorrow!
That's all for now. Thanks for reading!