Digging Up The Street

The water dept. is back to rip up the street again. Fun. Fun! The clouds cleared already. I didn't sleep well again. Probably anxious over today's court hearing. I got up around 9am. It's about noon now.

I brought some blocks around to the front to guage for a new front step that isn't quite as high as the existing. I'll get some feedback but I think it looks OK from across the street. I tried to get myself killed by stuffing the pampas grass base into a bin. I almost decided to wait for Brother but dismissed that in favor of self-sufficiency. I had chastized myself this morning for not having felt self-sufficient in my life. Of course I've also felt like I was useless and lazy too.

I did manage to get a cut on my hand though. It isn't a good project unless some blood is shed for the cause! I'm hot and sweaty which annoys me a bit but it'll pass. I think I'll just leave that garden hose holder thing painted white. It looks less obnoxoius to me this morning and what's it matter, right?

Had a small frozen angel hair pasta meal for breakfast. I think I'll have some gatorade and wait for Brother to arrive.

It's now half-past 6pm. Court was fairly uneventful. The lawyer got a haircut. Brother commented on the preparedness but I wasn't so impressed. She seemed a bit unfocused talked to the judge although her paperwork was good. Found out why she needed to talk to the "half-sister." It seems the court wanted a bond waiver and needed more information about her relationship to Mother. There wasn't one and under CA probate she has no stake since Brother and I exist. If we didn't, then she could make a fuss. I knew all this because, as I told Brother, I had taken some time to read some of the probate law before we engaged a lawyer. Anyway, the judge agreed with her opinion. The lawyer said the "half-sister" refused to sign a bond waiver and seemed unhappy with the circumstances. As I explained to Brother when Father died Mother got everything since there was nothing not in both names. Since Father didn't leave anything to the "half-sister" her interest ceased to exist. Had Mother died first, the situation would be different.

The court has to make certified copies so we have to wait another week for our letters of administration. That also costs $30. Did I mention the initial filing fees were determined based on the presumed gross worth of the estate? Crazy. Probate is some kind of institutionalized necrophilia.

Suddenly Brother is more interested in assisting that creditor which wants to keep the account in-house. No idea why. Maybe he took his meds? I'm really getting to know my Brother in a different light. He's not as sophisticated as I am but that could be by choice. He's not stupid. He's far more emotional than I am. He also talks a lot. He talked a lot when we made the final arrangements. He talked a lot today with the lawyer. I haven't put my finger on what kind of emotion triggers it. I generally only talk a lot when I'm tired or when something really specacular happens. At the house today he was introspective. I hadn't really seen him like that. That's usually my bag. I expected to feel some kind of emotion when the case was announced and I heard the judge speak of "the estate of (Mother)" but all I felt was that expectation. I didn't feel anything unusual. The courthouse is ridiculous. You come in the door, immediately into a zig-zag queue for security and right there is the single elevator door. The area is probably smaller than some prison cells. It was bizarre and didn't reflect the very nice and spacious courtroom--nothing like those I've been in for jury duty.

Anyway parking was $8 all day. Even with the waiting and jawboning with the lawyer we were gone in an hour. If we'd tried the other lot which I'd suggested it would've been $4 ($2/half hour). Maybe next time. Basically the court is giving us 18 months (that is until a date in Nov 2007) to settle the estate and close probate before it says, "What the hell is taking so long?"

We stopped at the home improvement place so I could get my needed boards to finish that gate. I got that done this afternoon. I'm not entirely happy with it but it looks good and it works. Why fuss? It's the cursed perfectionist streak.

The neighbor invited me over this evening. He was a bit tipsy. He thinks his wife had another mild stroke over the weekend. Wouldn't surprise me. Father had that problem too despite medications and symptoms similar to those she had. Not having that kind of spousal emotional bond, I don't know how it must feel but on an intellectual level I can at least say I've had the experience with a parent. You can't do anything. There comes a point in these kinds of cases where you can only make the patient comfortable and let nature take its cruel course. I feel bad for the neighbor. One can almost feel his distress. Maybe I'm more sensitive to it because of my own care giving experience. I actually like the moments of empathy because it makes me feel less isolated from humanity.

It's after 7pm, I need to eat. The water dept. are still causing havoc in the street.