It's been a minute, hasn't it

Things have finally settled down into a routine.  I am just waiting for an opportunity to go to the Philippines so that I can have Mom's ashes interred at her final resting place.  COVID is still out of control in the Philippines, I'm just waiting until it's safe to travel there, hopefully without 2-week quarantine in a hotel upon arrival.  

My friend that was going to attend Mom's memorial ended up losing both her parents within 24 hours to COVID and had to go there.  She quarantined for a week at a hotel in Manila and a week in the family home with visitor protocols before she could take care of stuff.  I think she was able to do that because she's fully vaccinated.  Sounds like she and her siblings made arrangements to maintain things there and they can have extended vacations.

I have recovered from the car accident, meaning I have my car back 100%.  The body shop even fixed an old dent because it was close to the new damage.  I paid for a rental car out of pocket, which is crazy high rates right now because of COVID.  You can't get an economy or small car, so you have to settle for bigger cars and higher rates.  I have little hope of getting reimbursed even a portion but I've recovered from the financial hit, too.  

I finally got the "letters" so I can start pushing to close things.  Talking to the lawyer today, she assures me the courts here are nothing like LA County, so things will go much faster than the 3 years it took to close Auntie's probate. I'm hoping to file to close by the end of the year, but that'll depend on if how much of an asshole my employer's going to be or else I'll be retiring earlier than I intend.

I'm still trying to figure out life after Mom.  Taking care of her was my purpose for the last 10-15 years.  I was building my life when she literally started moving her stuff in every weekend.  I was doing things, like martial arts, that I gave up for fine arts.  She ruined my diet, completely ignoring her own diabetes.  I must admit, I'm eating out more now and I miss sharing my meals with her.  We weren't splitting to save money as much as because of the big portion sizes.  One plate was enough to split with her and we can both have leftovers the next day.