I've been gone awhile. I've been distracted by my sister's problems. I've spoken of her before -- she has always been a spendaholic in denial. It has finally caught up with her, and she and her husband started to fall behind on their mortgage. They finally had to open up and face the fact that they cannot live on his salary and her social security. They have to sell their house, but they have to do it before they face foreclosure. It's been a nightmare for me, fearing that they will be out on the street.
Thank goodness they have allowed me to intervene and set them up on a budget and spending plan. Things are still really tight for them, and I have to help them in little ways, but now I have more hope that they will get through this. The problem now is selling the house. They have a lot of cleanup and repair to do before they can get it on the market, and once they do, the market is pretty awful here. It may be a long time.
I have been helping my sister sell her stuff -- they will have to downsize, anyway. She sold her entire set of dishes to replacements.com, and has taken her collection of Oriental art to a specialty store that sells on consignment. She is selling her books on half.com and taking her clothes to a consignment shop. I am proud of her, because she has never been able to let go of stuff before.
Our antique booth finally turned a profit last month. I am hoping that the Christmas season will bring higher sales.
As for me, I have given up on the medical premium fund. I will have to pay it monthly (come January), which really won't be all that much more expensive, just more of a nuisance.
I'm planning a trip to see my kids and brother in November. I'll spend a week in Chicago and a week in Michigan. I've bought a ticket for my sister to fly out for the Michigan part of the trip, so she can see her grandchildren. Then she'll ride back with me. I was glad to do this -- she hasn't seen her grandchildren for almost a year, and there is no way she can pay for travel right now.
So -- life is challenging! Isn't it always?
Catching up
October 16th, 2008 at 04:28 pm
October 16th, 2008 at 05:06 pm 1224176772
October 16th, 2008 at 05:26 pm 1224177991
October 16th, 2008 at 05:30 pm 1224178228
I hope they can sell their house, and not loose it.
It amazes me that it takes some people so long to see the light.
How nice that you are enabling your sister to visit with her grandchildren.
October 16th, 2008 at 06:54 pm 1224183292
It's great your little business is making a profit!
Your sister is benefiting from your help, hopefully in time to avert foreclosure. It seems she is becoming better at managing her finances, with your guidance. You're a wonderful sister.