The Transition Times

Finally heard from the DMV this week about my driver’s license.  They approved of my hoop jumping.

Seen three doctors in the last two weeks.  No problem — just catching up on stuff I’ve put off.  None of them have heard from Social Security about my disability application.  My primary care doc said my blood work “looks remarkably good.”  The rest were equally positive.  Got one more doc to see this week.

I finally remembered to call about Lew’s pension checks.  Had to pay back two months worth.  Lew was really bad about financial planning.  He had set up his pension so that it would stop after his death.  When I left the voice mail message for the woman in Human Resources to call me back, I didn’t recognize her name.  Still don’t.  When we were talking, she asked for Lew’s social security number.  Pause. She said, “I know him!  I used to work with him!”  I don’t know why, but I started apologizing for breaking it to her so abruptly.

Lew’s clothes have gone to the Crisis Assistance “store.”  I decided to keep his Habitat shirts for the time being.  His bike clothes are still in the closet.  They’ll be going to a friend Lew was very fond of (Sorry, “Sweetie,” it ain’t you!)

Been going through the rest of the stuff in the closet.  Found his “state of the art” notebook computer that he bought for when he traveled.  Man, have computers changed!  It has a small screen, weighs a ton, and doesn’t have a USB port. Its got something wrong with the hard drive.  I’ve got to decide if its worth spending the time trying to fix it or if I should go ahead and destroy it.  Nope, I can’t sell it or give it away.  There’s “secret” stuff on there!  (Customer info, software, etc.)

A couple months before Lew died, while he was still active, I asked him if there was anything he wanted to get rid of before he died.  I reminded him a couple of weeks later.  I asked about the journal he kept while we were having marriage problems.  He said it wasn’t important.  I found it next to his laptop.  Its back on the shelf where it was while I decide if I want to read it.  Would it be painful?  Or, would it be a learning experience?  Would it make me miss him more?

I’m beginning to question my judgment.  I heard that! A neighbor we’ve just waved at asked if I’d take care of their dog while they are out of town (she usually stays with Sammy).  Well, Benny invited Errie to sleep over Thursday night.  We enjoyed her company.  She’s very curious and very bright (She’s just about got the dog door thing down.).  And she kept trying to get into my van so I could take her home.  She’s going to have a rough time without her mommy.

Errie is about nine years old (if I remember correctly) so I won’t have to worry about keeping up with puppy antics.  She’s a well mannered Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, so she’s small enough that I could pick her up if I had to.  But, one thing I hadn’t thought about — she doesn’t know to stay out from under my wheels.  And she doesn’t know “Excuse me” or “Move” or not to sleep in the bathroom doorway.

So, anyway, new dog adventures in a couple of weeks.