Bag number 2 of my father’s papers has been gone through. My bonus discovery was another packet of unused Christmas cards! Guess what I won't be buying in the sales!
It's quite fun having little surprises among the bank statements and other random papers. All though it all looks complicated, there's very little that needs urgent action.
Just one more bag to go to complete this week's - what shall I call it. I'm not doing goals or challenges or targets or anything like that this year. All I'll say is that I'm hoping to get through all three bags by the end of this week. (I know there's plenty more in his flat!)
I've filled our little slow cooker with what will eventually become chilli con carne. The pot is so full of minced beef, onions, garlic, sweet corn, chopped peppers, tinned tomatoes and stock that there was no room for the tin of kidney beans. They'll have to be added at the reheating stage. The first of many more 'cook once, eat twice' meals to come. At least that's the plan.
And I've started a Christmas jigsaw, picking out the big Christmas tree and Father Christmas to begin with.
.......
I was getting a bit ratty and short-fused this morning, so I stood looking out of the window in the sun, repeating today's phrase from The Lord's Prayer. Actually this phrase has been spread over three days;
'For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory'
It fits easily with calm slow breathing, and helped me re-centre and calm down.
I found a load of HomeBase vouchers among my Dad's papers. We used them to buy new red and gold baubles for the Church Christmas tree - which had cheap, tatty, mismatched old ones. Plus a new set of lights to replace the sparse little string. I knew he felt strongly that if people came to church just once a year for the Carol Service, and the first thing they saw was a messy, unloved tree, then they would conclude that we didn't care much about Christmas. That year, (and subsequently) so many visitors commented on the tree. He would have been thrilled about that. Such little discoveries of unexpected "treasure" help with the heartache of loss. My slow cooker has produced a chicken and butternut squash curry. 2 portions eaten this evening, and 3x2 portion packs frozen for other days.
ReplyDeleteThe treasures certainly lighten the tasks.
DeleteSlow cookers are wonderful! I want to get back to using mine again more, and ease the post- Christmas budget and BBs housekeeping load
It's hard going through all the things. When we went through Aunt Jane's things we found little piles of money in her things - definitely a nice surprise! I think even she had forgotten where she put it.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm sure there are a lot of discoveries yet to come!
DeleteIt's a sad but necessary task. I had to do it in small stages, but it was made easier because my parents were so well-organised. My children won't say the same, I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteThe jigsaw looks jolly. I like the reindeer and the dalmatian!
His filing system is.... hmmm! I'm not particularly cast down emotionally by the paperwork but from the admin standpoint it is on the far side of arduous. It's the more personal stuff that will be harder.
DeleteThe jig saw is very cheering. There's a lot going on in the picture
I'm trying to make sure my kids don't have a lot to go through after I'm gone.
ReplyDeleteHow was your chili? By coincidence chili is what I'm making for our evening meal today ( and hopefully leftovers for tomorrow as well).
You are being a hero to your kids! They will bless you!
DeleteThe chilli is in the freezer. I has a little taste...mum!